Update # 64

I just heard from Kendahl. We were reminiscing that at 10:30 pm tonight marks 7 weeks that Dave has been in the ICU unit in Knoxville. What a thrill it is to celebrate this milestone.

Kendahl wanted me to share as she has mentioned in the past - no news is good news! She hasn't been able to post anything lately since she and Dave's parents have been able to spend more time with Dave.

Here are the updates:

The medicine that Dave is taking to repair the hole in his colon is working! The drainage has been reduced by about 50%.

The plastic surgeon said that the "mesh" that they used to cover Dave's large wound has done its job in spite of coming apart. It is holding his internal organs in very nicely.

The doctors are seeing a lot of new tissue growth everywhere in Dave's body. This is really good news. It means that his organs are healing.

As Dave's condition improves the surgeon will place a thin skin graft over this wound. The body will ultimately heal itself. This will be all that they will have to do to this wound.

The doctors did say that Dave will have a bulge on his side as a result of moving skin. Please pray that this won't be the case. Dave is struggling with this thought. In fact, he mentioned that he doesn't want to look like a blob. Now he will be able to join the rest of us with our blobs.

They aren't completely sure if the blood clot is still in Dave's leg. However, the swelling in the leg is almost gone. If it is still present...it doesn't seem to be affecting him much.

Dave has been able to receive more "food" through his feeding tube. It was at 10 and now it's up to 40. He seems to be tolerating it well.

Dave is now able to have juice and other liquids. This really good since he loves juice.

They have now discovered the problem with Dave's eye. The problem isn't with the eye itself. It is functioning well. The doctors have said that it is due to his brain injury. Please pray that this will improve! As you might imagine Dave is really struggling with this. He can't see out of it, plus it causes him to be dizzy.

A huge praise: Dave was breathing on the trachea collar for 9 hours yesterday in 3 hour increments. This type of breathing is very difficult for him. It can be painful and exhausting. However, he is persevering like a champ. Apparently, when he is officially off of the vent...his overall condition should improve more quickly. Please pray for his perseverance. I am reminded this evening how much I truly take for granted...especially the ease of breathing.

Dave's parents have moved into a place called Fellowship Center. It is for cancer patients and for families who are from out of town. It is a one bedroom apartment. It is free and just 5 minutes away from Dave. The hotel they were staying in was about 15 minutes away. When Kendahl is there she can stay on the pull-out couch in the living room. This is a huge blessing for all!!

While Dave is working really hard at breathing through the trachea collar...Kendahl and his parents are reading to him. In fact, they continue to read the cards and letters that you all send to him. Please keep sending them. He really loves it!! You can do this via mail or through an ecard. By sending these notes you are helping Dave with his respiratory therapy!

I hope that I was able to pass on everything correctly. I told Kendahl to correct anything that I missed. Please keep praying for Dave. What an amazing update to report.