Patience

Third day for Dad in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.  After leaving the hospital last night, it was thought Dad (Craig) would be having another CT scan once he was more stable, expected Monday.  However, this morning hospital staff decided that it had become more necessary for the scan due to the rising pressure in his brain; they needed to know what was going on in there.  Unfortunatlely the scan will not be read until Tuesday.  Because of the rising pressure they have discontinued rotating the contraption-of-a-bed he was in.  The hospital staff have induced paralysis to assist with relaxing the chest muscles so the lungs can stay inflated properly.  They have reported that he will likely need skin grafts to his leg.  The good news is that it is not broken. 

The tough thing about Dad receiving some of the very needed treatments is that other injuries are neglected.  It just seems like everything is top priority right now and only one can be treated at a time.  For instance, to increase blood flow to the brain, which will reduce pressure, it pulls blood away from his extremities and the rest of his body which need healing too.  On a positive note, Dad's lung function has seemed to improve slightly--the respirator is not doing all the work.

Something I want to clarify is that my Dad was, of course, wearing his cycling helmet.

Our family has started a "fast" for our Dad tonight.  The one nice thing about this is that our family has been able to spend much time together.  We have been able to watch the grandkids chase each other and giggle, something our Dad would really enjoy.  We are praying for a better day tomorrow but are also learning that we will have to be patient for the improvements.

What Happened?

On September 30 Craig was on a short bike ride, expected to return after an hour.  Mardean became worried, trying to contact him by cell phone and driving his cycling route to look for him.  After about three hours, the University Hospital contacted her with the news that he had been admitted to the ER and that he had serious injuries but could not yet explain exactly what they were, just that he was sedated.  

Little by little we have been able to find out details but are still unclear as to what exactly happened.  Witnesses who called 911 state he fell from his bike and was unconscious.  He was taken to Jordan Valley Hospital by ambulance and then life-flighted to the University.  

Currently he is the most critical patient in the surgical intensive care unit.  At this time the only visitors allowed are family, so we want to keep you updated on his condition.  

His injuries include trauma to the head, all his ribs are broken on the left side, both front and back, this is called flail chest.  His left clavicle is broken and both lungs are being drained, as one had collapsed.  There is injury to his left leg but we are unsure what the extent is.  His body is extensively bruised, scraped, and swollen.  

Some of his treatments include blood transfusion, rotating bed to improve lung function, ventilator, head bolt (not sure of the technical term) that measures pressure on the brain, propofol induced coma, and more tubes than apparently most critical patients normally have at one time.  Once he is stabilized, they plan to plate his ribs, probably the first of many procedures.

At this stage the doctors are not able to give an accurate prognosis until they are able to stabilize him.  Each day they try to bring him around to test his response to stimuli.  He has been able to move his limbs slightly and that is a good sign.

Craig is certainly a fighter and a strong individual.  In his fifties he found a love for cycling and has excelled as he has been able to do several century rides and loves a good challenge.  We feel encouraged that the health benefits he's received from cycling will help him through the challenging months ahead.