Medical
Update #3
Hi Gang,
Have been to see Mike again today. He’s in fine spirits and there’s certainly some some good news in the offing. He’s still in the ICU, but that’s to be expected for this week. The good news comes on a couple of fronts. His condition is still serious but stable.
Physical
Mike has been to theatre and had his tracheostomy tube inserted. This tube is still attached to the ventilator, which is continuing to support his breathing. The bases of his lungs remain about the same, but seem to be responding well to the physiotherapy and medication. Furthermore, he has begun the weaning process off the ventilator. He has been doing without it for an hour or two each day, and this will progress quite quickly if the lungs stay clear. While they were there (in theatre), he had his broken jaw fixed. And as an added bonus he had a wisdom tooth removed- you know how expensive the dentist can be! They also had a rethink about the halothoracic traction and have removed that entirely- all that’s left is a dodgy haircut (short sides) and a couple of screw holes. His relief from it’s removal was palpable. This means he can be moved about the bed more easily and the staff can ensure he has the best chance of avoiding further infection in the lungs and pressure areas over any bony prominences. Overall, excellent progress.
His neurological state remains in some flux, and the definitive outcome will be weeks to months away. He is quadriplegic and seems to be a mixture of levels C4 and 5. He has some sensation to touch over his shoulder tips (which would reflect C5), but he doesn’t have any movement of his arms as he had early last week. He can shrug his shoulders. He should be able to retain enough function in his diaphragm (breathing tummy muscles C3/4/5) to not rely on any external respiratory support- allowing him to talk and breathe normally. He has some sensations of hot and cold, plus position sense of some joints below his shoulders, but this remains patchy.
Update #2
Dear Friends/Supporters,
Michael continues along the not unexpectedly rocky path of recovery following his accident last Saturday. He remains in the ICU (intensive care unit) at the Austin Hospital, where Mon remains by his bedside for as long she is physically able.
Physical Update:
He is in a serious but stable condition. The surgeons have fixated his neck fractures with some metal screws and rods, and have further re-inforced their internal work with a a halo-thoracic brace. This contraption keeps the neck completely still (in a neutral position) with a framework of metal and plastic between the chest and head. This is not comfortable for Mike, but it is important to prevent any further neurological damage, as there are some suspected fractures high in the neck.
He has some collapse and consolidation at the bases of his lungs, which is essentially normal for someone who is unable to deep breathe, cough or mobilise. These small infections are being treated with antibiotics, and they should clear once he gets a tracheostomy (tube at the notch at the front of the neck, which will go into his breathing tube- the trachea) and can sit up and be rolled about more easily. This is planned for today or early next week. The medical team have also discovered a fractured jaw and a potentially fracture right wrist. These will be fixed in due course.
