Update #11

Friends and family,

The last week has been tough for all of us. Dad took a couple steps back since our last update. He has experienced atrial fibrillation and flutter on and off, which the doctors have treated with medication. While atrial fibrillation/flutter by itself isn’t considered a major concern (a lot of people have it and live normal lives), dad’s situation is different because of the extent of his injuries.

Dad also experienced a decrease in urine output, so the doctors placed him on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to assist in his healing process. This is considered to be a temporary therapy until his urine output returns to normal levels. We expect this will happen in a week or two. The doctors told us this is not uncommon with older burn victims.

At this point, doctors don’t know how much longer Dad will remain on the ventilator. His pulmonary numbers are stable, but did struggle slightly as a result of the pneumonia.

The good news is that all of dad’s grafts are taking very well. We were able to see more of dad’s face during our visit this weekend and, all things considered, were excited by his progress. He may only need a small bit of grafting on his left cheek, in addition to that which was already performed on his eyes. His lower right eyelid healed without a graft.

The doctors will finish grafts on his legs and hands in one or two surgeries beginning next week. Once these heal and donor sites have healed (4-6 weeks), dad will be brought out of the coma. I can’t describe how much we look forward to the day we can hear his voice and see his smile. It can’t happen soon enough…

On a personal note, the three of us (Colin, Ian and Ann) were fortunate to be able to attend a Charity Motorcycle Ride organized by Darcy and Larry Stroud of the Modified Motorcycle Association of Arizona (MMA). In addition to the timed ride, there was a 50/50 raffle, a prize raffle and a live auction. The raffle and auction offered more prizes than we could ever imagine and included enormously generous donations from dozens of local businesses and individuals. It was especially touching to see some of the cash prize winners forego receiving their award, instead donating it to the fund. Even Harvey Skoog, the Mayor of Prescott Valley, was on hand to emcee most of the event, and he was assisted (rather hilariously) by Dad’s dear friend Stoney Monday.

The last six weeks have truly shown us new extremes of emotional highs and lows – and the time spent with the Strouds and our now “extended family” was a definite high point. You are all amazing people. Thank you so very much for the HUGE support, kind actions and thoughtful words.

Lynette and Glenn hosted the event at Smokin’ Harley’s in Mayer, AZ, so if you missed the event and pass through the area, please stop there, thank Nut and Glenn, and have a beer to toast dad’s recovery.

Colin and Ian