Update #22

It’s been a real roller coaster with Nick the last few days. Some good and some items of concern.

He is still in the coma. BUT he’s showing signs of trying to come out of it. More on that later.

Last night was rough, as they tried to wean him off the ventilator. In that process he stopped breathing three times. Pretty touch and go. But today he seems to be breathing more on his own. Hopefully that will continue to improve as he gets his strength back.

At 9am today the nurse noticed that his pupils were two different sizes - not a good sign. They continued to change sizes, sometimes the same size and sometimes different. But they weren’t that concerned because his other vitals and such looked good.

So they did a CT scan today to see how it looked inside. They said nothing has changed, which, at this point, is good, since they could deteriorate.

On Friday they did an electrical current test, which checks the nerve highways to the four extremities. The two arms and right leg seemed fine! But there are some blocks to his left leg. They will keep watch on that closely.

His white blood count is coming back to a safer range.

But, even though he’s still in a coma, and his muscles are having a hard time because they’re so atrophied, there are some slight, subtle signs that show that this boy is fighting!

His pupils, in the very slightest sense, seem to be tracking movement in the room. As someone walks they seem to be following, ever so subtlety.

Also, the audiologist says that Nick’s hearing is working, though it’s delayed. So he is hearing something.

The doctors are convinced that “he is there” and trying to come out of his shell, so to speak.

While this is encouraging news, there is still a loooong way to go. The doctors said this process – of coming out of the coma, getting his muscles to work again, rehab, etc. – is not like a light switch but more like a dimmer switch.

Good thing we know the Light of the World.