This blog has been created to follow Michael's progress, but as you can see we have quite a bit of catching up to do in order to get us current. Since Sunday, getting information about Michael and his status has become a small version of the "telephone game" of sorts because the information spreads from phone call to phone call to try to get everyone updated. Fortunately, my parents are now there with Michael so we are getting information more directly. I will post the information that I have as of today and will relay it as accurately as I have received it.
Here's the list of injuries that Michael sustained (hopefully I remember everything):
- Concussion
- Skull Fracture
- Shattered Right Ear Drum
- His left eye has been removed due to extensive damage caused by shrapnel
- His right eye has been repaired once, but will need additional work to remove more shrapnel discovered in a cat-scan. The doctors aren't optimistic about saving this eye, but we are all praying for a miracle.
- broken jaw, which will be wired shut for at least six weeks
- several broken bones in his face, which are fortunately still in their correct place so they aren't anticipating any reconstructive surgery
- extensive shrapnel wounds in his face and neck
Due to the extreme swelling in his face and neck, Michael had to undergo surgery to get a tracheotomy breathing tube. Up until yesterday he was on ventilator support, but he is no longer in need of the extra support and is breathing on his own through the trach. When the swelling goes down he should be able to get the trach removed.
He also has a gastrostomy tube (surgically placed feeding tube directly into his stomach).
Michael arrived at Walter Reid Army Medical Center in Washington DC on Wednesday, Jan 6th and my parents and Erin arrived later that afternoon. It has been such a blessing to finally have them there with him, and they are already seeing improvement. Today he was moved from the intensive care unit to the intermediate care unit which is a good sign of his progress. Tomorrow they are planning to get him up out of his bed to try to sit in a chair.
From what my parents have said, he is very stiff and sore and his movements are very slow. He is in quite a bit of pain so they have him on pain medication, but he is no longer under the heavy sedation that he had been under for the first few days. He is on quite a bit of antibiotics though to try to help prevent infections. One of the major problems of those darn IED bombs is that they are made out of who knows what so having shrapnel from that dirty thing in his body is a great risk of infection. We will pray that the antibiotics will do their job!
Despite all the pain he is in, and the current state he is in, he is still the Michael we know and love - sarcasm and all. Here are a few cute stories that my parents shared with us that let us know that our brother is ok:
- While visiting with Michael, dad was holding one hand and mom was holding the other so dad said, "Erin I guess you'll have to hold his foot," and Michael slowly lifted his foot up out of the bed.
- Erin was visiting with Michael and said, "Michael I brought all my Twilight books so I can read them to while you're here in your bed." Michael very slowly formed his fingers into a gun and put it up to his head.
- When Michael was home for Thanksgiving my mom kept trying to hold his hand and he kept pulling it away from her because, come on, what "Man" holds his mom's hand, right? : ). So at the hospital she sat holding his hand and reminded him of that and said, "well Michael, looks like I can hold your hand as much as I want now." Not long after she said that he slowly moved his hand out of hers. She would grab it again and he would move it away. He's such a brat.
From day one we have all wondered what, if anything, Michael will remember from the day of the bombing. We got a small confirmation that he does remember something. When my mom asked Michael what happened he took one hand and made his two fingers look like they were walking, and with the other hand he made what looked like an explosion.
As of today Michael has not yet been told about the death of his fellow soldier, and friend, Bradley Smith. The doctors feel it is best to let him stabilize a little more before telling him this information. I'm sure if he could talk this would be one of the first things he would ask about though. My parents will be flying out to Illinois on Monday to attend the memorial and funeral for Sr. Airman Smith. I'm sure this will be a day they will never forget.
We are so grateful for all the support and love we have received since the day of Michael's injury. We were all flooded with love and support, especially my parents, and this was such a blessing. Thank you for all the prayers being offered for our family, and for Michael - please continue them! Also, please pray for Airman Smith's family as well.
- Lisa
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