Evening update

It was good to see Jenny and family in good spirits today. Jenny looked good and rested.

Today Keith was taken off the ventilator for 7-hours while breathing on his own. This is another good step. While getting a CT scan today, Keith was able to open both eyes and follow a moving finger. Another good step! Jenny is encouraged and said herself that she knows that this is going to take time.

While I was in the room with Jenny and Wendy tonight, Keith’s medical team came in and explained that the reason his temperature had been slightly elevated was because they were able to isolate where they think the infection might be (remember, lots of tubes and intrusion to his body and infection is not uncommon and is treated with antibiotics). Keith has a clot in his arm near his pic line. Usually treated with blood thinners, this is not possible in Keith’s circumstance since he has a brain injury. They plan on replacing the piece of his skull soon and are not in a position to give him the medication (Heparin) that would thin his blood. Once the pic line is removed, the clot will eventually dissipate. In the meantime, they will insert a filter to prevent the clot from traveling to Keith’s lungs. Clots are fairly common and they have a remedy to get this one under control and to get the infection to go away. They will place a central line (via the groin) in Keith that gives medical personnel necessary access (like an I.V. would) to give medications as needed.

Clot: Small Hiccup.

Breathing on his own for 7-hours and following a finger with both eyes open: HUGE step forward!

We joked about Keith’s haircut a bit since they removed his bandages and Jenny has never seen Keith without all of his hair. He actually looks good and we commented on how 80% of his head is shaved, yet above his left ear he has his regular patch of hair.

Keith’s mom Wendy was very encouraged as well. Wendy told me tonight that she is worrying less and trusting God more. Today was a good day. Baby steps, one day at a time. Jenny said today that she knows it will take time.

Keep praying, keep having faith!