Update #31 on Kevin

So, like I previously mentioned, things are moving fast. They are still planning on moving Kevin today to an LTAC here in town. They are trying to get some final things scanned, such as a new X-ray for Kevin’s neck fractures before they move him in an EMSA vehicle. They are also X-Raying his right hand to determine if he has a broken finger or not. It’s interesting how they can get the reports back and read in an hour when they want to move him out. I asked the social worker why the move was happening in the early afternoon as opposed to the late afternoon which is what she told me yesterday. She said well the insurance is already calling to see why he hasn’t been moved yet. That’s not right. I don’t want them rushing things through. (ten minutes later) I just went back and discussed the matter and now it will be at least late afternoon.


Good news is that Kevin is now breathing on his own. It has been about an hour. It is with a CPAP machine. Basically, Kevin is initiating every breath he takes. The machine only gives him a low amount of pressure support, kind of like a boost of air whenever he starts the breath, but it is low. It’s at a 5, which is about as low of support as it can go they said. Also his PEEP is at a 5, which the Respiratory Therapist told us is also really low. She said is probably just enough to make sure air is going through the tube. That means when it’s not there, it shouldn’t be needed.

We’ve been talking with all the different disciplines (departments) of Kevin’s care. Asking about how far he has come in their opinion and what goals we can expect in the next month. Most of it has gone really smoothly.

Also, Dr. Fell, the neurosurgeon finally graced us with his presence. His last notes on Kevin were on August 31st, nine days ago. Then He had told us he would be back in a couple of days. I told him how disappointed I was that he did not follow through with what he had told us. He apologized. He went on to examine Kevin. Of course, Kevin didn’t do any of the things he has been doing when he was examined by Dr. Fell. So he said there hasn’t been any change. I told him that others had done the Kleenex in the eye test and Kevin’s left eye blinked all three times. He tried it again and said there was some blinking. I told him Kevin had started opening his eyes on Sunday and had done so at different points since. I told him how different parts of his body were moving, and some in reaction to stimulus in sitting and moving to the neurological chair. He then replied, I guess we have had some progress. He hadn’t looked at the latest CATscan from Sunday yet, and when I asked him about it, he asked if we wanted to see it. Angie and I had seen it, but Greg and Taylor hadn’t. I still wanted to look again to hear his views on it. He said there is still swelling around the Basal Ganglia (where the brain stem connects to the brain). Also, swelling around a couple other spots. This hasn’t changed his view that Kevin is up against very big odds.

We still need to meet with the head of trauma nursing and the main nutritionist/dietician. This is going to be another long day.

Thanks for praying for Kevin,
Matt, Angie and family
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http://www.prayforkevin.com/