Tuesday Medical Update on Matt

To Everyone,

I'm now back in Colorado and unable to report my direct bedside observations. I've spoken to the director of the neuroscience unit at the medical center about Matt's status and hope to report daily on the basis of what I learn from continuing conversations with the hospital staff.

They tried to lighten Matt's sedation and got him to move all of his extremities but weren't able to awaken him to a point that the ventilator could safely be removed. A CT scan of his brain continues to show swelling in the frontal areas so they plan to keep him sedated today and will try to wean the ventilator again tomorrow.

As Kelly mentioned, he's been started on some liquified food (think of something like Ensure) and is tolerating that well.

The pressure monitor didn't come out yesterday but that will perhaps happen today along with removal of his surgical drains.

His fever continues and is now most likely related to poor lung inflation as he lies in bed. He's on antibiotics. The fever and decreased lung inflation ("atelectasis") is not a big issue and should resolve once he can be more upright.

Progress is slow...which is trying and frustrating for all of us. But HE IS MAKING PROGRESS. ...and Matt is himself not marking the passage of time. I'm confident that he is not experiencing any pain or otherwise suffering as the days pass.

Each of you must also to remember to take care of yourself as you wait.

Uncle Rich