Today was a better day.    Dad is improving from the setback he had over the last couple of days and the trauma team feels that they have his infection under control.  Dad no longer has a fever and they were able to turn the body cooling pack off.  His white blood cell count has also improved.  They still are not completely sure where the infection is.  They are most suspicious of pneumonia at this point and will continue to take daily chest x-rays and fluid samples from his lungs to test for it.  They will also continue to monitor his blood for infection.   He will remain on strong antibiotics for several days to hopefully completely wipe out whatever the infection may be. 

Dad was breathing strongly on his own again today with the ventilator on the lowest settings. However, because of the fear that he may have pneumonia, the ventilator will have to remain in place for at least a couple more days.

Last night during the night Dad had the chills/shakes again and they had to once again administer Vec (Vecuronium) - the medication that causes temporary paralysis.    Today they did not have to give him that medication again and they also took him off of Propofol (sedation medication).    As a result, Dad was much more alert and responsive today than he has been the last couple of days.  For example, he kept reaching for my brother's hands and responding to their questions with head shakes and nods.  When Dale was holding his hand, Dad squeezed it with strength.  Dale told him that it felt good to feel him squeeze his hand, so Dad then squeezed it even harder several more times.  Dad had his one eye open often and was aware that we were there. (His right eye is still too swollen to open - and all of the bones surrounding it are fractured, so it is probably too painful as well).  There were also times when it felt as though Dad wanted to and was trying to talk.  But  with the ventilator in that is not possible. 

Dad was also aware when Mike and Dale gave him a priesthood blessing (his third one since the accident).  When my brothers asked him if he heard the blessing, he nodded his head yes.  The blessing was also reassuring to my family.

Dad's blood pressure remained within normal range today and did not skyrocket as it has the last couple of days.

There is still cerebral spinal fluid leaking from his nose, so the tear in his membrane has not yet sealed off.  The drain in his spine is still in place to relieve the pressure from his brain. 

We have not yet heard word on if/when they will be able to replace the metal screw in his wrist with a titanium one for MRI purposes.  We have also not yet had word on when they expect his facial reconstruction surgery to take place.  We assume that they are waiting until the infection is cleared up completely. 

Overall, our family feels much more encouraged today than we have the last two days.  Dad looked better and acted better and we hope that his progress to recovery will continue swiftly from here.  The doctors have indicated that it is up to his own body to heal now and their job is just to facilitate his own healing process in whatever ways they can. 

Our family continues to appreciate all the prayers, thoughts, love and support you have been giving to us.  Thank you!!!