Medical Update

David made it through the night without any complications. He was taken off the paralytic early this morning. Because of his mild kidney failure, the medication takes a little longer to be cleared from his system. To this point, the results have been less than hoped for. However, David does have slight muscle activity in his neck, which might represent spontaneous movement, but more likely represents reflexive activity. A neurologist is going to be consulted today to attempt to illicit and assess some brain activity.

On the other hand, the ICU team, though somewhat gaurded, continues to press forward. David began to receive nutrition through a tube to his stomach. They are also having some success at weaning the very aggressive form of mechanical ventilation that he is receiving. We are hopeful that we will get a better idea of his brain function sometime today.

The Heiners continue to speak with gratitude to all the medical providers, including the lifeguards, paramedics, nurses, and doctors, as well as friends and family, who have cared for David and their family. We remain cautiously hopeful.