Updates on Sam - 12/16/15

So I think I'm going to move to blog form.  That way our non-Facebook friends can keep up with what's happening as well.  Writing is a good outlet for me anyway.  

So we are still at 1 step forward, 2 steps (or more) back.  After a relatively quiet night, Sam has had some setbacks today.  Right now we're in day four, and swelling can take up to 5 days to peak.  His ICP (intracranial pressure) has been elevated, and he cannot handle another dose of what was previously bringing it back down.  So, they've increased his sedative and added a paralytic.  They don't want any movement from him at all in an effort to keep that ICP from rising.  'Paralytic' is a terrifying word.  However, it is the same thing they give surgery patients to keep them from moving inadvertently.  They will wean him off of that as his pressure improves.  

Small pieces of good news...they X-Rayed him this morning, and they said his lungs looked clear.  Also, not sure if I mentioned it a couple of days ago, but the broken bones are being treated now the same way they would be without the brain injury.  Even though this is sheer hell, there are glimmers of hope.  We cling to those, and the support and love we are receiving from you.  Keep those prayers coming, friends.  We need them now more than ever.