I just spoke with David van Leeuwen, Michelle’s brother. David is an MD (pediatrician) living in California.
David said, “It’s hard to explain, but he looks far stronger than I expected him to. My first impression was one of immense strength. It’s difficult to articulate. Steve has good skin tone, and is responsive to us in the room, but there is something more… he has a clear inner strength. I was really encouraged. Steve was responsive to us in the room. In fact, when I spoke to him he was able to raise his left arm to where his hand could rest on the breathing tube. He still does not have fine motor movement in his hands, but this was a good sign. It terrified the nurses, however, because he almost extabated himself. The tube is painful. He fights the sedation and fights the tube and clearly wants to be with us and respond to us. The challenge is to keep him calm.”
David went on to explain that Steve has been breathing on his own all day. He is on motor ventilation (“pressure support”) that supports his own breathing but does not give him breaths that aren’t his own. This is a good sign; it shows that his respiratory drive is intact. A tracheotomy to aid in future breathing is still a possibility, but he does not have one now. He is completely off blood pressure pills (used to keep his blood pressure up). This is a big step.
The staff was able to place his oral gastric tube (feeding tube) today. This is also important because they can better manage pain control with oral medication, as well as provide him with oral nourishment.
David has gone through the surgery notes of the neurologist, and Steve’s spinal cord injury is described as “near complete”. This is a medical term; categorizing the severity of the injury. There are more details regarding the (ASIA) grading of the injury that we’ll provide at a later date; we’re still collecting accurate information from hospital staff.
The medical news so far is encouraging; however it’s important to have in mind that the surgery on Monday with necessarily result in a step backwards. There is currently a lot of swelling in the spinal cord itself and this swelling complicates the neurological functions and findings. At this stage it is difficult to pin down accurate prognostic information. The surgery on Monday is extensive; will result in more swelling; and Steve will take a step backwards. From that point forward Steve will truly begin the process towards recovery.
Prayers are also requested as they make decisions around which rehabilitation facility to choose; there are multiple options and they want to make the best decision possible for Steve’s long term rehabilitation.
Lastly, the three boys are at the hospital right this evening. They are passing through on their way to the beach. Steve’s family has been taking wonderful care of them, and prayers are requested that the boys will be able to enjoy their time at the beach and not worry about mom and dad.
More to come about the Monday surgery, as well as plans to set up a fund for financial contributions.
- Sean