Our Journey To Recovery
Thursday, July 19, 2012
July 18 Wednesday
On behalf of the Heitzman family I want to thank all the people who came out tonight to participate in the Blood Drive in support of Christopher.This will not only help Christopher but others in need of blood transfusions.
At least 113 people showed up to donate blood which was fantastic! Because the American Red Cross could not process all people who wanted to donate, they have graciously set up another blood drive at the same location:
Menchie's 2960 Shallowford Road Marietta GA.
It will be held August 1 from 10 am to 4 pm. To insure that you won't be turned away, please make an appointment to guarantee an exact time for you to donate. You can call the ARC @ 1 800 733 2767 to set up your scheduled time If you have questions, please contact the ARC coordinator Carla @ 404 227 4671.
Christopher had another encouraging day. The doctors removed 1 of his chest tubes. He still has 1 chest tube- this is helping to reinflate his right lung which partially collapsed because of the blunt force trauma. Hopefully he will get the 2nd tube out soon.
The medication that the doctors had him on to act like anesthesia is being decreased. This medication has kept him in a deep sleep. It will take few days to wear off. The doctors will then be able to better test his level of consciousness and awareness. He is still being given a strong pain medication to make him more comfortable.
His team of doctors are monitoring him closely and have decided he is stable enough to begin to warm his body up very slowly until it gets to normal body temperature 98.6 degrees. His intracranial pressure ICP (measures the swelling in his brain) is coming down, which is hopeful. The lower the pressure the less the swelling As you can see the doctors are ready to let his brain begin to be more stimulated. All of this means that the doctors believe he is stabile enough to tolerate all of this. They also are giving him a lot of extra calories by giving him a special IV fluid. This provides good nutrition to help the healing porcess. No CT was done today. The staff decided CJ did not need this today. Pray for a restful night and good day tomorrow.
Thanks for all the prayers. Keep them coming.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Such encouraging news! Keep fighting the good fight Christopher! We're all awaiting your handsome smile!! I could not give blood today due to my own blood issues and I wanted to volunteer but had no one to keep my daughter. I am SO hoping to volunteer on August 1!! HUGS to you all!
ReplyDeleteChris continues to be in our prayers. ~Steve and Gail Lyle
ReplyDeleteI won't be as presumptuous as to say I know what you are going through. Earlier this year, I stood by my son’s bedside for five weeks in the ICU and 2 weeks in rehab for a TBI. Your updates are hauntingly familiar. Everyone deals with these things differently, but I know that for me the support of our community, my friends and family made every bit of difference in my ability to give my full attention to my son and his recovery. My heart goes out to you and my prayer is for your continued strength and may God surround Christopher with His healing power. God bless – Amy Hundredmark
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting Christopher's daily progress. I have never met Christopher, but my daughter Katherine is a friend of Chris, Tyler and Ryan's. She has told me what a great guy he is. My heart goes out to as you go through this journey and w. My family will continue to lift your family up in prayer. God is faithful and he hears the prayers of those who love him. There is a nationwide community of people who are praying for Christopher's healing. Kat told me Chris has a baseball scholarship to GCSU, so he clearly is a strong, determined, committed person with a drive that must be unbeatable! God bless you all. Denise Segell
ReplyDeleteMay God heal your body and soul. May your pain cease, May your strength increase, May your fears be released, May blessings, love, and joy surround you. Amen.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)
We didn't realize you could pre-register, so by the time we got there they could not accommodate us. We'll be there Aug 1st. Always very happy to see positive updates on Christopher's progress. Continued love and prayers to the Heitzman's.
ReplyDelete