Day 10 - Breathing Exercises

Late update: The plastic surgeon met with us tonight and they have scheduled Luke for surgery Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. to work on the broken bones in his left hand.

When we went in to visit him tonight his nurse told us that he is also scheduled for a tracheostomy on Saturday. Instead of having the breathing tube going in through his mouth and throat and then into the trachea, they will insert directly into the trachea through his neck. Our hopes that he might be off the respirator today were based on his being able to breathe adequately on his own. With the extent of his injuries and the amount of medications he is on, that just isn't going to happen for a while. Having the tracheostomy will be much easier on him in the long run. We will meet with the doctors tomorrow about it.

Although Becki was determined to stay until Luke was awake, she really needs to be with her family and she was getting down to the wire with being able to fly at this stage of her pregnancy. This afternoon she booked a flight home for Saturday. She is disappointed that she most likely won't be able to talk with Luke before she has to leave.

Luke's blood pressure, temperature and heart rate were all good tonight after being somewhat elevated for the last day or so. The medications he is receiving appear to be doing the trick. He was resting comfortably while we were in to see him.

Today the medical staff is working with Luke giving him breathing exercises. They are working towards having him breathe on his own so they can take him off the respirator. Progress is slow, but progress none the less. He went for about 45 minutes on his own this afternoon.

Kidney condition remains stable, which is good in that they are not losing ground with all they are being asked to do. Output is still good. Ultrasound taken yesterday showed bruising on his right kidney from the collision. Also the creatinine level in his blood decreased meaning the kidneys are being more effective.

The CT scan did not show any pockets in his abdomen.

Luke remains somewhat sedated. He hasn't opened his eyes today but he does follow commands and is stretching his arm and leg. He also moves his head and raises his eyebrows.

Today we had the great pleasure of meeting Luke's literal "guardian angel!" John is the motorcycle rider that was ahead of Luke that night. After he avoided getting hit by the wrong-way driver, he heard the crash behind him, immediately stopped, rushed back and found Luke lying on the highway. He stood guard over Luke keeping approaching cars from hitting him, since their attention was drawn to the wrecked car on the embankment. John, words cannot express our deepest gratitude to you for literally saving Luke's life.

Jess, what a coincidence that you should comment on my "medical knowledge." Just this morning I took one of Luke's fellow Border Patrol agents in to see Luke and went through explaining all the monitors that they have on him and what all the numbers mean. When I was finished the attending nurse asked, "Are you a doctor?" I must admit, it has been an education -- only one that I'd really rather not had to opportunity to receive.

I've said it many times here, but I will continue, because it comes straight from our hearts - Thanks so very much to all for the prayers and support for Luke. We appreciate so much your comments and encouragement.

---Bill