Update #11 on Peter

In the last update we shared what might be a step back for Peter. The latest CT scan revealed some bleeding at the front of Peter’s brain. We now know that this bleeding is not a cause for great alarm, but it is disappointing and kept Peter from moving to a regular room which would have been a big (although mostly symbolic) step towards recovery. This discovery of new bleeding today is the only step back that I can think of during Peter’s recovery so far.

The bleeding was disappointing news, but Peter is providing other forms of encouragement: He has begun talking, saying some things that don't make sense but some things that do: “I can't hear you” (in English) and (in Chinese to his mother)「我在講中文。你聽不動。」 which means “I'm speaking Chinese. You don't understand.” He also smiled at his mom and dad, and hugged his mother.

So… we continue to be reminded that Peter is still in serious condition, but we also take heart as a result of obvious and rapid improvement in Peter, too.

Today, Peter was given some water on a q-tip to drink. He seemed to really enjoy this.

Dr. Peter gave a good summary of the issues Peter is facing and has already faced.

1. During the first 24 hours, the brain pressure and risk of hematomas were the most important issues to control. These were taken care of and are no longer a concern.
2. The blood discovered by the new CT image today is from an abrasion on the brain caused by impact and scraping of the brain on the rough surface on the inside of the skull. It is about 1 cm in size. It is not cause for alarm at this time. If the amount of blood continues to increase, there will be a surgery like the one Peter had on Tuesday night to remove the blood. For now we wait and see if it increases or is absorbed.
3. The accident caused bleeding from both of Peter’s ears. This bleeding could perhaps indicate linear fractures on the side of Peter’s skull. It is possible (perhaps likely) that one eardrum was ruptured. These are not small issues, but they are trumped by #2 above – the new bleeding. These are really not a concern at this time.
4. Sputum in Peter’s lungs. He is working hard to get this up and out. It’s presence raises the risk of infection. Although we hoped Peter would move out of ICU today, the truth is that the ICU is a better place for Peter to deal with this sputum.

Peter’s Intracranial Pressure Monitor has been removed. It is another risk of infection and now that Peter is awake, his activity will be enough of an indication as to any problems with pressure in his brain. That little device played a big role in saving Peter’s life on the day of the accident. Lord bless the hands of people who can make those things!

I’ll post about the Praise/Prayer time in a separate update in just a few minutes.