Thursday, June 26, 2008

Daddy's Accident

Dad was hit by a motorcycle while jogging yesterday (Tues. ~ 11:30AM local time, Italy is 9 hrs ahead of CA time) in Italy. He is in an ICU in Genoa, Italy being monitored with a head injury. The doctors say the he is "neurologically stable", although a CT scan shows blood around the brain. He can respond to requests to move his hands,feet, etc. & the surgeons have felt it NOT necessary to surgically relieve the pressure. This is a good thing! Surgery does remain a possibility if his condition degrades. The area of the bleed is the part of the brain that controls speech & that is where the local pressure is, so he is unable to speak. They are keeping him sedated as he started thrashing around when they tried to take him off sedation. The doctors are hoping that the bleed will slow & stop (they took him off the blood thinner he usually takes & put him on meds to help his blood coagulate) & the blood will be absorbed naturally. I spoke with the Dr. in Italy this morning & will do so again tomorrow. I don't expect to get another update until around midnight (9AM Italy time). Sue & cousin Jonnie are staying in a motel not far from the hospital & seem to be holding up ok.
Please keep dad in your thoughts & prayers!
Steve

No comments: