Update on Michael on Day 92....

More information from Jim - Michael's father-in-law

Michael for the most part is doing a good bit better. In saying better I am referring to his attitude and out look for the moment.
He seems to be adjusting well to his surroundings. He watches a lot of TV and sleeps a great deal.
Don't we all wish we could do that...chuckles.
The doctors did try to give him solid food recently but, that didn't go over well and they stopped all solid food feedings.
Michael remains on a liquid diet for now.
The reason is that the small intestine is almost healed but not quite. It continues to leak just a bit.
We are hopeful that solid food will be in his future.
The large intestine remains in the colostomy bag on his side.

The doctors did do a skin graft to his abdomen. They now have half of the opening closed.
They will leave the other have open for now in case they need to go back in for any reason.

The skin graft to his ankle seems to have taken well and is healing.

The tracheotomy tube is out along with the tube in his nose.
Michael is able to speak a lot better now.

The therapists continue to try and do physical therapy on him while he remains in bed.
They work his arms and hands.
They have him sit up and attempt to dangle his feet off the side of the bed.
From what I understand this is very painful for him.
They would like for him to start to put weight on his legs and are working towards doing this.

The talk on the streets now is for his future recovery.
It has been stated here in the last week by the doctors and nurses that soon Michael maybe able to leave MUSC and go into a rehabilitation facility.
At this time we are not sure of what or where this facility will be.

In order to not go into too many details of financial issues with his care and recovery.
We have no clue as to how any of the rehabilitation will be paid for once he leaves MUSC.

The car insurance folks are working hard to settle with MUSC in order for Michaels medical care there to be taken care of and his balance will be zero when he leaves.
Allow me to say, his care is well over a million dollars to date at MUSC.

I have nothing but praise for the doctors, nurses and staff of MUSC.
They were able to take this young man, basically crushed from the waist down in dire life threatening situations and keep him alive, none the less allow all of us to sit and talk with him 92 days later.
It truly is a miracle.

We have begun some correspondence with the South Carolina Social Security Administration in order to see if Michael can be classified as disabled.
I hate to say it but, it is a reality.
This may go a long way in helping this young family to be able to support themselves and move forward with their lives.
We will hope for Medicaid relief for Michael.

I told Michael the last time I went to see him, of all the folks near and far that have been praying for him. Of all the folks that helped. Of all the kindness and support we all have been given by people, some we don't even know. Along with all the pledges of future help to come.

Michael looked me straight in the eye with a tear himself and said to tell you all, "thank you".
Then the tears were flowing like crazy.

We all remain so very much in your debt for all the kindness you have shown.

We know there still is a long road ahead.

We hope that we can have Michael home or at least closer to home for Christmas.

Thank you and peace to you all,
Jim