Updated - April 6, 2010

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in so long. It's been a really emotional and upsetting time for all of us. You all know that for some reason Glen had an anoxic (blockage of oxygen to the brain) injury on March 17 - three weeks ago. He was evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 days, at 1 week and then again at 2 weeks.

At 1 week, Glen's prognosis was in the uncertain range. Because he survived two weeks after the "event" (as they call it), his prognosis falls within brain function guidelines they categorize as a good prognostic category. Now, having said that, these are the statistics they gave us when the family met with the doctors last Wednesday afternoon.

Of 210 patients who survived two weeks after an anoxic injury, only 26 those had any markable recovery when studied at 1 year after the incident. Of those 26, 4% did not recover and remained in a vegetative state. 15% of those 26 were severely disabled, meaning they are not able to care for themselves. 81% of those 26 were classified as moderately disabled, meaning they were disabled, but possibly could contribute to their own care. We were also cautioned that these figures were given as a guideline and that medical conditions could occur which could change his prognosis, too. He could get an infection (which he already has), develop pneumonia, etc.

We do not know where in those percentages Glen fits yet. And that was a question one of my boys asked the doctors. At what point will they be able to tell us how much he is going to recover. Their answer of course, was that the study was done at 1 year - so --- well....

Here are a couple of things we do know. A major portion of his right brain was effected. We know this because Glen has no movement, reflexes, feeling on his left side. We know that his left brain is also effected because "Glen shouldn't be like he is today" (direct quote from the neurologist). But we know that his left brain is effected because Glen wasn't able to move his right side either at first.

At just under two weeks, Glen began to move his right arm up toward his chest and his right foot began to move as well. He opens his eyes off and on, but he does not focus and even though his eyes may move from side to side, he cannot follow anything. He at this point is not able to follow verbal commands. He cannot squeeze your hand with his fingers. He continually moves his right hand up toward his chest and his right leg moves in a jerking motion. I do not believe he is aware. He has reflexes, especially around his face, and when you touch him, he sometimes grimaces. Although it may appear that he opens his eyes or moves his hand or feet on command, if you watch, he does repetitive motions over and over again - even if he has his eyes closed and appears to be asleep. It's all so confusing.

This morning the nurse told Doug that he moved his left foot a small amount today. Glen still has that pesky infection that keeps rearing it's head. He's running fever of about 101.5. They are giving him tylenol which seems to bring it down pretty quick. Yesterday they did an ultrasound of his heart to make sure there was no infection in the valve that was replaced, and today, they were doing a scope down his throat so they could put eyes on the valve. We haven't gotten the results from that test yet. Will post once I find out tomorrow.

Today they also began to reduce his dependence on the respirator. It is our hope that once we are able to get Glen on social security or some type of medicaid we will be able to move him to a place where he can get more help toward recovery.

So, friends, this is all we know. I wish I could make myself sound more upbeat and positive for you. I'm finding it very difficult not to be very discouraged because it's been so dang long that he's been in the hospital. It is so hard to wait and see him like this - at least it is for me.

Please keep Glen in your daily prayers.