Today was amazing! Zach's lungs are improving. The recent chest x-ray showed remarkable progress in 2 days. Zach has gone from needing 100% oxygen via the oscillator to now down to 40%! The physicians are actually excited. The right chest tube is leaking, which is actually good as it is allowing CO2 to leak out.
All in all. Things are going well. So well that after 2 weeks and 2 days of living in the hospital, Angela and I decided to move home today. Big step for us!
Thanks again to all.
Love Ang and Jo
About Me
- Zach's Journey
- As many of you already know, Zach fell off his skateboard on Saturday Sept. 6th. As a result of the fall, Zach suffered a traumatic, closed head injury and is listed in critical condition in the ICU at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Zach is currently under sedation and being kept in a paralytic state to help keep his intra cranial pressure as low as possible, which will help decrease the swelling in his brain. He has been placed in a RotoProne bed, which will help his lungs combat pneumonia which recently set in. Everyone is hopeful and optimistic regarding Zach’s long-term prognosis. The Monday after the accident, Zach was able to move his legs, arms, toes and even squeezed his mother’s hand on command. He has a long journey to recovery ahead of him, but he has his youth, great caretakers and a large group of friends and loved ones rooting for him. His family will be keeping this blog in an attempt to keep all of Zach’s friends and loved ones up to date on his condition. Please check back often as we will try to provide daily updates. You may also post your own comments and please know that Zach will read them soon.
10 comments:
To Zach's family, I met Zach when he came to Chapel Hill to ride with our NC2SD Bike & Build group. Everyone was really excited to have him ride with us and Zach entertained many of us with his sense of humor. I just wanted to let you know that emails are going around updating Bike & Builders all over the country of Zachs progress. Zach is well loved!
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys and Zach.
Angela Parrotta
Thank you for keeping this blog for all of us - it's so good to get the information, and your powerful optimism and family strength come through loud and clear. It's uplifting.
Zach is always in my thoughts, epecially when I get some time out on the front porch.... I just finished reading the Edith Wharton book Zach recommended "Ethan Frome", and he was right - it's much better than "Age of Innocence"!
It's so great to log on this morning and read the Good News in today's update. Go Zach !
Michele Todd
That's great news Jo I am thinking of you and your family every day. Please let us know if there is anything that I can do to help out. Laura, Mike and Aidan
YAY for Zach. All of you are amazing. You remain in my thoughts and prayers. RIta
Joanne and Angela - thanks for the update - what great news today. I am thinking of you all . . .
allison merriman
Hi Joanne and Angela,
Thank you so much for keeping this blog. Zach and I became friends while envisioning and preparing for our 2007 Bike & Build trip, and we spent all summer laughing together as we carried out those great plans.
You two have always known his strength, and I definitely saw it during our ride cross-country. He climbed some serious mountains and braved varying -- and intense -- weather conditions.
I'm glad to see Zach has improved, and I know he'll pull through this. He has the fight in him!
With all my love,
Lindsay Michel
Thanks for the update today; great news about Zach's progress! Zach is a vibrant young man who will continue to gain strength not only through the prayers and love sent by friends, but through the incredible love and support of his mom and sister. Joanne and Angela, you are angels to Zach! Be strong, and know that you are held close each day by a network of friends who love you.
Hugs to all,
Patricia Joslin
This is great news indeed!
We've been in prayer for each of you by name since we heard; Pop and Ann have been updating us. So glad you have the blog! Each of our prayer groups have been lifting Zach and family up in prayer and offering encouraging recovery stories. I'm so glad for your positive spirit and great caregiving and caretakers for Zach there in Charlotte. Take care of yourselves. Thinking of you with love--wish we were there. Mary Lynn & Gary
To Joanne and Angela - thanks so much for keeping this blog - it makes me so happy to think of him as he should be, "handsome and serene" again, instead of in that crazy spaceship. I think Stephanie and I are going to try and come visit again very soon - everyone in Chapel Hill has been asking about him and keeping him in thoughts and prayers.
To Zach - go ahead and wake up. Alex has your sewing machine waiting for you, and I want to talk about Ishmael.
To all - stay strong and know that there is so much love coming from us all at school.
Sean
Post a Comment