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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.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Day 24 Monday

Today continues to be good. The nurses stopped Zach's paralytic and are weaning him off of the other sedation medications. His stats today were great and it appears (to mom and I ) that the holes in Zach's chest from the previous chest tubes are healing. 

At the 3:00p visit the nurse had told mom and I that prior to our visit she had suctioned out his mouth and he coughed. She was impressed. While we were standing by his bedside we saw his mouth twitch (this was probably an involuntary movement but made us smile). 

We were warned that this waking up process takes some time (a week or more).  This is something Zach MUST do on his own. We have also been warned that most people with head injuries as serious as Zach's wake up in an agitated state. Were Prepared!

We know the journey ahead is unknown for us and Zach. We know that there will be other hurdles and challenges for Zach ahead, but for now it is the little things that we are grateful for. 

Love to all, 
Angela and Joanne
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5 comments:

Unknown said...

As I read these entries I am just so overjoyed. It sounds like he's starting to get a bit of Zach back in him, and I can't wait to have him back, agitated or not. Thanks Angela and Joanne for keeping up the amazing support.

Sean

September 29, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Anonymous said...

Dearest Joanne, Angela, Ammie
Miracles do happen and it sounds like someone is listening to you and all the people who are chanting and praying for Zack. It sounds like he has a tremendous spirit to help him through. I will be praying for him daily.
Barb (jones) Rooney

September 29, 2008 at 7:16 PM
doc said...

Zach, our thoughts and love are with you, from all your teachers and friends at Tilton. Get well, get well. The world needs you back soon. Doc

September 29, 2008 at 7:53 PM
rachel brody said...

Dear Zach,

I haven't talk to you in too long and Sean told me about your accident. I've been reading over this blog and it has made me very emotional, as my brother Elliot suffered a severe head injury last December. But he made a full recovery and I know you can too! I'm not one for praying, but I have been thinking of you and your family. Once you are awake and done with the whole agitated, grumpy phase, I'd love to come visit you and let you make fun of me again.

Love,
Rachel Brody

September 30, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Anonymous said...

Zach -

Great progress! I'm so enthusastic -- and not surprised -- by your improvements. I hope to see you once you're back to full consciousness. Your family and friends are amazing -- a testament to the love and kindness that you show all of us. We are all sending you positive energy because we can't imagine our lives without you!

Thank you Joanne and Angela for the updates! The Bike & Build group really appreciates it.

With love,
Lindsay

September 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM

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