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This is a post of the email I got last night about Chas. He seems to be doing better.

I just got a detailed update on Chas' status from his advisor
Mary (see below). She was there the same time I was yesterday, but
this gives you a more "medical" update of his condition. Thought you
may be interested. I hope you are all having a fun weekend. I told
Chas I was trying to go out more lately and he looked at me with a
raised eybrow and knodded at me :) Ok, that's all for now. Take
care!

Nicole

Hi All,

I went to visit Chas in his room on the 7th Floor Trauma ICU (721B) on
Friday
afternoon (3-5 PM). He had a number of visitors at that time including some
extended family, his roommate Brian Chancellor, Nicole Evangelista, John
Garkse, and three women from programs in Grover Center.

UPDATE:

Chas was awake and non-verbally responsive throughout the time I was there.
His
mom reported that he had been awake nearly all day on Thursday and most of
the
night. She attributes this to the Ritalin that he was given. He does tire
and
will sleep for 20-60 minutes at a time throughout the day.

As I came to his bedside, he held out his hand to shake mine. He gave some
of
the students a fist-to-fist greeting (of solidarity?) rather than a
handshake.
He appeared to recognize and welcome the people who came to see him. He
showed
facial expression (especially raising his eyebrow) on his R side during
conversation. The trachea tube does not permit speech, so it is difficult to
know how much/what meaning Chas is truly making of his interpersonal
interactions. However, he visually tracks well and responds to most yes/no
format questions with body movements. His facial expressions suggest
emotional
meaning making/communication.

In terms of his understanding of why he is in the hospital, his mom has
explained to him that he was in an accident. I told him he has been in the
hospital a little under 3 weeks. I asked him if he knew why he had a clip on
his R finger (which he was fidgeting with) and he shook his head 'no.' I
explained to him that it measured oxygen saturation and that it was
important
that he kept it on, even if it felt a little tight. He seemed to figdet
less
with the device after the explanation. Although it is difficult to know for
certain, my impression is that he seems to be able to understand
explanations
about what is going on in terms of his care. It is unknown if he retains
these
explanations. However, his recognition of visitors (his parents, friends,
me)
would suggest long-term memory recognition.

He has also shown selective responsivity to the multidisciplinary staff that
comes to evaluate him. With one staff member (a speech/language
pathologist?),
he turned his head away and did not respond to requests to perform
communicative skills. With the next staff member (a pretty young blond
woman,
a PT?), he performed everything she asked with apparent ease. On the basis
of
this last evaluation, he is being recommended for transport to a
rehabilitation
facility as early as next week.

His L eye is closed but no longer protruding and swollen. His mom stated
that
the L pupil appears to be showing some responsivity to light, but not to
normal
levels.

He continues to cough, which is every helpful to reduce the lung fluid from
his
pneumonia. He was able to sit up in bed and occasionally raises himself to
cough. He remains on the trachea tube, but no longer appears to need or use
the respirator. He has not yet had surgery on his R leg. He did not appear
to
be in pain at that time.

CAT scan results from Monday afternoon showed decreased residual blood in
the
brain cavity. He underwent an MRI on Thursday afternoon and his parents
expected to hear about the results on Friday night.

WHAT WE CAN DO:
Chas' neurosurgeon has recommended as much brain stimulation as possible. He
is
encouraged to have visitors, conversation, watch TV, listen to music and any
other stimulation.

A range of music would be helpful. At one point, his BP was measured as he
was
listening to Butch Walker and it was high. His dad switched the music to
Dave
Matthews and his BP went down to normal levels. He also listens to and
enjoys
classical music. It may be helpful to have a variety of musical styles to
choose from.

He is not currently communicating via written language.

His parents expressed deep gratitude for the generous donations that have
been
made by folks in and around our department. I brought the money to them
(along
with 3 other cards) on Friday. They wanted to graciously refuse, but I told
them it was too late. :> The money could be used to get things for Chas
that
he will need in rehab. or beyond. They wanted everyone to know how deeply
moved they have felt for all of the support that has been given so
generously
and freely.