Sodium? Who needs it!

Mike was doing well today. There was a little scare with some of the nurses last night. Apparently they were worried about Mike's Sodium levels (and the complications of low sodium). They wouldn't let Mike have much for water or ice after that which was hard for him, but the doctor this morning said that everything is fine with his levels and he can have as much water or fluids or any other food as he wants. It's too bad his doctor isn't there 24/7! His skin has dried out some, and this has made him rather itchy, but I think the Vasiline that my Mom covered him in should help. Aparently it does the best job of holding the moisture in, and that's exactly what we need.

They are still trying to manage his pain; his mood cycles along with his pain medication. Hopefully tomorrow will be much better for pain. Mike was eating more food today. It is good to see him improving each day. I don't think it was mentioned previously in this blog, but Mike did sustain some burns to his leg from anti-freeze. While they look serious, the doctor's say that most, if not all of them, will heal and not require skin grafts. Mike can't feel any of them, and right now, it is a blessing.

It is amazing to hear and read the stories connecting Mike to others (keep 'em coming!). Thank you all for being a part of Mike's life.

I like posting pictures of Mike for those who don't know him personally. But, they can't all be smiles for you to get the whole picture of who Mike is...

Fruit and Donuts, A Winning Combination

Today was a good day for Mike, he got to eat some solid food. It mostly consisted of small pieces of fruit and some pieces of donut. Not bad for his first day on food. Mike was excited when I brought a DVD with TV shows on it for him today, so we spent some time getting caught up on Lost and Prison Break. It was weird when Mike tried to make sure that I was comfortable with my head over on his bed as I tried to watch Lost with him. He was trying to do all he could to accommodate me even while he was in pain and uncomfortable. I guess it just shows you what kind of a man Mike is.

Mike didn't have a great night yesterday, so somebody will be with him all night tonight. He was having some weird dreams and nightmares and likes having somebody there when he wakes up. His pain was decreased today... I think it was because of the morphine. The nurse explained to Mike that they want him to be free from pain and not just at a tolerable level. He asked for more pain meds and he was feeling a lot better today because of that I think. Hopefully we can get Mike on a cycle of medication that will free him from most of the pain that he is experiencing now.

Pray for increased strength for Mike as he continues his new diet as he will need strength for the surgery that will most likely take place on Thursday. They are going to be either fusing the bones in his neck or using a rod to secure all the bone fragments. This will prevent any re-injury and allow Mike to be taken off traction. We don't have many answers yet as to what exactly is going to happen on Thursday, or what the road to recovery looks like, but we do know that God is still in control and with our faith in him we don't have to worry.

Support From a Friend

An old friend of mine has set up a paypal account to help with cost Mike may incure. If you are interested please visit douggeiger.com (top right side of the page). Thanks Doug.

Don’t Stop

I heard from my sister-in-law today the importance of the consistent support. So many people have not known what to do or say and that’s okay, but don’t let it keep you from sending Mike a note. We have had about 400 original visitors to this blog and even just that has been a big deal for him. We have been reading the comments to him every morning and he has really appreciated it. Don’t stop sending them, even if it’s the same message. He needs to know you are still there. Still thinking and praying. We all love him. Let’s make sure he doesn’t doubt it for a second.

I know that many of you don't know him personally, but don't let that discourage you from sending a note. He has been moved by people he doesn't even know, just because they took the time to comment. Thank you for all your love and support.

Hospital Food Never Sounded So Good, But Maybe We Will Drink First!

Today was a good day. Mike was starting to drink more today. They have been worried about his lungs but his breathing has been good. He has been doing his breathing exercises and has stayed out of trouble. They told him this morning that he could drink anything he wanted and if someone would go get it he could even have a Booster Juice (a fruit smoothie). One of his buddies went down the street to get it for him. He was pretty excited to get something in his stomach. Almost too excited. He had about an inch of it and was full. He hasn’t ate for a couple days. He said he enjoyed it but should have probably taken it a little slower.

A couple of people got him an early Birthday present (June 12th). We figured he would love to watch some of his movies so we got him a portable DVD player. He LOVED it. He said he is excited to catch up on some of the shows he is missing, but Matt is going to have to record and burn them for him. As I’m typing this he has got the player propped up on a table and is watching “A Beautiful Mind”. It kind of washes out the mundane of the ICU.

The nurses have said that tomorrow they are going to be starting him on solid foods. His cousin actually works here at the hospital and got to prepare his meal personally. Sounds like oatmeal is on the menu! Praise God for this good news, and keep praying for him.

The Mike We Know

Sleep, sleep, sleep

Mike made up on a lot of sleep today. After dinner he was out. He woke up a couple of times. I was talking to him around 8 when I looked up for 30 seconds he passed out (not in a bad way). And I couldn't wake him again. He slept almost straight through till 11:30. Sleep is so good for him! He says it "hurts less".

It sounds like his break is in the C7 area as he has good hand movement with a little trouble touching his pinky. He is feeling a little nerve pain in his arms.

He is still holding up well. We took a couple pictures. But don't worry, he still has his smile.

Pictures:
He's awake but his eyes are closed
Eyes open

Please note that these pictures can be hard to see. View at your own discretion. Know that it is still the same Mike on the inside.

Mike's Words

It took a while to find him today as they had moved him over night. He moved from his private room to one with three other people. He said that last night one of the other patients was having some kind of seizure and he was so curious! He was said he was annoyed that he couldn't look. Curious Michael!

He said that today he is pretty sore and that it was only today that he realized that his whole body had been beaten up. He said he was kind of glad he couldn't feel anything other than his arms or he could feel a lot worse.

We printed off some pictures of him with family & friends. He liked them. We also read some of the comments to him. He said that they meant a lot...so don't stop sending them!

He is doing pretty well. Keep him and his pain in your prayers.

A Brother Like No Other

Mike is one of the coolest guys I’ve ever known. And this is the hardest thing to see him go through. What we understand now is that he has broken his neck and has a base skull fracture. He has no feeling below his nipples but has movement of his arms and hands. He is still pretty beat up from the accident so it is tough to tell what pain is from being thrown around in the truck and what is from the back/neck injury. He’s a trooper though. He is making jokes and even leading the conversation at times.

For those of you who do not yet heard about the accident this is what we know. They were traveling on the major highway between home a work when the driver of the truck, Cody, fell asleep and drifted across the center line narrowly avoiding a head on collision with a semi-trailer coming in the opposite direction. Once completely through the lane the driver woke up and tried to steer the truck away from the ditch. The truck then began to roll. Mike had been sleeping up to this point, reclining in his chair (buckled up). The truck rolled multiple times and came to a rest on its hood. Mike was trapped in the truck for a couple of hours. He told me today that that time upside down in the truck was the hardest experience he has ever had. He was trapped and was having major difficulty breathing. The jaws of life arrived, he was rescued and they then flew him to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

He is currently sleeping next to me with a tracker going from just above the ear, over the head, to just above the other ear. It is attacked to his skull and has a twenty pound weight pulling his neck straight. He will probably have to stay like this for the next several days as the swelling goes down and as they wait for the scheduled surgery.

The biggest prayer requests right now are the following:

1. His lungs stay as stable as they are and that he doesn’t have to be on a respirator.
2. That he gains more strength in his hands and arms.


We know that God is still with us. And that he is writing his story as we speak.