More Small Miracles

In the meeting this morning, we were told that Paul's temperature was back down to 100.4, where it was expected to be all along. His temperature has been dropping since Fr. Kevin Peek said the mass in Paul's room last night. This is great news since his temp. had spiked to 103.4 degrees at one point. The body is expected to maintain a higher temperature while it is healing, so a ~100 degree temperature is just fine. Paul is still in pretty critical condition because his lungs are very susceptable to infections like menangitis or pneumonia, so please keep praying for his lungs to heal.
Paul is also still draining a little brain fluid from his ear from the cracks in the dura of his brain in spite of the shunt the doctors have placed in his head to re-rout the flow. The doctors are going to place a larger tube in the shunt because the fluid is obviously seeking the largest hole by which to escape. If the ear stops draining at this point, they will plug the shunt to see if the dura has healed. They are also looking to plastic surgery to put a plate in his face as a method of correcting the draining, but the neurosurgeon is waiting as long as possible to do the surgery so that Paul has more time to heal everywhere else first.
Paul's ventilator dependancy is down to 45% from 50%. Merely 5%, but a great step in the right direction! When he reaches 21%, Paul will be considered to be breathing on his own. This is also wonderful news because he can only be on the ventilator for a certain amount of time. The neurosurgeon is waiting a little longer to perform a tracheotomy, but the trach. will only be temporary when it does go in.
We met with a Shepard Spinal Care nurse today, and she said that Paul will be good enough to be admitted into their center (which is where we want him) after the neurosurgeon puts the plates in his face. This could happen as soon as next week, so please pray for this to happen. This Center takes a very aggressive approach to treating their patients and bringing them out of their comatose states. At the moment, Paul is considered to be between a 1 and 2 with his reaction level. After admittance into Shepard, Paul will be given 3-5 weeks to reach a level 4 or he will be sent home until he reaches that level on his own (and then he will be readmitted into Shepard).
Please pray for Paul's lungs to keep healing because that is the biggest issue we have to deal with at the present. Also pray for financial issues to be addressed according to God's will as the costs are going to be quite devastating to the family. Thank you again to everyone who has been praying for Paul. Paul's parents have been sustained by the graces God has been pouring out due to all the prayers being offered up for Paul. Personally, I cannot thank everyone enough for the outpouring of love we have all witnessed! My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. May God be blessed.