Post from Lauren 3/13/21

Since Drs are still seeing visible swelling and possible blood  (hemorrhaging) in Brian's CT scans, they say that would prevent him from waking up, so he just needs time for the swelling to diminish and the hemorrhages will work themselves out as that happens).

In order for him to qualify for rehab, conscious or unconscious, Brian has to be able to breath off the ventilator completely. He's currently going through vent weening in order to "graduate" to the next facility.

If he goes to the next facility unconscious, they give him 4 weeks to "emerge" from the coma with rigorous stimulation methods. They have a lot of success with this, however, if swelling is present, then we may essentially waste time there and be left with 2 options that are less than ideal (in-home care or a nursing home with no specialists).

I share all of this because while pnemonia and a partially collapsed lung sound scary -- the drs feel confident it's normal and solvable -- and to be honest I feel it's a blessing in disguise that's granting us time. Time for Brian's swelling to come down, and hopefully offer him the opportunity to wake up in the LTAC so that a transfer happens with a conscious Brian! This is my opinion of "why" this could be happening - but God makes no mistakes and this is my interpretation.

Praying for no more complications in the week ahead while Brian's pnemonia clears and his lung is strengthened, that his swelling subsides during that time and Brian continues to ween off the vent successfully, and therefore presents signs that he is closer to consciousness!

Also important to know that Brian technically is no longer "comatose" but is now one step up from that in a state of "unresponsive wakefulness." We will take that!