Update on my father as of Sunday night (9/30/07)

I've uploaded some pictures or my father at http://www.flickr.com/photos/blo/sets/72157602215960230/. If you don't care to see them, don't look.

To recap to this point, go to: http://blog.blomain.net/2007/09/my-father-was-in-serious-car-accident.html

Per conversation with Aaron, his night nurse, dad's very sleepy. The cardiazen (hopefully I recalled that accurately) administered to moderate his dysrhythmia is working as the irregular heartbeat is slowing and becoming more regular. This morning I saw it fluctuate between 137 and 150 or so. This evening it was down to the 90s.

Orthopedia has recognized a zygomatic fracture, that being of his right cheek bone. Neurology is pleased with his progress and condition as there is lots of room within his skull if he experiencing brain swelling. An MRI of his neck and head is tentatively scheduled for Monday @ 8a.

Note: CT scans are broad pictures able to show larger trauma, distinct organs and fluid areas, and bones. MRI scans can show much more detail of, for example, soft tissue damage. I am not a doctor, so correct me if I'm wrong.

His vitals are stable and the swelling is down a lot. They fed him around 3-4p and he was tolerating it. Food is good as it provides protein to help his head injuries. More plasma was given tonight (4 units) to continue reducing the bleed times (the time it takes for a cut to begin clotting). They will be rechecking his blood type as he has had most/all of his blood replaced and they want to ensure no antigens have become present. They replaced/provided his potassium as that was low.

His brother and niece were connected with a church in El Paso with a minister by the name of Patrick Shing (from the Church of Abundant Living Faith, I believe). Pastor Shing went to visit my father with dad's niece and brother along with a church member who works at the hospital, a pediatrician named Dr. Lynda Lin. Dr. Lin reviewed his chart while there and I'm grateful to have another person familiar with the details of his case. They stayed with my father for about two hours reading the bible and praying together. Many thanks to them all.

Pastor Shing has offered to help me with accommodations when visiting El Paso again. I'm incredibly grateful for the generosity from him and his church members.

Many of you know of my spiritual life. All the people willing to offer love and support are absolute examples to me of the spiritual connection we all share. Call it friendship, kindness, common courtesy, or moral obligation -- the willingness to choose to turn thoughts and intents toward the well being of my father (or anyone else) is a true example of spirituality for me. You are all also making my spiritual life real and full. Many, many thanks.

URGENT: If anyone is able to make contact with members of Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Essex Fells, NJ, please do so and pass on this information. My father was a very active member of that church and he has many long term friends there. I'd like to make them aware of his situation. Also, my father spent two years with the Peace Corps in Slovakia around 2002-2003. If anyone can make contact with members of the Corps, again please pass this on. Generally speaking, my father knows a great many people in this world across many boundaries. Over his 79 year, this man offered his energies in the form of service to others. I'd like to spread the word of his situation to allow others who care for him the chance to share their support.