Medical Update

Justin was put back in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit after a late night in the operating room Friday night but was moved back to the Acute care Unit yesterday.
The plastic surgeon had encouraging news. The large wound behind his knee was not as bad as she had feared. It appears to be fairly clean. She did a tissue culture to determine if it is infected by the acinetabacter bumanii. It will take some time for this culture to show.
The doctor has moved on to grafting Jusin's calfs so Justin's pain has increased from the large donor site on his "good" (right) leg. He now has both legs that are hurting. But he is very eager to get the use of his leg back. He remains positive and fairly cheerful.

Medical Update

Saturday was another long day for Justin. He spent six hours in surgery again today. Dr. Hillyard was not able to repair the fracture in Justin's pelvis, since it is already day 14 and it had begun to heal. He WAS able to put screws into the bone to align the Sacroiliac joint. It had already twisted at a severe angle, giving Justin chronic pain. The doctor is disappointed that he was not able to give the pelvic fracture the attention he would have liked to, but is relieved to have adjusted the SI joint.
Justin was able to have his feeding tube removed Friday afternoon. That is huge progress. He is still on a limited diet and is restricted to hospital food. Justin has needed to be on insulin, so every calorie and carbohydrate that he consumes must be monitored. He looks forward to the day I can bring him an orangesicle shake.
As of today his WBC is dropping which is a great sing, especially since he just had surgery yesterday.

Medical Update

Justin underwent a wound vac change. It is a lengthy, grueling, painful process. The doctors (Pulmanologist, Infectious Wound Specialist, Critical Care Specialist, Orthopedic Surgeon, and Plastic Surgeon) all consulted for the second time today. The name of Justin's infection is "acinetabacter bumanii". The doc cultured 2 surfaces of his leg and aspirated fluid from Justin's knee. I received the news that Justin now has this bacteria in his sputem. Meaning, even if they amputate the infected leg, he does not qualify for the necessary surgery on his broken pelvis because they can not risk infection else where.
This will leave him in a lifetime of spinal damage and pain. All the more reason we seek your prayers at this time.

Update

Justin has developed a bacterial infection in the massive wound behind his knee. This is bad news, but it not a complete indicator that an amputation will need to be done. A specialist will be in later this evening to observe the wound.

He still struggles with high blood pressure and a fast heart beat. He is off of the ventilator and the doctors are backing his sedation off. He is obviously uncomfortable and experiencing pain. It is difficult to see him and feel so very helpless. He knows of your love and prayers. We each know of them, too. Thank you.... each of you.

Medical Update

Justin is heavily sedated and is on a ventilator. They will keep him in this state while he is going into the operating room frequently. He seemes to be comfortable, though the tubes and such look frightening. His has struggled with high blood pressure and a high heart rate, but seems slightly improved today. They are watching his temperature continually, since the risk of infection is so high. He will go to the OR today for a schedule bone reconstruction on the bones in his left leg.
He recieved a filter in his artery yesterday so if by chance he did get a blood clot, it would not go into his heart or lungs.

The surgery for his crushed pelvis and fractured hand are both being put on hold until his leg is more stable.
Justin is still in critical condition but we are hoping that he remains stable.

Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and support.
Justin's family

Accident Info

Thank you for checking out our blog and for helping us support Justin.

As you probably know Justin was in an accident May 3rd 2008 at approx 4:30pm. He was heading west on I-80 towards Salt Lake City and hit a trailer that had come undone from the SUV due to a ball that was an incorrect size for the hitch and was stationary in the middle of the road.
Unfortunately the vehicle did not have lights or hazards of any kind to worn Justin that it was stopped and he hit the back bumper.
This is what we have been told has happened and will know more after the police report is obtained. If any information changes, we will let you know.