elektra
04-23-2013, 04:08 PM
Another update- he is being released from Boston Medical Center and will move to a rehab center!
It has been a long journey for their family, and there is still a long way to go but it was a huge milestone. He was the last of the bombing victims to leave the hospital. He had a total of 11 surgeries, with the last one only a few days ago where they finally were able to close up all the wounds.
He can't come home to California yet but hopefully he will soon.
It was welcome news to me, especially after the latest devastation from the tornadoes.
The family is so thankful from all the well wishes from friends and from strangers alike. They say they felt all the outpouring of support.
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Several of you sent well wishes for my friend's father (thank you!) so I thought an update might be of interest. It's a week later and he is still hanging in there.
He has just gone in for his seventh surgery. I have never heard of 7 surgeries in a row before, sometimes two in one day, but from what I gather, I think they basically have to leave his wounds open to clear out the shrapnel, bit by bit. They have brought in a military doctor, who has more experience with these types of war wounds.
He still has his legs. However, there is major nerve and artery damage and I imagine he will require therapy to walk properly again if he is able to make it through everything.
He also has broken ribs, but I think his legs and the risk of infection are the biggest issue at this point. He had excess fluids, blood pressure problems, a sepsis scare, but I think those things are under control now.
He is still on a ventilator, but they are trying to wean him off.
The family has not mentioned the bombers at all- I think they are just laser-focused on his recovery.
My friends' DH had to go back to work this week, but I think he must have help with pick ups and drop offs and such, as I think my friend is still at the hospital constantly, supporting her dad but also her mom.
The whole thing is still totally unreal to me. But I have seen pictures of him and it is real.
I can't even imagine what she is telling her kids- they were right there when it happened. My own kids know something bad happened and my friend's dad was hurt (they had met him but don't really remember) and that I have been upset about it. But they seem to not be that upset about it all.
J.O. still needs mojo, so please keep him in your thoughts.
Oh AND, my friend just made her first appearance on Facebook, replying to posts, which I think is a good sign. It had only been her DH to this point. And her DH just made a joke about her dad needing some Tito's tacos now, in addition to all the love and support. Another good sign! :)
It has been a long journey for their family, and there is still a long way to go but it was a huge milestone. He was the last of the bombing victims to leave the hospital. He had a total of 11 surgeries, with the last one only a few days ago where they finally were able to close up all the wounds.
He can't come home to California yet but hopefully he will soon.
It was welcome news to me, especially after the latest devastation from the tornadoes.
The family is so thankful from all the well wishes from friends and from strangers alike. They say they felt all the outpouring of support.
---------------------
Several of you sent well wishes for my friend's father (thank you!) so I thought an update might be of interest. It's a week later and he is still hanging in there.
He has just gone in for his seventh surgery. I have never heard of 7 surgeries in a row before, sometimes two in one day, but from what I gather, I think they basically have to leave his wounds open to clear out the shrapnel, bit by bit. They have brought in a military doctor, who has more experience with these types of war wounds.
He still has his legs. However, there is major nerve and artery damage and I imagine he will require therapy to walk properly again if he is able to make it through everything.
He also has broken ribs, but I think his legs and the risk of infection are the biggest issue at this point. He had excess fluids, blood pressure problems, a sepsis scare, but I think those things are under control now.
He is still on a ventilator, but they are trying to wean him off.
The family has not mentioned the bombers at all- I think they are just laser-focused on his recovery.
My friends' DH had to go back to work this week, but I think he must have help with pick ups and drop offs and such, as I think my friend is still at the hospital constantly, supporting her dad but also her mom.
The whole thing is still totally unreal to me. But I have seen pictures of him and it is real.
I can't even imagine what she is telling her kids- they were right there when it happened. My own kids know something bad happened and my friend's dad was hurt (they had met him but don't really remember) and that I have been upset about it. But they seem to not be that upset about it all.
J.O. still needs mojo, so please keep him in your thoughts.
Oh AND, my friend just made her first appearance on Facebook, replying to posts, which I think is a good sign. It had only been her DH to this point. And her DH just made a joke about her dad needing some Tito's tacos now, in addition to all the love and support. Another good sign! :)