They moved PJ into a special bed that rotates 360 degrees. This is to help loosen up the fluid in his lungs. Hopefully this will help with the pneumonia and his lungs collapsing.
His blood pressure is all over the charts. They would like for it to be more "regular", but they think the reason it keeps going up and down is because he is in pain.
They also have re wrapped his face. They said that the synthetic skin was not working as well as they had hoped.
This is all that I know for right now, and I will post more as it comes.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
What Happened?
Here's what we know, the U.S.S. Nimitz was in port. When the ship is in port, they will hook the ship up to power lines from the shore. P.J.'s group was testing a 120 volt line using a "Fluke" branded meter. The meter they were using was designed to test 120 volt sources, with a capacity to support a 500 volt spike. The line however was powered up to 4,160 volts. The meter of course couldn't handle that amount of electricity and exploded. When the meter exploded, the metal casing of the meter was blown into an exposed electrical panel bus bar. That panel was engergized with 4,160 volts. The metal of the case created an un-fused link between the positive and negative bus bars of the panel. This created a plasma ball much like a lightning strike which caused severe heat and fire. PJ was supervising a crew of three other men. This included two other naval personnel and a civilian assigned to work for the Navy.
PJ was standing directly behind the person administering the test.
PJ was standing directly behind the person administering the test.
Saturday, Nov 17
On Saturday, they removed the bandages on his face. They let us come in to see him and I can not tell you how WONDERFUL it was to see that PJ was not burned as bad as we thought he was going to be. His face was still very swollen, however, under the swelling, he looked just like PJ. When we found this out, spirits took off. I don't think he is going to take as long for long term recovery now that we know that his face isn't bad. This was really the HUGE part of this day.
His face will remain uncovered from here on out is what they told us.
His face will remain uncovered from here on out is what they told us.
Friday Novemeber 16
Ok, many of you know that PJ was in an accident on Thursday, November 16. He is currently in the ICU burn unit in San Diego. He has burns to his face, arms, and hands. They are saying 2ND and 3rd degree burns. He will for sure need skin grafting on his hands and arms, and they don't think he will on his face.
His lungs are very critical. As of today, they have collapsed twice. Each day they go in and suction out mucus, soot, and fluids out of them. He has pneumonia right now. They expected the pneumonia to happen, however, his lungs are not doing what they had hoped.
Mom, Dad, Erin and I went out this weekend. Mom and Dad are still there, and are giving us the updates. We plan on taking turns being out there every week until he no longer needs us.
When we got there on Friday, it was very overwhelming. He face was completely bandaged and all you could see was his eyes and mouth. He had huge blisters on his mouth, and his head was VERY swollen. He is on a ventilator, which is keeping his airway from swelling shut. His arms and hands were also wrapped.
When we talk to him, his blood pressure goes down. It comforts him. They said they he can hear and recognize familiar voices. They have him on pain meds, antibiotics, and sedatives. They are also giving him a paralytic. That's what paralyzes him. They do NOT want him to wake up and take that vent out. They said that is the first thing he would do.
When we got there they told us that is was at our discretion to let friends come back and visit him. However, the more people who are back there, the greater chance for infection. Also, they told us to take into consideration WHO he would want to see him like that. That is one of the first things that they wake up and say... why did you let so and so see me like this?
With that being said, my parents at first didn't want anyone back there except for us. However, after we talked about it, and since hearing us comforted him, we decided to let his best friend come back. That was a very wise decision because Steve got his blood pressure down to a great level.
Later that evening the doctor came and briefed us. She said that this was going to be a VERY bumpy road. For ALL of us, especially PJ. She told us he would be sedated for at least a month. Recovery would be long...
The Navy is keeping someone at the hospital 24 ours a day for updates, and if the family needs anything. Also, the Navy Support Group is bring food, drinks, etc for all the families. PJ had TONS of very good friends there to support not only him, but to help us out also. He surrounds himself with an awesome group of people. I don't think ANY of us will ever know how to repay them for thier kindness and support.
His lungs are very critical. As of today, they have collapsed twice. Each day they go in and suction out mucus, soot, and fluids out of them. He has pneumonia right now. They expected the pneumonia to happen, however, his lungs are not doing what they had hoped.
Mom, Dad, Erin and I went out this weekend. Mom and Dad are still there, and are giving us the updates. We plan on taking turns being out there every week until he no longer needs us.
When we got there on Friday, it was very overwhelming. He face was completely bandaged and all you could see was his eyes and mouth. He had huge blisters on his mouth, and his head was VERY swollen. He is on a ventilator, which is keeping his airway from swelling shut. His arms and hands were also wrapped.
When we talk to him, his blood pressure goes down. It comforts him. They said they he can hear and recognize familiar voices. They have him on pain meds, antibiotics, and sedatives. They are also giving him a paralytic. That's what paralyzes him. They do NOT want him to wake up and take that vent out. They said that is the first thing he would do.
When we got there they told us that is was at our discretion to let friends come back and visit him. However, the more people who are back there, the greater chance for infection. Also, they told us to take into consideration WHO he would want to see him like that. That is one of the first things that they wake up and say... why did you let so and so see me like this?
With that being said, my parents at first didn't want anyone back there except for us. However, after we talked about it, and since hearing us comforted him, we decided to let his best friend come back. That was a very wise decision because Steve got his blood pressure down to a great level.
Later that evening the doctor came and briefed us. She said that this was going to be a VERY bumpy road. For ALL of us, especially PJ. She told us he would be sedated for at least a month. Recovery would be long...
The Navy is keeping someone at the hospital 24 ours a day for updates, and if the family needs anything. Also, the Navy Support Group is bring food, drinks, etc for all the families. PJ had TONS of very good friends there to support not only him, but to help us out also. He surrounds himself with an awesome group of people. I don't think ANY of us will ever know how to repay them for thier kindness and support.
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