Thursday, July 17, 2014

The Mowers arrived at Primary Children's Hospital at 1:45 am and were taken to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to see Justin.  He had received a CT scan and the doctors told Karen and Darren that Justin had a severe concussion, with a compression fracture on the left side of his head, and a fracture that extended from the left side of his head and around his forehead.  There were some areas of bleeding and bruising on his brain and a possible cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.  Despite that, our fighter boy was responsive to verbal and and physical stimulus.

Darren had been showing more signs of concussion, as well, since the jet ski collision.  His headache was getting worse, and he had been getting sillier and weirder all night.  It made the long car ride somewhat entertaining for Karen, Ashley, and Derek, but Karen wisely insisted that Elliot take him to LDS to be seen in the ER.  Darren was diagnosed with a concussion, but was deemed safe enough to go home.  For those of you who have talked to Darren in the last few days, please keep in mind that he is not himself and may not be responsible for anything he says. :)

As the night went on, Justin became increasingly lethargic, and a repeat CT Scan showed more bleeding and swelling in his brain.  He was less responsive with his right side and stopped making purposeful movement with his right hand.  Justin's doctors felt like he was no longer safe unless they could monitor his Intracranial Pressures (ICP).  Knowing that his ICPS were probably climbing, they sedated him, put in a breathing tube, and then put in an ICP monitor in his head.  They put in a large, multi-port IV called a central line so they could give him 3% saline, sedatives, and pain medicine to help bring his ICP down, and medication to keep his blood pressure up where it needs to be.

This is Justin prior to intubation.