Dennis Asche - Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle

Professors Roberto Correa “Gordo” and Rommel Cardozo took time to sneak in for a visit with David on the off hours yesterday. The result was positive as Rommel coaxed David to wake up, speaking to him as if he was on the mat training. With both Gordo and Rommel talking to him he managed to repeat “Bom te Ver” (good to see you) in addition to sitting up, squinting as he look at both of them. David has a lot of respect for Gordo and Rommel and that visit was a very positive one for him.

Today the doctors released David from the ICU and have placed him in an area of general care in another wing of the hospital.

David had his surgery this Monday, thanks to blood donors with the same type O- as him. The blood was needed after all, as the surgery was lengthy in repairing the extensive damage to his femur. Now he is past the critical parts in this first stage of healing. Although still in the ICU, if David continues to heal as he has been he could be out of this wing of the hospital this week…then into a private hospital where he will be allowed visitors for more than 1 hour a day.

David’s surgery has been postponed until early next week. The doctors did not have blood matching David’s O- to keep on hand for the surgery as a precaution, causing the delay. At the academy there are two friends who either themselves have or are with relatives who have this blood type and are willing to help by donating blood, in addition many more of David’s friends outside the Academy who are working on solving the problem. Time is reaching the point necessary to preform surgery before the bone has calcified. More news soon.

I was able to get in and see David today, thanks to Bethany allowing me to use her turn in the ICU. David was almost asleep upon my arrival and the nurse came over and twisted his nipples for a while in an attempt to wake him up…That seemed to work a little as he opened one of his eyes partially with a lot of coaxing from me. He looked more thin than before as he has not eaten solid food in a few weeks, but healthy. It was very difficult for him to stay awake and this is apparently due to the very strong anti seizure medication he has been dosed with. I did arrive late and completely ignored the chief nurse’s end of visiting warning…Lucky for me they seemed to completely forget that I was there and my visit lasted for a while longer. Upon leaving I asked the nurse on duty a few questions about Davids surgery tomorrow and he apparently noticed that there where no more people beside his bed and sat up, attempting to call out. So my visit lasted a little longer until he laid back down again, beginning to fall asleep. Good visit today!

These last few days have been a challenge to everyone. David’s condition was steadily improving as he became more and more aware of his surroundings. He was at one point moving around so much in the bed the nurses had once again tied him down to prevent injury, then suddenly he seemed to regress. The doctors did not want to risk the needed surgery to repair his broken leg as there was a possibility of him going into a deep coma. Next step was to wait for his brain to become more active before the surgery, with him remaining in the intensive care unit of the public hospital. Likely the most difficult factor here is that there is a limit of two visitors per day and for only one hour. Everyone who is concerned about him feels that the visiting time is stimulating his recovery, as it is.

Good news…he has come through one more rough part of the recovery and is again conscious and very aware of the people around him. Doctors now have his surgery to repair the femur scheduled on this Friday. Soon after he will be ready to move into a private hospital and begin the next phase of his recovery.

For those who do not know the public hospitals have excellent doctors but are overcrowded, lack much enthusiasm from caregivers who are not doctors and are light years away from the sanitation of a hospital in the US.

David’s condition is now steadily improving and he is showing very positive signs of recovery as he slowly comes out of his coma. The tube has been removed from his throat and replaced with a small one. He has also once again opened his eyes acknowledging that he is aware of the people around him. Today David’s sister Bethany has arrived and will add to the support he needs to pull through this.

**As a note my laptop crashed, making it difficult to keep the blog updated daily but I will do my best.**

The results on David’s first exam where exactly what we where hoping for. He is not having seizures and will not need to be medicated. Although still not awake this is huge and a turn in the right direction. Please keep him in your thoughts.

David is still in a coma but has pulled through the rough road during last Wednesday and Thursday. There is a possibility that he is having internal seizures and a test performed this Saturday will have results out the beginning of this coming week verifying the status. If in fact he is having seizures the doctors will administer a powerful medication to hopefully prevent any more. Good news…David is breathing on his own. The doctors will determine when the tube can be removed after the results from the test are back (there is a concern in disconnecting the machine too soon without knowing what state of consciousness he is in).

This is David’s current state. Jane wanted me to share this with all of you with hope that everyone knows he is not in the clear yet, so please keep praying and stay positive.

Following the last post David’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. Wednesday Doctors had administered a test checking his response to stimulus with success. David had reacted very well and was even able to do as much as directly respond by squeezing the doctor’s hand when asked. Between Wednesday and Thursday his condition worsened and he was not responsive to the stimulus. Today during our visit he was moving and turning his head with eyes closed but not with the same alertness or attention. The neurosurgeon suggested the possibility that he had an internal seizure and is suffering the after effects. He is scheduled for a test that will determine if this is the case tomorrow.

Please keep David on your minds and send your prayers.