Update from HM

TG told me today that Krusher had some sort of relapse. He's at [local hospital] with no visitors allowed. I don't have any information other than that.

Update from Stacee

I wanted to give you a little update today! Keith was able to stand up alone from a table to a stand-up walker. This was a major accomplishment. It is still really hard for him to pick up his right foot, however with his left leg he was pretending to march! Tomorrow Keith will have another swallow test done to see if his throat muscles are strong enough for more food! If this goes well, Keith will be allowed to eat dressing and sweet potato pie for Christmas!!!!!!

Update from LG

The turn around Krusher has made from his days in [big city] to this weekend is just phenomenal to witness and so encouraging.

During my visit Saturday, it dawned on me that it would really suck to look at a hospital room for almost a month straight with no signs of home, your life, or anything familiar. As we can all imagine, a sterile medical environment in no way feels like home.

So KB and I stalked facebook this morning and printed 30 pictures or so that we had access too, thanks to our pages, his page, EP's page, MA's page, etc. It's just a start of a compilation of Krusher's life in photos. We then put the pictures in a photo album. It includes his family, his house from the outside, him playing his instruments, him decked out in Falcons stuff, his housewarming party, Krusher doing his work thing with his camera and [live truck], plus pics from the group at the Masters and stories we've done together. With every flip of the page, I kid you not, Krusher came to life. I wish you could have all seen it. He reacted, he laughed, he smiled, and was so content I think he almost wanted to tear up at the sight of his life..the life we all know he WILL get back to.

EP hit the nail on the head when we talked earlier today. Pictures truly are something so simple, but for him, I think it was everything..it's his connection to the outside world.

So..with that said, there are plenty of blank spots in the photo album for it to grow. When you go to visit, bring a picture of you and him or anything that reminds you of him and tell him a story. He remembers. I told him several stories and I could literally hear him talking back to me (O-K, fo so', dig it.. :)

And EP's right, you have to do all the talking. But he seems to love hearing stories about anything and everything you are up to, or [the station], the Falcons, etc. KB and I also found he responds to really high, positive energy.

Can't wait to see the photos you add..and I know he can't either.

Update from EP

Krusher is back in [hometown]. He's at [treatment center]. Room XXX.

He's still on the traech and speech therapy starts soon...so be prepared to do all the talking. I mean, all the talking. But, the [station] banner we signed hangs in his room to remind him how special he is to us and the family says he's up for visitors. Three weeks in a hospital room is a long time so familiar faces are good therapy.

His mom, Janice, stays with during the week. His dad, on weekends.

If you can get by, I believe he'd love to see you. He's squeezing hands and I got a few thumbs up from him this weekend.

Update from EP

Good news :)

I just heard from Krusher’s mom and Krusher will be coming back to [hometown] Thursday. He’ll continue to get treatment at [treatment center], a local facility, before rehab begins at [rehab center]. I don’t know much more than this…but as soon as the family has more info, I’ll pass it along.

Update from EP

I saw Krusher Saturday. He was on pain meds and not alert but his family was very tickled about the banner we signed for his room and they were so appreciative of all the cards.

Krusher was breathing on his own for several hours Friday and Saturday and that is a big improvement from earlier in the week. He has some paralysis and they won't know how much of that will be resolved until he begins rehab. Likely several more days at [specialist hospital] and then the family is considering a facility in [hometown] for short term continuing care.

Update from EP

I just talked to Krusher’s mom. Krusher is doing better :)

He’s still on the respirator but they have taken it out some…and he has been breathing on his own a little…but he still breathes too quickly so they expect a couple more days to wean him from that.

He’s still running a fever…but not as high. Doctors can’t find any infection.

Krusher is not as sedated as earlier and his mom says his eyes are wide open. X-rays show his lungs are getting clearer every day.

I told his mom I’m coming to see him Saturday and she said “he’d like that.” Won’t he be surprised when he sees the banner and cards from all the station friends :) ?

Update from EP

Krusher's sister called last night. He's had some setbacks...high fever, blood pressure back up, and on a feeding tube. I will keep you updated. More tests scheduled today.

Update from EP

Good things to share about Krusher...I visited him Saturday at Emory. Doctors say he does not have pneumonia.. There's still some fluid on his lungs but it's lessening every day. Because of the breathing tube, Krusher is still sedated most of the time. He was while I was there but he knew I was in the room. His sister Stacee says she plays his favorite gospel singer's music in the room and even thought Krusher is sedated, with his eyes closed most of the time, he has been tapping his foot...to the beat....and moving his fingers like he's playing the trombone. The family hopes the breathing tube can come out in a couple of days. Looks like the plan is for him to be in ICU for much of next week before moving him to a regular room. He'll begin his rehab at [specialist hospital] and then continue it at [rehab center].

Update from EP

I just spoke to Krusher’s mom. Krusher is back on the ventilator. He’s developed some fluid on his lungs. To fight any possible infection, he is on heavy antibiotics and is sedated most of the time. He is still in ICU and looks like he’ll remain at [specialist hospital] through the weekend. I will keep you posted.

Update from EP

Krusher’s sister just called and said Krusher is out of surgery….it will be another 3 or 4 hours before they can see him. Doctors removed the malformation of blood vessels and said it was a little deeper than they originally thought but they were able to get all of it. She will call again after they’ve had a chance to see Krusher. I’ll keep you posted.

(later same day)

I just talked to Krusher’s sister Stacee. All preliminary signs look like Krusher has gone through the surgery very well with good results :) He is still very groggy but recognized his family and is moving his right foot and able to squeeze his right hand. He’s nodding his head when asked questions but still has a breathing tube so he’s not been able to talk yet. The breathing tube should be removed within 24 hours. The surgery took much longer than expected because Krusher experienced another stroke during the operation. Stacee says doctors were able to quickly handle that and Krusher is on blood pressure meds to slowly reduce the risk of high blood pressure while in recovery. Stacee sounded very encouraged and says everything looks positive.

Update from EP

I visited Krusher today and he loved the Get Well Krusher DVD and the card from the sales team. He kept saying "all this love, man". No doubt at all that he feels the care and support from his station family.

He leaves for [hospital] Sunday...surgery is early Monday morning. His sister says he's expected to be in ICU for a couple of days after the surgery and then moved to a regular room for the remainder of the week. After that he's back here to begin his rehab at [rehab center].

A lot of you have been asking how you can help the family. His sister says that gift cards to fast food places where they can quickly pick up food for Krusher would be a big help....anything that serves fish or chicken.

Something I just learned today is that after the first stroke, surgery was not a safe option. The second stroke caused the problem blood vessels and clot to move to the surface where doctors can now reach it. His sister says doctors tell the family that once the vessels and clot are removed, the threat of future strokes is virtually gone.

The family will call with an update after the surgery.

Update from EP

I just got off the phone with Krusher. He’s been sleeping since yesterday afternoon...but he’s home at his place in [city] and says he’s up for anyone who wants to visit him before Sunday. Sunday he leaves for [hospital] and they have moved his surgery up to 5:30am Monday morning. Krusher says the medicine makes him sleep a lot but that he misses shooting football :). Several members of his family are making the trip to [hospital] with him Sunday and will be with him with as he recuperates there.

Update from EP

Maybe it's the medicine...maybe he's just happy...but I just got off the phone with Krusher and he's giggling up a storm : )

Surgery at [hospital] is next Wednesday. He's still at [original hospital] in room
XXX and can have visitors. He says he dozes off about every 30 minutes because of the meds and he's hungry all the time because of the steroids.

Doctors say his vitals are excellent. I can share that his attitude is very, very upbeat.

Update from EP

I heard from Krusher's mom Sunday morning. He's had another stroke and is at [the hospital]. Krusher is returning to [different hospital] Monday or Tuesday and doctors will re-evaluate the need for surgery then. Surgery has always been an option but his mom says Krusher wanted to try beating this on his own. Not surprising, is it?

(later same day)

I just got off the phone with Krusher. He's been on steroids since Saturday and that is helping to restore movement on his right side....still some numbness in his fingertips. Krusher thinks the second stroke happened Monday or Tuesday because he said he was exhausted early in the week and the numbness set in and spread. The tests Thursday confirmed it.

He hopes to be released Monday. He's in room XXX at [hospital] ICU. Visitation is supposed to be immediate family only but Krusher says just walk in like you know where you're going ...although visits have to be short...ten minutes or so.

Krusher says he's sleeping most of the day and night but ready to "get it all handled." A trip - and likely surgery - to [hospital] is the next step.

He doesn't have his phone with him...that's why a lot of you couldn't reach him. We should know more early next week.

Update from EP

It looks very promising :) I just got a brief text from Krusher, who traveled to [hospital] today:

“Update. No surgery needed. I can resume normal activities soon. Will update you more in a few.”

Update from EP

I just got off the phone with Krusher’s sister. The dye test this morning showed Krusher’s defective blood vessels are almost in the middle of his brain stem and the best doctors to treat Krusher are the neurologists at [hospital] so that is where they are planning for Krusher to go next week. Krusher *may* be released late this weekend but will be home resting for a couple of weeks and his mom is taking time off to stay with him around the clock once he’s home. Krusher’s sister says doctors are being very cautious because the blood vessels are close to the part of the brain stem that controls motor functions and speech. The family had hoped doctors here could treat the blood vessels – either by radiation or by cutting off the blood supply to those vessels – but they are optimistic that local doctors say the surgeon at [hospital] is one of the best and has had a lot of experience with people with conditions like Krusher’s. Krusher was too groggy from the procedure to talk but his sister says he should be able to take calls by early evening.

Update from EP

Krusher says doctors have told him he has had a minor stroke. Apparently a blood vessel burst on his brain. That had caused him some numbness in his face and headaches off and on since this past weekend. He went to the doctor today and eventually landed at [hospital] where they have admitted him.

He’s not able to have visitors now because he’s in ICU. Krusher says that’s likely just because that’s where the neurologists are. He expects to be moved to another room later today or first thing tomorrow. He is surrounded by his family and says he doesn’t need anything.