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Two and 1/2 weeks of treatment and observations Chapter 1

 Shortly after being admitted to Stormont Vail Hospital Critical Care Unit, a Trauma 2 Care center, Matthew was stabilized, a team of Doctors and Nurses started several life care actions: An NG tube was inserted so that ventilation of his lungs could be assured, and a slurry bag feeding his stomach could begin.  Respiratory Therapists started suctioning fluid from his bronchia and lungs soon after the NG tubes were inserted. Several "ports" were installed on both sides of his neck.  These were installed to facilitate sampling blood for lab testing, to provide real time, continuous, blood pressure measurement, to measure oxygen saturation of his blood, and to provide a place for dialysis machine connections. A bladder catheter was inserted to monitor his urine output. EKG tabs were attached to monitor his heart Not long after, EEG sensors were glued to his scalp to monitor brain activity. Both CT scans, and MRIs were taken to search for internal injuries and conditions. He...

Original Event Information

 This is where Mark (Matthew's Dad) will post updates on Matthew's recovery from his lightning strike injury on 30 June 2023 about 7:20 pm on their Woolly Bee Farm in Wamego, KS Matthew and Jen were strolling out to a flower bed where Jen had worked that Friday afternoon.  Lightning struck about 3ft left of Matthew, with perhaps a streamer entering his left side.  His body appears to have protected Jen from electricity.  However, the shock pressure was great enough to knock Jen unconscious as well.  Shortly after, Jen woke up and called for Matthew to help her.  He was laying on the ground next to her with all his clothes and boots blown off his body. Matthew had no pulse.  Jen started CPR and called 911 shouting into the phone while pumping Matthew's chest. Local, volunteer EMT shows up, and they get him to the local Wamego clinic/limited ER.  Matthew had a pulse, but too fast of rate.  They shocked him once to get a regular hear...