GOOD NEWS about ZAC

HALIFAX: Yesterday was quite an emotional day, wondering if Zac was going to make it or not. Today is so much better.... When I saw him today, the swelling around his face and neck has started to go down, he is responding to the respiratory doctor's changes, his friends are here and they are making a difference to Zac's responses.

Now for a few details. Yesterday the doctor changed the mix of oxygen in Zac's ventilator from 100% to 75% to see if Zac could breath on his own a bit more and to see if his body would be able to make up the oxygen. At first they had to go back to 95% and that worked. Later on they changed it to 75% again and this seemed to be ok also. YES!! He had a good night and by morning he was holding his own at he 75% so the doctor lowered it throughout the day so tonight the last mix was only 50/50. You can see his chest rise and fall as he takes a breath, instead of the machine making him breath.

This afternoon the doctors performed a bronchoscopy on Zac to see if there was still bleeding and to find out what they are dealing with. During this proceedure they managed to clean as lot of the blood clots out of his lungs. This should help him breath better and more on his own. Also today, the nurses turned Zac on his side to get the air to move in his lungs rather just staying at the front of the lungs.

This evening the doctor changed out the respitator with a newer version and this one shows more functions. One of the things is it shows that Zac's bloodpressure reacts to the sound of his friend's voice, another good thing. It means that whenever someone goes in to see him, he knows it and is happy to see them. Proof one more time that people in a coma can hear you and do respond in some ways.

I left the hospital this afternoon and went for a walk to the historic area down by the water. I found some interesting shops and great buildings but the sun was not shining and everything was drab so I am waiting until friday till the sun comes out to play and all will look better in the photos. I also discovered that Peggy's Cove is just 68 miles down the road and maybe we will just take ourselves on a little drive. And maybe have a picnic... I wish I had more time to stay and tour but that will be another trip.

Looking forward to more good news tomorrow!

Just a little happy note: After Zac was taken to the hospital, his sister, Payton (13) sent an email to Make a wish foundation asking for a British Bull dog puppy for Zac. They replied quickly but unfortunately, Zac is over the age of 18 and cannot be part of the program.
AND his friends are putting together a silent auction and sale in Fredericton to raise money to help Sherri and Darren with the expense of hotels (probably for another month in Halifax) and they are not working so there is no income to speak of. Aren't kids wonderful. Zac and the Cann family are very popular around UNB and Fredericton and Zac is much loved and Darren (his dad) is the beloved coach of the UNB soccer team and he received the Maritime Coach of the Year award last year. I am just so impressed with the community rallying around to help my step-daughter and son and grandson out of this horrible financial burden.

Makes me proud to be part of that circle of light. Thank you everyone.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more updates and hopefully I will get some pics and post them also.