Update 8/4/11 @ 1:24PM

Alan passed away peacefully around 12:15AM. There will be an open viewing at Farewell Funeral (660 W Locust Ave # 101‎ CA‎ 93650) Home on Monday, August 8 from 5:00PM-8:00PM. The funeral service will be on Tueaday, August 9 at 11:00AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Peach south of Herndon (220 North Peach Avenue Clovis‎ CA‎ 93612). There will be a short viewing from 10:00AM-10:45AM before the service.

We are all very saddened by the loss of such a great friend, brother and son, and yet grateful for the overwhelming support, thoughts and prayers from all of his friends. For those wishing to send flowers, please send them to the Farewell Funeral home. We encourage everyone that can to donate blood in Alan's behalf either at the blood drive or at their local blood bank. Thank you again for all of your support.

Update 8/2/11 @ 11:08

Alan still remains on high pressure (PEEP of 16) and high oxygen (100%) on the respirator. The nurse told us this evening that the swelling he has is a normal side effect from the high pressure he is receiving from the respirator. It is called subcutaneous emphysema (Click here for more information) which is basically air under the skin. He said that as soon as they decrease the air pressure from 16 it should go away in 4-6 hours time. Alan remains off of the paralytic now. The charge nurses have seen the importance of maintaining the continuity of care with Alan, thus he will have the same nurses he has had before from here on out.

Update 8/2/11 @ 8:15PM

Alan is still at 100% oxygen support with oxygenation at 93-94. The PEEPs is at 16. He is off the paralytic and blood pressure is around 88. He is still very swollen (with air) and the hope is that it will go down through the night.

Update 8/2/11 @ 2:20PM

The bronchoscopy showed no bleeding/clots and very little fluid. They are trying to wean him off the paralytic and still keep him sedated so that he will be calm. The bedsore looks good and is not a large, open wound like before. His oxygen support is at 100 with oxygenation at 92. He is extremely swollen in the upper torso due to the air leak in the space around his lungs, but this is expected to take care of itself. His nurse, Ashlee, is working to balance all of his meds so he can start to make progress.

Update 8/2/11 @ 11:20AM

Just had a lengthy talk with the team of doctors. Alan is worse. His body is in shock due to fluid imbalance. His lungs have too much fluid. They are going to do a bronchoscopy to take out fluid. They will continue the plasma exchange every other day. The team of doctors all felt that Alan was worse compared to 5 days ago. I'll keep you posted.

Update 8/2/11 @ 9.56AM

He had a bit of a rough day yesterday afternoon, but today he is stable with oxygen support at 80% with blood oxygenation at 93. He's back on blood pressure medications and he was given 5 units of blood last night.

Update 8/1/11 @ 1:20PM

Today has been a great day! They have decreased Alan's oxygen to 60% and he has been able to maintain his saturation levels in the 90s. They have also turned down the air pressure on Alan's respirator (the PEEP or positive end-expiratory pressure is now at 12). They also have not needed to give him any blood, which is good too. When talking with the Intensivists this morning they said that they have seen small improvements with Alan. They mention the fact that he is still here with us which is a good sign and that there must be a greater power helping him get better apart from what they have been doing at the hospital. They also said that they are 80% certain that he does have Wegener's. He is getting another plasmapheresis treatment today and tomorrow they will be able to run another diagnostic test to see if these treatments are helping. They are going to take him off of the paralytic medication as well. Overall, the outlook today has been very positive, although he will probably remain in the hospital for months and in the ICU for weeks.