Updates: (11/20/2025)

Before I share today's update, my parents wanted to share a message: Thank you to all the folks that have been checking on Eli’s progress.  Amy and I have been overwhelmed at the support.  We want to let you know that it gives us tremendous comfort to know that people are in Eli’s corner.

It’s hard to fathom that it has been a week since Amy and I arrived in Chicago.  It has been a wildly emotional week.  The good news is that where Eli is today is light years from where he was even a few days ago.  We are celebrating each small victory as they come.

The trauma team is striving to get Eli in a position where he can be moved out of the Surgical ICU as soon as possible.  If all goes well, then he may be moved out of the ICU in the next day or two.  Honestly, based on some conversations that we had with the care team on Monday, we're kind of in shock...in a good way.

Depending on how things go with the neurological exams over the next couple of days, we will have a better idea about how long he may be in the hospital and or rehab.

Thank you again for sending positive thoughts and prayers.  We can’t begin to tell you how much that support means to all of us. 

Thanks, Dan and Amy

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Eli had a much better night and was finally able to get some real rest. The team gave him some Benadryl for a rash that’s appeared on his body, which we believe may be heat-related. Thankfully, it seemed to help.

By the time we arrived this morning, he had already been taken down for his video swallow test. We were so relieved they were able to complete it so early, and even more relieved when he passed. This means he’s now cleared for thickened water and liquid foods, which is a huge milestone.

Later in the morning, a team of physical therapists came in with the goal of getting him out of bed and into a recliner. They were able to sit him up, but once his legs were over the side of the bed, he was in a lot of pain and became extremely uncomfortable, so they helped him lie back down.

He is now completely off sedation, which means he's starting to feel the full impact of his injuries. His chest pain from the broken rib has increased, his shoulder is extremely sore, and overall, his body is just hurting.

Even though he wasn’t able to transfer to the recliner, he was able to start having some food and thickened water. This was such a big win after days of intense thirst and hunger.

Cognitively, he seems a bit more lucid today. He does still get confused at times, but he’s more alert and his questions are starting to make more sense.

The doctors have asked us to encourage him to open and use his right eye, which is still drooping and often kept closed. We’re also focusing on helping him take deep breaths throughout the day. One of the airways in his right lung is partially collapsed, so those deep breaths are essential in helping it reinflate.

In the early afternoon, he was moved into a progressive care bed, which can transition into a seated position. Although he found it very uncomfortable and just wanted to return to his usual bed, he remained in it for about an hour. That effort allowed the team to remove his lumbar drain, which is a major step forward and should help clear him to leave the surgical ICU soon.

The amount of activity today has definitely taken a toll. He’s more agitated and confused again this evening. While his voice is clearer, he’s having trouble remembering what happened and where he is.

We’re taking it day by day and celebrating the small victories.

In addition, my family and I have created a GoFundMe for Eli. There is absolutely no pressure to donate, but if you feel called to, it will help with the medical and rehabilitation expenses he’s going to face. ❤️

https://gofund.me/0c0ccef77