Thanks everyone for all the kind words, and the cards, and pictures, etc. Nick is doing well. Eventually we'll be setting up a website so all his friends overseas can get the regular updates without having to wait on word passing through the grapevine. For now, his status is thus:
He was burned, 3rd deg, over about 70percent of his body. Imagine wearing a flight helmet, goggles, and a vest, basically he was burned pretty much everywhere not covered. He lost his right leg below the knee, left arm below the elbow, and all the digits on his right hand. The rest of his hand and the muscles of his thumb are doing well, but by no means out of the woods. He lost about 80% of his triceps muscle on the left arm, and a small portion of his bicep on the same side.
We were told his face was burned 3rd deg, but he's growing back a full mustache, and most of his sideburns and beard, so we've just gotta wait and see. His eyes are intact, as are his eyelids, eyebrows, ears and manhood. Honestly, his face looks great, all things considered. He had a trachaeostomy, and was breathing on a ventilator, but they've got it turned off more than half the time, letting him get used to breathing on his own again. They put in a valve so he'll be able to learn to talk with this trach. in, but it'll be a bit before he's strong enough to communicate effectively. He has been able to nod and shake his head when he's been cognizant enough to do so, and communication has been difficult, but he has unequivocally expressed that he does have the desire and determination to pull through his situation.
Please, those who can, keep the cards and prayers coming. Specifically, if people could pray for his hand and tricep holding together, that would be huge for his recovery potential. Anyone who wants to visit will be more than welcome once he is more stable and the risk of infection is not so critical. We're looking at roughly another month or so before Nick can be declared anything to close to "out of the woods." Once there, we've been informed there are over 800 marines, including a general, at a local base that want to come see him. The support from all over the country and the world that Nick and his family have been getting from people that don't even know us has been overwhelming. Again, we don't know what to say but thank you, and keep it up!
God bless,
Dominic Leotti