RTP-area local music and culture

[Ben Davis <ben_dontspamme_davis AT unc.edu>]

5:30 pm Tuesday Feb 24th

I just left Mike's room and today things seem to have stablized and 
improved slightly- They have to do another spinal tap today - still 
trying to figure exactly what is going on  - They are hoping to get him 
off the ventilator sometime in the next day or so - depending on how he 
is doing and how he reacts to that - Things are still pretty intense and 
serious- he was still unconscious , but seemed to stir a bit when I 
talked to him.  They said he had his eyes open some this morning - but 
he is sedated again to undergo the spinal tap.

so keep the thoughts and prayers going - it's helping - He 's by no 
means out of the woods yet - but things were optimistic this afternoon - 
I think they are still taking things hour to hour  - He is still in the 
ICU , and still hooked up to every tube possible - but  things are 
stablizing for now.  more info when I get it

take care and thanks

Ben




Ben Davis wrote:
> Hello
> As many of you have heard - Michael Tripplet is in the UNC hospital 
> right now.  I have recieved many calls and emails asking about  how is 
> he doing - I just left his room today (Monday , Feb 23rd) at 5 pm so I 
> wanted to let folks know was was going on and how is doing as of now.
> 
> Mike went to the hospital Feb 11 with a high fever and pain - He was 
> diagnosed with Spinal Meningitis.  He spent the next week suffering 
> through high fevers and intense pain.  The doctors then diagnosed 
> Pneumonia in addition.  So his body was battling both of those things 
> plus dealing with the antibiotics and pain medications they were using 
> to treat him - On Friday Feb 20th,  he started suffering some 
> complications from these factors - his fever came back and they had to 
> put him on a respirator to get his breathing going.  He suffering a tear 
> in hisesophagus from either vomitting or the intabation of the 
> respirator so the doctors were very concerned - He was moved to the 
> CCUon Saturday - which is called the Coronary Care Unit to monitor him. 
>  The doctors were giving him a 50/50 chance to survive.  This (Monday 
> Feb 23rd) morning he was moved to the Respiratory Intesive Care Unit to 
> monitor him and keep an eye on the esophagus tear and his lungs.  The 
> tear seems to be healing on his own, and he is doing better today.  The 
> are trying to wean him of the oxygen and the respirator gradually.  He 
> is not conscious but he is not in a coma.  He hasn't been able to eat 
> since Feb 10th but they are pumping fluids and antibiotics through him. 
>  It has been a trying rollercoaster for Mikes friends and family.
> 
> The doctors are still unable to give a cause for why things have been so 
> intensely bad for him and are still working on figuring that out.  They 
> do not know how or where he contracted the bacteria from.   They are 
> really taking things hour by hour at this point but his mom was 
> optimistic today.  She is a head trauma nurse in Florida so she has been 
> by his side this entire time keeping the doctors in line.
> 
> So Mikes mom and friends appreciate all the calls and emails which have 
> been passed along to her and to Mike. and They ask for continued support 
> through prayers, thoughts, or various hippie techniques. Get your 
> parents prayer groups going!
> 
> We are going to try and post updates to a page on the Lovitt Records 
> website as we get them to try and keep people in the loop as much as 
> possible.   the URL for that will
> 
> http://www.lovitt.com/triplett.html
> 
> We will post updates as frequently as we get them and as things change.
> 
> Mike's  Mom has requested that people refrain from sending flowers right 
> now - and we plan to establish a fund to contribute to the medical bills 
> that are stacking up.  Donations can be made at Go! Room 4 and we will 
> establish a route through PayPal for online contributions.
> 
> Mike has really touched so many people in this area and the music 
> community nationwide.  The calls and emails have been pouring in - So 
> thanks and keep the positive thoughts up.
> 
> Feel free to email me with questions - I don't know much more than what 
> I have written.  Mikes roomates and coworkers have been amazing 
> throughout all of this helping Mike and his mom.  and so I'm sure they 
> could all use a hug too if  you see them around.
> 
> Thanks
> Ben Davis
> bendavis AT lovitt.com
>