Liberty County Sheriff J. Don Martin is making noticeable improvements and was transitioned out of ICU to an Immediate Care section of Memorial Health University Medical Center on Sunday according to updates posted on his online journal at CaringBridge.com.
Martin was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 3, after a vehicle accident left him with six cracked ribs, a fractured wrist and a broken leg.
Martin underwent leg surgery on Dec. 10 and according to an entry posted by Martin’s wife Polly, “The surgeon was able to repair the leg bone which had multiple breaks. The hip replacement was not performed as the prosthesis in place was functional. The repairs made will let Don regain movement in the hip. The surgery will allow him to sit up now which should help the fluid retention issue.”
On Friday the doctor’s performed a tracheotomy so they could remove the ventilator tubes from his mouth and connect them to the trachea making it more comfortable and making the transition to breathing on his own easier.”
Polly Martin said she walked into his room Saturday morning and found him awake.
“I walked into his room this morning to find him awake and watching my approach,” she said. “He’s trying to talk but the trachea tube is preventing that. He’s also still a bit confused, is agitated and annoyed, but he will laugh at jokes, wink at the nurses, and try to tell everybody what to do.”
In Sunday’s entry she said the sheriff has started to breathe on his own and is gaining strength every day but added, “He still has a long way to go.”
Martin was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 3, after a vehicle accident left him with six cracked ribs, a fractured wrist and a broken leg.
Martin underwent leg surgery on Dec. 10 and according to an entry posted by Martin’s wife Polly, “The surgeon was able to repair the leg bone which had multiple breaks. The hip replacement was not performed as the prosthesis in place was functional. The repairs made will let Don regain movement in the hip. The surgery will allow him to sit up now which should help the fluid retention issue.”
On Friday the doctor’s performed a tracheotomy so they could remove the ventilator tubes from his mouth and connect them to the trachea making it more comfortable and making the transition to breathing on his own easier.”
Polly Martin said she walked into his room Saturday morning and found him awake.
“I walked into his room this morning to find him awake and watching my approach,” she said. “He’s trying to talk but the trachea tube is preventing that. He’s also still a bit confused, is agitated and annoyed, but he will laugh at jokes, wink at the nurses, and try to tell everybody what to do.”
In Sunday’s entry she said the sheriff has started to breathe on his own and is gaining strength every day but added, “He still has a long way to go.”