Hwy-Patrol protecting them from themselves. Hwy17: The Tortuga 500 2011

March 18 12:00pm

Martin Howard has talked with Mike’s brother Doug and his wife Diane:

I just got off the phone with Diane…Mike was transferred yesterday evening to the UCI Burn Unit in Orange…and as Dougie Jensen put it “were not in Kansas anymore”..Diane says they have the most amazing surgeon looking after him who happens to live in Belmont Shore(I’ll try and get her name)..she says the burn unit is amazing..Mike has 3 to 5 specialists looking after him..they are running him back through every test he did at LB Memorial…Mike is currently in surgery..he had an EKG done this morning and he needs a procedure done on his heart..this is not unusual for someone who has had this kind of trauma and three surgeries..the surgeon has also gone back and removed the staples from his abdomen and inserted a wound care device to absorb all the fluids he was pumped full of..they want to reduce his swelling so they can start treating his burns..he does not have a feeding tube or trach..his doctor doesn’t feel Mike needs them…they have already started treating the burns and are using cadaver grafts..and of course the doctor said it looks as though she will have plenty of Mikes own skin to graft with after looking at his Jensen Power Rear-End!…the doctors have decided to cut back his trauma medication and bring him around from the induced coma he has been in..they feel he has made enough progress to start bringing him around so that he moves and provides circulation to all his wounds..the best news of all is that last night they scoped his lungs and it looks as though they are clear and not damaged..The “Mule” is fighting hard and he has a long way to go but for now his prognosis is positive..Diane says to please keep your thoughts and prayers coming …she is doing fine and is very strong..she has an incredible support group around her who are providing for her and the girls..shes thanks you all…UCI is very strict and apparently Mike has been assigned nurse “Ratchet” so for now no visitors other than immediate family..this is all I have for now on Mike..please feel free to pass this info to all those who know and care for Mike and Diane.

Correction: Heart surgery was not required.  There was a misunderstanding; surgery was not intended.

Regarding the surgeon mentioned above- an email from Brock Nyquist

Martin and Freddies,

Her name is Marianne Cinat, she is a great surgeon and runs a tight ship. I have done at least a hundred burn cases with her. The burn unit is exceptional. Nurse ratchet will be very strict, each and every visitor brings in with them the potential for more infection. If you are fortunate enough to see mike make sure you abide by their policies of asepsis. I have already spoken with my anesthesia colleagues at UCI to make certain Mike is cared for by the best.

Brock