From the Warrior Hockey website:
UPDATE: As of Tuesday afternoon March 18, Exter has been upgraded to FAIR condition by doctors at the hospital, the first change since 10 p.m. March 8, when he was listed in serious condition after having been downgraded to critical condition earlier that evening at 7 p.m.
Let's hope this is a good sign and continue to keep Joe in our thoughts and prayers.
When I'm not at Cornell hockey games, some of you know that I work for the committee that oversees all medical research at the hospital where Exter is hospitalized. That board consists of some of the best doctors in New England, some of whom are charged with his care. Doctors are extremely busy people and I often have to catch them on rounds. Today I caught up with one attending to someone next to Joe Exter. Where in the hospital and what I saw is strictly confidential but I did say a short prayer on behalf of all those on this forum that have kept him in their prayers.
Know that he is in extremely capable hands.
I respect your confidentiality Tom. We will certainly all keep him in our prayers. So to quote what I found from that Hahvahd site:
# Good — Vital signs (such as heart rate and blood pressure) are stable and normal, the person is conscious and comfortable, and indicators are excellent.
# Fair — Vital signs are stable and normal, the person is conscious, indicators are favorable, but the person may be uncomfortable.
# Serious — Vital signs may be unstable and abnormal, the person is acutely ill, and indicators are questionable.
# Critical — Vital signs are abnormal and unstable, the person may be unconscious, and indicators are unfavorable
It makes it sounds like he's conscious. Of course, perhaps these definitions aren't set in stone. Perhaps other people would find a reference which says something else. But whatever the exact details are, the upgrade to fair can't be anything less than positive sign.
P.S. I'm at home for spring break, my parents are medical people. When they get home I'll see if they can shed any light other than what this says.
this is great news. i hope that joe keeps improving