Update 9.27.2010

Eric was taken back to Methodist on the 24th to do testing to see why his white cell count is rising and why he can't keep anything down. On the 26th Eric had a good day and he had a lot of visitors. Eric was up in his wheelchair for 5 1/2 hours yesterday. Which was great! He was also able to mowed down 2 jr whoppers with cheese. Eric still loves to get  his visitors and hours are from 6am - 9pm. Eric says thanks to everyone for all of their support. He could not imagine what it would be like to go through this without it.

9.22.2010

Eric had another good day yesterday. They put him in a wheelchair for about 2 hours. Then he was wore out. Eric ate a chef salad with ranch dressing, then last night he had pizza and bread sticks. He has lost a lot of muscle tone and weight. He is still at Methodist but the lung looks good. We are all hoping that Thursday he will be moved to rehab on the west side of Indianapolis. Eric complained about some chest pain last night before everyone left, but he had a busy day.

9.21.2010

Eric had another good day on the 19th. He is still needing to eat more. The hospital was able to sit him up in a wheelchair and took him outside for 20 minutes. It really wore him out. He had a lot of visitor this past weekend.

On Monday there was more good news. The tubes that were in Eric right lung were finally removed. There is a good chance that Eric could be moving to rehabilitation today or tomorrow. The rehabilitation center is located on 38th street.

9.18.2010

irish came home for the first time since the accident last night. he said it was extremely hard going back to the house and seeing the track and walking around the shop. eric has not been eating like he should and has been sleeping alot. eric also has not been very talkative as of late. irish is going back down today to indianapolis.

Update 9.15.2010

Eric is still in ICU after his surgery. The surgery was meant to fix a hole that was found in his lung. The surgery was a success but has left Eric very tired. He slept all day yesterday and has been on a lot of medication for the pain that is in his back. Eric has not been able to eat a lot because he has been getting so much sleep. We are all hoping that tomorrow will be a better day. The last few days Eric has limited the amount of visitors. Not that he doesn't want to see anybody, he just know that it is vital that he gets his rest. If anyone is planning on visiting Eric please call Irish first to make sure that it is ok. Irish has explained that the healing process has been like a roller coaster.

Autographed Tony Stewart T-Shirt

Hoosier Racing Tire is selling an "I Can I Will" t shirt that has been signed by Tony Stewart. All proceeds will be going to Eric and his family. The t shirt will be on display at Hoosier Racing Tire in Lakeville, IN. You can purchase your tickets through Hoosier Racing Tire as well. The tickets will be $1 a piece or you can purchase 6 tickets for $5. The drawing for the shirt will take place at Red Bud on September 19th. Winner does not have to be present.

Update 9.10.2010

Yesterday Eric started out with a fever again. Laura his nurse put a cool blanket on him and gave him some ibuprofen to bring it down. The doctors are trying to find out what is causing his fever's. With no feeling from the chest down they had to do a ct scan and could not find anything.

The doctors were able to remove the tube from Eric's left lung, but still have the right one in. Eric also had a blood clot in his bladder. Luckily they were able to find it and take care of it.

Eric still loves to get his visitors but also needs his rest. We are all hoping that there is no fever tonight and that Eric can finally get a good nights sleep. If he does have anymore fevers, the hospital will bring in specialists to find out why he is getting them so often.

Update 9.7.2010

Eric was in good spirits after Tony's big victory at Atlanta this weekend. But yesterday morning Eric had a temperature of 103°.  Then we found out that his right lung collapsed once again. Eric had a few visitors yesterday. The hospital is bringing in a specialist for his lungs today to figure out why his lungs are not draining. Once his lungs are under control they will send him to the rehab hospital here in Indy. Irish would like to thank everyone for all of their thoughts and prayers.

Tony Stewart wins one for Eric!

Update 9.5.2010

Eric had a decent day yesterday. He loves getting visitors but it also wears him out. He has not been eating like he should. He has been having panic attacks and we have to keep him calmed down a lot. He asked Sheila to stay with him last night again. This is really tough and we all hope that he gets better soon. Not too much has changed since Friday. Keep him in your prayers.

Update 9.3.2010

Eric had a good day today, started off a little rocky with him having a hard time breathing. Then around noon he felt good enough that he was able to sit up in a chair talk to a lot of his friends that were there to see him. Eric is still in ICU they were not able to take him to a normal room yet. However, I am happy to report that Eric was resting well last night with no breathing problems.

Update 9.1.2010

As September 1st ends everything is looking up for Eric. Irish has told be that Eric did very well today with some rehabilitation treatment that he through today. Eric is doing good enough that the doctors would like to try and get him out of ICU as early as tomorrow. That is such great news for the entire Saunders family.

Make sure to leave comments everyday so that Eric knows that we are all thinking about him.
Hope to bring great news about Eric tomorrow too.

Update 9.1.2010

Late last night around 9:00pm Eric's lung once again collapsed. His breathing was reduced to around 78% and the doctors took him in for a CT scan. The doctors put him on his side to get the scan, when they did they realized that his breathing went back up to normal. So Eric spent a little time on his side to regulate his breathing. Since then the doctors have been able to repair his lung.

Update: 9.1.2010

On Tuesday Eric had another surgery to stop bleeding that was in his spleen. I have been told that the surgery was a success and that the bleeding has stopped. Eric was then sent back to his room where I was told that he enjoyed a nice healthy McDonald's chicken nugget meal (with a smoothie of course). Eric remains in good spirits and is very thankful for all of the support that everyone has shown.