When his family arrived at the hospital this morning, the first words they heard from the receptionist were both surprising and comforting:
“He’s been walking up and down the hall.”
That simple sentence captured Hunter perfectly.
Despite the pain, the exhaustion, and the long road still ahead, Hunter had asked the nurse to move his bed into the hallway so he could talk to people as they passed by. Even inside a hospital, his spirit refuses to stay confined.
The night before had not been easy. His pain level was higher than usual, and he did not get much sleep. But there was encouraging news waiting in the morning.
Hunter’s CK level has dropped to 21,000 and continues to trend downward. All of his other lab results look good. His catheter has been removed, intake and output are stable, and his wound vacs are working exactly as intended to support healing.
He is scheduled to return to surgery on January 29 so doctors can examine how his wounds are healing and determine whether any additional tissue needs to be removed.
One of the most hopeful signs remains unchanged:
his fingers are still pink, and he continues to have movement.
Doctors expect Hunter to remain in the surgical ICU for a few more days for close monitoring.
Physical and Occupational Therapy teams evaluated him this morning and shared that he does not need therapy at this time. His rehabilitation will come later, mainly through Occupational Therapy, as he continues to regain strength and function.
Even now, Hunter’s independence shines through. He found a way to hold his spoon and proudly ate all of his eggs by himself. It was a small moment — but one filled with meaning.
Throughout the day, he remained in good spirits, laughing with staff, making a new friend, and even discovering a place to turkey hunt in Illinois 🦃 — a reminder that he is still dreaming beyond these hospital walls.
Before resting again, Hunter asked that one message be shared with everyone:
“Thank you for everything.”
Every prayer, every message, and every act of kindness has become part of his strength. And today, as he walked the hallways, he carried hope with every step.
