ST.For the first time in days, doctors noticed changes they don’t ignore: appetite returning.

February 11, 2026

For the first time since the storm changed everything… Hunter slept.
And when he woke up, the pain wasn’t winning.

There’s finally a breath of encouraging news in the ongoing recovery of Hunter Alexander — the 24-year-old lineman whose life was forever changed after suffering devastating electrical injuries while restoring power during the winter storm.

After days of relentless pain, uncertainty, and exhaustion, Hunter’s family shared an update that feels like something they’ve been praying for nonstop:

Hunter had a good night of rest.

But it wasn’t just “good” in the way hospital nights are usually described.

Hunter told his family his pain level is significantly lower than it has been since his injury, and he slept more than he has in days.

For those closest to him, that kind of sleep isn’t just comfort.

It’s a sign of stability.

It’s a sign his body may finally be finding a rhythm again — after being pushed to its limits by trauma, surgeries, and nonstop medical interventions.

A Night of Sleep That Felt Like Progress

Anyone who has lived through a severe medical crisis knows the truth:

Rest doesn’t come easily.

Pain interrupts it.

Anxiety interrupts it.

Hospital routines interrupt it.

And when someone is fighting major wounds and ongoing surgical care, sleep becomes almost impossible.

So when Hunter said he slept more than he has in days, it landed like a milestone — the kind of progress that doesn’t show up on a chart, but changes everything emotionally.

It gave his family something they haven’t had much of lately:

Relief.

Breakfast Was More Than a Meal

This morning brought another positive sign.

Hunter’s appetite is strong.

And he was able to eat breakfast — a simple detail that means more than most people realize.

When the body is overwhelmed, appetite is often one of the first things to disappear. Eating becomes difficult. Nausea becomes common. Energy drops.

But today, Hunter ate.

And that’s a quiet sign that his strength is returning.

Not all at once.

Not magically.

But enough to be noticed.

The ICU Nurses Came Back — and Hunter Lit Up

One of the most emotional parts of today’s update had nothing to do with medicine.

Some of Hunter’s ICU nurses stopped by to visit him.

And according to his family, it instantly lifted his spirits.

Hunter has openly shared that he misses his ICU team deeply — the constant care, the familiar faces, the staff who watched him through his worst hours.

Leaving ICU is progress, but it also means leaving behind the people who became part of his survival story.

Seeing them again reminded Hunter of something powerful:

He isn’t fighting alone.

Plans for Laps… and Maybe Fresh Air Outside

Once Hunter was cleaned up and settled, the plan became clear:

He’s moving again.

The family shared that laps around the hospital are on the schedule, and depending on how he feels, he may even be able to get outside for fresh air.

For a young man who has spent so much time trapped under hospital lights, surrounded by pain and procedures, stepping outside isn’t just a walk.

It’s a reminder that life still exists beyond the room.

That the world is still turning.

And that he’s still here.

Trauma Team Monitoring — GI Med Adjustments Ahead

Dr. Marshall and the trauma team also checked in today.

There were no major changes in his medical status, but the team plans to review and adjust Hunter’s GI medications to keep his system functioning smoothly.

It’s a reminder that recovery isn’t just about wounds and surgeries.

It’s about keeping the entire body stable — digestion, hydration, circulation, and overall strength — so healing can continue without setbacks.

TikTok Activity Shows His Spirit Is Returning

Perhaps the biggest sign of all wasn’t medical.

It was personal.

Hunter is feeling well enough to interact with his TikTok followers again — and his family says that alone is proof that his energy and mood are improving.

His TikTok is:

@hunterhuntercole

When Hunter has the strength to joke, respond, and connect, it means his spirit is still intact.

And for everyone following his journey, that’s one of the biggest victories of all.

A Day That Brought Relief — and That Matters

No one is claiming the fight is over.

Hunter’s injuries are still serious.

The road is still long.

But today delivered something rare in this journey:

A moment of relief.

A glimpse of recovery.

A day that didn’t feel dominated by fear.

And in a battle like Hunter’s, moments like this aren’t small.

They are everything.