On June 6th, the first day of summer break, Eli was down at the park next to his house playing softball with his sister and a friend when he stepped into the wrong place at the wrong time and got hit in the head with the softball bat. He was taken to Mayo in La Crosse where they found multiple skull fractures and a brain bleed. He was then transported by helicopter to Mayo in Rochester where they have done repeat MRIs and neuro checks over the last 3 days. Doctors were hopeful that his body would absorb the blood, but unfortunately, the bleed is expanding and putting more pressure on his brain. The surgeon said he needs to have a craniotomy done today to relieve the pressure. If he were to not have the surgery, the bleed would keep expanding until the brain just gave up. He will have a very long recovery after leaving the hospital, including no physical activities over the next couple of months to minimize the risk of further injury to his head/brain. He will need someone home to care for him for the first few weeks at least to make sure things stay calm and quiet for recovery to be a success. We are hopeful for a full recovery. In addition to looking after him, Katie and Jamie also need to keep an eye on his sister who feels this is all her fault and is really taking it hard. It was a total freak accident, but being a 13-year-old girl, she doesn't have the mindset yet to understand that accidents happen and he will be okay in time.

Donations will be used to help pay for medical and monthly bills while they are at the hospital taking care of Eli.

UPDATE: The blood on his brain was expanding and putting to much pressure on his brain so yesterday they did a craniotomy and removed 2 large blood clots. Today they gave him another MRI (5th one in last 4 days now) and they said it is looking great! The pressure on the brain is gone and we should be moved from ICU back to general pediatric again. He still has a VERY long road ahead of him. Tomorrow depending on his pain level they will most likely start therapy. They want him to be able to eat 3 meals and get up and walk around on his own before they can go home. So they will probably still be here the rest of the week but he is heading in the right direction finally! Thank you everyone for the kind words, prayers and everything else you have done. Greatly appreciated you all!