Update on Ryan Diviney: Injured Broad Run Grad Still in Coma but Breathing on Own

VivaLoudoun.com is following the recovery of Ryan Diviney, a 20-year-old West Virginia student and former Broad Run High School standout athlete, seriously injured in an attack almost two weeks ago.

Morgantown, WV (Nov. 19, 2009) - Ryan Diviney, the seriously injured Broad Run High School alum, was able to breath on his own this afternoon after being taken off a ventilator at Ruby Memorial and has been taken off sedation so now his family and friends wait and pray for him to come out off the coma he has been in since he was savagely attacked by a group on Nov. 7.

No arrests have been made in the attack and police in West Virginia are still looking for witnesses to come forward.

There will be a fundraising effort, including t-shirt sales, at the Broad Run High School football playoff game Friday night, look for a table near the stadium's entrance.

Here are the latest updates from Ryan's father, Ken Diviney:

Thurs. Nov. 19 2:30 p.m. Update: Ryan is breathing on his own! They will leave him on for up to 4 hours, then put him back on the ventilator for 4 hours. He is also off his sedation, so we hope he will wake up from his coma at some point over the next week or so. We still have no idea where he is mentally nor his potential level of rehab. Please, keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Thurs. Nov. 19 1 p.m. Update: Medical team updated us. He made a nice physical recovery yesterday. They're waiting on the feeding tube a bit longer, which is fine. They will be taking him off ventilation in 4-hour increments today. If he does well, he will be taken off entirely tomorrow. They also will take him off sedation soon. Thank God!



Wed. Nov. 18 11:30 p.m. Update: His sodium level is 159 (within 160 threshold) which is good news for getting a feeding tube. Let's hope he maintains/decrease. I know this isn't much, but he showed a new response. I lightly touched his cheek and he turned his head toward it (several times). He also withdrew his head from a cold, wet cloth when they wiped his cheek. All the time under some sedation. Thank God!

Wed. Nov. 18 6 p.m. Update: The trach is in! He did amazingly! Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. Now, on the next challenge -- his stomach. If he has any say so at all, this will not be a problem. Thank God!

Wed. Nov. 18 4 p.m. Update: Ryan is currently undergoing trach surgery! This is very positive and will help his comfort and safety. They needed to wait on the feeding tube because his stomach is not functioning, but this might just be a temporary set-back caused by past medications that saved his life. He is not in any immediate life-threatening condition; still he must get past this soon. Please keep him in prayer.

Wed. Nov. 18 3 p.m. Update: Med team just updated us. They hope to get the trach in today. The feeding tube must wait. Basically, his stomach isn't working yet. This is concerning. Mentally, his responses are the same, but more frequent and forceful. He needs your prayers.

Wed. Nov. 18 1 a.m. Update: "...wonders when people will come foward with information about the savage beating and hospitalization of WVU student Ryan Diviney. I have sworn to never be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides! Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere" -Professor Daniel Brewster


Tues. Nov. 17 8:45 p.m. Update: Ryan is settled in for the night. He is again having difficulty moving stomach contents, but they think he'll get past this hurdle fine. He is on for trach and peg at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Kari continues to stay with him without fail. She is just an amazing friend and sister. Ryan loves her so much and he would do the same. She is such a loyal person and reads every post. We know this is helping him. The prayers sustain him.

Tues. Nov. 17 3:30 p.m. Update: Well, after getting him all ready to go, they cancelled the operation. They wanted his sodium level to be lower. Hopefully tomorrow.

Tues. Nov. 17 2:30 p.m. Update: Ryan is going back soon for his trach and peg! I'll let you know how he does with it. It don't know if they will let people visit, but will certainly post it if he can (I hope!). Please pray for a successful operation.

Tues. Nov. 17 11:15 a.m. Update: Med.team feels Ryan is making physical progress. His stomach is still a bit distended, so they might wait to tomorrow for the trach and peg. It sounds as if they will be lowering his sedation and pain medications. The pressure is his brain has stabilized at a good level for now. We pray that his brain wakes up soon and he rises out of the coma. Again, thank you for loving him.

Tues. Nov. 17 5 a.m. Update: A new day, another shot at recovery, mental and physical. Ryan appears to have a restful night. We hope the trach and peg operation will happen today, but his stomach still seems bloated. He remains in a coma, so we have no idea where he is mentally. Kari spent the night by his side, reading posts. He's in there somewhere, and I pray we can pull him out. Keep him in thoughts and prayers. It means more than I can tell you.

Mon. Nov. 16 4:15 p.m. update: It sounds like the nurses will be with Ryan until at least 6 p.m. We won't be able to go back in for a couple hours.

Mon. Nov. 16 1:15 p.m. Update: They decided to do the trach & peg operation tomorrow since his stomach is so bloated. Good news is he started moving the contents in his stomach and this should resolve itself before too long. It seems like they are fine with visitors, but I'd ask that you check my status before heading over in case things change. Please, keep praying for his physical recovery and mental well-being. We are so proud of him and Kari!

Mon Nov. 16 Noon Update: If you're thinking about visiting Ryan today, please check my FB status to see if the doctor's are allowing this. I'd hate for you to come all the way to the hospital and not get in. We are so fortunate that he had so many dedicated friends! You're the best.

Mon. Nov. 16 11:30 a.m. Update: Just told it will be this afternoon when he will get his trach & peg (feeding tube). In the meantime, the Physical Therapist exercised his joints/muscles. The Respiration team also came in and gave their treatment as well.