News: Ryan Diviney Likely to Spend Second Straight Christmas in Intensive Care Unit

(Dec. 23, 2010) - Family, friends, area residents and those across the nation after widespread media attention continue to rally around former Broad Run High School athlete Ryan Diviney, in a coma for more than a year after a savage beating while at the University of West Virginia.

Unfortunately, Diviney had to be rushed to the emergency room on Tuesday after developing a hgh fever that topped around 106.8 degrees. Family reports on the Rally for Ryan website that he will likely be in the ICU for five to seven days which means a second straight Christmas in the hospital for the Ashburn resident.

The Facebook page for Diviney's recovery now has more than 8,000 members as his attack and the family's devotion of care for him this past year have been featured on NBC's The Today Show and The Washington Post.

Diviney, given only 24 to 48 hours to live after the beating, is still fighting after 13 months. His attackers have been sentenced to jail, one for one year and the other for two to 10 years.

VivaLoudoun hopes that everybody in this holiday season keeps the Diviney family in their thoughts and prayers. Visit the Rally for Ryan website to donate to the family's care.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Report from Dec. 21
I’m sad to report that Ryan was rushed by paramedics to the emergency room earlier this afternoon. He began developing a high fever, that topped around 106.8 degrees. His breathing became labored and shallow, with trouble holding his oxygen saturation. He was moaning in pain and just could not get comfortable. His body began to flush.

Chest x-Rays show pneumonia developed in his upper-right lung. It appears we caught it early. The likely cause is from an episode of vomiting yesterday morning. Despite my attempt to clear his airway by deep suctioning, it is almost certain he sucked some of the stomach fluid back into his lung.

He is now in the ICU resting, getting an IV of propofol to sedate him. To protect his airway and deliver oxygen, the doctors inserted a tube down his airway. He is currently on a ventilator. His length of stay will likely be 5 to 7 days, from what we know. Another Christmas in ICU…

Dr. Rodriguez continues to be incredible! He came to the hospital immediately; Ryan was still in the ER. He laid the groundwork for making sure anything and everything will be done for Ryan during his stay.

Report from Dec. 22
Ryan spent the day getting many, many tests done. He had a full blood work-up early in the day, showing some magnesium deficiency but his white count is down slightly. Ryan’s electrolytes were perfect. He had another chest X-ray that showed the pneumonia settled into the right lung. As of now, he is sounding a bit better listening through the stethoscope. An abdomen X-ray and rectal exam showed no bowel issues. He was scanned for blood clots (a.k.a. DVT’s) in his arms and legs and none were present. He is still intubated and on the ventilator, but his oxygen support level was reduced from a full 100% to 50%.

We he gets the airway tube removed, he will be taken to get a CT scan of the brain. We will be also working with a neurologist soon to discuss any changes to the level of baclofen he is receiving and to verify his brain shunt is drawing off the proper volume of fluid.