They were having a real problem with low blood pressure but it looks like it has finally stabilized.

The other real concern with a ruptured bowel is the risk of infection. They are pumping him with some heavy duty antibiotics and so far has not been running any high fever, which is a good sign.

He is still in intensive care, and probably will be for most of the week.

He is on a ventilator and is heavily sedated.

I am very grateful for all those calling and posting. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts.

Cards can be sent to:

Ken Williams
c/o Cleveland Regional Medical Center
201 Grover Street
Shelby, NC 28150

You can send email to JMXInfo@aol.com and put "pops" in the subject line and I will print them out for him so he can read them when he is able.

I appreciate those that asked about sending flowers but since he is heavily sedated and there is limited room in the ICU, it might be better to wait a bit.

Knowing my dad, he would rather you just come up and say "hi" to him and moto when they are able to make it back out to the races.

You are in our thoughts and Prayers. If we can do anything for you and your Dad please let us know and thanks for keeping us updated.

We love you both,
Victory Sports

Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Hope Pops is doing better and that he will back at the track soon!!!
Staging will be a mess without him.

The Van Pelt Family

He woke up today and was able to acknowledge questions and answer by blinking.

He is still on the respirator.

Originally they had hoped to take him off of it Saturday but he developed an infection and fluid in his lungs that caused them to delay.

They are going to try and wean him off it tomorrow and see if he can breath on his own.

Dad had to go back to surgery for some complications.

Everything went well and they found a pocket of infection that would have caused some real complications later.

He was very alert but becomes really restless.

He doesn't care much for the vent tube.

Monday afternoon they decided it may be better to keep him sedated until the incision heals a bit more.

Dad is finally making some progress.

They have wqeaned him off the sedation and were able to remove the breathing tube.

He is a little groggy but tries to talk. He is very hoarse from having the tube in for 3 weeks.

They took the wrist restraints off and his pumps his arms like he is doing curls with no weights.

Needless to say, after two major surgeries and being motionless for 3 weeks he is very weak.

He is doing better than they thought he would off the ventilator though, and he should get his voice in a couple of days.

I will continue to post updates as he improves.

He is off the ventilator and they have removed the feeding tube.

He is off everything, including the antiboitics.

He is talking better, but gets confused (and confusing) which the doctor said is common for somebody that has been through what he has. He will slowly return to normal in the near future.

The hope right now is to get him transferred to a rehabilitiation hospital as soon as a bed opens up.

I was trying to explain this to him the other night and he told me all I needed to do was bring his exercise bicycle up to the room.

I stated that I didn't know if they would let me bring it to the ICU and he gave me a look like I had lost my mind.

I continue to be grateful for all those that inquire about how he is doing.

Looking at you like you are crazy is a sure sign he is back to normal :)

Let us know when he makes it back to the track... I will do my best to be there.

get well soon and lets race

The race at Top Gun wasn't the same without you there at the gate. The guys did a good job at the gate, but There is only one pops! We miss you, and are looking forward to seeing you again !!!