Erickson was able to open his eyes, focus on family members and squeeze their hands for brief moments, Carlson says. However, “We need to be reminded that he is still in very critical condition,” the pastor adds, noting that doctors attempted to wean him off the ventilator, but he was not able to respond. “They will try again later this week.”
(Editor’s note: to keep abreast of Erickson’s condition on a regular basis, visit a special update website at Paul Erickson where visitors can not only read the updates, but also send email messages to the family and sign the guestbook.)
Carlson says Paul’s wife, Joan, is grateful for the many prayers of Covenanters for her husband, a long-time Evangelical Covenant Church pastor who served as conference superintendent from 1995 to 2003. “Joan wants everyone to know that she feels the prayers being lifted up on their behalf.” However, Joan encountered somewhat of a medical challenge of her own today when she was taken to another local hospital emergency room suffering from severe dizziness and nausea, possibly due to an inner ear infection.
“The family is exhausted and the best thing that we can do for them right now is pray,” Carlson says. Family members have requested no visitors at this time.
Carlson is serving as a contact person for the family, and can be reached by email at rickcarlson56@msn.com or by phone at the church, 651-633-5526. Cards or messages for the Ericksons can be sent in care of the Roseville Covenant Church, 2865 N Hamline Ave., Roseville, MN, 55113.
To read earlier accounts of the accident, please see:
Erickson in Critical But Stable Condition
Former Superintendent in Serious Bicycle Accident
More information will be posted to this online Covenant news report as it becomes available.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
