Isaac Kolstad no longer on life support but remains in a coma

May 26, 2014 at 7:26AM
Isaac Kolstad, with his wife Molly and 3-year-old daughter.
Isaac Kolstad, with his wife and 3-year-old daughter. (Stan Schmidt/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Isaac Kolstad, the former Minnesota State University, Mankato linebacker critically injured in a May 11 fight, is improving bit by cautious bit, according to a recent post on CaringBridge.

On a post titled "Day 13," Mike Fleming wrote Saturday night that Kolstad was entirely off sedation medication, life support and able to breathe on his own. Kolstad continues to be in a coma, although it's no longer a medically induced one, according to the CaringBridge entry.

Last week, the Kolstad ­family said on CaringBridge that the swelling in Isaac's brain had gone down.

"It is such a relief to see Isaac relaxed today as the struggle for him to remain stable off of the sedation medications was incredibly emotional," Fleming wrote in the Saturday posting.

Kolstad, 24, who suffered a fractured skull and other injuries, remains hospitalized at Mayo Clinic Health System.

He has a 3-year-old daughter, and his wife is pregnant.

Two men have been charged in the attack that left Kolstad injured, including former Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson.

James Walsh

Isaac Kolstad, with his wife and child, was in critical condition after he was allegedly beaten by former Minnesota gopher quarterback, Philip Nelson.
Kolstad (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

James Walsh

Reporter

James Walsh is a reporter covering social services, focusing on issues involving disability, accessibility and aging. He has had myriad assignments over nearly 35 years at the Star Tribune, including federal courts, St. Paul neighborhoods and St. Paul schools.

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