Bridger Hunt was to undergo surgery today tuesday to explore possible infections in abdominal wounds he suffered when an explosion ripped his torso and leg open July 24 in Lehi, his grandmother said.

"His white blood cells are rising very, very quickly," said Dyanne Richan-Casper. "[Doctors] are going to try to identify where the infection is and clean it out."

Doctors returned Bridger to a coma Monday after the boy spent the weekend negotiating panic attacks and dangerously high heart rates, Richan-Casper said. Doctors are concerned that prolonged idleness could put Bridger at risk of pneumonia, and his fever remained high Monday night, she said.

The complications come as a jarring disappointment after Bridger's recovery in the first week surpassed doctors' expectations, Richan-Casper said.

But, she said, "I have no doubt he's going to live through this. I won't allow him to die."

- Erin Alberty