Background & Wednesday

The Gustafson family has set up this blog as a way of keeping friends and family updated on Matt's condition. Forgive our lack of technical details and we apologize if something doesn't make sense, but we will do our best to provide you with information on what has happened, and how Matt is healing.

Background

On Saturday, June 30, Matt fell from a house loft, and landed between some stairs and a dryer, hitting his neck on the edge of the dryer. He had multiple fractures of the C3/C4 vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. He was driven by ambulance to Tisdale where he was put on a ventilator as his breathing was affected by the trauma to his neck. Matt was then flown to Saskatoon where they then did a cat scan, and then did an MRI. The MRI showed that the spinal cord was intact but badly damaged. They performed surgery at 9:15 am on Sunday to fuse the fractures. The surgery went well, and it is now up to God & Matt on how quickly he will recover.


MATT'S GOALS (in no particular order)

1. Matt's immediate goal is getting the ventilator removed. The tube is very annoying and prevents him from talking and swallowing. In order to get removed from the ventilator, he needs to be able to breathe on his own. Currently the machine provides 45% of his air, and when it can be reduced to 25%, which will show that he is ready to breathe on his own.

2. Feel sensation from head to toe

3. Move a limb.

4. Move a finger or toe.

5. Sit up

6. Walk (so that he can go to a Stampeder's football game with Gary - front row seats!)

7. Able to go home to celebrate his birthday year with the family at the family reunion.


Wednesday, July 4th

Matt has had a lot of visitors including family and friends. Visits are brief, and we try not to get Matt to tired as it is hard for him to communicate. His eyes have become very expressive! The good news today.... Matt feels sensation everywhere (including toes), he was able to lift up his arm a little, and he was moved to a more private area in the ICU that includes a TV. The bad news.... we had hoped that the ventilator might be removed today, but we think it will now be a few more days. We had to remind ourselves today that it's only 3 days since the surgery.

The family..... We want to express our thanks to Devon Thorpe and Diane Schekk who have given us the use of their apartment in Saskatoon. It is currently full as Dad & Mom, Jacki & Gary, Bobby & Amy, & Nolan are in residence! It is close to the hospital and has all the things we might need. We also want to thank the many family and friends who have sent their love and prayers. We are especially grateful for those who were able to be with mom in the first hours in what seemed to be the darkest hours. Their support,prayers, love and guidance were invaluable.

We will keep you posted..... Love the Gustafson family