A Good Day

Matt had a good day today, very positive Nurses and staff. He was able to get up and go outside for awhile. Did two trails and did well. They changed some of the vent settings so he is doing more work on his own during the day and then giving more support during the night so he gets more rest. They are trying to get his lungs stronger. Had a fever during the night and this morning, but was good all day. Thank You for your continued prayers for a full recovery, it is such a blessing to know so many people care and are praying for Matt and our family. John 16:24 Ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.

A different day

Today started out fine, Matt looked good and was in good spirits. He did two trails in morning and afternoon and did well. He had a different Dr. and with that came different ideas. Not sure what it was all about, but from what I gathered he decided that Matt is getting to tired on the trials so has told Matt he only has to do what he thinks he can do and they were not going to push him. He is also going to put in an order for an portable vent. Came away not to sure what direction we are going and what it all means. Matt was very discouraged and not sure what to think. Please continue to pray for guidance for Medical staff and also for us, also that Matt will continue to be positive about his recovery. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

More Excitement

I couldn't wait until this evenings news to write in the blog. It was just too good. Matt moved the toes on his right foot! Mom of course was visiting other people and he was trying to get her attention by clicking. He then told her to watch his right foot. She said she could hardly believe it. Just like dad did, she called the nurse over to confirm what she had seen. What great news! Way to go Matt! Psalms 145:3 "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom". Had also had 2 breathing trials so far, 1:10 and 1:10. That is as long as they will let him go. He did de-sat after laying on his right side, or his bad side, but again after some physio and suctioning, the o2 went back up. Tonight is his last dose of antibiotics and so far he is clear from any more infections. He's had a bit of diarrhea, hopefully it isn't a virus, just too many meds to keep everything soft, and the nutritionist said they may change his food as well. But we will see tomorrow. Also a fellow from City Hospital rehab came to see Matt, and currently there a re no beds, but maybe we will see in a few weeks. Right now ICU is still the best place for his lungs, but the rest is obviously wanting to get on with rehab! Sorry Matt, cannot divide you up and send pieces to where they must go. Your too good-looking just in one piece!

Hills and Valleys

Some good points to the day and not so good points. Matt had his 1st breathing trial this am and did really well, almost 2 hours. However this afternoon they tried a 2nd one and he kept de-sating, his O2 levels kept dropping and they could not get them up. They bagged him and suctioned him for quite awhile before things got a bit better. Then chest physio came in to do his regular physio, and Matt's O2 levels dropped again. They were quite worried about another collapsed lung or a clot, so did x-rays and found nothing. However his charge nurse heard a lot of crackles in his left lung, or his good lung, and did more physio and suctioned a large amount of loose phlegm, and Matt improved almost immediately. All this makes him quite tired so they did no further trials for the rest of the day. But a few good notes: he had both tubes removed from his nose, and he made the nurse take them out right at 4:00 on the dot. Felt great! Also mom noticed he tried to push against her hand with his index finger and she felt a light pressure. Before he was moving his fingers with no resistance, so it's like push-ups for his fingers. He was also up in his chair for 2 hours and did really well. Prayers for the night time, as Matt gets quite anxious whenever anything goes wrong with his lungs. 1John 4:4 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them., because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world".

Painful Day

Well, Matt finally had surgery for the insertion of the tube into his small intestine at 4:20, and with any surgery it will cause him pain. Has been fasting since midnight last night and cannot have nothing through the tube for another 24 hours. That will be one hungry boy. Prior to surgery another tube was put in his other nostril to drain excess fluid and air from his stomach. It was a large tube and Matt said it hurt so bad. He had broke his nose in hockey this year and it still is painful, so this sure didn't help. He was able to do 3 breathing trials:1 hr 40 min, 1 hr, & the last was 35 mins. During the last trial, they accidentally pulled on the large tube in his nostril and that was the real cherry on the top. They have been trying to get Matt to do more exercises with his right hand, and he seems to be moving his fingers better. They also noticed more spasms in his legs and left hand, so were are hoping that is good news, that the brain is trying to send impulses to those parts of the body and the wiring is trying to re-route itself. Not sure, but hope is the best medicine, and as one surgeon writes"true hope can only come from Christ". Psalms 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand. I will not be shaken". Prayers for a better day tomorrow, Matt.

Another Day

The am started throwing up again times 3. Ordered new anti-nausea medication because the Gravol isn't really working and it makes him sleepy. They will be putting the tube into his small intestine tomorrow morning. They will have to put him under anesthetic, so prayers that he will come out of it okay. Physio worked with him and states can feel the muscle in his right arm is strengthening. Matt also states he is trying to move his right leg because he has more sensation in that leg than in the left leg. He also had 3 breathing trails for total of 4 hours and did really well. They would have done 4 but they had an emergency. Mom feels his chest muscles are getting a bit stronger and he can cough up some of the mucus to the top now. They also had a psychologist in to assess whether Matt is depressed or not, and was impressed by Matt's spirit in such a situation. I found a quote in scripture that seems to be written for Matt. Hebrews 12:12-13 "Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

One day at a time....

Well, Matt did not get sick or nauseous this morning - first time in a few days, and we were told he had a great sleep last night (unlike the rest of Saskatoon residents who heard the thunderstorm all night!) Thus, he was alert and felt really good for most of the day. He did 3 breathing trials (I can't remember how long the first 2 were), and the last one was only 40 minutes at 6:30 pm - but he was pretty tired by then as he had sat up in his bed for an hour before that. We played about 3 games of card golf (9 holes only), and this time the luck was on my side, and Matt pouted!! - It was quite funny! I'm sure we'll have a rematch tomorrow. Let's pray that Matt has another restful night - "Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore." Psalms 105:4