A New Puppy

Matt started the day with a bit of nausea after Physio. He wasn't able to eat today as his stomach just wasn't up to it, they will try again tomorrow. He felt better today and seemed to be breathing easier. They still don't know what or if any more infections are present, but maybe tomorrow. He had lots of company today, and also got a surprise from a family of another patient. The family had bought a toy puppy in a basket for their relative and the nurse brought it over for Matt to see. It looks and feels like it is real as it has a breathing motion. The family and some of the staff went and bought Matt one, his eyes lit up when they gave it to him. He has it sitting on his right side so he can feel it with his right hand. It was a wonderful surprise and a real pick me up. He is thinking of calling it Whispers, he told Jacki it is a he and is very quiet. He also beat Jacki in a game of Golf, which made him smile after losing so many games to her. The Lord says in Eph 6: 13, 17 "Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over you'll still be on your feet.... God's Word is an indispensable weapon." Prayers for tomorrow are that Matt infections will all be gone and he can start eating food again so he can continue to heal.

Sweet Amy...

Matt sure enjoyed seeing little niece Amy today. She looks at him with her big eyes and smiles, and Matt just grins. He really wishes he could hold her.... He's also a little jealous because she's started to roll. Our goal is for Matt to be walking when she does. Keep praying - Acts 3:6 "...In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk".

So, overall not a great day, but better than yesterday. Although he didn't throw up this morning, he did throw up this afternoon again which is very tiring. We now fear that that he once again has pneumonia due to some of the vomit getting in his lungs (aspirates). A culture will be sent tonight and we will know the results tomorrow. Please pray that we are wrong and that he doesn't have pneumonia, but if he does, that it will be dealt with quickly and effectively. Psalms 46:10 tells us to Be still, and know that I am God. Besides a "down" afternoon, Matt was pretty bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this evening and was able to visit, laugh, and talk about food (he hasn't eaten since Wednesday, but feels he'll be ready for food tomorrow). Also, Matt really enjoyed the video from his friends in Porcupine - especially the homemade 3-wheeler! Thanks everyone who drops by to visit,sends messages and well wishes, they really brighten Matt's day.

A rough day

Matt had a really rough day. He had started throwing up last evening, it continued through the night and all during the day. He has been running a low grade fever for the last three days. They were not sure what was the matter so they took some x-rays and then took him to the main floor to see if the feeding tube was not in the right place again. They put in a new feeding tube and changed the rate of how much he is getting. He will still be able to eat, which is now a regular diet, but if he has a day like today he will continue to get enough nutrient ion. He has gained about 10 lbs, which for Matt is not very noticeable. He had lots of company to see him, but they were not able to get in as he was sleeping most of the day from all the Gravol he was given. The Dr.'s from City Hospital were in to see Matt today and they are trying to make the arrangements to get him moved to the I C U their so they can also start his rehab. Matt is so blessed to have so many caring Nurses and staff at R U H, they are so good to him and us. Prayers for tonight and tomorrow are that Matt's infections and vomiting will subside and he will again be eating and on his way to a full recovery. Thank you for your continued prayers and kind thoughts. John 16:23, 24 says "Verily. Verily, I say to you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name He will give it you...ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

No More Infections, Please!

Today Matt had a swab taken to see whether he has MRSA, a relatively nasty infection that can be dangerous in patients like Matt. Apparently a patient 2 beds down from Matt had it, so as a precaution they want to make sure he doesn't have it. The results won't be in for a few days, so lots of prayers that the test results are negative. He did throw up after supper, but they feel it was from a nasty coughing spell so soon after eating. All that food gone to waste! Thank goodness for the feeding tube. He was up for over 2 hours in his chair and had tons of company, which always brightness Matt's day. Another high note was meeting the author of the book "Healing Nuggets". The christian nurse brought him in to talk and pray with Matt. Just a note: Matt hasn't had any breathing trials for awhile. They have lowered his O2 to 33%, the lowest it has been since the pneumonia. They want him to work harder all day instead of really hard for 1 hour and spend the next 4 hours recuperating. As a family, we would like to send out our gratitude to everyone who has donated money towards Matt's recuperation and recovery. The generosity of people is astounding and mom couldn't be with Matt without it. The light is shining bright throughout Saskatchewan and beyond. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. An God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work".

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

I am so happy to write the title on progress rather than regression. Mom says Matt's strength is improving everyday, more in his right leg then in his right arm, which is a little strange but we will take it. Today when mom put her hand to the bottom of Matt's big toe, she could feel him putting pressure against it. Also when she held his right arm at the elbow and wrist, she could feel and see slight pulling by Matt. Keep it up Matt! They are thinking of trying Matt on a regular diet tomorrow, instead of the soft one he is getting now. Soft eggs and mushy cereal doesn't sound appetizing and I am sure Matt is tired of baby food! At 6 foot 7 inches he probably wants a HE-MAN meal. Just think, last week he was barely able to drink water, and now look. Real food. On the downside he had a bit of trouble with his breathing this evening, not in great distress but they did have to bag and suction him for about 40 mins, which really plays him out. But he is bouncing back so much better after those episodes, that it is just a speed bump now, instead of a mountain. So amazing that when I read the comments, there are people as far away as Florida reading this blog. Internet is good for somethings. There is goodness every where if we just look. Matt 6:22 "The eye is a lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light". Keep the lights on!

Putting on weight

I am not sure how Matt is putting on weight, he sleeps until 3:00 pm! Dad usually goes in the morning to feed Matt his breakfast, and was a little upset that Matt slept through it. I think Dad enjoys feeding Matt as much as Matt likes eating! Mom did say they are continuing to feed him through the tube during the evening and nighttime to make sure he doesn't start to lose again. But those frappes that mom gets him have over 600 calories, so a few more of those and he is set. Regarding the infection, it is a urinary tract infection and they have to change Matt's catheter. It is extremely painful and Matt doesn't want it done, but it is the best way to prevent the infection from getting worse. Lots of prayers on helping Matt with the pain. Mom also said that though he isn't moving anything different since yesterday, those movements are getting stronger. Keep it up Matt! You have a whole country cheering for you, from Nanaimo B.C. to Newfoundland, plus an all star international squad as well. I read a verse from an e-mail I received from Esther and Henry Penner in Yorton about Matt. Lam. 3:22-23 " Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Go Roughriders!

Matt had a good day, especially when the Roughriders won. He even had a few of the nurses watching with him when it wasn't to busy. He also had a few ketchup chips, however they were harder to swallow because of his sore throat. They took a sputum swab and throat swab to see what infection he has. The already started him on a very expensive antibiotic to make sure it doesn't progress into anything bad, like pneumonia. Mom says Matt"s chest muscles are getting stronger so hopefully he will be able to cough more effectively and keep the bad stuff from settling into his lungs. Matt's leg movement remains the same. But they noticed when they laid Matt's right hand sideways, the outside 3 fingers bent a little. Whether that was active movement or just spontaneous they were not sure, but I will take it as positive. He was also able to turn his right wrist slightly as well, so things are starting to click. It may not be very fast, but like the turtle that won the race, it is the outcome we are looking for. The christian male nurse came to see Matt and pray with him. Matt really likes him and has enjoyed the book he gave him "Healing Nuggets". I know I have used this verse before, but it is so good. Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".

Sleepy Day

Just wanted everyone to know that Mom has been doing the blog for over a week. We were on holidays and wanted her to know she did a great job. Matt's day was that of a typical teenager, he slept until 3:00 p.m. However they had woken him up a few times for his exercises. He did only one trach trial for 1 hr 10 min. Matt also did something today that no one can figure out. He can slightly roll his right leg back and forth! Usually it would start with his right arm, but Matt is so unique that he just has to do it differently! Cheers for Matt and his individuality! Thanks be to God. Matt was able to eat mashed potatoes and gravy today, but had a hard time swallowing the turkey because his throat is sore. They believe he has another infection, that originated from a urinary tract infection. His trach was finally healed and now it is infected as well. The infection is also causing his backside to breakdown. Prayers that it will heal quickly and no pneumonia will develop. Matt states he wants us to pray for Beaner, a young fellow from Porcupine that was injured in a motor vehicle accident last night and is in the hospital too. In John 14:1, Jesus says" Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me".