Mom's Back

Sorry about missing yesterday's blog - lack of communication between mom and myself. Matt was so glad to see mom - he really missed her! He always says she is his biggest cheerleader. She had some discussions with the respiratory therapist to see what the plans are for Matthew. They are just so scared of pushing him too quickly but have now decided to cap his trach every day. Today he did it for one hour and his oxygen saturation did drop a bit. He continues to do the trach trials for 15 hours per day. He did his exercise again where he is strapped to the table, however, he only made it to 60 degrees and his blood pressure dropped. While he is in this position they do exercises on his arms.
They took Matthew's catheter out as they are trying to train his bladder. So far he is doing okay. They do not want his bladder to fill more than 500 ml at a time so they have to re catheterize him about every three hours. Having a problem trying to get a wheelchair. The one that is best for Matt is unavailable due to cost as Sask Abilities is unwilling to pay for it. So we are looking at the second best wheelchair - still unsure when it is coming. He has been having a lot of neck pain so they will do an x-ray tomorrow. He had an interesting visitor today. One of the doctor's that looked after him at RUH came to visit. He is a doctor from Winnipeg and had just done a locum at RUH. He told Matthew not to give up no matter what people say - he will be better one day as long as he continues to believe. Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak".

Matt and his Harem

Well, Matt was back to his old self. Waking up late, ate 2/3 of his lunch and then had BLT for a snack. Was able to go upstairs for rehab. Today they tried something new. They strapped Matt on a table that looks like and x-ray table. Then they slowly (over a period of 15 mins) tilt the table so Matt would eventually be in a standing position. They must do it slowly because his body is not used to being in the upright position and his blood pressure will drop into his socks if they do it too quickly. Matt made it to about 70 degrees, and then his blood pressure went too low and his pulse rate was above 170 beats per minute. But he recovered nicely and they were happy with how well he did. There are mirrors all around, and Matt commented that this was a view he hadn't seen in awhile, seeing himself standing up. I was happy for him as well, because they wouldn't be doing that exercise unless they believe Matt will walk again. So we have more believers on his side, which is great! Matt was still feeling like doing something, so back to ICU for a "fill up " of O2, then off to find Rocky. Couldn't be found, so Matt and dad went outside for about 1/2 hour. Was able to chat with Jacki on the cell phone. More company when they returned, so dad left for awhile. By the time he came back, Matt was getting a massage, a pedicure and manicure, plus another nurse was getting supplies ready for washing his hair. Dad had to fight past 3 women to feed Matt his foot long sub. Just like a Sultan and his harem. I could almost hear Matt purring. Psalms 30:11 "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy"."They may possibly cap the trach tonight, if not he has been on the trach trial and average fo 16 hours per day. Capping is just one more step closer to getting rid of the ventilator all together. Prayers for continued success, and for mom's safe journey after being away for 1 & 1/2 weeks (will return tomorrow).

Pukey Day

Matt's old friend emesis (throwing up) came back for a visit. Dad was wondering why Matt was sleeping at noon. When he woke up for lunch, Matt said he really didn't feel like eating. The nurses didn't want to get him up in his chair to go for rehab, but Matt insisted. He was feeling so bad that he couldn't even operate his chair. But he still wanted to go. He was very pale and they put him on the mat to do some upper body exercises. There was a new therapist on, and asked Matt if his legs were in spasms. Matt replied that he was moving them. She was so impressed she had to find out how much he actually could do. The left still has minimal movement, but the right is getting stronger, though he is unable to bend the knee. Unfortunately the exercises were a bit much in Matt's state that he got sick on the mat. But we are so proud of you Matt, to have the determination to do your exercises even when you are so sick. 2 Samuel 22:33 "For it is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." The nurses gave him gravol when he got back, so he slept from 3-5 pm. At supper, Matt was able to eat about half, but then he needed suctioning and threw everything up. But dad was happy this evening, because Matt was able to finish 1/2 sub, some Ensure and some tea. Matt was much more perky and stated he felt better. Hopefully it was just a 12 hour flu bug and tomorrow will be a better day. Psalms 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Exercises

I can say one thing for Matt, he is a brave soul. Today Dad and him went for a spin outside. The weather was cold! I didn't even want to walk to my car! But Matt was all dressed up and ready for winter. They are now able to go themselves, without a respiratory therapist or a nurse. Matt also made a trip to rehab. They put him on the machine that moves his legs, which helps his brain remember the movements and to strengthen his butt & leg muscles. He was on it for 50 mins, but I am unsure how much is from the machine and how much Matt has to do.
One of my prayers is almost answered. Matt is finally able to scratch his nose if he puts his head down. They are really working on being able to do it without bending his head. I was always scratching his nose while I was there! Sometimes I think it wasn't even itchy, he just wanted to see me do it! Matt had more company and went to visit Rocky, but was unable to go into his room because Rocky was sick. No more germs for Matt. Hope Rocky will feel better soon. Tonight is the first night Matt will be without nutrition from the tube feed. They feel his weight is more stable at 180 lbs, and that he is eating enough on his own to keep his weight up. First step towards getting that tube out. Thanks to all those who continue to think about Matt and pray for his recovery. Jude 2 "Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance."

Quiet Day

Sunday's are a day of rest, and this one was no exception. Matt did have a whirlpool bath, and then was up in his chair for the afternoon. Ate his leftover Chinese food. Gary and him watched movies, and bet on a few football games, in which Matt won $5. More company in to visit, which is always a welcome change. Matt had an afternoon siesta, and then ate 2/3 of his supper. I was able to talk to him on the phone again. I would ask him a question..silence.. then I asked him if he was tired.. "no, not really".. so again I would ask him a question.. "What?" he would ask. So finally I asked what he was doing... "watching TV". And if anyone knows Matt, when he even walks by a TV, you can be in the middle of the conversation, and he zones right out. So finally I told him I would kick him in his posterior if he didn't listen. He just proceeded to tell dad on me! Big baby. But before we even began to speak to each other, Matt was getting his "red hoody" on. No, not anything like that, just the cap on his trach. It has a red cap, so it sounds like a red hoody. So hopefully Matt will have it on for a least hours, but I will find out tomorrow.
I often quote from Proverbs, but it is one of the best books of the bible. Lots of great stuff in there. Proverbs 18:10 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."