Company and presents

Matt had a really good day, sister Shelley, John and Jonmarie made a quick one day trip up to see him. Shelley brought him some new clothes that are long enough for his long legs. He was happy to see them and beat his sister in a game of Scrabble. He also had company from home which he enjoys, thank you all. He had his cousin Chris for his RN today and there is always lots of teasing going on. Matt has lots of fun with all the staff and is known to give them a hard time and some laughs as well. He is doing so well off the ventilator, that they would really like him to move to rehab as quick as possible to open up an ICU bed, they know it is the best place for him to be. He is looking forward to the Rider game tomorrow, ready for a good game and hopefully a win. The Riders have a look of supporters and a lot riding on them. Go Riders. We will have lots of fun cheering them on. We had snow today so he didn't go outside, but had a great day anyway. We thank God for his blessings on Matt and our family. Isaiah 26:12 All that we have accomplished you have done for us, O Lord.

Lots of Company

Matt had a sleepy day today. He didn't get a lot of sleep last night, so thought he should sleep all day. Went for rehab for an hour, was having trouble with his neck so they had to be careful about what they did. Did some e-rays on his neck and they all came back fine. Lots of very tight muscles so will need more massages. Had lots of company today and got to do lots of talking. Didn't eat as much today, but will make up for it tomorrow. Matt is still off the ventilator. Praise our Lord. Prayers for tonight that Matt will continue to improve in his movement, his neck will relax and his lungs will continue to grow stronger each day. Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Breathing going well, Praise God

Matt had a busy day, he went up to rehab for a good hour to work out. He had company from RUH and enjoys when they drop by. He still gets tired after rehab and likes to nap. He is eating well and still loves his oven roasted chicken sub in the evening. Tonight he was going to have a Tim Hortons chocolate donut with the staff. They are spoiling him and he loves it. He is getting stronger in his right arm and hand, he can pick up a sponge ball and throw it at you. He is still off the vent and is doing really great, his lungs are getting stronger all the time. Praise God. He says hi to everyone back home and he misses you all. Prayers for tonight Matt will have a good nights rest and he will continue to get more movement on his left side. Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Off the Ventilator

Can you believe it? I am still reeling from yesterday's big news and them mom slapped me back on my...posterior with more great news! They actually wheeled the ventilator out of his room. True it is still outside of his room, but he hasn't used it for over 3 days. He will be capped during the day, and be on the trach trial at night, with the cuff deflated, the inner cannula in for suctioning purposes, supplemental O2, and moisture to help keep his secretions from getting too thick. But no forced air into his lungs. He is breathing on his own! Praise God! Psalms 105:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done".
They had a meeting with all the departments involved in Matt's care. They had a long discussion about Matt going home for Christmas. There was some scepticism, and the physician voiced her concerns about Matt going home. Most of the questions were answered and hopefully they can help us get everything in place. We need to look at getting a ramp built for him to get into the house, transportation (Leonard Jays has graciously offered the loan of his van), needs a hospital bed for the house, O2 for when he needs it. However the physician was still worried. Finally she told us that Matt had 3 things going for him. 1) His spinal cord is not severed, 2) He is young and the most determined man she has met, 3) Matt is her hero. I think that comment opened the floodgates for a lot of the staff. They all stated that Matt is just such a joy to have in there. Not many men who have gone through what he has gone through are so optimistic, his personality has never changed, and he is so determined. They are just so worried what could happen to him when he is not under their care.
The doctor went on to say that right now there is no bed in rehab because truthfully, they never expected Matt to be off the ventilator with the severity and location of his injury, and the long duration of being on the ventilator. Not to mention a collapsed lung, 3 chest tubes, and countless pneumonia's. They also never believed when they started the trach trials he would progress so quickly. "Leaps and bounds" are the terms they used. I used this verse at the beginning of Matt's journey, and now I use it as praise, not a prayer. Job 9:10 "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."
There is continued talk of taking out his feeding tube. He is still only at 175 lbs, but he doesn't have much for muscles, which weigh quite a bit. He didn't eat as well today because he was tired. With only one sleeping pill, Matt isn't sleeping very good at night, but that will take some getting used to. It is not easy to go off sleeping pills. Matt also had a whirlpool bath, so that always plays him out. Prayers that Matt will have a good night sleep, and regain strength for tomorrow.

Almost There

Matt, you continue to amaze me. Last week, the capping of the trach had barely started and now, you are just sailing! Last night, Matt did an amazing 9 hours of being capped. I just couldn't believe it until mom told me he went 14 & 1/2 hours today!! And Matt has now been on the trach trial for 2 and 1/2 days (they never did put him on the "full" ventilator last night). Matt has been on O2 intermittently throughout the day at 1L/min with nasal prongs, those little tubes that go in your nose. A few times Matt's O2 sats dropped, so for about 5 mins they increased his O@ to 2L/min (which still isn't very much) and he recovered nicely. But mom said tonight they may encourage him to take a short break, even for just a few hours. He was looking very tired and his secretions are starting to get thick, because when he is capped he gets no moisture. But she won't know until tomorrow whether or not they convinced Matt.
They are trying to cut down Matt's sleeping pill to one a night because the way Matt is going, they think he will be upstairs in rehab by next week!! So no more sleeping in, he will have to be up before 9 am to get ready for his workouts! All this news is so exciting. I looked back in the blog when Matt was still in RUH and not moving, chest tubes in, and skinny as a board, and thinking at that time this day was so far away. And here we are! You just show them what you can do, Matt. The Lord is good. Psalms 150:2 "Praise Him for his acts of power, praise him for his surpassing greatness".
Mat had more company today, which is good because Dad went home for awhile. So mom will have to rely on someone else to fix Matt's wheelchair, because I know how she is with mechanical things, not the best. Sorry Mom! That's a dad thing to do. You can help him get stronger and make him do his exercises! Thanks again and again for all those who continue to pray for Matt's progress and read the blog. It is so comforting to know that so many people care for Matt and our family.

Capping of trach going well

Last night, Matt completed 6 hours of being capped. Also he is still on the trach trail from yesterday, so that will be 36 hours. For those who are new to the blog or haven't read it for awhile, capping and trach trial are considered two different things. Trach trail refers to deflating the cuff in his trachea so he can speak and he is on minimal assistance of the ventilator. It still supplies him some moisture and O2, when he is in his room. However the capping refers to taking out the inner cannula of the trach, and putting a red cap on it, so Matt must breath through his nose and mouth. As you know, Matt has an extremely long neck, so he needs to work a bit harder to get the air he breathes to his lungs. So great job Matt and I love to say I knew you could do it! Today they again have capped his trach, and will probably go for another 6 hours. However tonight they may put him back on the ventilator, and not keep his trach deflated. Mom said she could tell he was tired, but Matt is so determined that he won't admit when he has had enough. But they don't want Matt to overdue it, so are encouraging him to speak up when he is tired. We don't want any setbacks. (But I think Matt likes to hear his own voice, that he feels nervous when he can't speak. It is very scary when you can't talk, this way during the night he can call out if he needs something). However there is One who can always hear you, Matt. Psalms 130:1 "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy".
Matt went outside today, but it was too cold and was having some steering difficulties, so they came back in. Matt is eating extremely well and is getting no supplementary feeding from the tube in his abdomen. He was able to talk to Nolan on the phone, but otherwise had a quiet day for company. Dad is leaving tomorrow but mom will be there until she works again. Matt did not have any rehab this weekend or today because of holidays. Will get back on track tomorrow.

Another Win

Matt was pretty excited today over the roughriders win. They had it set up in ICU so the nurses could watch some of the game, and they invited Matt for their party. There was pizza and pop, and Mattt was in his roughrider outfit. At our house, we had a birthday party for Jonmarie and Jacki dressed Amy in her roughrider outfit, so Matt and Amy are good luck. I must apologize for giving false information. Matt did receive a second hand wheelchair 3 days ago. It isn't the best, but it does fit him better. However there were many adjustments that needed to be made, and the staff just didn't have the time. So last night dad spent 1 & 1/2 hours trying to fix it for Matt. He also rigged up a holding compartment for Matt's O2 tank on the wheelchair, so Matt would be free to boogy where he wants to. It is working great. This wheelchair is called a mid-drive. It is similar to dad's lawnmower, zero turn radius with the big wheels in front and the small wheels at the back.
Matt was having so much pain in his neck, that dad had suggested they give Matt Advil 1/2 hour before getting him up in the chair, because getting him in the chair causes him the most pain. They tried it and it seems to be working. (They give the Advil in his feeding tube, to try and prevent stomach upset). Matt ate like a horse today and when mom phoned at 8:00, she was out buying him a sub because he was still hungry! Just like old times. You had to eat fast in our house, otherwise the food would be gone. Mom also mentioned that Matt had his trach capped for 4 hours, and still counting! Possibly tomorrow I will know the full extent of the time he lasted without the ventilator. For a least an hour of that time he went without any O2 as well. Well done Matt! You will have that thing out before you know it. Matt is now able to scratch his nose without bending at the neck. He still has to really concentrate and it takes him awhile, but he can do it. Matt, progress is being made everyday! Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged".

Long Week-End

Matt had a quiet day as with the long week end all his therapy is on hold. He took a tour around the hospital to see all the Christmas decorations, didn't go outside because his chair was giving him some trouble. He had some company and is always happy to visit. His appetite is getting better and was happy with the homemade Pizza Pop from one of the mom's at home. He is very tired of hospital food and says it all tastes the same. He was on the trach trail for 17 hours and they capped it for one hour. He will try for longer today. He continues to get stronger with his breathing, Praise the Lord. Prayers for today are that Matt will get more sensation in his hands and His left side will start moving more easier. Matt sends his love to all and thanks you for your prayers, jokes, food, visits, messages and support. Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.