Now we know why Matt was feeling so poor yesterday. Dad noticed Matt was having more trouble breathing, his cough was less effective, and he was spasming more in his limbs. His white blood count was way up, which is a sure sign of infection. The sputum coming up should be yellow and thin, his was thick and yellow-green. So they want to start him on antibiotics again, but they could not get an IV line established, so they were going to get someone up from ICU to do it. I think Matt's vessels have not recovered from the beating they took before. Dad says that even though Matt's coughing is weaker, if Dad times it right, he takes the cap off Matt's trach, pushes on his abdomen and lots of lovelies come out. Better than suctioning him.
But he was in good spirits nevertheless. Nolan and Lindsay arrived last night and visited for about an hour. Today again lots of company. Matt was up in his chair for 4 hours and did pretty well. They all went to the rec room and played crib. Nolan and Matt were about to win when Dad and Cory Ryhorski beat them. Lindsay was holding the cards for Matt.
So for tomorrow's big game, they will be watching at the hospital. Planning on pizza and pop with approximately 10 people coming. So it should be great. Too cold to go out anyway.
Prayers that Matt's infection will clear up quickly and he will be better for rehab on Monday. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer".
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Quiet Day
Matt's day was fairly quiet. Wasn't feeling so hot and nausea was not a welcome companion. However he still manged to eat some food and was up in his chair for 3 hours. His neck gets sore and increases his nausea, but the pain is relieved with Advil. Dad is really enjoying the amenities of rehab. Dad and Matt go and read the paper together in the "living room" and can watch TV or read books.
Physical rehab was short due to a general Friday off for most staff. In the 1/2 hour they applied the TENS machine to Matt's left leg and left arm. It stimulates the nerves and moves the extremity a bit. They didn't need to turn it up too much before the muscles start moving, which is good.
Nolan and Lindsay are driving up from Calgary and are due anytime. Matt worries about Nolan when he is driving and probably won't sleep until he arrives.
Unfortunately John and I are at a conference for the weekend and I don't have my bible at hand, but I will put down my favorite verse. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight". I believe it is found in Proverbs.
Physical rehab was short due to a general Friday off for most staff. In the 1/2 hour they applied the TENS machine to Matt's left leg and left arm. It stimulates the nerves and moves the extremity a bit. They didn't need to turn it up too much before the muscles start moving, which is good.
Nolan and Lindsay are driving up from Calgary and are due anytime. Matt worries about Nolan when he is driving and probably won't sleep until he arrives.
Unfortunately John and I are at a conference for the weekend and I don't have my bible at hand, but I will put down my favorite verse. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight". I believe it is found in Proverbs.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Back to Old Wheelchair
Matt has lost his zero turn wheelchair. I never realized it wasn't actually his and now someone else needs it. He is still waiting for one that is made for him . So I hope whoever has it enjoys and can use all the gadgets dad had added to it. The old wheelchair is uncomfortable and Matt can only stay up for 3 hours in it. But hopefully his custom made chair will arrive before Christmas. Then he can go home in style!
I had talked to mom for a brief time, and she was excited that they found a hospital bed in Hudson Bay we can use. Just a few more details to work out (like building a ramp into the house) but we have great faith that if Matt is meant to come home, everything will work out.
Today was an assessment day to see how much Matt could do. They were surprised when they asked Matt if he could roll over. He said no but would try. They bent his right leg and placed it over his left leg and darned if he didn't roll over! I asked Matt if he used a bar to pull himself by using his right arm or hand, but he said no. He just used momentum of his body to roll himself. Matt, I love writing the blog with so much good happening. Praise for continued answers to prayer. 1 Thess. 5:16 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus".
Just an added note; Nolan is coming to Saskatoon for the weekend and is looking at renting or taking Matt to JT's for the football game. If anyone can make it that would be great. It will be the first time Matt has been off hospital grounds in 5 months. Hopefully it all works out.
I had talked to mom for a brief time, and she was excited that they found a hospital bed in Hudson Bay we can use. Just a few more details to work out (like building a ramp into the house) but we have great faith that if Matt is meant to come home, everything will work out.
Today was an assessment day to see how much Matt could do. They were surprised when they asked Matt if he could roll over. He said no but would try. They bent his right leg and placed it over his left leg and darned if he didn't roll over! I asked Matt if he used a bar to pull himself by using his right arm or hand, but he said no. He just used momentum of his body to roll himself. Matt, I love writing the blog with so much good happening. Praise for continued answers to prayer. 1 Thess. 5:16 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus".
Just an added note; Nolan is coming to Saskatoon for the weekend and is looking at renting or taking Matt to JT's for the football game. If anyone can make it that would be great. It will be the first time Matt has been off hospital grounds in 5 months. Hopefully it all works out.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Weightlifting
Well, Matt seems to be settling in well on the rehab ward. However he did go down to ICU and spend a 1/2 hour with his old crew (not old as in age, otherwise I may get in trouble!). Dad says he continues to eat really well. First thing he heard tonight when he walked into Matt's room was "I'm hungry". So dad had made some of Big Sky ham and kraft dinner, and a vacuum cleaner couldn't do a better job! Lots of nice protein to build those muscles. I had asked dad yesterday what weight Matt is able to lift. When Matt had first started, it was 0.25 lbs. Now it is up to 2 1/2 lbs. Great work Matt! The workouts really tire him out so he has a good sleep late afternoon and early evening.
Matt's secretions are getting a bit thick, so respiratory came down and hooked him back up to O2 and moisture for the night. So they uncap him and take out the inner cannula. His cuff is still deflated so he can talk. Also encouraged to drink lots of secretions. Prayers that secretions stay manageable and they are able to suction them out. Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours". Still gets suctioned 4 times a day, which is not unusual.
Matt's getting to know some of the other patients in rehab. It is difficult because for 5 months he has really been on his own, but I'm sure it won't take him long. Dad says the facility has a laundry to wash Matt's clothes, and a microwave that is accessible to warm up food. So seems to be geared for everything.
Matt has been having the occasional hot flash. Will say to dad he is feeling warm. Dad will feel him and not notice any difference, However within a minute Matt will be pouring sweat. This a normal process and will diminishes as time goes on. After Matt's injury, he constantly fluctuated between hot and cold, so now it is only once every 2nd day. However they cautioned Matt to be aware that it could indicate and infection, so if the fluctuation in temp gets worse, to let them know.
Matt's secretions are getting a bit thick, so respiratory came down and hooked him back up to O2 and moisture for the night. So they uncap him and take out the inner cannula. His cuff is still deflated so he can talk. Also encouraged to drink lots of secretions. Prayers that secretions stay manageable and they are able to suction them out. Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours". Still gets suctioned 4 times a day, which is not unusual.
Matt's getting to know some of the other patients in rehab. It is difficult because for 5 months he has really been on his own, but I'm sure it won't take him long. Dad says the facility has a laundry to wash Matt's clothes, and a microwave that is accessible to warm up food. So seems to be geared for everything.
Matt has been having the occasional hot flash. Will say to dad he is feeling warm. Dad will feel him and not notice any difference, However within a minute Matt will be pouring sweat. This a normal process and will diminishes as time goes on. After Matt's injury, he constantly fluctuated between hot and cold, so now it is only once every 2nd day. However they cautioned Matt to be aware that it could indicate and infection, so if the fluctuation in temp gets worse, to let them know.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
THE BIG MOVE
Matt has now moved on up in the world (just like the Jefferson's from the 70's). He is in a private room in rehab. Finally! What an answer to prayer. I think God was tired or listening to us. So no more sleeping in for Matt! There wasn't a dry eye in ICU when they moved Matt. They had become very protective over him. But they all know this is the best place for him.
Dad says the view from Matt's room is great. It overlooks the Kinsmen Park and the university bridge. He seems to enjoy the facility. There is a communal dining area, and dad said for supper there were over 30 other patients, all different genders and ages. And Matt ate like a horse. Grandpa Gustafson used to say about himself that he doesn't eat much, he just eats long and fast. Matt it a chip off the Gustafson block. Dad had to go out and buy extra food.
Rehab was tough today. They worked Matt for 1 1/2 hours and he was tired. They are really working on what Matt could do to help with the transferring. For instance, when he transfers from his chair to the mat (it is elevated and at the same height as his chair), they got Matt to put some weight on his feet and try to swing himself over, also incorporating the use of his right arm. They were impressed by what he could do. Unlike a dead weight, Matt was able to assist, even if it was minimally. Also, when he was laying flat on this mat, they asked if he could lift his bum up. Dad said Matt was just sweating he was working so hard. And by gosh if he didn't do it. Matt, words are so vague when it comes to expressing how we truly feel. Proud just doesn't cut it. Great sense of jubilation is more like it! Rehab is so difficult for them to do on Matt because they need to work on everything. Shoulders, legs, arms, abdomen, the works. But they have a very willing patient so it makes their job easier.
Praise for God's continued grace and prayers for more! 1 Peter 4:11 "...If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ".
Dad says the view from Matt's room is great. It overlooks the Kinsmen Park and the university bridge. He seems to enjoy the facility. There is a communal dining area, and dad said for supper there were over 30 other patients, all different genders and ages. And Matt ate like a horse. Grandpa Gustafson used to say about himself that he doesn't eat much, he just eats long and fast. Matt it a chip off the Gustafson block. Dad had to go out and buy extra food.
Rehab was tough today. They worked Matt for 1 1/2 hours and he was tired. They are really working on what Matt could do to help with the transferring. For instance, when he transfers from his chair to the mat (it is elevated and at the same height as his chair), they got Matt to put some weight on his feet and try to swing himself over, also incorporating the use of his right arm. They were impressed by what he could do. Unlike a dead weight, Matt was able to assist, even if it was minimally. Also, when he was laying flat on this mat, they asked if he could lift his bum up. Dad said Matt was just sweating he was working so hard. And by gosh if he didn't do it. Matt, words are so vague when it comes to expressing how we truly feel. Proud just doesn't cut it. Great sense of jubilation is more like it! Rehab is so difficult for them to do on Matt because they need to work on everything. Shoulders, legs, arms, abdomen, the works. But they have a very willing patient so it makes their job easier.
Praise for God's continued grace and prayers for more! 1 Peter 4:11 "...If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ".
Sunday, November 18, 2007
One More Game To Go!
What an exciting game! Just one more win and then the Grey Cup is Saskatchewan's. It has been a long time coming. Matt had a busy day prior to game time. Dinner, then a whirlpool, then up in his chair at 2 pm. By the time the game started, he was so sleepy he slept through some of it. But he was up for the most important part. Tonight cousin Chris is his nurse, which he likes. Nothing like family looking out for you.
Matt has now been capped for 36 hours, so he isn't getting O2 or moisture anymore at night. No more trach trials! He is doing his own breathing. Rehab better find him a bed because he is ready!
Matt is a bit frustrated because his left side is so slow. Some days it moves slightly, the next day hardly at all. But it also didn't start to move until Sept. 28th, while the right side started Aug. 16th. So it has a ways to catch up. It was so good to see Matt throw the ball and bend his own arm. I even have a video of it. I tried to post it on the blog, but wouldn't upload. I sent it to Jacki and she will try again tomorrow.
Things are starting to look up for Christmas. The ball is definitely rolling and hopefully everything will be ironed out when the time arrives. Prayers that Matt's strength physically and mentally will continue to improve and that the left side will start responding better. Psalms 86 "Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me".
Matt has now been capped for 36 hours, so he isn't getting O2 or moisture anymore at night. No more trach trials! He is doing his own breathing. Rehab better find him a bed because he is ready!
Matt is a bit frustrated because his left side is so slow. Some days it moves slightly, the next day hardly at all. But it also didn't start to move until Sept. 28th, while the right side started Aug. 16th. So it has a ways to catch up. It was so good to see Matt throw the ball and bend his own arm. I even have a video of it. I tried to post it on the blog, but wouldn't upload. I sent it to Jacki and she will try again tomorrow.
Things are starting to look up for Christmas. The ball is definitely rolling and hopefully everything will be ironed out when the time arrives. Prayers that Matt's strength physically and mentally will continue to improve and that the left side will start responding better. Psalms 86 "Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
