Best 2 days yet!

Emotionally & physically, Thursday was one of Matt's best days to date. The trip to the mall really boosted his spirits, and seemed to make him realize that there is life outside the hospital. We think he now wants to be part of it, and so he's making a more concentrated effort towards his physio and communication with people. Dad has never seen him eat like he did yesterday - almost continuously. Dad was feeling like a server at a restaurant, but with only one customer, and no tips!!! Also, Matt is no longer being reserved around other patients, but is actively engaging them in conversation. Praise the Lord for this change in outlook! Psalms 139:14"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Matt sat in his chair for 8 hours (a new record), and was able to hold 300 ml in his bladder without leaking. As well, Matt is being more conscious of doing his own exercising in his room (strengthening his neck muscles), and is really just trying a little bit harder. They are really working on his transfer from the chair to the raised mat, and they are trying different techniques to see which works best.

Today, he had another really good day. Because he's feeling better (pneumonia seems to be gone), he's more upbeat. He was in his chair for 8 1/2 hours - which is better than yesterday, and he also had a great day at physio. Dad said they put him on the tilt table today which is something they haven't done in a while (reminder - this table takes a person from lying down to standing up). They gradually increased the angle to 70 degrees, which is the highest he's ever gone - Way to go Matt! He only had one dizzy spell which is pretty good as his body is still adjusting to being upright. Once he was in his chair again, the therapist had Matt hold a substance similar to putty/playdoh in his right hand. He is able to squeeze this quite tightly and make fairly significant indents into the putty. The therapist than asked Matt to try squeeze the putty in his left hand. Matt was rather skeptical as he feels his left hand has no strength at all. But he tried anyway. Dad said he worked so hard he was sweating, and wouldn't you know, there was a little imprint in the putty! Thanks so much for your continued prayers for Matt's recovery and may God continue to restore his spirit.

First Outing since June

Even with the business of the season, Matt still wanted to go a fight the Christmas shoppers. And so he did. The first outing for 5 1/2 months. He was so worried people would stare at him and he would be too anxious. Dad told him everyone is too busy trying to get their shopping done to bother staring. And sure enough it went great. "Excellent" as dad put it and I have never heard him use those words. Matt was just beaming when he arrived at Midtown. It was like a kid in a candy store for the first time. He just couldn't get over the sights, all the different sounds, and the smells. Also, had to check out the girls walking by as well. Typical guy. They weren't there very long before he seen someone he knew. You know how it is when you go hunting for mushrooms. You don't see any for awhile, then all for a sudden you see hundreds. That's what it was like for Matt at the mall. Dad said his visiting took up all of his time. There were so many people he knew. They told Matt the first outing would be the hardest, and I think it is the fear of the unknown that is so difficult. But once you actually do it, it is a big relief.
Rehab went well. Still trying to increase the strength of his right arm and hand. However the physio states the left arm is definitely improving and getting stronger. Still praying for the left to kick into high moving mode, but praise for hope of regaining full movement. Hebrews 12:12 "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".
Matt was quite impressed last evening. He had told dad to call the nurse to do his catheter. He tries a bit by himself, and they see how much is left over. The total amount was 500mls, and he didn't bypass or "leak" at all. Great news. Dad had to go and pick up a prescription from the drugstore for an antispasmodic for his bladder. In other words, a pill that stops his bladder spasms, and will help his bladder to tone, so maybe soon he can go on his own. The medication just became available in Canada, so some of the pharmacies don't carry it, and the hospital doesn't either. So glad the doctor knew what pharmacy to send dad to in order to get it. Matt took his first pill last night, so we will have to wait and see.

Disappointing Day

Matt had a disappointing day. They had planned an outing for him to the Midtown Mall. However when the transportation arrived, Matt didn't fit. They tried reclining him, but they were unable to close the door because his feet stuck out. So to "vent" his frustrations, he went to ICU to visit. One of the nurses' stated her husband worked for a different cab company and she contacted him to see if he was free. So they went down and just tried to get Matt into her husband's cab. Matt fit, however the outing had been cancelled already, so hopefully they will go again tomorrow. Dad and Matt still took advantage of being all dressed up with no where to go. They took a spin outside for about 10 mins, but eventually the elements got the better of them and they came back inside.
Matt didn't get much in the way of rehab because he had to go for an ultrasound of his kidneys and bladder. Worried because it is not working properly and want to find out if there is a mechanical problem (tumor, blockage, etc) instead of a spinal cord problem.
It has been an adjustment to move from ICU to rehab. I think Matt is missing the one on one care. Hasn't really got to know the staff yet, as he doesn't see them as much. Hopefully that will change and they will come in to help a bit more with his activities of daily living. Thank goodness for the constant support of dad who is the cheerleader this week. Mom will not be back until next week. Prayers that Matt will continue to improve regardless of setbacks. God knows of our needs and the solutions to our problems, even when we don't. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make you paths straight."

Still a Annoying Little Brother

I was able to talk to Matt on the phone today. Sometimes it is like pulling teeth, my own. I was asking him in depth questions about how rehab was going, what exercises they were doing, etc. Pretty soon, he says he has to cough, so I begin speaking to dad. I little longer in the conversation, I ask dad how Matt is doing. Just great. He was watching wrestling on TV. I asked how his cough was, dad laughs and said Matt didn't have to cough, he just didn't want to miss his show!! Little stinker!
Yesterday Matt was treated like a sheik. One of the RN's from RUH came and gave Matt a pedicure and manicure. She spent the whole afternoon with him, which really perked him up. Also more company from Weekes, so even though it was a Sunday, it wasn't a quiet day. Just a little note of thanks for all those who take the time out of their day to visit Matt. It really helps him focus on other things beside the hospital.
Anyway, therapy is going okay. They are continuing to do exercises to make Matt more self reliant. They put Matt on the mat, situate him so he is on his side, then he has to roll onto his back. That is working out pretty well. The tricky one is trying to get him to sit up. They place his left arm in a hoop above his head (he is laying down), bent at the elbow, then while they are holding it in place, they put his right hand behind him so he can push himself up. So while his left arm is pulling, the right arm is pushing. It reminds me of that picture of two kids with a wagon, the caption reading "Are you pushing or pulling back there?" That exercise will take work, but it is progress.
Matt meet with a counsellor today regarding how he is doing emotionally. Matt old me he couldn't tell me what was said, but he did mention the therapist told Matt to be himself, because he has such an amazing attitude. We didn't need a psychologist to tell us that. We already know!!
Matt had a pulmonary test today. I took over one hour. Since Matt wouldn't talk to me because of stinky wrestling, I am not sure what tests were involved, but dad states they were pretty impressed with the outcome, and were generally surprised that Matt has only been off the ventilator for such a short time. There is even rumors going around they may take the trach out before Christmas. While they are at it, they can take that tube out his intestine as well. However, Matt did lose weight when he was sick, and is down to 165 lbs. But dad says they way Matt is eating, he will soon get that weight up. So prayers that if it the right decision they are able to remove both the trach and feeding tube before Christmas. It will make taking him home so much easier. Let us continue to have faith in Matt's progress. Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Brushing His Teeth

Matt can brush his own teeth. Yesterday, dad was getting the toothbrush ready to brush Matt, teeth. Matt looked quizzically at the brush, then said"let me try". So dad put it in Matt's right hand and away Matt went. He was even able to turn his wrist to get the back of the mouth. He couldn't push really hard, so dad finished up for him. However, Matt must of felt dad didn't do a good job, because later, dad noticed Matt had grabbed the brush off the table and was working away again. Way to show dad how to do it right!
A social worker came in yesterday to tell Matt about having his signature photocopied from before the accident, then having it put into a stamp so we don't have to have power of attorney. He will have to go down to a govt office to make it legal, but then Matt can make his own decisions on what he will put his signature on.
One of the male nurses was really on Matt's case about eating. He told Matt that whenever he feels good, he must eat as much as he can. The nurse also encouraged dad to do whatever he can to make Matt's food more palatable. So dad brought an egg poacher form home, and made Matt poached egg. Dad said he couldn't make them fast enough! Matt sucked them back like a vacuum cleaner! Full of protein which is great. He needs protein in order for his muscles to build. Every movement he makes requires so much effort. Not only are his nerves damaged and the signals are not as strong as they should be, but his muscles have wasted away, so to brush his teeth takes quite a herculean effort.
More company from home in to visit, and the patient from Meadow Lake visited Matt for 2 hours. So even though it was a weekend, Matt was still busy. At 9 pm, feeling tired so hopefully he slept right through without waking up. He told dad when he has those panic attacks, they are awful. Matt wakes up having that overwhelming feeling of dread, and he feels like jumping out of bed and getting away, but he can't, so the cycle continues. Prayers for those feelings to stop and a peace surrounds Matt. 1Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you".