Even though Matt's rehab yesterday was limited in the length of time, it was very productive and Matt was feeling sore today. Good!! That means you were working Matt. Tired also from being up in his chair for over 10 hours yesterday. Today was not quite as long, only 7 hours but that was good enough. Rehab consisted of putting the TENS machine on his left arm. It stimulates his muscle to contract and try to give the brain a memory of that arm moving. They didn't have to turn it up very high in order for it to contract, which is great. Also Matt "cycled" with his arms.Tomorrow it sounds like Nolan may take Matt to the mall and go for lunch, so good to rest up.
Matt's breathing is going great. Still haven't talked to him on the phone but Nolan said he sounds and looks so much better than he did at Christmas. Matt's cough is so much stronger he hasn't been suctioned for 2 days. Prayers that before discharge that trach comes out permanently. It will be so much easier on him and us. Suctioning is a time consuming endeavour and I don't like it!! It makes Matt cough so much and it hurts him as well. Travel will be much easier too. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
No throwing up for a while which is a definite bonus. Ate well at dinner and supper too. Pack on the pounds, Matt. I am sure there are many of us who would give you their "extra".
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
New Trach
Wish I could have talked to Matt tonight but he was busy gallivanting around the hospital with friends. Spoke to dad and he stated that Matt had a new trach in yesterday, a smaller one with no cuff, so he can breathe much easier. Before when Matt would talk he would have to use his shoulder and abdominal muscles to breathe. Now dad says he looks more at ease. And his cough is so much more effective as well. Nolan and Lindsay went to visit Matt and are probably there already. Can't wait to talk to him and see what he thinks of Matt's improvements.
Rehab was limited today to just 1 hour, and they are really working on Matt to transfer. I had mentioned before if Matt could transfer he wouldn't need a lift to move him from the bed to the chair and vice versa. The physio had told dad that in the last few days Matt's right arm has gotten much stronger in all aspects, biceps, triceps etc. Keep up the good work Matt!! He played the game of "Sorry" and not sure how that turned out.
My cousin Shauna sent us an interesting website to look at from the states. It is called 'Project Walk", a facility where the motto is if you can feel, you can walk. If anyone wants to check it out it is www.projectwalk.org. A girl from Prince Albert is going in February after she suffered a C5 injury last July, I think. It is only in the states so might be an expense endeavour, but only time will tell. Prayers for continued guidance on God's pathway for Matt. Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorches land and will strengthen your frame. you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
Rehab was limited today to just 1 hour, and they are really working on Matt to transfer. I had mentioned before if Matt could transfer he wouldn't need a lift to move him from the bed to the chair and vice versa. The physio had told dad that in the last few days Matt's right arm has gotten much stronger in all aspects, biceps, triceps etc. Keep up the good work Matt!! He played the game of "Sorry" and not sure how that turned out.
My cousin Shauna sent us an interesting website to look at from the states. It is called 'Project Walk", a facility where the motto is if you can feel, you can walk. If anyone wants to check it out it is www.projectwalk.org. A girl from Prince Albert is going in February after she suffered a C5 injury last July, I think. It is only in the states so might be an expense endeavour, but only time will tell. Prayers for continued guidance on God's pathway for Matt. Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorches land and will strengthen your frame. you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tonight will be a quick blog, 6am comes quickly. Matt talked to his psychologist yesterday and said it went well, but won't tell us what was said. I guess he knows what a snoopy family we are and wants to keep some things private. He met with the activity worker and a fellow quadriplegic Paul Gustafson to discuss some hobbies or sports Matt could get involved in. During rehab Matt was able to be on his stomach again , and using his elbows could lift his head and neck up (like a baby does when first learning) for about 3 minutes. He can roll much quicker from the right to the left side while he is on the mat, however he cannot do it in the bed because the mattress is too soft. He can't pull his hips over so always needs help with that. When he is up on his elbows while on his stomach, he can push and move his body forward slightly, with minimal assistance, just to get him started.
Matt has dropped a few lbs, from 170 to 168. But when I spoke with dad he said they were at ICU and having salt and vinegar chips with ice tea. So I thought he meant at City ICU. No.. they are already visited there and were now at RUH ICU. Matt and dad braved the cold to go out visiting.
With occupational therapy, Matt ate a bowl of soup by himself just using a regular spoon. He finds it difficult to get the angle right and it takes a lot of work, but he perseveres. He also played checkers for a 1/2 hour, but I didn't find out who won. believe me if it was Matt, I would have heard about it so I can guess who lost!! Please pray for guidance for decisions that will have to be made regarding Matt' s future discharge. God has a perfect plan for all of us if we just let him take control. Romans 8:6 'The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."
Matt has dropped a few lbs, from 170 to 168. But when I spoke with dad he said they were at ICU and having salt and vinegar chips with ice tea. So I thought he meant at City ICU. No.. they are already visited there and were now at RUH ICU. Matt and dad braved the cold to go out visiting.
With occupational therapy, Matt ate a bowl of soup by himself just using a regular spoon. He finds it difficult to get the angle right and it takes a lot of work, but he perseveres. He also played checkers for a 1/2 hour, but I didn't find out who won. believe me if it was Matt, I would have heard about it so I can guess who lost!! Please pray for guidance for decisions that will have to be made regarding Matt' s future discharge. God has a perfect plan for all of us if we just let him take control. Romans 8:6 'The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Travelling Man
I had phoned dad yesterday morning to discuss some medications that he (dad) was prescribed, but he wasn't able to speak with me. They were getting Matt loaded up into the cab to take him to the movies! So last night mom phoned to update me on Matt's day. She doesn't know what movie he went to, but they took him to the mall on 8th and Acadia with another rehab patient. Matt really seemed to enjoy it. Mom was able to talk to Matt on the phone and he is sounding stronger and he doesn't struggle to talk so much. Matt's breathing has improved with his exercises. Last week he could do 2 sets of 5 repetitions, so he could do it total of 10 times. Now he can do 5 sets of 5 repetitions, which equals 25 times. That was doing it once a day, now he has to increase to twice a day.
Matt told mom he was eating better, but they increased his tube feed to 80 mls per hour instead of 60 mls. Their goal weight for him is 190 lbs. We won't know how he is progressing until his next bath when they weigh him. Matt was already pre-ordering what he wants mom to make and bring with her when she returns. Homemade pre-cooked fries, pork chops, ribs with the bones in etc. Not to found of the stew so that is out.
I have another funny story about Matt. It involves Nolan as well. When Matt was about 7 years old and Nolan 9, they were playing outside while we were busy cleaning the house. Soon Nolan came in to watch TV. We asked where Matt was, and Nolan replied he was still outside. We didn't think much of it until 1/2 hour had passed and Matt hadn't come in. So we went outside to look for him. You could say he was"tied up" with playing...Literally. Here was poor Matt tied to a tree with a sock in his mouth!! Needless to say, after we had rescued Matt we proceeded to look for Nolan. Where did we find him? Hiding under his bed! I think he knew what was going to happen. But Matt was upset with us, because he wanted to play with his brother!! Talk about forgiveness! Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Matt told mom he was eating better, but they increased his tube feed to 80 mls per hour instead of 60 mls. Their goal weight for him is 190 lbs. We won't know how he is progressing until his next bath when they weigh him. Matt was already pre-ordering what he wants mom to make and bring with her when she returns. Homemade pre-cooked fries, pork chops, ribs with the bones in etc. Not to found of the stew so that is out.
I have another funny story about Matt. It involves Nolan as well. When Matt was about 7 years old and Nolan 9, they were playing outside while we were busy cleaning the house. Soon Nolan came in to watch TV. We asked where Matt was, and Nolan replied he was still outside. We didn't think much of it until 1/2 hour had passed and Matt hadn't come in. So we went outside to look for him. You could say he was"tied up" with playing...Literally. Here was poor Matt tied to a tree with a sock in his mouth!! Needless to say, after we had rescued Matt we proceeded to look for Nolan. Where did we find him? Hiding under his bed! I think he knew what was going to happen. But Matt was upset with us, because he wanted to play with his brother!! Talk about forgiveness! Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Quiet and Cold
Whew!! Can't believe how cold Saskatchewan is. Was at Jacki's over the weekend and we where complaining because the windchill made it -17. What a bunch of babies we have become!
Matt's weekend was quiet, but had lots of company. When I talked to Matt tonight, I asked him what he was up to and said he was sitting in the chair watching TV. I then asked what dad was doing... Matt replied "laying in my bed". However dad did have to help Matt with the phone occasionally because his arm would get tired.
Matt has been doing breathing exercises to strengthen his lungs. He has to breathe in and hold it for as long as he can. It is a special device dad has to hold for him. Matt doesn't like it too much because it is difficult for him and he gets tired quickly, but he keeps at it whenever he can.
When I talked to Matt, he is still concerned about his left hand. So please pray tonight that his left hand will get motivated and start to perform. If he had his left hand, he would be able to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed more easily, turn in bed, and eventually Matt would not need a motorized wheelchair, he could "downgrade" to one he moves himself. Psalms 32:10 "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."
Matt's weekend was quiet, but had lots of company. When I talked to Matt tonight, I asked him what he was up to and said he was sitting in the chair watching TV. I then asked what dad was doing... Matt replied "laying in my bed". However dad did have to help Matt with the phone occasionally because his arm would get tired.
Matt has been doing breathing exercises to strengthen his lungs. He has to breathe in and hold it for as long as he can. It is a special device dad has to hold for him. Matt doesn't like it too much because it is difficult for him and he gets tired quickly, but he keeps at it whenever he can.
When I talked to Matt, he is still concerned about his left hand. So please pray tonight that his left hand will get motivated and start to perform. If he had his left hand, he would be able to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed more easily, turn in bed, and eventually Matt would not need a motorized wheelchair, he could "downgrade" to one he moves himself. Psalms 32:10 "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."
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