Watching Fastball

So much happened this week it is hard to know where to start!
On Sunday mom had phoned me quite worried about Matt. His temp was up, feeling unwell, no appetite. Having some difficulty breathing and worried it was his lungs. So on Monday she phoned back saying Matt had passed 2 large kidney stones. Now having had them myself, I was thinking a large grain of sand. Mom actually measured it and it was 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch. Hard as a rock. And he passed 2 of them! This is one time Matt I can tell you that you are lucky you cannot feel pain the same as the rest of us because I would have died! They showed the Dr. when they returned to Saskatoon and he just couldn't believe that Matt didn't feel much pain. You could definitely give birth Matt and laugh at the pain!
So needless to say Matt is feeling a whole lot better. Appetite has improved, feeling stronger and his temp is down. Tuesday they went to the P.P. sports day. Matt was disappointed there where so few slow pitch and fastball teams but enjoyed visiting with everyone. Then it was back to Saskatoon.
Wednesday Matt did some mat work to do muscle testing and evaluation. They feel his left has had a noticeable improvement, but his right side is about the same. Just taking a breather so the left can catch up. Practiced standing with the standing frame in his room. Jacki and the kids stopped in for a visit on their way to Michelle's wedding this weekend. They are staying at Auntie Karen's and Uncle Neil's because mom's car was broken into. I think she was more upset that they took a bag of chips. I told her to stop eating those things! Or at least finish them! So now she is having her windshield repaired because they threw a big rock to break the glass.
Today was a busy day. Dad was quite impressed at something Matt did. When Matt is in his manual chair, to lift his left hand from the wheel of his chair he needs to reach over and lift it with his right hand. However today he used his shoulder in a straight lift to get his left hand back on his lap. Took alot of work but he did it. Did some group therapy today and practiced hitting the balloon with the badminton racket. Then they made Matt put rings onto some poles, but they kept lifting the poles higher and higher, so Matt had to reach up. He could make it to about eye level but really had to work hard. Jacki was his coach and wouldn't let him quit.Probably nagged him into doing it! Stood for 7 mins in the Argyl, which is the standing frame he can walk in but not doing too much walking these days, just working on standing. Also did some mat work and they laid him on his belly. I am sure that felt weird, hasn't done that for ages. Felt good though. Wanted to check how his breathing was and did fine.
Right now Matt, Jacki, and dad are watching fastball at Gordie Howe Park. Grandma got stuck.. I mean.. has the privilege of babysitting. Canada just finished beating U.S. 4-2 and they are wathcing Japan play the U.S. When I asked when they were going back to Parkridge Matt said not until the 50/50 was drawn.
Thanks for all the friends who came to see Matt. So good to be part of life outside of the nursing home. I know that you are often overwhelmed by your situation Matt, but the Lord is always with you. Lamentations 3:32-33 "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction of grief to the children of men."

One year Anniversary

Usually when you think of an anniversary it is in correlation with a happy event. Matt has enjoyed being home but difficult to think about all the things he was doing last year prior to his accident. But lets recap on what Matt was like right after his injury. He was on a ventilator, had surgery on his neck, was unable to drink water, eat or communicate verbally. The only way he could talk to us was by blinking his eyes using an alphabet board. The future was very bleak and the chances of Matt ever moving or breathing on his own were less than 1%. So Matt, let's celebrate your accomplishments since that day and only look forward and up. You have come such a long way and we love you for all you have done. Thanks for continue to persevere and retain hope for the future. We all know with the power of the Lord you can do anything Matt!