Happy 4th of July!
We are hoping for our freedom today! The plan is to go home today if we can get everything lined up. We need some supplies and equipment and hopefully they can be delivered on the holiday.
Matt had a pretty good night. He slept fairly well and his nurse was wise enough to know that some things don't need to be done any more - like vital signs every 2 hours - and just let him sleep.
Unfortunately at 5:30 a.m. Matt decided he didn't need his NG tube any more and pulled it out! Now we have to wait for speech to evaluate him again to see if he can eat by mouth otherwise he will need to have the tube placed again. Either way, I'm still pushing to go home. We can manage what he has now inside our own 4 walls.
Matt's had some great visitors that have boosted his spirits and encouraged me. Thanks to all who could come and to all who are here in spirit. When we have support like this, it makes the journey easier.
Update: we are not going home today. It's been a day of ups and downs. He had a shower and was up in a chair and ate some applesauce and pudding! And then we tried to have the NG tube replaced in the room, but that failed. We can not get the radiology team to assist with the NG placement so we have to stay one more day. :(
On a completely non-Matt related note - if you are a MN Wild fan, the next season looks very promising!! The Wild signed the two most prized free-agents on the market. That means the Wild WILL be competitive and the hockey will be exciting! As a great fan of hockey, this news got me excited on an otherwise frustrating day.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Matt Man VII
Tuesday morning. We 'slept' in a regular room last night. Let me add that 'sleep' is not quite the right word when you are in the hospital so let's change that to 'stayed in a regular room.'
The good news is that after a horrible day yesterday, he's doing much, much better. He had a good 4 hour nap late yesterday which was good for the move from ICU. After getting up here, he listened to some tunes on his iPod and then I had to force him to go to bed.
He's handling the junk in his throat a lot better. He's off of his oxygen for now. He's keeping his oxygen levels in a decent range without the O2 so that's also good. He's getting in and out of bed easily when directed.
He's also got his sense of humor back - in part due to some pain medication - but as the doctor said to Matt as he left the room, "If you are fist bumping, then I don't think you need to be in the hospital." :)
The plan for the day is to see speech again to see if he can swallow and ultimately eat by mouth instead of by tubes. If all goes well, the ENT doc thinks we could get out of here tomorrow!
I would love to have God's vision of all of this. I believe pretty strongly that when a number of people come together and pray for something that God moves. He's told us in the book of James that if we are in trouble, we should pray. I know a number of you have prayed. When you add up all of those prayers, God moves. Not that we manipulate God, because we can't, but it's like ALL of your children asking you for the same thing. You think about it more simply because of the number of requests. So thanks for praying, it's having an affect.
The good news is that after a horrible day yesterday, he's doing much, much better. He had a good 4 hour nap late yesterday which was good for the move from ICU. After getting up here, he listened to some tunes on his iPod and then I had to force him to go to bed.
He's handling the junk in his throat a lot better. He's off of his oxygen for now. He's keeping his oxygen levels in a decent range without the O2 so that's also good. He's getting in and out of bed easily when directed.
He's also got his sense of humor back - in part due to some pain medication - but as the doctor said to Matt as he left the room, "If you are fist bumping, then I don't think you need to be in the hospital." :)
The plan for the day is to see speech again to see if he can swallow and ultimately eat by mouth instead of by tubes. If all goes well, the ENT doc thinks we could get out of here tomorrow!
I would love to have God's vision of all of this. I believe pretty strongly that when a number of people come together and pray for something that God moves. He's told us in the book of James that if we are in trouble, we should pray. I know a number of you have prayed. When you add up all of those prayers, God moves. Not that we manipulate God, because we can't, but it's like ALL of your children asking you for the same thing. You think about it more simply because of the number of requests. So thanks for praying, it's having an affect.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Matt Man VI
Without being too gross, the overall battle for Matt is against secretions or junk in his throat. He can cough, but can't spit it out. He's too weak to get it out and it just sits there. Thus he needs some help via suctioning.
Monday has been a tough day. Matt has been keeping his sense of humor up until today. Today was his mental breaking point. He has cried several times and complains of pain or being tired.
It's been a frustrating day for Matt and for me too. Before I got here of the doctors removed a tube that made it easier to suction Matt. Matt was as mad as I've seen him when he was suctioned after that. His nurse agreed to replace the tube and that made a miserable experience a little better.
Speech came to evaluate his ability to swallow. He was upset and tired and didn't really do enough to give them an indication of whether or not he could eat by mouth. They will try again tomorrow.
The doctors were just here this evening (5pm) and we basically concluded that he will be in the hospital at least one more day. They had scheduled him to go to a regular floor earlier in the day so that's forward progress, but as of 5pm, that hasn't happened.
Monday has been a tough day. Matt has been keeping his sense of humor up until today. Today was his mental breaking point. He has cried several times and complains of pain or being tired.
It's been a frustrating day for Matt and for me too. Before I got here of the doctors removed a tube that made it easier to suction Matt. Matt was as mad as I've seen him when he was suctioned after that. His nurse agreed to replace the tube and that made a miserable experience a little better.
Speech came to evaluate his ability to swallow. He was upset and tired and didn't really do enough to give them an indication of whether or not he could eat by mouth. They will try again tomorrow.
The doctors were just here this evening (5pm) and we basically concluded that he will be in the hospital at least one more day. They had scheduled him to go to a regular floor earlier in the day so that's forward progress, but as of 5pm, that hasn't happened.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Matt Man V
Sunday - Matt stayed by himself Saturday night! For the previous 2 nights, Laura or I had slept at the hospital, but we were not needed for anything so we decided to get better sleep in our own beds.
They tell me he had a pretty good night, but still was suctioned regularly.
Today, his surgeon called us at home. He said that Matt should not have been left off of his Robinul (a med for drooling) that he was on before surgery. He believes that leaving him off of it may be contributing to the extra secretions that Matt is battling against. In addition, they are giving him a steroid to help with the swelling in and around his mouth.
They just place the NG tube for feeding. He wasnt' happy about it, but he needs calories. He just had an X-ray to confirm the correct placement of the NG. He's now resting comfortably with his iPod.
Both the surgeon and the ICU doc feel that he's making good progress.
I asked Matt if he wanted to say anything to his adoring fans, but he declined for now. I'm sure he will have something to say in the very near future.
People have asked what they can do. Prayer is definitely appreciated. I truly can tell when people are praying. Often times we pray for God to grant wisdom to the doctors. I can testify how important that prayer is. When his surgeon called this morning and said that Matt should not have been left off his Robinul, I felt like that was the "missing piece" we had been looking for. Without that wisdom, we'd still be guessing how to help Matt.
If you do feel like visiting, the easiest thing to do is call me so I can explain how to get here.
They tell me he had a pretty good night, but still was suctioned regularly.
Today, his surgeon called us at home. He said that Matt should not have been left off of his Robinul (a med for drooling) that he was on before surgery. He believes that leaving him off of it may be contributing to the extra secretions that Matt is battling against. In addition, they are giving him a steroid to help with the swelling in and around his mouth.
They just place the NG tube for feeding. He wasnt' happy about it, but he needs calories. He just had an X-ray to confirm the correct placement of the NG. He's now resting comfortably with his iPod.
Both the surgeon and the ICU doc feel that he's making good progress.
I asked Matt if he wanted to say anything to his adoring fans, but he declined for now. I'm sure he will have something to say in the very near future.
People have asked what they can do. Prayer is definitely appreciated. I truly can tell when people are praying. Often times we pray for God to grant wisdom to the doctors. I can testify how important that prayer is. When his surgeon called this morning and said that Matt should not have been left off his Robinul, I felt like that was the "missing piece" we had been looking for. Without that wisdom, we'd still be guessing how to help Matt.
If you do feel like visiting, the easiest thing to do is call me so I can explain how to get here.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Matt Man IV
Laura stayed with Matt last night and will be there today (Sat). She reported that they had to suction Matt every 1-2 hours during the night. He's not coughing up junk very well and needs help to get it out.
When you are in the hospital in order to go home you need all of the tubes they put in you to come out (sometimes you go home with one). We call it the "tube game." It's scored like golf - the fewer tubes you have, the closer you are to victory. I know, it's a little silly, but you have to use humor and games to get through hospital stays.
Matt has scored a "2" with the another tube being removed yesterday! Now he needs to get off of oxygen and get his IV out to win the tube game. He also needs to handle the junk in his throat.
He was winning the tube game, but hasn't won the infection/junk game. He has some kind of "bug" that needs an antibiotic and needs the repeated suctioning. He will stay in ICU at least one more day.
Saturday night:
Matt will be taking a temporary loss in the "tube game." He hasn't eaten in 3 days so they are concerned about his nutrition even though he's had IV fluids. He also isn't swallowing very well. Tomorrow (Sunday) they will place an "NG" tube in so they can feed him. Not the direction we want to go, but necessary to get him healthy.
He's also getting a medication via a patch (no he doesn't need to quit smoking), to help with his secretions.
When you are in the hospital in order to go home you need all of the tubes they put in you to come out (sometimes you go home with one). We call it the "tube game." It's scored like golf - the fewer tubes you have, the closer you are to victory. I know, it's a little silly, but you have to use humor and games to get through hospital stays.
Matt has scored a "2" with the another tube being removed yesterday! Now he needs to get off of oxygen and get his IV out to win the tube game. He also needs to handle the junk in his throat.
He was winning the tube game, but hasn't won the infection/junk game. He has some kind of "bug" that needs an antibiotic and needs the repeated suctioning. He will stay in ICU at least one more day.
Saturday night:
Matt will be taking a temporary loss in the "tube game." He hasn't eaten in 3 days so they are concerned about his nutrition even though he's had IV fluids. He also isn't swallowing very well. Tomorrow (Sunday) they will place an "NG" tube in so they can feed him. Not the direction we want to go, but necessary to get him healthy.
He's also getting a medication via a patch (no he doesn't need to quit smoking), to help with his secretions.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Matt Man III
Friday morning around 9 a.m. the moment Matt has been asking for - the tube in his throat has been removed! When he heard he was getting the tube out, he pumped both fists! He still has his sense of humor and wit.
He will stay at least one more day in the ICU to be closely monitored, but at least he can breathe on his own. He will have a swallow evaluation today to make sure he can manage food and drink. He would really like to drink something, but we'd like to make sure everything works so we don't need to put a tube back in.
He had the swallow eval at about 2pm. He did OK, but really needs to do better before he can eat or drink.
Thanks again to all who have prayed and are praying.
Matt sends the "thumbs up" sign.
He will stay at least one more day in the ICU to be closely monitored, but at least he can breathe on his own. He will have a swallow evaluation today to make sure he can manage food and drink. He would really like to drink something, but we'd like to make sure everything works so we don't need to put a tube back in.
He had the swallow eval at about 2pm. He did OK, but really needs to do better before he can eat or drink.
Thanks again to all who have prayed and are praying.
Matt sends the "thumbs up" sign.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Matt Man II
It's always amazing to me how God orchestrates things, but especially when life is a little more intense.
Today (Thursday) I was at home for a short time while I prepared for some work I needed to do when Matt's very good friend, Peter called. Peter has been Matt's friend since 8th grade and is the truest of true friends. I had Peter on my mental list of people to call, but had not gotten to him before he called our house.
He was hoping to hang out with Matt like they've done for a number of years. Since Matt was in the hospital that wasn't going to work. I had the opportunity to mention Matt's situation and Peter thought he would be able to come and visit Matt. Not only did he and his dad come visit, but they were kind enough to drive me back to the hospital, visit, and then bring Laura home!
God shows up in so many "coincidences" that you really have to be blind NOT to see Him at work.
An update on Matt's status - Thursday afternoon he tried to breathe without complete support of the ventilator, but was having spells of apnea (no breathing) and was not successful. The plan is to keep him on the ventilator for another day and try again. He also is running a temperature so there is some concern about possible infection.
Tonight Matt watched some Tim Hawkins videos on You Tube - his favorite. He was fairly responsive and interactive. He's using sign language that he picked up at school. I'm impressed with his ability to try and communicate without his voice.
He's in some pain from time to time, but calms down quickly when pain medications are given.
To all who are praying, thank you. It is very much appreciated.
Today (Thursday) I was at home for a short time while I prepared for some work I needed to do when Matt's very good friend, Peter called. Peter has been Matt's friend since 8th grade and is the truest of true friends. I had Peter on my mental list of people to call, but had not gotten to him before he called our house.
He was hoping to hang out with Matt like they've done for a number of years. Since Matt was in the hospital that wasn't going to work. I had the opportunity to mention Matt's situation and Peter thought he would be able to come and visit Matt. Not only did he and his dad come visit, but they were kind enough to drive me back to the hospital, visit, and then bring Laura home!
God shows up in so many "coincidences" that you really have to be blind NOT to see Him at work.
An update on Matt's status - Thursday afternoon he tried to breathe without complete support of the ventilator, but was having spells of apnea (no breathing) and was not successful. The plan is to keep him on the ventilator for another day and try again. He also is running a temperature so there is some concern about possible infection.
Tonight Matt watched some Tim Hawkins videos on You Tube - his favorite. He was fairly responsive and interactive. He's using sign language that he picked up at school. I'm impressed with his ability to try and communicate without his voice.
He's in some pain from time to time, but calms down quickly when pain medications are given.
To all who are praying, thank you. It is very much appreciated.
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