Update #4 on Matt's Brother, Kevin

So today’s news was up and down.


The neurosurgeon started out this morning, stating that Kevin has three blood clots on the brain stem. Those indicate that there is damage on his brain stem. That is inoperable due to being surrounded by the brain. They said it will take 7-10 days for his body to absorb the blood. The neurosurgeon said that since there was damage to his brain stem, Kevin would have some kind of damage, whether that means he would never wake up, would be paralyzed, or some other form of handicap. We wouldn’t know until later.

They took him off his paralytic medicine which completely left his system around 11:30 PM CST (after 7 hours). This means that they would stop using the drugs that were potentially keeping him from moving. This means he could move now if his body could. He has not moved yet. About an hour ago, they took him off his sedation medication, which was keeping him from waking. It should be out of his system after a couple hours. We are praying for Kevin to wake up and be healed.

Today, we went to lunch with the Caseys for Haven’s birthday. When we returned to our cars, after a couple hours, the driver side window was broken and our gps was stolen out of the car. For now we have parked the car in April’s garage so that no rain can get in the window, until we can get the window fixed. This is going to cost about $250.

In the past day, we also found out that the union, to which Kevin belongs, offered to fly us home to be with Kevin and family. After seriously weighing this, as well as talking to our Field Coordinator, Rep Elders, and Team Pastor, we have decided to take them up on their offer and fly back to the states this Monday. American Airlines has flights out of Milan, so we will need to take a train to Milan on Monday morning around 6:30 AM. We are waiting for the confirmation of our exact flights, which we should find out by tomorrow morning.

The Casey family is staying with us until Monday to help us run errands tomorrow, prepare for international travel and to love on us. April has graciously offered to watch our puppy, Brinkley, whom we will miss very much while we are gone. Kevin loves our little Brinkley, he introduced us to the breeder where we got him.

Thank you for your continued notes of encouragement, prayers and outright love. We are leaning on you in this time of tragedy. Pray with us for Kevin’s complete and rapid healing, that God may receive all the glory and men might turn their eyes on Him.

God sustains us through His love and you,
Matt & Angie