Update #27 on Kevin

There are a few things to note before heading to bed this evening.


First off, Kevin’s eye moved! When the nurse was checking for reaction his iris moved around in his right eye. This morning, when his eyelids first opened, I was talking to him on his left side and Angie was standing beside me. His left eye’s iris was looking straight ahead. I looked away from his face and when I looked back his iris was pointed at me! Also, the nurse said that he has some pupil reaction to light, and that it is sluggish. She said it has had some reaction the past few days, but always sluggish.

Kevin sat in a chair, called a neurological chair, for about two hours tonight. This is to help stimulate his brain and also for better circulation of his fluids. He had already sat in his bed, when they changed the settings to make it sit like a recliner earlier in the day.

If B.M.’s are ‘too much info’ for you, skip the next paragraph. He had been having some stomach issues. This was most likely due to the pain & sedative meds he had to take on Friday for his trach and feeding plug procedures. They make your insides like super glue, therefore he was stopped up. Finally today he was able to become more regular again. Almost too much so.

The reason the digestion issues are important are that they are controlled by the same area of his brainstem that had so much damage. The same area controls his heart, respiratory and ability of consciousness. It is encouraging to see his body getting the first three under control. We are praying for him to now wake up!

Pray for God to help our family to determine when the hospital/insurances/case workers/etc… are really working for us and when they are working against us. Ask God to help us be discerning and wise in areas of which we aren’t experts. Pray that God would send those to us that would be beneficial to advancing Kevin’s wellness. Pray for us to make wise decisions.

I have to say this entire process has been the most excruciating thing I have ever been a part of. At times my mind feels ripped apart. Not only from two worlds, Italy and America, but because I want to trust and follow God while at the same time fighting the temptation to be selfish for my timing and wants. It may sound in emails like we have it all together, but we don’t. What we are striving to do is lean on Christ for our strength, for our peace in the midst of a raging storm and for wisdom. It is not easy to wait on God, but I know from past experiences that it is worth it. I rest in the pattern of God in our life.

In an effort to continue introducing you to my brother, I wanted to share a memory from Angie. Oftentimes, he would show up at our house and upon seeing Angie would immediately begin teasing Angie. If would scrunch up his face and with a furrowed brow say, “you haven’t done your hair today have you?” Angie would take the bait and reply she had, he would raise his eyebrows and ask her if she was sure or needed to check it in the mirror! Kevin is a teaser. Lighthearted and easygoing. We are ready to start teasing with him again!

Thanks for praying for my brother,
Matt, Angie and family