So there have been some ups and down today, but mainly ups. Things may seem to move slowly, but they actually seem to be moving quicker than they should.
Kevin has been breathing only wall-flow since yesterday at 1:35 PM. That is going on a day and a half!!! It has definitely exceeded their expectations here at Meadowbrook. However, they do continue to be positive and optimistic about the future. Not even at night did they need to give him a rest. Kevin is doing great.
The wall-flow is just like normal air, with just enough pressure to boost the air through his tube. Try breathing through a straw, and you’ll have a better understand why even healthy lungs need a boost from wall-flow. At first one of the main differences was the humidifying device added to the wall-flow air. Yesterday, they added a heating element too.
Because he was on a ventilator, gunk was pushed down into the bottom of his lungs due to the pressure the vent provided. Now that he is off, a goal is to get all that junk and gunk coughed out. Kevin has spent a better part of this morning and much of this afternoon coughing it out.
One of the only downs today is that because he was coughing so hard this morning, he threw up twice. The cleaned him up each time and he has done better each time. Another down is that he has not had a B.M. in several days. They have him on medicine for that, but hopefully, will not take much longer to go.
This afternoon, Kevin was placed in a neurological chair for several hours. Whenever Kevin is moved around (rolled, moved, etc…) he seems to be roused from a sleepiness. One of the doctors today, Dr. Smith (a pulmonologist), said it is normally for them to wake and sleep and wake and sleep. It is getting easier for us to see the difference. It was difficult in the beginning since some of the difference are slight.
While in the chair, Angie stood by his side and encouraged him to cough harder and get the stuff out of his lungs. Each time, Angie would tell him to cough, he would. And whenever his eyes started closing, she would tell him it wasn’t time to sleep yet and to try and stay awake. She continued getting him to cough and helped him clear his lungs.
Thanks for stopping by, sending cards, encouraging us through messages and most of all, praying for Kevin’s healing and the family as they continue to go through this tragedy together.
Thanks for everything,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Update #35 on Kevin
So, we found out that last night they did give Kevin a rest for a few hours from breathing. They took him from CPAP and put him on Assist Control on the ventilator in order to give him some rest. They had him set at 12 breaths per minute. Assist Control allows Kevin the opportunity to initiate any breath and the machine gives it to him. This allows Kevin to be fully rested on the ventilator except for triggering, as long as there is adequate flow. Also it makes it so Kevin can breathe spontaneously without working. For more about it read http://icmtutorials.com/rs/mv/page6.htm.
But when the doctor was in this morning he said that essentially Kevin has been breathing on his own for over 24 hours. Around 5:30 AM they switched Kevin back from the vent to CPAP again. Then at around 1:30 PM they took Kevin completely off any machine, vent, CPAP or otherwise and put him on what’s called “Wall-Flow”. It comes out of the wall, but it is just the same as room air. It has the same 21% of oxygen that is in room air. One of the main differences is that the air has humidification. That helps with his secretions. Yesterday, they put him on some allergy medicine, so helpfully that helps with drainage too.
Kevin’s had his eyes open quite a bit today, but not a ton of reaction. It is slow, but seems to be progressing forward.
Another way to help the family would actually be a big help to me and the rest of the family. Greg works at American Airlines, like Kevin. Not sure if there is a way for people at AA that have an extra day that they could give up to give it to Greg because it would really help the family. The reason is that there are many tasks related to the house construction after Kevin’s flood like going through the warehouse that is storing Kevin’s personal belongings in order to sort it all. Greg is also taking care of things for Kevin like getting documents procured and taking care of financial items for Kevin and family. Of course, Greg is also here at the LTAC helping with the care of Kevin on top of all that. If Greg has to go back to work it all falls to us. This would be a great help to me personally.
Thanks so much for everything that you are doing for our family and Kevin!
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
___________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
But when the doctor was in this morning he said that essentially Kevin has been breathing on his own for over 24 hours. Around 5:30 AM they switched Kevin back from the vent to CPAP again. Then at around 1:30 PM they took Kevin completely off any machine, vent, CPAP or otherwise and put him on what’s called “Wall-Flow”. It comes out of the wall, but it is just the same as room air. It has the same 21% of oxygen that is in room air. One of the main differences is that the air has humidification. That helps with his secretions. Yesterday, they put him on some allergy medicine, so helpfully that helps with drainage too.
Kevin’s had his eyes open quite a bit today, but not a ton of reaction. It is slow, but seems to be progressing forward.
Another way to help the family would actually be a big help to me and the rest of the family. Greg works at American Airlines, like Kevin. Not sure if there is a way for people at AA that have an extra day that they could give up to give it to Greg because it would really help the family. The reason is that there are many tasks related to the house construction after Kevin’s flood like going through the warehouse that is storing Kevin’s personal belongings in order to sort it all. Greg is also taking care of things for Kevin like getting documents procured and taking care of financial items for Kevin and family. Of course, Greg is also here at the LTAC helping with the care of Kevin on top of all that. If Greg has to go back to work it all falls to us. This would be a great help to me personally.
Thanks so much for everything that you are doing for our family and Kevin!
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
___________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Update #34 on Kevin
Real quick update…
Kevin has been breathing on his own for over 24 hours!
Also, the doctor said he was very positive and impressed with Kevin’s improvement.
Another quick note is that the red bracelets that have “Pray for Kevin” imprinted on them are in the process of being ordered. They will take about two and a half weeks to get in.
There are 188 members of the Facebook group “Pray for Kevin”. There are 237 people receiving the email updates . And the blog http://www.prayforkevin.com has been viewed 2,612 times by 1026 people in five days!!
Thanks so much for all the prayers, support, encouragement and love!
We appreciate it!
When I talked with Kohl earlier, he told me that they had put Kevin in a neurological chair. Kohl said his dad’s eyes were open and Kevin had movement throughout parts of his body.
Keep praying and thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Kevin has been breathing on his own for over 24 hours!
Also, the doctor said he was very positive and impressed with Kevin’s improvement.
Another quick note is that the red bracelets that have “Pray for Kevin” imprinted on them are in the process of being ordered. They will take about two and a half weeks to get in.
There are 188 members of the Facebook group “Pray for Kevin”. There are 237 people receiving the email updates . And the blog http://www.prayforkevin.com has been viewed 2,612 times by 1026 people in five days!!
Thanks so much for all the prayers, support, encouragement and love!
We appreciate it!
When I talked with Kohl earlier, he told me that they had put Kevin in a neurological chair. Kohl said his dad’s eyes were open and Kevin had movement throughout parts of his body.
Keep praying and thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Update #33 on Kevin
For Kevin today was a good day. Each nurse or staff person that came in treated him with respect and wanted to know about him. Not just medicine but who he is. Refreshing for him to be seen as more than an object. The doctor came in and was very encouraging. He is going to read through Kevin’s medical records and start making orders tomorrow (Friday). He is the first doctor to actually acknowledge that his seasonal allergies could be affecting his secretions. He wants to get him on some allergy medicine to combat the drainage.
The Occupational therapist and Physical therapist came in and worked on Kevin’s range of motion. They also sat him up manually in bed, positioning him so his feet hung off the side of the bed. One of them stood in front of him, the other supported him from the back. They kept him in that position for about 8 minutes, until his respiratory rate started increasing.
Starting at 9:10 AM the Respiratory therapist switched Kevin over to CPAP, which means Kevin was breathing on his own. When we left tonight, he had almost gone twelve hours breathing on his own!! He had only gone two the day before. The RT was so impressed. She had said she was going to put him back on with low settings to give his body a rest. What a great first day in the LTAC.
Several times throughout the day, Kevin would open his eyes and move parts of his body. It is still limited, and not in any real order, but he has done great so far. This is especially true in his condition. A few times, Kevin raised either his left corner of his mouth or both corners after being suctioned. He was asked on different occasions to open his mouth for the nurses to suction his mouth and two times he opened his mouth at that time.
Please spend some time thanking God for bringing Kevin so far in just a few days. Tonight is the third week anniversary of his wreck. Kevin has come a long way in those three weeks too. Pray for God to heal Kevin’s mind and body. Pray for our family as we navigate some of the hardest decisions and issues that we may ever have to go through in our lifetime.
Note also that Kevin cannot have any fresh flowers or balloons, but can have cards or pictures to hang up in his room.
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
The Occupational therapist and Physical therapist came in and worked on Kevin’s range of motion. They also sat him up manually in bed, positioning him so his feet hung off the side of the bed. One of them stood in front of him, the other supported him from the back. They kept him in that position for about 8 minutes, until his respiratory rate started increasing.
Starting at 9:10 AM the Respiratory therapist switched Kevin over to CPAP, which means Kevin was breathing on his own. When we left tonight, he had almost gone twelve hours breathing on his own!! He had only gone two the day before. The RT was so impressed. She had said she was going to put him back on with low settings to give his body a rest. What a great first day in the LTAC.
Several times throughout the day, Kevin would open his eyes and move parts of his body. It is still limited, and not in any real order, but he has done great so far. This is especially true in his condition. A few times, Kevin raised either his left corner of his mouth or both corners after being suctioned. He was asked on different occasions to open his mouth for the nurses to suction his mouth and two times he opened his mouth at that time.
Please spend some time thanking God for bringing Kevin so far in just a few days. Tonight is the third week anniversary of his wreck. Kevin has come a long way in those three weeks too. Pray for God to heal Kevin’s mind and body. Pray for our family as we navigate some of the hardest decisions and issues that we may ever have to go through in our lifetime.
Note also that Kevin cannot have any fresh flowers or balloons, but can have cards or pictures to hang up in his room.
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Update #32 on Kevin
What a difference a day makes….
This morning we met with doctors, nurses, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, neurosurgery, etc…. all to get an idea about Kevin’s condition. They were planning on discharging him and we wanted to see where things were before we left. We asked questions about where Kevin has been in comparison with how far he has come. We asked about thoughts regarding progress to expect in the next month and what improvements and setbacks they had seen so far. We got a great deal of information. I think a few people were a little put out by the questions, but most people understood.
Kevin’s finger wasn’t broken and his neck’s fractures were stable and still aligned making it so he could be transferred today. Still on antibiotics, Kevin is working through the C-Diff. His transfer took place around 5 pm in a shiny ambulance. Our caravan headed over to Kevin’s LTAC. We came in, having already visited once to check it out last week, and we have continued to be bowled over with how much we like it already.
The LTAC is named Meadowbrook and he can accept visitors. Although right now, due to the C-Diff, you still have to gown and glove up to go in. The difference between here and TICU at St. Francis is that our whole family can go in at the same time. There is also free pop in the cafeteria 24 hours a day. Those things are minor to the quality of care that we have already seen from the staff. They treat Kevin not only as a person, but as a family member. His first night’s nurse even said that she sees him as a brother and will treat him as if he were her brother. What a refreshing feeling. His room is directly next to the respiratory nurses station. There is even a window from their station straight into his room.
The other cool thing is that Meadowbrook is at 31st & Memorial behind all the hotels. It is in fact directly behind the Hampton Inn that we have been so fortunate to have provided for us. We can actually walk next door for a shower and breakfast! Kevin’s in room 133.
Earlier today, before leaving TICU. They switched Kevin from the Ventilator to CPAP. He breathed on his own for about two hours. When they tested his blood they found that his PO2 (Oxygen) levels were a little low so they switched him back to the previous low settings he had been on. This was also good preparation for the transfer. When I asked the Physical Therapist upon arrival if that was normal to have that reaction when doing trials for getting off the vent, she said “oh yeah” dismissing it with a hand wave, then said with a huge smile, “we can fix that!!” Man, this feels like a good night. On that note, I am heading to bed. They brought us in with two recliners for sleeping.
Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. It means so much for the family.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
This morning we met with doctors, nurses, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, neurosurgery, etc…. all to get an idea about Kevin’s condition. They were planning on discharging him and we wanted to see where things were before we left. We asked questions about where Kevin has been in comparison with how far he has come. We asked about thoughts regarding progress to expect in the next month and what improvements and setbacks they had seen so far. We got a great deal of information. I think a few people were a little put out by the questions, but most people understood.
Kevin’s finger wasn’t broken and his neck’s fractures were stable and still aligned making it so he could be transferred today. Still on antibiotics, Kevin is working through the C-Diff. His transfer took place around 5 pm in a shiny ambulance. Our caravan headed over to Kevin’s LTAC. We came in, having already visited once to check it out last week, and we have continued to be bowled over with how much we like it already.
The LTAC is named Meadowbrook and he can accept visitors. Although right now, due to the C-Diff, you still have to gown and glove up to go in. The difference between here and TICU at St. Francis is that our whole family can go in at the same time. There is also free pop in the cafeteria 24 hours a day. Those things are minor to the quality of care that we have already seen from the staff. They treat Kevin not only as a person, but as a family member. His first night’s nurse even said that she sees him as a brother and will treat him as if he were her brother. What a refreshing feeling. His room is directly next to the respiratory nurses station. There is even a window from their station straight into his room.
The other cool thing is that Meadowbrook is at 31st & Memorial behind all the hotels. It is in fact directly behind the Hampton Inn that we have been so fortunate to have provided for us. We can actually walk next door for a shower and breakfast! Kevin’s in room 133.
Earlier today, before leaving TICU. They switched Kevin from the Ventilator to CPAP. He breathed on his own for about two hours. When they tested his blood they found that his PO2 (Oxygen) levels were a little low so they switched him back to the previous low settings he had been on. This was also good preparation for the transfer. When I asked the Physical Therapist upon arrival if that was normal to have that reaction when doing trials for getting off the vent, she said “oh yeah” dismissing it with a hand wave, then said with a huge smile, “we can fix that!!” Man, this feels like a good night. On that note, I am heading to bed. They brought us in with two recliners for sleeping.
Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. It means so much for the family.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Update #31 on Kevin
So, like I previously mentioned, things are moving fast. They are still planning on moving Kevin today to an LTAC here in town. They are trying to get some final things scanned, such as a new X-ray for Kevin’s neck fractures before they move him in an EMSA vehicle. They are also X-Raying his right hand to determine if he has a broken finger or not. It’s interesting how they can get the reports back and read in an hour when they want to move him out. I asked the social worker why the move was happening in the early afternoon as opposed to the late afternoon which is what she told me yesterday. She said well the insurance is already calling to see why he hasn’t been moved yet. That’s not right. I don’t want them rushing things through. (ten minutes later) I just went back and discussed the matter and now it will be at least late afternoon.
Good news is that Kevin is now breathing on his own. It has been about an hour. It is with a CPAP machine. Basically, Kevin is initiating every breath he takes. The machine only gives him a low amount of pressure support, kind of like a boost of air whenever he starts the breath, but it is low. It’s at a 5, which is about as low of support as it can go they said. Also his PEEP is at a 5, which the Respiratory Therapist told us is also really low. She said is probably just enough to make sure air is going through the tube. That means when it’s not there, it shouldn’t be needed.
We’ve been talking with all the different disciplines (departments) of Kevin’s care. Asking about how far he has come in their opinion and what goals we can expect in the next month. Most of it has gone really smoothly.
Also, Dr. Fell, the neurosurgeon finally graced us with his presence. His last notes on Kevin were on August 31st, nine days ago. Then He had told us he would be back in a couple of days. I told him how disappointed I was that he did not follow through with what he had told us. He apologized. He went on to examine Kevin. Of course, Kevin didn’t do any of the things he has been doing when he was examined by Dr. Fell. So he said there hasn’t been any change. I told him that others had done the Kleenex in the eye test and Kevin’s left eye blinked all three times. He tried it again and said there was some blinking. I told him Kevin had started opening his eyes on Sunday and had done so at different points since. I told him how different parts of his body were moving, and some in reaction to stimulus in sitting and moving to the neurological chair. He then replied, I guess we have had some progress. He hadn’t looked at the latest CATscan from Sunday yet, and when I asked him about it, he asked if we wanted to see it. Angie and I had seen it, but Greg and Taylor hadn’t. I still wanted to look again to hear his views on it. He said there is still swelling around the Basal Ganglia (where the brain stem connects to the brain). Also, swelling around a couple other spots. This hasn’t changed his view that Kevin is up against very big odds.
We still need to meet with the head of trauma nursing and the main nutritionist/dietician. This is going to be another long day.
Thanks for praying for Kevin,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Good news is that Kevin is now breathing on his own. It has been about an hour. It is with a CPAP machine. Basically, Kevin is initiating every breath he takes. The machine only gives him a low amount of pressure support, kind of like a boost of air whenever he starts the breath, but it is low. It’s at a 5, which is about as low of support as it can go they said. Also his PEEP is at a 5, which the Respiratory Therapist told us is also really low. She said is probably just enough to make sure air is going through the tube. That means when it’s not there, it shouldn’t be needed.
We’ve been talking with all the different disciplines (departments) of Kevin’s care. Asking about how far he has come in their opinion and what goals we can expect in the next month. Most of it has gone really smoothly.
Also, Dr. Fell, the neurosurgeon finally graced us with his presence. His last notes on Kevin were on August 31st, nine days ago. Then He had told us he would be back in a couple of days. I told him how disappointed I was that he did not follow through with what he had told us. He apologized. He went on to examine Kevin. Of course, Kevin didn’t do any of the things he has been doing when he was examined by Dr. Fell. So he said there hasn’t been any change. I told him that others had done the Kleenex in the eye test and Kevin’s left eye blinked all three times. He tried it again and said there was some blinking. I told him Kevin had started opening his eyes on Sunday and had done so at different points since. I told him how different parts of his body were moving, and some in reaction to stimulus in sitting and moving to the neurological chair. He then replied, I guess we have had some progress. He hadn’t looked at the latest CATscan from Sunday yet, and when I asked him about it, he asked if we wanted to see it. Angie and I had seen it, but Greg and Taylor hadn’t. I still wanted to look again to hear his views on it. He said there is still swelling around the Basal Ganglia (where the brain stem connects to the brain). Also, swelling around a couple other spots. This hasn’t changed his view that Kevin is up against very big odds.
We still need to meet with the head of trauma nursing and the main nutritionist/dietician. This is going to be another long day.
Thanks for praying for Kevin,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Update #30 on Kevin
So, things are moving quickly. We have been told that the hospital is wanting to discharge Kevin to a Long Term Acute Care Center, or LTAC. There was great confusion today, because they were wanting to discharge him today, but there were pending evaluations to do, such as the ultrasound.
We went through a mountain of confusion of meetings today. Meetings with several doctors, head of nursing, social worker, etc…. Basically, unless there are any surprises, Kevin will be discharged tomorrow afternoon. We will be in meetings all morning tomorrow with different departments to work out a plan of progress for Kevin.
Pray as we go through this crazy process. There’s fog ahead that keeps us from seeing everything clearly. We can only lean on the One who sees clearly in any fog. The One who we know never leaves us.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
We went through a mountain of confusion of meetings today. Meetings with several doctors, head of nursing, social worker, etc…. Basically, unless there are any surprises, Kevin will be discharged tomorrow afternoon. We will be in meetings all morning tomorrow with different departments to work out a plan of progress for Kevin.
Pray as we go through this crazy process. There’s fog ahead that keeps us from seeing everything clearly. We can only lean on the One who sees clearly in any fog. The One who we know never leaves us.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Monday, September 7, 2009
Update #29 on Kevin
So I had forgotten a few things and there were other new things.
Earlier Kevin had made a face when they were suctioning out his mouth. Also, the past two days he has bitten down on the suction tube.
Ventilator stuff – they have been doing weaning Kevin off the ventilator. He has been on only 2 breaths per minute for several hours and is doing good. After 5:30 PM they lowered his pressure support down from 15 to 14 then a little while later lowered it to 10. The PEEP is still at 5. Doing good.
Some family were back with him a little while ago and he was moving his eyes (irises) around. And his left eyelid blinked after someone asked him to blink. It wasn’t immediate, but he hadn’t been blinking prior to it.
We have been told several times by nurses that they have never seen a family that has been more compliant and helpful in cleaning out a room and following guidelines. Really? Our family?
His virus is not airborne, and that is why we do not have to have masks. His treatment is for ten days and we will have to keep wearing the gowns and gloves until he has three straight clear tests! Not sure when they will start testing him or the frequency of the tests. I guess we’ll wait and see.
We have pillows and blankets. Thanks for all the offers!! We ARE allowed to take new blankets in. We will have to wear gowns and rubber gloves to sleep in the room tonight! Won’t my hands get all pruny??
A couple other items –
A few people have already responded about helping with bracelets. Thanks! We can definitely still use a few more. We hope to know how many we can order by tomorrow.
If you are able and want to help with meals at the hospital, we can definitely still use meals! Lunches seem to be the hardest to fill, but lunch or dinner is just fine!! Right now that haven’t been too many that have responded to Jeff, who’s acting as our food coordinator. His number is 918-408-7680. Also, I found out tonight that our 742-DINE account is almost exhausted. The meals really help our family to focus on Kevin and his medical care. Just one of those background things that we don’t have to worry about. Thanks for those who have given before! If you want to give money toward 742-DINE, just call them and tell them you want to give to gift account 4374300, for the Crosser family.
Not sure where things are at on the hotel bill, but if you would like to give towards our housing expenses at the hotel, get in touch with Brian Jennings at Highland Park Christian Church. The number is 627-0783.
Thanks for the unbelievable help so far! Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Earlier Kevin had made a face when they were suctioning out his mouth. Also, the past two days he has bitten down on the suction tube.
Ventilator stuff – they have been doing weaning Kevin off the ventilator. He has been on only 2 breaths per minute for several hours and is doing good. After 5:30 PM they lowered his pressure support down from 15 to 14 then a little while later lowered it to 10. The PEEP is still at 5. Doing good.
Some family were back with him a little while ago and he was moving his eyes (irises) around. And his left eyelid blinked after someone asked him to blink. It wasn’t immediate, but he hadn’t been blinking prior to it.
We have been told several times by nurses that they have never seen a family that has been more compliant and helpful in cleaning out a room and following guidelines. Really? Our family?
His virus is not airborne, and that is why we do not have to have masks. His treatment is for ten days and we will have to keep wearing the gowns and gloves until he has three straight clear tests! Not sure when they will start testing him or the frequency of the tests. I guess we’ll wait and see.
We have pillows and blankets. Thanks for all the offers!! We ARE allowed to take new blankets in. We will have to wear gowns and rubber gloves to sleep in the room tonight! Won’t my hands get all pruny??
A couple other items –
A few people have already responded about helping with bracelets. Thanks! We can definitely still use a few more. We hope to know how many we can order by tomorrow.
If you are able and want to help with meals at the hospital, we can definitely still use meals! Lunches seem to be the hardest to fill, but lunch or dinner is just fine!! Right now that haven’t been too many that have responded to Jeff, who’s acting as our food coordinator. His number is 918-408-7680. Also, I found out tonight that our 742-DINE account is almost exhausted. The meals really help our family to focus on Kevin and his medical care. Just one of those background things that we don’t have to worry about. Thanks for those who have given before! If you want to give money toward 742-DINE, just call them and tell them you want to give to gift account 4374300, for the Crosser family.
Not sure where things are at on the hotel bill, but if you would like to give towards our housing expenses at the hotel, get in touch with Brian Jennings at Highland Park Christian Church. The number is 627-0783.
Thanks for the unbelievable help so far! Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Update #28 on Kevin
A few things to update.
First, Kevin got a stomach infection last night. He was susceptible to this because of the antibiotics he was on for pneumonia. The bacteria is called C. difficile or C.diff. Not sure how long they expect him to be on the meds for that. Hopefully, we will find out a plan of action for treating that. If you want to read more check out the Mayo Clinic’s website about it (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-difficile/DS00736). Pray for God to heal him of all illness, including the new infection. Right now, visitors have to put on gown and rubber gloves, washing their hands before and after putting the gloves on and taking them off. We also have to remove, wash and clean everything that we have had in the room and they have asked us not to introduce anything new into the room right now. He is on the antibiotic for ten days. They told us they can’t tell us NOT to sleep in there at night, but they would discourage it. So, now we have to figure out what to do for blankets tonight, if we decide to still stay here, which we want to do.
Second, they are still working on getting off the ventilator. They have lowered the rate at which the machine helps from 4 breaths per minute down to only 2 breaths per minute. He still has a pressure support rating of 15 and they lowered the PEEP down from 6 to 5. The respiratory therapist said she thought that he was doing well breathing on his own. She felt good about Kevin getting off the vent.
They have been putting Kevin into a sitting position a couple times per day. When they move him like that, he seems to open his eyes more. Mary Ann, Angie’s sister saw Kevin’s left eye (iris) move earlier when I was in there.
We are looking at ordering some silicone bracelets that say “pray for kevin” on them. If you would like to help with the cost for this, just send me a note!
Feel free to forward this message on or better yet just have people go and sign up here at http://www.prayforkevin.com/ to receive updates. Look in the top right corner.
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
____________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
First, Kevin got a stomach infection last night. He was susceptible to this because of the antibiotics he was on for pneumonia. The bacteria is called C. difficile or C.diff. Not sure how long they expect him to be on the meds for that. Hopefully, we will find out a plan of action for treating that. If you want to read more check out the Mayo Clinic’s website about it (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-difficile/DS00736). Pray for God to heal him of all illness, including the new infection. Right now, visitors have to put on gown and rubber gloves, washing their hands before and after putting the gloves on and taking them off. We also have to remove, wash and clean everything that we have had in the room and they have asked us not to introduce anything new into the room right now. He is on the antibiotic for ten days. They told us they can’t tell us NOT to sleep in there at night, but they would discourage it. So, now we have to figure out what to do for blankets tonight, if we decide to still stay here, which we want to do.
Second, they are still working on getting off the ventilator. They have lowered the rate at which the machine helps from 4 breaths per minute down to only 2 breaths per minute. He still has a pressure support rating of 15 and they lowered the PEEP down from 6 to 5. The respiratory therapist said she thought that he was doing well breathing on his own. She felt good about Kevin getting off the vent.
They have been putting Kevin into a sitting position a couple times per day. When they move him like that, he seems to open his eyes more. Mary Ann, Angie’s sister saw Kevin’s left eye (iris) move earlier when I was in there.
We are looking at ordering some silicone bracelets that say “pray for kevin” on them. If you would like to help with the cost for this, just send me a note!
Feel free to forward this message on or better yet just have people go and sign up here at http://www.prayforkevin.com/ to receive updates. Look in the top right corner.
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
____________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Sunday, September 6, 2009
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
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
Update #26 on Kevin
Lots to update on. Last night respiratory started weaning Kevin off his ventilator. They lowered the rate at which the vent helps Kevin breathe from 10 to 8 breaths per minute. Then Kevin does the additional breaths, adding up to somewhere between 16-22 breaths per minute. Around 4:30 AM they lowered it again since Kevin had done so well. They lowered it from 8 to 6 breaths per minute. They are supposed to continue doing this every 8 hours as long as Kevin responds well, dropping it by 2 each time. At 2:30 PM they just lowered his breathing rate from 6 to 4 breaths per minute.
The doctor who has been helping this weekend, told us that he thinks Kevin could be reaching a point where Kevin may open his eyes, appear to move his eyes around, possibly say words (either that make sense or not), but still may not be “awake”. If he does get to that point, if asked to draw a number 2, he would not be able to do that. There would be some miscommunication in his brain/body. It sounds like this doctor is giving us a new worst case scenario. Previously, the worst case scenario was that he might never wake up, but this would be different.
He has moved his head a couple times today. His legs were slightly moving a bit too. When the nurses rolled Kevin over to examine a sore that has been healing well on his backside, I saw him open his eyelids. After they rolled him onto his back, his eyelids stayed open for a little while, never fully closing them. He has opened them back up a couple times since then.
The doctor this weekend had ordered a CATscan and it took place this morning. The doctor then gave us the results today. Kevin’s blood clots aren’t visible on the scan. This means they are either too small to show up and are being absorbed by the body, or have already been absorbed. There was no residual blood on the scans, except in one spot. He said it was on the inside of Kevin’s largest skull fracture (on the right side of his head, above the ear). He also said this was to be expected.
The started putting Kevin in a chair position last night. His bed moves into that position. They will start doing this three times per day to help with circulation and some studies show it helps neurologically. They will also try once per day sitting him in another recliner that starts out flat like a bed. There are studies that show that moving him can help neurologically stimulate the brain.
This doctor, Dr. Dailey, was great answering all of our questions. Very openly and honestly. He told us there is still much that they do not know and cannot predict. He told us about someone who had more damage than Kevin who had been written off by himself and the neurologist. Later on, this patient was dismissed to go home with his brothers. He isn’t exactly the same as before, but he isn’t laying motionless in a coma. He also told us of people with less injuries who never woke up.
About the vent settings, Dr. Dailey told us that he was pleasantly surprised that Kevin had done so well so far being weaned off the ventilator. This is good since it is controlled by the brainstem. It is also good because it opens up more possibilities for Acute Care Centers as a next step for Kevin. There are only three in Tulsa that accept patients on ventilators. If he’s off, there are centers that specialize in brain injuries, but again these don’t accept patients on ventilators.
I also wanted to clarify and explain some of the new areas to keep track of Kevin’s progress. Starting tomorrow, I will start weaning off the old communication, and use only the new. So that means if you are having problems, please write me with questions and I will help you out. We want your involvement and we definitely want your prayers.
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ – This is essentially a blog with whistles. You do not need to sign up for anything to read this. I will post every update I make on this.
http://groups.google.com/group/prayforkevin - This is an email update list. If you are wanting to receive updates as soon as I post them, you may want to sign up here. If you go to www.prayforkevin.com you can subscribe to the list on the right side of the page. If you have problems signing up and want to receive the emails, please reply to me and I can add some on to it manually. The system will not allow me to add a major bulk amount however.
http://www.facebook.com/mattcrosser?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile – on Facebook, you can go and read the updates in “My Notes” section. If that is where you have been reading them and want to continue then by all means go ahead.
http://www.facebook.com/mattcrosser?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=140853109176 – This link may or may not get you to the Facebook group – Pray For Kevin, otherwise you can search groups for “Pray for Kevin” and you should find it.
http://twitter.com/pray4kevin - This last method is for Twitter. I know many of you are unfamiliar with Twitter. But it is best used for very short updates, like a text message on a phone. In fact, after signing up for twitter and “follow”ing Pray4Kevin on Twitter, you can choose to add your cell phone to your profile and turn device updates on for his particular twitter update. Below I’ll list a couple examples of our latest Twitter updates:
“They are prepping Kevin for a morning CATscan at 9. The doctor should also be in some time this morning.about 6 hours ago from web”
“The Respiratory Therapist just lowered his breath support/minute from 8 to 6 & his breathing rate is still staying around 21/minute.about 10 hours ago from web”
“Kevin was active w/his right shoulder & leg, sort of withdrawing them several times. In 4 hrs, they want to reduce vent from 8 to 6.about 13 hours ago from web”
You get the picture.
Sorry for the length of this one. I promise to not make this a habit. Every once in awhile maybe, but not normally.
We are so thankful for your prayers. We are so grateful for the answers that God has given so far to our prayers. Thank you for prayers.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & family
The doctor who has been helping this weekend, told us that he thinks Kevin could be reaching a point where Kevin may open his eyes, appear to move his eyes around, possibly say words (either that make sense or not), but still may not be “awake”. If he does get to that point, if asked to draw a number 2, he would not be able to do that. There would be some miscommunication in his brain/body. It sounds like this doctor is giving us a new worst case scenario. Previously, the worst case scenario was that he might never wake up, but this would be different.
He has moved his head a couple times today. His legs were slightly moving a bit too. When the nurses rolled Kevin over to examine a sore that has been healing well on his backside, I saw him open his eyelids. After they rolled him onto his back, his eyelids stayed open for a little while, never fully closing them. He has opened them back up a couple times since then.
The doctor this weekend had ordered a CATscan and it took place this morning. The doctor then gave us the results today. Kevin’s blood clots aren’t visible on the scan. This means they are either too small to show up and are being absorbed by the body, or have already been absorbed. There was no residual blood on the scans, except in one spot. He said it was on the inside of Kevin’s largest skull fracture (on the right side of his head, above the ear). He also said this was to be expected.
The started putting Kevin in a chair position last night. His bed moves into that position. They will start doing this three times per day to help with circulation and some studies show it helps neurologically. They will also try once per day sitting him in another recliner that starts out flat like a bed. There are studies that show that moving him can help neurologically stimulate the brain.
This doctor, Dr. Dailey, was great answering all of our questions. Very openly and honestly. He told us there is still much that they do not know and cannot predict. He told us about someone who had more damage than Kevin who had been written off by himself and the neurologist. Later on, this patient was dismissed to go home with his brothers. He isn’t exactly the same as before, but he isn’t laying motionless in a coma. He also told us of people with less injuries who never woke up.
About the vent settings, Dr. Dailey told us that he was pleasantly surprised that Kevin had done so well so far being weaned off the ventilator. This is good since it is controlled by the brainstem. It is also good because it opens up more possibilities for Acute Care Centers as a next step for Kevin. There are only three in Tulsa that accept patients on ventilators. If he’s off, there are centers that specialize in brain injuries, but again these don’t accept patients on ventilators.
I also wanted to clarify and explain some of the new areas to keep track of Kevin’s progress. Starting tomorrow, I will start weaning off the old communication, and use only the new. So that means if you are having problems, please write me with questions and I will help you out. We want your involvement and we definitely want your prayers.
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ – This is essentially a blog with whistles. You do not need to sign up for anything to read this. I will post every update I make on this.
http://groups.google.com/group/prayforkevin - This is an email update list. If you are wanting to receive updates as soon as I post them, you may want to sign up here. If you go to www.prayforkevin.com you can subscribe to the list on the right side of the page. If you have problems signing up and want to receive the emails, please reply to me and I can add some on to it manually. The system will not allow me to add a major bulk amount however.
http://www.facebook.com/mattcrosser?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile – on Facebook, you can go and read the updates in “My Notes” section. If that is where you have been reading them and want to continue then by all means go ahead.
http://www.facebook.com/mattcrosser?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=140853109176 – This link may or may not get you to the Facebook group – Pray For Kevin, otherwise you can search groups for “Pray for Kevin” and you should find it.
http://twitter.com/pray4kevin - This last method is for Twitter. I know many of you are unfamiliar with Twitter. But it is best used for very short updates, like a text message on a phone. In fact, after signing up for twitter and “follow”ing Pray4Kevin on Twitter, you can choose to add your cell phone to your profile and turn device updates on for his particular twitter update. Below I’ll list a couple examples of our latest Twitter updates:
“They are prepping Kevin for a morning CATscan at 9. The doctor should also be in some time this morning.about 6 hours ago from web”
“The Respiratory Therapist just lowered his breath support/minute from 8 to 6 & his breathing rate is still staying around 21/minute.about 10 hours ago from web”
“Kevin was active w/his right shoulder & leg, sort of withdrawing them several times. In 4 hrs, they want to reduce vent from 8 to 6.about 13 hours ago from web”
You get the picture.
Sorry for the length of this one. I promise to not make this a habit. Every once in awhile maybe, but not normally.
We are so thankful for your prayers. We are so grateful for the answers that God has given so far to our prayers. Thank you for prayers.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & family
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Update #25 on Kevin
Today, we spoke with a physician’s assistant, Greg Daly (not spelled like that, but don’t remember). He told us that he has been gone for two weeks and is now catching up with Kevin’s info. After examining Kevin and talking with us, he put in a slew of new orders. The family is excited because it seems like this doctor is wanting to try do some things that we have been hearing about.
After a week and a half with no new CATscan, this doctor is ordering one. After a week or more of no new ventilator changes, this doctor has ordered new changes (they are in fact in effect already). They have lowered the amount of times the vent helps Kevin breathe from 10 per minute to 8 pm. They lowered the pressure that they were filling his lungs with from around 20 to 15. They also lowered his PEEP settings from 8 to 6. Not sure exactly what it is (Positive end-expiratory pressure), but it helps decrease the work in breathing.
After a week of not hearing from the Neurosurgeon, this doctor was going to look and see if the Neurosurgeon had left any notes. He was also ordering something like a sonogram for Kevin’s left arm. It is more swollen than the right. He said there could be fluid build-up, or it could be the fact that the arms are the last to heal or show signs in a trauma or it could be a blood clot where the IV pick goes in, and this is why he is ordering a sonogram. There isn’t too much concern about the clot moving, normally he said clots don’t move around from the arms.
They also sat Kevin’s bed up like a chair, so that he was sitting up. They sat him up for about an hour. Tomorrow, they want to put him in one of the pink recliners.
Kevin’s favorite sports team is the Oklahoma Sooners. They are playing their first game of the season tonight. Some of us are watching it in the waiting room, some of us are watching in his room. It’s turned up loud so maybe the sounds and noise of football wakes him up. But then they lost, so that wasn’t good thing.
And they finally shaved him, so it looks more like Kevin.
We put our trust in God. We wait and we pray. We hope and we prepare.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
After a week and a half with no new CATscan, this doctor is ordering one. After a week or more of no new ventilator changes, this doctor has ordered new changes (they are in fact in effect already). They have lowered the amount of times the vent helps Kevin breathe from 10 per minute to 8 pm. They lowered the pressure that they were filling his lungs with from around 20 to 15. They also lowered his PEEP settings from 8 to 6. Not sure exactly what it is (Positive end-expiratory pressure), but it helps decrease the work in breathing.
After a week of not hearing from the Neurosurgeon, this doctor was going to look and see if the Neurosurgeon had left any notes. He was also ordering something like a sonogram for Kevin’s left arm. It is more swollen than the right. He said there could be fluid build-up, or it could be the fact that the arms are the last to heal or show signs in a trauma or it could be a blood clot where the IV pick goes in, and this is why he is ordering a sonogram. There isn’t too much concern about the clot moving, normally he said clots don’t move around from the arms.
They also sat Kevin’s bed up like a chair, so that he was sitting up. They sat him up for about an hour. Tomorrow, they want to put him in one of the pink recliners.
Kevin’s favorite sports team is the Oklahoma Sooners. They are playing their first game of the season tonight. Some of us are watching it in the waiting room, some of us are watching in his room. It’s turned up loud so maybe the sounds and noise of football wakes him up. But then they lost, so that wasn’t good thing.
And they finally shaved him, so it looks more like Kevin.
We put our trust in God. We wait and we pray. We hope and we prepare.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
Update #24 on Kevin
It was our night at the hotel last night. We heard this morning that Kevin moved his head slightly. Apparently, his head was leaning to one side and he moved it from leaning to straight ahead as if looking up. We’ll celebrate every new movement and every continued progress.
Matt, Angie and Family
Matt, Angie and Family
Friday, September 4, 2009
Update #23 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
First things first. Kevin two procedures this morning and they both went really well. He had a tracheostomy put in his neck for respiratory functions and a feeding plug into his stomach. Afterwards, they bathed him and he is resting now from all the procedures.
Afterwards, Angie was in with him and saw him make something like a swallow action. The nurse told us that since the tubes are no longer in his throat, he will now just swallow the secretions that they have been siphoning out until now.
We are in the process of moving our communication lines to a more purposeful direction. If you would like to receive or continue receiving email updates you need to go to http://www.prayforkevin.com/ and choose to subscribe to Google Groups “Pray for Kevin” on the upper right side of the page. You can also go directly to http://groups.google.com/group/prayforkevin and sign up there too. We will be posting all updates on www.prayforkevin.com and we welcome all comments and notes to the family and Kevin.
If you use Twitter, you can sign up for bite-size updates at http://twitter.com/pray4kevin You can even choose to follow these updates and have them sent as text messages to your phone. These will be all throughout the day, around 140 characters or less each time.
I will continue posting updates on my Facebook account under “My Notes” section, but if you are in the Taking Christ to Italy: Go Verona group we will cease putting regular communication there too. Instead we have a group on Facebook called Pray for Kevin, it is found at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140853109176 or listed under groups that I belong too.
Over the weekend I will be using the old format of communication, as well as the new format. Sorry if you get double or triple messages. After the weekend I will focus only on the new format of communication, after allowing time for people to join what the want to receive.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this transition, we don’t want to leave anyone out!! We are also considering silicone bracelets for people to wear who want to show their prayer support for Kevin. We just have to explore how to pay for these.
Today is Kevin’s son Kohl’s 19th birthday. Pray that we have a great celebration in the midst of tragedy and craziness.
Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your encouragement. Thanks for your love. Thanks for your help.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & Family
Afterwards, Angie was in with him and saw him make something like a swallow action. The nurse told us that since the tubes are no longer in his throat, he will now just swallow the secretions that they have been siphoning out until now.
We are in the process of moving our communication lines to a more purposeful direction. If you would like to receive or continue receiving email updates you need to go to http://www.prayforkevin.com/ and choose to subscribe to Google Groups “Pray for Kevin” on the upper right side of the page. You can also go directly to http://groups.google.com/group/prayforkevin and sign up there too. We will be posting all updates on www.prayforkevin.com and we welcome all comments and notes to the family and Kevin.
If you use Twitter, you can sign up for bite-size updates at http://twitter.com/pray4kevin You can even choose to follow these updates and have them sent as text messages to your phone. These will be all throughout the day, around 140 characters or less each time.
I will continue posting updates on my Facebook account under “My Notes” section, but if you are in the Taking Christ to Italy: Go Verona group we will cease putting regular communication there too. Instead we have a group on Facebook called Pray for Kevin, it is found at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140853109176 or listed under groups that I belong too.
Over the weekend I will be using the old format of communication, as well as the new format. Sorry if you get double or triple messages. After the weekend I will focus only on the new format of communication, after allowing time for people to join what the want to receive.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this transition, we don’t want to leave anyone out!! We are also considering silicone bracelets for people to wear who want to show their prayer support for Kevin. We just have to explore how to pay for these.
Today is Kevin’s son Kohl’s 19th birthday. Pray that we have a great celebration in the midst of tragedy and craziness.
Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your encouragement. Thanks for your love. Thanks for your help.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & Family
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Update #22 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
They did the UV filter procedure and Kevin has been back in his room for a couple hours. The procedure went well.
They have the tracheostomy planned for around 10 AM tomorrow, but as one doctor told me, they aren’t really schedules in hospitals. We met the doctor who is doing the feeding plug (into Kevin’s stomach). He is really great and gave us his number if we have any questions, day or night. He said he will do the feeding plug procedure, which takes about 8 minutes, sometime before or after the tracheostomy.
Tomorrow is Kohl’s birthday. He is turning 19. Pray for Kohl and the family, since we would love to have Kevin there for his son’s birthday.
Growing up, there was different times where I wanted to be like my big brothers. I remember when I was real little watching Kevin and his confidence. As a teen and young adult, Kevin’s favorite song was by Mac Davis. It was called, “Oh Lord Its Hard To Be Humble”. Here’s the chorus…
“Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
when you're perfect in every way.
I can't wait to look in the mirror
'cos I get better looking each day
to know me is to love me
I must be a heck of a man.
O Lord it's hard to be humble
but I'm doing the best that I can.”
I remember Kevin standing looking into the mirror, smiling and singing that song….to himself and any of us that could hear him. It’s interesting, that for years I fought against the moniker of “little brother”. At a certain point I was as tall as my brothers, and then passed them. When my brothers would introduce me to people, the reply would be….”your little brother? I don’t think so. Maybe he’s your younger brother.” Oh what I would give to have Kevin introduce me as his little brother today.
Thanks for your prayers and heartfelt statements. Thanks for contributing to 742-DINE and our hotel costs. Thanks for doing laundry and bringing snacks and drinks out of love. Thanks for praying us through this.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & family
They have the tracheostomy planned for around 10 AM tomorrow, but as one doctor told me, they aren’t really schedules in hospitals. We met the doctor who is doing the feeding plug (into Kevin’s stomach). He is really great and gave us his number if we have any questions, day or night. He said he will do the feeding plug procedure, which takes about 8 minutes, sometime before or after the tracheostomy.
Tomorrow is Kohl’s birthday. He is turning 19. Pray for Kohl and the family, since we would love to have Kevin there for his son’s birthday.
Growing up, there was different times where I wanted to be like my big brothers. I remember when I was real little watching Kevin and his confidence. As a teen and young adult, Kevin’s favorite song was by Mac Davis. It was called, “Oh Lord Its Hard To Be Humble”. Here’s the chorus…
“Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
when you're perfect in every way.
I can't wait to look in the mirror
'cos I get better looking each day
to know me is to love me
I must be a heck of a man.
O Lord it's hard to be humble
but I'm doing the best that I can.”
I remember Kevin standing looking into the mirror, smiling and singing that song….to himself and any of us that could hear him. It’s interesting, that for years I fought against the moniker of “little brother”. At a certain point I was as tall as my brothers, and then passed them. When my brothers would introduce me to people, the reply would be….”your little brother? I don’t think so. Maybe he’s your younger brother.” Oh what I would give to have Kevin introduce me as his little brother today.
Thanks for your prayers and heartfelt statements. Thanks for contributing to 742-DINE and our hotel costs. Thanks for doing laundry and bringing snacks and drinks out of love. Thanks for praying us through this.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & family
Update #21 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
The night we flew in from Italy (arriving four days after Kevin’s accident) Angie and I went straight to the hospital. Exhausted and tired from our travel, yet on a high from finally arriving to my brother’s side, we stayed with him our first night in the hospital. Such a strange sight. Tubes connected to him. Bags hanging around him. And a myriad of machines examining him. There were beeps of all kinds. Simple beeps, beeps with melodies. All alarms to some changing condition of Kevin, either from blood pressure, heart rate, lung pressure, respiratory rate, etc… It was all so foreign to us. It was like learning another language all over again.
The night before last, Angie and I stayed once more with Kevin. In fact, since that first night we have stayed there every other night. On the off nights staying at the hotel (like last night). There were still machines and tubes and beeps, but there were less. Less tubes going into my brother’s body. Less machine controlling him, where he has regained some functionality. Less beeps and alarms going off throughout the day and the night. The beeps that do go off are less foreign to us. For example, we understand for a certain beep it just means he coughed whether we saw it or not. We have done well learning this new language. As difficult as it has been.
Early yesterday evening, the elders from Cedar Ridge Christian Church came up and prayed over Kevin. They prayed for healing, restoration and for the family to lean on Christ.
Kevin’s flood restoration has been going well. There were some hiccups yesterday with insurance agents, but that seems to be handled and some semblance of peace restored there. Kevin’s lower kitchen cabinets have been taken out and other steps are being taken to remodel the damaged home. The family has to go through every single thing that was in the house and determine if damaged is it worth saving. I stopped by the warehouse that has all the stuff. It was the first time I confronted that world. I was at the hospital whenever the cleanup was going on, and I never saw the flood. When I first saw furniture that I have only known in Kevin’s house, I felt sick to my stomach. This was wrong. These things didn’t belong here. And it further hit me that Kevin was unable to go through them himself at this time. The next thing, that hit my mind was how it reminded me of our furniture and possessions that had been in storage in Italy for a year and a half. We finally moved to our new apartment in June and we didn’t expect to be back in the states for another two years. Then the accident. Thoughts of Italy, bring thoughts of our team that I am leading, as well as thoughts of our little dog, Brinkley, whom we miss dearly and is staying with our teammate April in Verona. Lots of questions swirl in our minds as we are faced with a future of uncertainty.
In the hours before we left last night, Kevin’s legs were particularly active. Not moving much, you understand, but slightly rocking. Kevin’s left shoulder was seen pulling back for the first time and his vitals were stable. The IV filter procedure that I mentioned in a previous update would be done in radiology, they wouldn’t need to go to an OR. During the procedure they have to see what they are doing and in radiology they can monitor with something like a sonogram, for instance.
Also, thanks for those of you who gave towards 742-DINE. The family used it last night. It worked out great. They brought the food in 40 minutes. If you do want to give towards that, the account number has changed. For the Crosser family the account number is 4374300. Thanks!
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
The night before last, Angie and I stayed once more with Kevin. In fact, since that first night we have stayed there every other night. On the off nights staying at the hotel (like last night). There were still machines and tubes and beeps, but there were less. Less tubes going into my brother’s body. Less machine controlling him, where he has regained some functionality. Less beeps and alarms going off throughout the day and the night. The beeps that do go off are less foreign to us. For example, we understand for a certain beep it just means he coughed whether we saw it or not. We have done well learning this new language. As difficult as it has been.
Early yesterday evening, the elders from Cedar Ridge Christian Church came up and prayed over Kevin. They prayed for healing, restoration and for the family to lean on Christ.
Kevin’s flood restoration has been going well. There were some hiccups yesterday with insurance agents, but that seems to be handled and some semblance of peace restored there. Kevin’s lower kitchen cabinets have been taken out and other steps are being taken to remodel the damaged home. The family has to go through every single thing that was in the house and determine if damaged is it worth saving. I stopped by the warehouse that has all the stuff. It was the first time I confronted that world. I was at the hospital whenever the cleanup was going on, and I never saw the flood. When I first saw furniture that I have only known in Kevin’s house, I felt sick to my stomach. This was wrong. These things didn’t belong here. And it further hit me that Kevin was unable to go through them himself at this time. The next thing, that hit my mind was how it reminded me of our furniture and possessions that had been in storage in Italy for a year and a half. We finally moved to our new apartment in June and we didn’t expect to be back in the states for another two years. Then the accident. Thoughts of Italy, bring thoughts of our team that I am leading, as well as thoughts of our little dog, Brinkley, whom we miss dearly and is staying with our teammate April in Verona. Lots of questions swirl in our minds as we are faced with a future of uncertainty.
In the hours before we left last night, Kevin’s legs were particularly active. Not moving much, you understand, but slightly rocking. Kevin’s left shoulder was seen pulling back for the first time and his vitals were stable. The IV filter procedure that I mentioned in a previous update would be done in radiology, they wouldn’t need to go to an OR. During the procedure they have to see what they are doing and in radiology they can monitor with something like a sonogram, for instance.
Also, thanks for those of you who gave towards 742-DINE. The family used it last night. It worked out great. They brought the food in 40 minutes. If you do want to give towards that, the account number has changed. For the Crosser family the account number is 4374300. Thanks!
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Update #20 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
This morning the team of doctors came in. While Dr. Bergen and a couple others did Kevin’s examination, Dr. Wang updated Angie and I on what they were thinking for the next few days. They want to place an intravenous filter in a large vein going to Kevin’s lungs. This would catch any blood clots that might come loose and enter Kevin’s lungs, which would be bad. The filter is shaped like an umbrella and inserts into the vein. If scheduled this procedure would be tomorrow.
After that procedure goes well, they will plan the tracheostomy procedure. It could be done in his room, or down in an OR. Dr. Wang said if she does the procedure she will most likely do the feeding tube move to the stomach at the same time.
The nurses got him bathed again (a daily routine) and shaved. Two of the nurses saw different notes to Kevin on the wall and commented on them. They were reading them. One of the nurses told us that you can tell something about a person, when you see their room, and see the people coming and see family and friends staying with him all day every day.
Remember a great way to help the family is by contributing to 742-DINE (918-742-3463). You can find out more about it at http://www.742dine.com/. But you can just call that number and give them the Crosser account number which is - #5553900. Our family has been blessed beyond belief with offers of help and assistance, such as dinners brought up, errands run, household chores at Kevin’s house and other involved family members. We are so grateful.
Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement and prayers.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & family
After that procedure goes well, they will plan the tracheostomy procedure. It could be done in his room, or down in an OR. Dr. Wang said if she does the procedure she will most likely do the feeding tube move to the stomach at the same time.
The nurses got him bathed again (a daily routine) and shaved. Two of the nurses saw different notes to Kevin on the wall and commented on them. They were reading them. One of the nurses told us that you can tell something about a person, when you see their room, and see the people coming and see family and friends staying with him all day every day.
Remember a great way to help the family is by contributing to 742-DINE (918-742-3463). You can find out more about it at http://www.742dine.com/. But you can just call that number and give them the Crosser account number which is - #5553900. Our family has been blessed beyond belief with offers of help and assistance, such as dinners brought up, errands run, household chores at Kevin’s house and other involved family members. We are so grateful.
Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement and prayers.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie & family
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Update #19 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
Today has been somewhat slow as far as developments go. The new doctor, Dr. Wang started off today with a splash. She came in with a team of about seven doctors! It sounded like a medical TV drama. Angie and I were at the hotel with Jacob, Mom and Dad. Taylor and Kohl were staying with Kevin. They didn’t have much to say, but I assume more will come as Dr. Wang continues the week. She did say that it looked like they would be doing the tracheostomy and moving feeding tube this week.
Kevin’s house has been dried out. Carpet has been pulled completely out. The restorers are working on the next step. They are pulling the molding off the doorways. Doors have already been removed. Some spots they will be cutting sheetrock up to 36 inches high in some spots to be replaced.
In early evening the elders from Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa came up to anoint Kevin with oil and pray over him for healing. Including three staff, there were ten men representing the church. It was a great experience and very encouraging. Tomorrow elders from Cedar Ridge Christian Church will be coming to pray over Kevin also.
A little while ago, several family and visitors were back with Kevin. They were testing his feet for reflexes. They ran a key across the bottom of Kevin’s feet and several times he had a reaction. His foot would pull away several of the times when his feet had been scraped.
Angie and I are staying with Kevin tonight. In the morning, we’ll hear from the doctor again. And I know that we’ll hear from many of you too. There are some verses from Daniel that keep coming to my mind. I know that Kevin would want me to share them with you too. In Daniel chapter 3, there is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The king had set up an idol and they wouldn’t bow down to it. The king threatened to throw them in a fiery furnace….
“16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." ”
In regards to Kevin, we know that the God we serve is able to save us from this tragedy and rescue us from this pain and sadness, but EVEN IF HE DOES NOT…….God is still on his throne. God will still care for us. God still loves us. Eternity with Him is still possible for those who know Him.
Thanks for praying for Kevin. Thanks for praying for miracles. Thanks for praying for our family.
Thanks,
Matt & Angie
Kevin’s house has been dried out. Carpet has been pulled completely out. The restorers are working on the next step. They are pulling the molding off the doorways. Doors have already been removed. Some spots they will be cutting sheetrock up to 36 inches high in some spots to be replaced.
In early evening the elders from Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa came up to anoint Kevin with oil and pray over him for healing. Including three staff, there were ten men representing the church. It was a great experience and very encouraging. Tomorrow elders from Cedar Ridge Christian Church will be coming to pray over Kevin also.
A little while ago, several family and visitors were back with Kevin. They were testing his feet for reflexes. They ran a key across the bottom of Kevin’s feet and several times he had a reaction. His foot would pull away several of the times when his feet had been scraped.
Angie and I are staying with Kevin tonight. In the morning, we’ll hear from the doctor again. And I know that we’ll hear from many of you too. There are some verses from Daniel that keep coming to my mind. I know that Kevin would want me to share them with you too. In Daniel chapter 3, there is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The king had set up an idol and they wouldn’t bow down to it. The king threatened to throw them in a fiery furnace….
“16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." ”
In regards to Kevin, we know that the God we serve is able to save us from this tragedy and rescue us from this pain and sadness, but EVEN IF HE DOES NOT…….God is still on his throne. God will still care for us. God still loves us. Eternity with Him is still possible for those who know Him.
Thanks for praying for Kevin. Thanks for praying for miracles. Thanks for praying for our family.
Thanks,
Matt & Angie
Update #18 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
This afternoon, we met Dr. Wang. She is one of two new doctors coming to Saint Francis Hospital tomorrow. They will be running all of the Trauma ICU. Dr. Wang came by as she was meeting the patients. She told us that she wanted families to be involved. In the mornings, she will come by and check on Kevin, afterwards talking with the family and making herself open to questions. She seemed to have a very optimistic spirit.
Family friend, Jack Foreman, saw something while he and his wife Shirley were visiting today. I saw him leaning over and looking at Kevin intently. I asked him what he saw and he said “his arm moving”. We watched and watched. We didn’t see it move again. But that was the first time that anyone had seen his arm move since being in there. The doctors would call it a reflex, but it’s a reflex that he had not done so far!!
Later on, Dr. Fayer came back in and we told him that we met Dr. Wang. He said she was great and the hospital staff was excited to have her on board. He will continue coming through, as well as Dr. Fell, the neurosurgeon. I asked if there was something we were waiting for in order for them to place the tracheostomy. He said there was. On the ventilator machine, there is a setting called PEEP. It has something to do with pressure on the lungs and making it so they don’t collapse. It has a setting of 8. The respiratory therapist later told us it should be at a “5” by we’ll want to confirm that with the doc tomorrow.
The family has been taking turns staying at the hotel that was set up for our family. My parents have been staying there every night for the past week. It has been great to have this resource for the family. For those staying there, breakfast is ready every morning and one less thing to worry about. Staff have been there to help my mom get the ramp/wheelchair out of the car when we could not be there. Maids take care of washing towels, cleaning the bathrooms, and clean the room. More that we can keep off our plate for now. We are so thankful for those of you that sent money to help cover the cost.
Thanks for praying for Kevin and the family,
Matt & Angie
Family friend, Jack Foreman, saw something while he and his wife Shirley were visiting today. I saw him leaning over and looking at Kevin intently. I asked him what he saw and he said “his arm moving”. We watched and watched. We didn’t see it move again. But that was the first time that anyone had seen his arm move since being in there. The doctors would call it a reflex, but it’s a reflex that he had not done so far!!
Later on, Dr. Fayer came back in and we told him that we met Dr. Wang. He said she was great and the hospital staff was excited to have her on board. He will continue coming through, as well as Dr. Fell, the neurosurgeon. I asked if there was something we were waiting for in order for them to place the tracheostomy. He said there was. On the ventilator machine, there is a setting called PEEP. It has something to do with pressure on the lungs and making it so they don’t collapse. It has a setting of 8. The respiratory therapist later told us it should be at a “5” by we’ll want to confirm that with the doc tomorrow.
The family has been taking turns staying at the hotel that was set up for our family. My parents have been staying there every night for the past week. It has been great to have this resource for the family. For those staying there, breakfast is ready every morning and one less thing to worry about. Staff have been there to help my mom get the ramp/wheelchair out of the car when we could not be there. Maids take care of washing towels, cleaning the bathrooms, and clean the room. More that we can keep off our plate for now. We are so thankful for those of you that sent money to help cover the cost.
Thanks for praying for Kevin and the family,
Matt & Angie
Monday, August 31, 2009
Update #17 on Matt's Brother, Kevin
During the night Kevin did well. He had two B.M.’s which was really good. The doctor said he is digesting and that he heard bowel sounds. Both of which are also good. The doctor also said his labs are looking better. The X-rays still showed something, like pneumonia, but that X-rays can sometimes lag behind. He said that the antibiotics seem to be working.
Doctor Fell, the neurosurgeon, came in and went through his exam. There was response on Kevin’s right foot to stimulus, but not on the left. After the exam he said there is no neurological change in Kevin’s condition and that he would check back with us in a couple days. He has been coming daily.
Throughout the morning, Kevin has been slightly rocking his right knee. There has been a few times on his left knee too. At one point, I stayed in there while Angie went out for a minute. When she was leaving the room, she touched Kevin’s foot and told him she would be back. Kevin moved his left leg in response to the touch.
We are encouraged by so many of you. Your prayers, your words, your giving to the housing, your giving towards meals, your time taken to see Kevin and encourage the family. We are sustained through God and God working in you. I hope as you join us in this process, whether that be through email, facebook, text messages, face-to-face, etc… that you would be compelled to see Christ.
I can’t tell you how many times Kevin introduced someone to me, then wanted me to share with them about Jesus. I told him that he didn’t need a minister or missionary, that he could do it and for many years now he has been trying to do this. I do wonder what Kevin would think about all of what is going on around him. Friends and family coming out of the woodwork, describing in the second breath how many times he helped them with something. I know he would want us to take this opportunity to examine our hearts and make sure they were right with Christ. If any of you would need to talk about this, know that I would count towards fulfilling a desire of Kevin’s to share with you. There are also several other area ministers that have been up and are available to chat about these things as well.
Thanks for praying,
Matt & Angie
Doctor Fell, the neurosurgeon, came in and went through his exam. There was response on Kevin’s right foot to stimulus, but not on the left. After the exam he said there is no neurological change in Kevin’s condition and that he would check back with us in a couple days. He has been coming daily.
Throughout the morning, Kevin has been slightly rocking his right knee. There has been a few times on his left knee too. At one point, I stayed in there while Angie went out for a minute. When she was leaving the room, she touched Kevin’s foot and told him she would be back. Kevin moved his left leg in response to the touch.
We are encouraged by so many of you. Your prayers, your words, your giving to the housing, your giving towards meals, your time taken to see Kevin and encourage the family. We are sustained through God and God working in you. I hope as you join us in this process, whether that be through email, facebook, text messages, face-to-face, etc… that you would be compelled to see Christ.
I can’t tell you how many times Kevin introduced someone to me, then wanted me to share with them about Jesus. I told him that he didn’t need a minister or missionary, that he could do it and for many years now he has been trying to do this. I do wonder what Kevin would think about all of what is going on around him. Friends and family coming out of the woodwork, describing in the second breath how many times he helped them with something. I know he would want us to take this opportunity to examine our hearts and make sure they were right with Christ. If any of you would need to talk about this, know that I would count towards fulfilling a desire of Kevin’s to share with you. There are also several other area ministers that have been up and are available to chat about these things as well.
Thanks for praying,
Matt & Angie
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