So, in a couple days, Kevin will have been home for three months. After almost four months an answered prayer arrived at Kevin’s house….his wheelchair. It is really nice, and a much better fit than the “one-size-fits-all” geri-chair. We are glad to get rid of it. We’re calling the medical supply rental company to pick it up this week.
After a week of helping us get used to using the new wheelchair, our two therapists discharged Kevin. He is progressing, but not fast enough for them to stay on right now. They cannot do anything more than they have taught us at this point. As Kevin continues to progress they may be able to return. Kevin had much trauma to his brain, therefore we have to wait for his brain to catch up to his body in healing. He doesn’t have major spasms anymore, he stretches out when awakened, starting to stabilize his head more and more, and able to cough out most normal secretions.
Last week, Kevin had some sort of cold that was making his secretions worse. That meant we had to suction him more than normal. He is finally starting to get over it, so he can get back to his normal healing rate.
With the wheelchair comes new freedom for Kevin. The first couple days we started to take him around the house and see things like his new kitchen that was built for him. Every once in awhile, as we pointed out different things in the kitchen, he would turn his head in that direction! We were happy he was alert for the tour.
Another freedom is taking Kevin outside. Once the weather warms up a little and stops raining, we can take him outside.
When Kevin has doctor visits, he no longer needs the assistance of EMSA (ambulatory services) to come and pick him up. Family friends have a lift equipped van and have graciously offered the use of it whenever we want. Friday was the maiden trip and we took him to his pulmonologist. Angie and I, along with our nurse, loaded Kevin up and went to the doctor’s office, then to another location to get an X-ray, finally grabbing some fast food for lunch before heading home. It worked out so well. We are looking forward to our next “field trip”.
The lung doctor remarked that Kevin continues to look better. This doctor has been seeing him since September. She said every time she sees Kevin he looks better to her. She changed out Kevin’s trach, causing some bleeding, but not as much as last time.
Today, Saturday March 13th, was the last day of our previously approved nursing. We found out on Friday, that Kevin was approved again for another four weeks of nursing, putting the next end date at April 11th. One of our main nurses had to take some emergency family time off, and a new nurse started last week. She has done a really good job and cares for Kevin very much. Kevin has been blessed to have the quality of nursing that he has had at home. We are so thankful.
Thanks to those who have brought over a couple meals, it was such a big help and tasty too!
If anyone has a standing “A” frame lying around their house, we might be able to put it to good use. I believe it might have to have some specifics, but other than that they are made to fit various sizes of people.
Thanks so much for your prayers. Thank you for praying even when we don’t report. Thanks for thinking of us and sending cards, calling or coming by. It helps it not be so lonely and gives Kevin some new stimulation. He’s probably had just about enough of me and the rest of the family!
-Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
Website: http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pray4kevin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140853109176
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Update #117 on Kevin
I currently have a beard. I know, I know, you’re thinking…it’s been this long and he’s writing about facial hair? Hang with me, I’m going somewhere here. I don’t always have a full beard, but in certain times in my life, I have grown one. There have also been times where I grew it just because, but most often I have grown one when something big and difficult is going on in our lives. I don’t think I have ever told anyone this before. It’s like my own little nazarite vow with God. I’m not pledging anything to God by growing, except maybe allegiance to Him. It’s the idea that I can relax and let Him be God and take care of not only me, but with any situation that I am confronted.
Kevin’s been home at his house for two months. While these have been some very stressful months, they have also been very good months. How do you find goodness in a difficult situation? Well, I do think it is very difficult, if not impossible to do this without God. Relaxing in Him, and letting God be the one responsible is the ideal, which is the daily struggle. We don’t always relax, in fact often we worry and fear and cry and get angry, yet it the times we do trust and truly relax in Him are the best times. Those are the times that we yearn for.
Since the last update, we have had nursing approved twice for two week periods. Last Friday, we got approval for one month of eight hours per day nursing. This goes until March 13, 2010. We will request more as that date approaches. We have one main nurse five days per week and another nurse here on the other two days. They are both answers to prayer for Kevin, as is actually having the nursing at all.
Physical and Occupational therapists have both continued coming helping see where Kevin’s limits are with the tasks that he is able to endure. Sitting assisted on the edge of the bed has increased from a 20 minute activity to as long as 65 minutes. This tasks is actually limited by those of us taking turns to assist Kevin. Several professionals have indicated that Kevin might benefit from a communication board. This would be something that Kevin could look at and respond to our questions since he is still not communicating verbally. He could look at a certain picture to answer yes or no, or something of that effect. We are hoping that we can find the right Speech Therapist to work with Kevin.
We were able, thanks to those of you who responded, to fix the house needs in order to reinstate Kevin’s new home insurance.
After three months of struggling with Kevin’s medical insurance, they finally approved Kevin’s wheelchair. It should be here by the weekend. With it we can do all sorts of new stimulation from taking him outside to positioning in the chair and field trips.
Today, we took Kevin to his pulmonologist (lung doctor). She was one of Kevin’s pulmonologists at Meadorbrook. She thought Kevin looked very well cared for as well as looking more alert than the last time she saw him. She gave us a great deal of time and attention as well as changing out Kevin’s trach tube right there in her office. She wanted to do it now, since it had been a little longer than you would normally want to leave the same one in. He has had this one the entire time he has been home, plus a week or so prior. It went really smoothly, except that taking it out caused bleeding. Apparently, the longer a trach tube is in (and not changed out) makes it more possible for the skin around it to attach. She remained calm and took care of Kevin’s bleeding. After stopping the bleeding, she said we might see more blood get coughed out in the next 24 hours. He coughed a little after we got back home, but all night so far (from 11pm to 4am) he has only coughed once.
She also changed out Kevin’s trach to one that would make it easier to cap and allow him the opportunity to make vocal sounds when possible. This means now we have to clean out the inner part of his trach tube rather than inserting disposable ones.
Thanks to those of you who have brought lunch or dinner by for our family. It has been extremely helpful. Also, thanks again for all your prayers, we appreciate them tremendously.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Kevin’s been home at his house for two months. While these have been some very stressful months, they have also been very good months. How do you find goodness in a difficult situation? Well, I do think it is very difficult, if not impossible to do this without God. Relaxing in Him, and letting God be the one responsible is the ideal, which is the daily struggle. We don’t always relax, in fact often we worry and fear and cry and get angry, yet it the times we do trust and truly relax in Him are the best times. Those are the times that we yearn for.
Since the last update, we have had nursing approved twice for two week periods. Last Friday, we got approval for one month of eight hours per day nursing. This goes until March 13, 2010. We will request more as that date approaches. We have one main nurse five days per week and another nurse here on the other two days. They are both answers to prayer for Kevin, as is actually having the nursing at all.
Physical and Occupational therapists have both continued coming helping see where Kevin’s limits are with the tasks that he is able to endure. Sitting assisted on the edge of the bed has increased from a 20 minute activity to as long as 65 minutes. This tasks is actually limited by those of us taking turns to assist Kevin. Several professionals have indicated that Kevin might benefit from a communication board. This would be something that Kevin could look at and respond to our questions since he is still not communicating verbally. He could look at a certain picture to answer yes or no, or something of that effect. We are hoping that we can find the right Speech Therapist to work with Kevin.
We were able, thanks to those of you who responded, to fix the house needs in order to reinstate Kevin’s new home insurance.
After three months of struggling with Kevin’s medical insurance, they finally approved Kevin’s wheelchair. It should be here by the weekend. With it we can do all sorts of new stimulation from taking him outside to positioning in the chair and field trips.
Today, we took Kevin to his pulmonologist (lung doctor). She was one of Kevin’s pulmonologists at Meadorbrook. She thought Kevin looked very well cared for as well as looking more alert than the last time she saw him. She gave us a great deal of time and attention as well as changing out Kevin’s trach tube right there in her office. She wanted to do it now, since it had been a little longer than you would normally want to leave the same one in. He has had this one the entire time he has been home, plus a week or so prior. It went really smoothly, except that taking it out caused bleeding. Apparently, the longer a trach tube is in (and not changed out) makes it more possible for the skin around it to attach. She remained calm and took care of Kevin’s bleeding. After stopping the bleeding, she said we might see more blood get coughed out in the next 24 hours. He coughed a little after we got back home, but all night so far (from 11pm to 4am) he has only coughed once.
She also changed out Kevin’s trach to one that would make it easier to cap and allow him the opportunity to make vocal sounds when possible. This means now we have to clean out the inner part of his trach tube rather than inserting disposable ones.
Thanks to those of you who have brought lunch or dinner by for our family. It has been extremely helpful. Also, thanks again for all your prayers, we appreciate them tremendously.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Update #116 on Kevin
Here I sit in the dark on my night shift with Kevin. His room is the living room and I have crashed on the couch. Angie will relieve me at 5 AM and I’ll head to bed for a bit. Kevin has been coughing a little more the last few days, but not too much tonight. Last Saturday, Kevin has been home a month. Five months ago today was Kevin’s accident. We knew the odds were up against him those first few days and weeks, so to think we are here with him, five months later is pretty amazing.
Last week, we asked you to pray about the peer to peer doctor phone call. Basically, the result was that Kevin got approved for another two weeks of eight hours per day nursing. It may end then or we may be able to get more extensions, we don’t know, but God does.
During the past several days Kevin has done some really cool stuff. I’ve told you about using the Wii and PS3 for therapy and coma stimulation with Kevin. Well, last week Kevin was pushing the button with his thumb a few times and trying a few more, it seemed difficult for him to push it all the way. He has done this a couple times now. One of those times, Kevin’s nurse asked Kevin to squeeze his hand if he wanted to keep playing. Then he asked him to not squeeze if he wanted to stop and rest. Then he reversed the question. Squeeze the nurse’s hand if he wanted to stop and rest and don’t squeeze if Kevin wanted to keep playing. He squeezed consistently to keep playing, even though his eyes were drooping and looked tired!
Then that night, we had Kevin in the geri-chair. Our mom was there and she was sitting behind him to his right. The TV was on the wall in front of him and turned on. Angie asked Kevin if he wanted to turn around to see his mom to squeeze her hand. He did. Then she asked him to squeeze her hands if he wanted to stay where he was and watch the TV. He didn’t squeeze. She asked him again and he consistently responded to the questions.
Every two hours we need to adjust Kevin’s body position in bed. This is called ‘turning’ him. I have to do this in about fifteen minutes in fact. But last Saturday night, I went to turn Kevin to his left and told him so as I came to the bed. I hesitated because I was making sure that I had everything in place before Kevin in an uncomfortable transition position. As I hesitated, Kevin’s body tightened up, it seemed every muscle was working over-time and he rolled to the left. Every other time, when Kevin has contracted his muscles he stays right where he is making it harder for us to turn him. I was so surprised and I told him thanks for saving my back from turning him!
Physical and Occupational therapy each continue to come twice weekly. They are great encouragement and have helped us do new things with Kevin for building muscle back up in different areas of his body. While OT was here today we were having Kevin do different motions with his hands in a pattern across his body. These motions not only help keep Kevin’s joints looser, but also stimulate his memory of doing these type actions in the past. For example, we took and empty spoon in his hand and made the gesture of ‘getting’ something off a plate and lifting it to his mouth. We know Kevin loves Cool Whip and we had some, so we even tried a little Cool Whip to his lips. He didn’t really respond while OT was here, but then after she left, we put a small amount inside his mouth to taste. He began moving his tongue around and chewing! We have also done BBQ sauce and frosting so far, maybe others.
Due to the bathroom flood that caused water damage in Kevin’s house, his home insurance cancelled his policy. We searched for another insurance company and thought we found one, but when they did the inspection they told us about a couple outdoor repairs that needed done or the new policy would be cancelled too. If you would be able to repair the roof over Kevin’s front porch, would you let us know? Unfortunately, we are in a time crunch too, but this would be a great way for someone to help Kevin during his recovery. Email me or call for more details (Matt – 918-850-9828 after 11AM thanks).
Today, Kevin watched some Star Trek (the original series) while he was sitting up in his chair. We have been playing some Old West audio books by Louis L’amour (his favorite) for him during the morning. In rest times, we dim the lights and play soft music or no music at all.
Keep praying for Kevin’s insurance to continue nursing. Keep praying for Kevin’s progress. Keep praying for our family’s unity and sanity. We thank God for everything that He has done so far and trust that He will continue to care for Kevin and our family.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Last week, we asked you to pray about the peer to peer doctor phone call. Basically, the result was that Kevin got approved for another two weeks of eight hours per day nursing. It may end then or we may be able to get more extensions, we don’t know, but God does.
During the past several days Kevin has done some really cool stuff. I’ve told you about using the Wii and PS3 for therapy and coma stimulation with Kevin. Well, last week Kevin was pushing the button with his thumb a few times and trying a few more, it seemed difficult for him to push it all the way. He has done this a couple times now. One of those times, Kevin’s nurse asked Kevin to squeeze his hand if he wanted to keep playing. Then he asked him to not squeeze if he wanted to stop and rest. Then he reversed the question. Squeeze the nurse’s hand if he wanted to stop and rest and don’t squeeze if Kevin wanted to keep playing. He squeezed consistently to keep playing, even though his eyes were drooping and looked tired!
Then that night, we had Kevin in the geri-chair. Our mom was there and she was sitting behind him to his right. The TV was on the wall in front of him and turned on. Angie asked Kevin if he wanted to turn around to see his mom to squeeze her hand. He did. Then she asked him to squeeze her hands if he wanted to stay where he was and watch the TV. He didn’t squeeze. She asked him again and he consistently responded to the questions.
Every two hours we need to adjust Kevin’s body position in bed. This is called ‘turning’ him. I have to do this in about fifteen minutes in fact. But last Saturday night, I went to turn Kevin to his left and told him so as I came to the bed. I hesitated because I was making sure that I had everything in place before Kevin in an uncomfortable transition position. As I hesitated, Kevin’s body tightened up, it seemed every muscle was working over-time and he rolled to the left. Every other time, when Kevin has contracted his muscles he stays right where he is making it harder for us to turn him. I was so surprised and I told him thanks for saving my back from turning him!
Physical and Occupational therapy each continue to come twice weekly. They are great encouragement and have helped us do new things with Kevin for building muscle back up in different areas of his body. While OT was here today we were having Kevin do different motions with his hands in a pattern across his body. These motions not only help keep Kevin’s joints looser, but also stimulate his memory of doing these type actions in the past. For example, we took and empty spoon in his hand and made the gesture of ‘getting’ something off a plate and lifting it to his mouth. We know Kevin loves Cool Whip and we had some, so we even tried a little Cool Whip to his lips. He didn’t really respond while OT was here, but then after she left, we put a small amount inside his mouth to taste. He began moving his tongue around and chewing! We have also done BBQ sauce and frosting so far, maybe others.
Due to the bathroom flood that caused water damage in Kevin’s house, his home insurance cancelled his policy. We searched for another insurance company and thought we found one, but when they did the inspection they told us about a couple outdoor repairs that needed done or the new policy would be cancelled too. If you would be able to repair the roof over Kevin’s front porch, would you let us know? Unfortunately, we are in a time crunch too, but this would be a great way for someone to help Kevin during his recovery. Email me or call for more details (Matt – 918-850-9828 after 11AM thanks).
Today, Kevin watched some Star Trek (the original series) while he was sitting up in his chair. We have been playing some Old West audio books by Louis L’amour (his favorite) for him during the morning. In rest times, we dim the lights and play soft music or no music at all.
Keep praying for Kevin’s insurance to continue nursing. Keep praying for Kevin’s progress. Keep praying for our family’s unity and sanity. We thank God for everything that He has done so far and trust that He will continue to care for Kevin and our family.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Update #115 on Kevin: PRAY AT 1 PM TODAY!'
**** Read ahead to the asterisk for a major prayer request for today at 1 PM!!! ****
Well, both doctor’s appointments went really well. The first appointment on Tuesday was with Kevin’s new primary care physician. First, three paramedics arrived at Kevin’s house (normally there are only two). We didn’t know if they would be staying with us at the doctor’s office or not, so we took a full page list of needed supplies and equipment. Angie, Greg and myself, accompanied by the main nurse that Kevin has had at home, all followed EMSA to the doctor’s office. While in the waiting room, Kevin started coughing and producing at the same time. As we were surrounded by professionals, it was Angie and I that got Kevin’s portable suction out and got to clearing Kevin’s airway. Fortunately his nurse was there too, since he helped us figure out why the portable suction wasn’t suctioning!
Once in the doctor’s office, we filled out paperwork and waited for the doc. The paramedics waited in the stayed in the waiting room and the three of us plus Kevin’s nurse awaited the doctor. She came in and asked many questions and examined him. She said there was more to Kevin’s case than she realized or she would have planned more time this first visit with him. She would go over all the pertinent medical documentation and call us with questions. She said although it was a major undertaking to care for Kevin, we were doing a great job! She also told us that Kevin needed round the clock nursing. She looked over Kevin’s meds and even changed one from Prevacid to Prilosec after discussing it with us.
This week, with physical and occupational therapists coming every other day, we have been getting Kevin up on the side of the bed in a sitting position with a few of us surrounding him, but only one of us supporting him. Yesterday he increased his time from twenty minutes to twenty-five. Some days, we think he could outlast us.
Last night, while doing some therapy on the Nintendo Wii, Kevin was pressing the button a few times! This was really cool, the family that was there all saw it as well as the nurse to document it. In the past week and a half we have also been using some video game drums to give him a taste of his old drumming skills. We put the sticks in his hands and help him keep the beat to the game’s music.
Today, the paramedics arrived real early to take Kevin to the eye doctor. We got him back home before the actual time of his appointment! The eye doctor thought we were doing great with Kevin’s eye. He said it was looking really good. We are to continue with the eye lubrication and Kevin is supposed to come back in three to four months.
**** Special Prayer Request at 1 PM Today ****
Today, an ambitious request for nursing was denied. We are in fact only approved for nursing through today! The next step is for a peer to peer phone meeting. This is between Kevin’s new primary care physician and the medical director at Kevin’s insurance. This phone call takes place at 1 PM on January 14th (Today!!). Please pray that Kevin’s needs are met in regard to nursing. Pray that God would supply everything that the family needs to care adequately for Kevin.
Thanks for reading and praying for Kevin and us!
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Well, both doctor’s appointments went really well. The first appointment on Tuesday was with Kevin’s new primary care physician. First, three paramedics arrived at Kevin’s house (normally there are only two). We didn’t know if they would be staying with us at the doctor’s office or not, so we took a full page list of needed supplies and equipment. Angie, Greg and myself, accompanied by the main nurse that Kevin has had at home, all followed EMSA to the doctor’s office. While in the waiting room, Kevin started coughing and producing at the same time. As we were surrounded by professionals, it was Angie and I that got Kevin’s portable suction out and got to clearing Kevin’s airway. Fortunately his nurse was there too, since he helped us figure out why the portable suction wasn’t suctioning!
Once in the doctor’s office, we filled out paperwork and waited for the doc. The paramedics waited in the stayed in the waiting room and the three of us plus Kevin’s nurse awaited the doctor. She came in and asked many questions and examined him. She said there was more to Kevin’s case than she realized or she would have planned more time this first visit with him. She would go over all the pertinent medical documentation and call us with questions. She said although it was a major undertaking to care for Kevin, we were doing a great job! She also told us that Kevin needed round the clock nursing. She looked over Kevin’s meds and even changed one from Prevacid to Prilosec after discussing it with us.
This week, with physical and occupational therapists coming every other day, we have been getting Kevin up on the side of the bed in a sitting position with a few of us surrounding him, but only one of us supporting him. Yesterday he increased his time from twenty minutes to twenty-five. Some days, we think he could outlast us.
Last night, while doing some therapy on the Nintendo Wii, Kevin was pressing the button a few times! This was really cool, the family that was there all saw it as well as the nurse to document it. In the past week and a half we have also been using some video game drums to give him a taste of his old drumming skills. We put the sticks in his hands and help him keep the beat to the game’s music.
Today, the paramedics arrived real early to take Kevin to the eye doctor. We got him back home before the actual time of his appointment! The eye doctor thought we were doing great with Kevin’s eye. He said it was looking really good. We are to continue with the eye lubrication and Kevin is supposed to come back in three to four months.
**** Special Prayer Request at 1 PM Today ****
Today, an ambitious request for nursing was denied. We are in fact only approved for nursing through today! The next step is for a peer to peer phone meeting. This is between Kevin’s new primary care physician and the medical director at Kevin’s insurance. This phone call takes place at 1 PM on January 14th (Today!!). Please pray that Kevin’s needs are met in regard to nursing. Pray that God would supply everything that the family needs to care adequately for Kevin.
Thanks for reading and praying for Kevin and us!
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Update #114 on Kevin
Today we are going to a doctor. This is the first primary care doctor to agree to see Kevin, so we have mixed emotions. We are happy to finally have a doctor agree to see Kevin, but we don’t want just any warm body taking on Kevin’s case. We have heard some good things about Dr. Ting, so we are hopeful. Also, even though the agreement when we left Meadowbrook was to have the clinic that his doctor at Meadowbrook is associated with be his interim care clinic, he has not really wanted to fulfill that role. Would you pray that if this is to be Kevin’s doctor that it would be clear?
Kevin has been continuing to improve, slowly. He is opening his mouth at times very wide when asked to do oral care (brushing, etc….). He is opening wider in some cases much more than before. He is also been doing well with Physical and Occupational therapy. They have been sitting Kevin up on the edge of the bed for twenty minutes. They have done this three times, including us in the process to teach us at the same time.
Thursday, we have an appointment with the eye doctor. It is a follow up for Kevin’s right eye. It hasn’t gotten any worse, but it hasn’t gotten much better either. We’ll see what he says.
Both appointments have to be accomplished with ambulatory transport (EMSA). This is because the paperwork for Kevin’s wheelchair got sent to the wrong department at his insurance for the first month and a half. Now, that it is finally at the right hands, we hope to get authorization soon, or insurance will have to approve another transport to the pulmonologist and neurologist (when we find one).
Our nursing schedule ends this Thursday. We are in the process of requesting more time. We hope to hear soon if we have it after Thursday or for how long.
We are trying to find a home healthcare pharmacy, such as Freeland Brown in Tulsa, but that is in Kevin’s insurance’s network. We need things such as 4 in by 4 in drain sponges that his DME company (Durable Medical Equipment – supplies bed, respiratory, etc……) does not carry any longer and that we need for Kevin’s trach care.
Yesterday, I cut Kevin’s hair. I have been cutting my own hair for fourteen years now and every time that Kevin would see me cutting my hair he would ask me to cut his. Sometimes I had time, sometimes I didn’t. But I made time yesterday and cut it the way he likes it and has worn it for awhile.
Well, I am going to finish getting ready. We will be leaving for the doctor when EMSA gets here in the next thirty minutes or so.
Thanks for reading and especially praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Kevin has been continuing to improve, slowly. He is opening his mouth at times very wide when asked to do oral care (brushing, etc….). He is opening wider in some cases much more than before. He is also been doing well with Physical and Occupational therapy. They have been sitting Kevin up on the edge of the bed for twenty minutes. They have done this three times, including us in the process to teach us at the same time.
Thursday, we have an appointment with the eye doctor. It is a follow up for Kevin’s right eye. It hasn’t gotten any worse, but it hasn’t gotten much better either. We’ll see what he says.
Both appointments have to be accomplished with ambulatory transport (EMSA). This is because the paperwork for Kevin’s wheelchair got sent to the wrong department at his insurance for the first month and a half. Now, that it is finally at the right hands, we hope to get authorization soon, or insurance will have to approve another transport to the pulmonologist and neurologist (when we find one).
Our nursing schedule ends this Thursday. We are in the process of requesting more time. We hope to hear soon if we have it after Thursday or for how long.
We are trying to find a home healthcare pharmacy, such as Freeland Brown in Tulsa, but that is in Kevin’s insurance’s network. We need things such as 4 in by 4 in drain sponges that his DME company (Durable Medical Equipment – supplies bed, respiratory, etc……) does not carry any longer and that we need for Kevin’s trach care.
Yesterday, I cut Kevin’s hair. I have been cutting my own hair for fourteen years now and every time that Kevin would see me cutting my hair he would ask me to cut his. Sometimes I had time, sometimes I didn’t. But I made time yesterday and cut it the way he likes it and has worn it for awhile.
Well, I am going to finish getting ready. We will be leaving for the doctor when EMSA gets here in the next thirty minutes or so.
Thanks for reading and especially praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Update #113 on Kevin
It is not a surprise that many of you are still praying for Kevin and our family. In the last couple weeks we have ridden the full gamut of emotions. Angie and I had a great anniversary on December 21st. Kohl’s car broke down (needs a new engine), so the car we are borrowing has become the only car for this temporary household of five (including Kevin, even though he isn’t going anywhere, errands for supplies have to be run for him most of all). The snowstorm came and shut us in and keeping other family members from being here to help.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with no nurses, but we had a great Christmas here at the house snowed in. Kevin got audio books, stocking caps (OU and TU), earphones (for listening to music and books on an MP3 player) and more. We also found out we got another week of eight hours per day of nursing. After a few days of us taking care of Kevin, then a nurse coming for a few days, the snow relented and other family members were able to come around again to help. On December 31st, we found out that another two weeks were approved for eight hours per day of nursing. After that, who knows. Last week, physical, occupational and speech therapists all paid visits to assess Kevin and determine plans for treatment.
Kevin seems to have made the adjustment home really well. He has been off oxygen completely after some conflicting orders were sent home with him. We had a pulsox, blood pressure reader, and stethoscope donated so we have the vital reading equipment set up. When we put eye ointment in his right eye, we also check to see if he needs cleaned, and check his pulsox readings at the same time. Kevin usually has a O2 saturation of 96 and above. Sometimes it is closer to 93, but that is still good.
For the first week he was home, Kevin didn’t seem to have the extended periods of alertness he had been having in the hospital. Around mid-last week Kevin started having them once more and has had several periods of alertness since. In fact, Kevin seems pretty alert just now, after putting in his eye ointment, turning him on his right and checking his vitals (95% O2 and 91-94 HR). In an hour, he gets some reglan and a breathing treatment. In two hours, he gets fed and then turned towards his left. At that point he will be pretty settled and I will go to sleep on the couch for a couple hours, get up check him, put in eye ointment, then turn him to his right again. It will go like that until Angie relieves me at 5 AM. While we have been having almost daily nursing it has gone okay, but at times it has felt like we are at the breaking point…..yeah already. But most of the time it seems to work out. We will continue requesting nurses from Kevin’s insurance to keep Kevin out of the hospital and last week we came up with more plans to progress Kevin’s condition.
One of the things we do is have him help us when we do daily tasks for him. Wrap his hand around the toothbrush and use his hand to do the brushing. Rub his fingers through his hair before we put gel in it. Use his hand to grasp the rag to clean his face and body. These monotonous tasks could be what triggers something in his conscious. They also told us to sing over learned songs to him, such as Happy Birthday and the alphabet. We might try Jesus Loves Me too!
Today, Angie stayed home with Kevin, while the rest of us went to church. They watched a sermon online, which is hooked up to the TV. We had a couple visitors today and a few others since Kevin came home…that’s been nice. It’s good for Kevin and good for us.
Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your concern. Thanks for the love that you have shown us during this trial.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with no nurses, but we had a great Christmas here at the house snowed in. Kevin got audio books, stocking caps (OU and TU), earphones (for listening to music and books on an MP3 player) and more. We also found out we got another week of eight hours per day of nursing. After a few days of us taking care of Kevin, then a nurse coming for a few days, the snow relented and other family members were able to come around again to help. On December 31st, we found out that another two weeks were approved for eight hours per day of nursing. After that, who knows. Last week, physical, occupational and speech therapists all paid visits to assess Kevin and determine plans for treatment.
Kevin seems to have made the adjustment home really well. He has been off oxygen completely after some conflicting orders were sent home with him. We had a pulsox, blood pressure reader, and stethoscope donated so we have the vital reading equipment set up. When we put eye ointment in his right eye, we also check to see if he needs cleaned, and check his pulsox readings at the same time. Kevin usually has a O2 saturation of 96 and above. Sometimes it is closer to 93, but that is still good.
For the first week he was home, Kevin didn’t seem to have the extended periods of alertness he had been having in the hospital. Around mid-last week Kevin started having them once more and has had several periods of alertness since. In fact, Kevin seems pretty alert just now, after putting in his eye ointment, turning him on his right and checking his vitals (95% O2 and 91-94 HR). In an hour, he gets some reglan and a breathing treatment. In two hours, he gets fed and then turned towards his left. At that point he will be pretty settled and I will go to sleep on the couch for a couple hours, get up check him, put in eye ointment, then turn him to his right again. It will go like that until Angie relieves me at 5 AM. While we have been having almost daily nursing it has gone okay, but at times it has felt like we are at the breaking point…..yeah already. But most of the time it seems to work out. We will continue requesting nurses from Kevin’s insurance to keep Kevin out of the hospital and last week we came up with more plans to progress Kevin’s condition.
One of the things we do is have him help us when we do daily tasks for him. Wrap his hand around the toothbrush and use his hand to do the brushing. Rub his fingers through his hair before we put gel in it. Use his hand to grasp the rag to clean his face and body. These monotonous tasks could be what triggers something in his conscious. They also told us to sing over learned songs to him, such as Happy Birthday and the alphabet. We might try Jesus Loves Me too!
Today, Angie stayed home with Kevin, while the rest of us went to church. They watched a sermon online, which is hooked up to the TV. We had a couple visitors today and a few others since Kevin came home…that’s been nice. It’s good for Kevin and good for us.
Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your concern. Thanks for the love that you have shown us during this trial.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Update #112 on Kevin
When we last left you, we were faced with four hours of us being alone with Kevin. No nurses, no doctors, no therapists…just us, family, non-professional, barely trained, imperfect family members filled with trepidation. We made it. Kevin was coughing quite a bit, sounding gurgly (the technical term) and we decided to give him an impromptu breathing treatment. It seemed to help subside the coughing. That night the nurse got there around 11pm and we took the opportunity to get some sleep. That night Kevin threw up several times around 3:30 AM. Around 6:45 AM someone woke up for the shift change (another nurse took over for the night nurse).
That day, Saturday, we got Kevin up in his temporary chair with the nurse and Kevin seemed to be having a decent day, however, we decided to switch back to the familiar style of suctioning with a sleeved catheter because he was still coughing quite a bit. This style of suction is easier to do periodically throughout the day as he needs it, without going through setting up a sterol environment, it is covered in a see through plastic sleeve.
At 3 PM, the nurse’s shift was over, leaving us once again and the helm of Kevin’s care. This time it was twice as long for eight hours! That evening we continued turning Kevin, giving him his meds, using the hoyer lift to get him in his chair, caring for him, suctioning him and giving him breathing treatments. By 11PM Saturday night we had made it yet again. Another nurse came and took the night shift from 11PM to 7 AM.
This morning, Sunday, Angie and Taylor got up early to give Kevin his meds and a bath. Then while everyone else went to church, I stayed with Kevin, completely by myself. Wow, talk about someone’s life in your hands. It turned out fine. We watched a sermon together, then I played some worship songs. I did everything he needed me to do. I even found time to fold the laundry and have some breakfast. When the nurse left at 7 AM this morning, it launched a new challenge for the family. We wouldn’t have a nurse again until that night at 11PM. That’s sixteen hours!!!!! First four hours, then eight, now sixteen! The challenge was getting bigger and bigger. After a long day of care, we made it. A nurse came on at 11PM. That nurse leaves at 7AM and another one arrives and leaves at 3PM tomorrow afternoon.
The fear of doing everything for Kevin is lessening, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there and will go away anytime soon. We wonder how often we will getting ‘free time’ during this phase of Kevin’s recovery. And yet we will soldier on.
Tomorrow, December 21st, is the anniversary for myself and Angie. We have been married thirteen years. I know when we stood in front of all our friends and family that we had no idea what would be happening thirteen years later. Kevin and Greg were my bestmen, and they stood behind me as we made our vows. All the family is pitching in, but I know that God has given me something very special in my wife, Angie. She has been more than one could ever expect in a tragedy such as this. Tomorrow, Kohl will be here while the nurse is here, so that Angie and I can go and spend some time together during the day.
Throughout the week, the nursing hours will continue to dwindle until there will be no nurses on Christmas Eve or beyond. We would love to have nurses continue on, but insurance will not pay for it. I’m not sure how we will overcome being stretched and challenged in this phase of Kevin’s recovery, but by the grace of God we will.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
That day, Saturday, we got Kevin up in his temporary chair with the nurse and Kevin seemed to be having a decent day, however, we decided to switch back to the familiar style of suctioning with a sleeved catheter because he was still coughing quite a bit. This style of suction is easier to do periodically throughout the day as he needs it, without going through setting up a sterol environment, it is covered in a see through plastic sleeve.
At 3 PM, the nurse’s shift was over, leaving us once again and the helm of Kevin’s care. This time it was twice as long for eight hours! That evening we continued turning Kevin, giving him his meds, using the hoyer lift to get him in his chair, caring for him, suctioning him and giving him breathing treatments. By 11PM Saturday night we had made it yet again. Another nurse came and took the night shift from 11PM to 7 AM.
This morning, Sunday, Angie and Taylor got up early to give Kevin his meds and a bath. Then while everyone else went to church, I stayed with Kevin, completely by myself. Wow, talk about someone’s life in your hands. It turned out fine. We watched a sermon together, then I played some worship songs. I did everything he needed me to do. I even found time to fold the laundry and have some breakfast. When the nurse left at 7 AM this morning, it launched a new challenge for the family. We wouldn’t have a nurse again until that night at 11PM. That’s sixteen hours!!!!! First four hours, then eight, now sixteen! The challenge was getting bigger and bigger. After a long day of care, we made it. A nurse came on at 11PM. That nurse leaves at 7AM and another one arrives and leaves at 3PM tomorrow afternoon.
The fear of doing everything for Kevin is lessening, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there and will go away anytime soon. We wonder how often we will getting ‘free time’ during this phase of Kevin’s recovery. And yet we will soldier on.
Tomorrow, December 21st, is the anniversary for myself and Angie. We have been married thirteen years. I know when we stood in front of all our friends and family that we had no idea what would be happening thirteen years later. Kevin and Greg were my bestmen, and they stood behind me as we made our vows. All the family is pitching in, but I know that God has given me something very special in my wife, Angie. She has been more than one could ever expect in a tragedy such as this. Tomorrow, Kohl will be here while the nurse is here, so that Angie and I can go and spend some time together during the day.
Throughout the week, the nursing hours will continue to dwindle until there will be no nurses on Christmas Eve or beyond. We would love to have nurses continue on, but insurance will not pay for it. I’m not sure how we will overcome being stretched and challenged in this phase of Kevin’s recovery, but by the grace of God we will.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Friday, December 18, 2009
Update #111 on Kevin
So far today has gone really well. About an hour ago, Kevin finished about a 45 minute coughing spell. He was able to expectorate well and we gave him a breathing treatment. About ten minutes the day nurse left. We are now alone and fully in charge of Kevin’s care until 11pm tonight. They are weaning us off private duty nurses.
Kevin is sitting in his chair and resting. We’ll be putting him back to bed in about 30-45 minutes and later tonight give him dinner.
Thanks for reading and especially praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Kevin is sitting in his chair and resting. We’ll be putting him back to bed in about 30-45 minutes and later tonight give him dinner.
Thanks for reading and especially praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Update #110 on Kevin
So, we brought Kevin home to his house on Wednesday night. It’s been a little over a day and a half and things seem to be going fairly well. Of course, there are the added care concerns, but for these first several days there are home health care nurses. After a week, nurses and therapists will be limited to a few visits per week.
We already had a great response for the gloves that I mentioned in the previous update. Some of the latest things that insurance doesn’t seem to be going to cover is a blood pressure cuff, pulsox machine, stethoscope and an over the bed table.
We have been organizing all the medical supplies that have been delivered and putting together cabinets to hold them. Tonight we put together four chairs, a dining room table, two cabinets, a shelf and vertical blinds on the patio door. I spent several hours trying to scan documents to send to our nurse advocate. The first two tries resulted in no scans showing up on the computer. I tried an alternate method and I finally got the scans at the end of the business day.
Kevin is doing well. We don’t have a neuro chair at home, but we got him up in a gerichair for a couple hours today. It’s interesting, because there is no safety belt, nor headrest. He tends to slide all around on it. He has coughed some, but almost always coughing out what was bothering him.
Several family members noticed alertness, as well as the nurses that have been here so far. Today, one of the nurses told us that we were doing a marvelous job, at less than twenty four hours in. He said usually families aren’t this organized for three to four days and sometimes a week. That felt good, even though it seems like we have many more things to do.
We brought home two more trash cans. It seems we need them.
Last night, after we brought Kevin home, I had a very vivid dream that he woke up. He didn’t just wake up, but he was moving around, talking and acting like normal. In the dream, we were discussing whether or not he should know how long he has been in ‘out’. I even dreamed the question, what do you remember the weather being outside, hot? Cause it’s not now! I remember thinking towards the end of the dream if I was in fact dreaming, but it felt too real to be a dream. Then I woke up.
Please pray that Kevin continues to progress. Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
We already had a great response for the gloves that I mentioned in the previous update. Some of the latest things that insurance doesn’t seem to be going to cover is a blood pressure cuff, pulsox machine, stethoscope and an over the bed table.
We have been organizing all the medical supplies that have been delivered and putting together cabinets to hold them. Tonight we put together four chairs, a dining room table, two cabinets, a shelf and vertical blinds on the patio door. I spent several hours trying to scan documents to send to our nurse advocate. The first two tries resulted in no scans showing up on the computer. I tried an alternate method and I finally got the scans at the end of the business day.
Kevin is doing well. We don’t have a neuro chair at home, but we got him up in a gerichair for a couple hours today. It’s interesting, because there is no safety belt, nor headrest. He tends to slide all around on it. He has coughed some, but almost always coughing out what was bothering him.
Several family members noticed alertness, as well as the nurses that have been here so far. Today, one of the nurses told us that we were doing a marvelous job, at less than twenty four hours in. He said usually families aren’t this organized for three to four days and sometimes a week. That felt good, even though it seems like we have many more things to do.
We brought home two more trash cans. It seems we need them.
Last night, after we brought Kevin home, I had a very vivid dream that he woke up. He didn’t just wake up, but he was moving around, talking and acting like normal. In the dream, we were discussing whether or not he should know how long he has been in ‘out’. I even dreamed the question, what do you remember the weather being outside, hot? Cause it’s not now! I remember thinking towards the end of the dream if I was in fact dreaming, but it felt too real to be a dream. Then I woke up.
Please pray that Kevin continues to progress. Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Update #109 on Kevin: Going Home Today
So it’s official. Unless there is some major issue, we are taking Kevin home today around 4 PM. Thanks for praying for Kevin and our family. Kevin is sitting in his neuro chair one last time right now. Soon his custom wheelchair will be delivered, but until then we have a geri chair at the house. We are working out issues with the hoyer lift we have and deliveries of supplies and food are being made today and tomorrow. Please pray for the nursing staff that will be taking care of Kevin throughout the next 7 days. The first two days someone will be there 24 hours/day. The next two days someone will be there for 16 hours/day, the next two days there will be someone there for 12 hours/day and on the 7th day someone will be there for 8 hours. After that, they will move to a thrice weekly schedule.
Pray as we enter this next phase. Pray that everything gets delivered that needs to be delivered. Pray that Kevin continues to heal and progress, so that he can be admitted to a brain rehab center.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
PS – Does anyone have any extra vinyl gloves hanging around???? We could use a few hundred sizes medium, large and XL.
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Pray as we enter this next phase. Pray that everything gets delivered that needs to be delivered. Pray that Kevin continues to heal and progress, so that he can be admitted to a brain rehab center.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
PS – Does anyone have any extra vinyl gloves hanging around???? We could use a few hundred sizes medium, large and XL.
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Update #108 on Kevin
It is with somber mood and mixed emotions that I write this, possibly the last update at Meadowbrook. It started with news today that his third TB sputum test came back negative. The doctor told us that his blood tests look good, Kevin seemed to be doing well, and that we could start looking at a discharge tomorrow afternoon.
Wow, that was this afternoon…..it has seemed like a whirlwind since then. It has felt so quick. I know we have been here for awhile, but this weekend we didn’t even know when we would get results back for TB, we were told at the end of last week that it could take as long as 2 to 6 weeks, and one staff member even told us that they thought it would be bad medicine to send him home prior to getting the final results. Now, we are scrambling to get things in place. There still seems to be several things that need to happen before he can be discharged tomorrow.
Last night, Kevin threw up about twelve times. A non-RT staff member suctioned him several times and the vomiting started happening between the 2nd and 3rd suctions (yes, there was a bit of spit up at the 2nd suction, and yet they continued giving him a couple minutes to recuperate in between). It took Kevin a good hour and a half to settle down. Also, after checking for residuals, the charge nurse left Kevin’s feeding plug open. Angie found bile spilling out all over his clothes.
We are talking with a couple doctors about taking Kevin on. We hope to hear back from them tomorrow. We are also trying to get the hoyer situation straightened out at the house. They brought a hoyer to transport someone that is in a sitting position from bed to chair, but Kevin needs a hoyer and sling that transports someone laying down. The bed that was delivered to the house was making these jarring popping noises that sounded like the bed was coming apart. We called the Equipment company to come and take a look at it only to find that it had been put together askew and the railing was hitting the bed and springs making the noises.
There have been some very good moments here at Meadowbrook and some very trying ones as well. Today I tried to soothe a relationship with a staff member who had taken offense at a misunderstood question that I raised. Upon passing her in the hall, I told her I was sorry that it had happened and would have gone on, but she continued to walk by me as I spoke. When she got about twenty paces down the hallway, without turning around to face me, said “whatever” and continued walking away. Whew…..
I read back over the first posts after arriving here and thought about all the things that had transpired here. Many friends have been made. Many statements of encouragement were given us. When Kevin arrived here three months ago, he had just started opening his eyes, was still on a respirator and had C-Diff among other ailments. His chest tube hole was healing as was the skin over his skull fracture. Since then, he started yawning, moving his eyes more, getting over muscle spasms, getting through times of fever and recently begun responding more often to vocal commands. Several times lately, when I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek he pushed his head towards mine. And several staff members have noted that he seems to be smiling. The right side of his face seems to be getting more movement in it and the left side of his face seems to be loosening up from reflex tones.
Today a few times he has closed his right eyelid when he is resting. He has been doing that more within the past couple weeks, and today he seems to be resting well. Some things haven’t changed though, tonight a couple newer staff members asked me who was older between Kevin and myself. Joking, I appeared appalled and told them I am twelve years younger than Kevin. Kevin has aged very well and has enjoyed that fact. I can’t tell you how many times someone has thought he was my twin or younger brother. Good grief!
As we look to bring Kevin home, our goal is to continue caring for him as he progress with the hope that an acute rehab center would be able to re-evaluate Kevin for admittance in their program. In the meantime our family will lean on God and his church as we forge onward. We’ll let you know if he gets discharged tomorrow.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Wow, that was this afternoon…..it has seemed like a whirlwind since then. It has felt so quick. I know we have been here for awhile, but this weekend we didn’t even know when we would get results back for TB, we were told at the end of last week that it could take as long as 2 to 6 weeks, and one staff member even told us that they thought it would be bad medicine to send him home prior to getting the final results. Now, we are scrambling to get things in place. There still seems to be several things that need to happen before he can be discharged tomorrow.
Last night, Kevin threw up about twelve times. A non-RT staff member suctioned him several times and the vomiting started happening between the 2nd and 3rd suctions (yes, there was a bit of spit up at the 2nd suction, and yet they continued giving him a couple minutes to recuperate in between). It took Kevin a good hour and a half to settle down. Also, after checking for residuals, the charge nurse left Kevin’s feeding plug open. Angie found bile spilling out all over his clothes.
We are talking with a couple doctors about taking Kevin on. We hope to hear back from them tomorrow. We are also trying to get the hoyer situation straightened out at the house. They brought a hoyer to transport someone that is in a sitting position from bed to chair, but Kevin needs a hoyer and sling that transports someone laying down. The bed that was delivered to the house was making these jarring popping noises that sounded like the bed was coming apart. We called the Equipment company to come and take a look at it only to find that it had been put together askew and the railing was hitting the bed and springs making the noises.
There have been some very good moments here at Meadowbrook and some very trying ones as well. Today I tried to soothe a relationship with a staff member who had taken offense at a misunderstood question that I raised. Upon passing her in the hall, I told her I was sorry that it had happened and would have gone on, but she continued to walk by me as I spoke. When she got about twenty paces down the hallway, without turning around to face me, said “whatever” and continued walking away. Whew…..
I read back over the first posts after arriving here and thought about all the things that had transpired here. Many friends have been made. Many statements of encouragement were given us. When Kevin arrived here three months ago, he had just started opening his eyes, was still on a respirator and had C-Diff among other ailments. His chest tube hole was healing as was the skin over his skull fracture. Since then, he started yawning, moving his eyes more, getting over muscle spasms, getting through times of fever and recently begun responding more often to vocal commands. Several times lately, when I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek he pushed his head towards mine. And several staff members have noted that he seems to be smiling. The right side of his face seems to be getting more movement in it and the left side of his face seems to be loosening up from reflex tones.
Today a few times he has closed his right eyelid when he is resting. He has been doing that more within the past couple weeks, and today he seems to be resting well. Some things haven’t changed though, tonight a couple newer staff members asked me who was older between Kevin and myself. Joking, I appeared appalled and told them I am twelve years younger than Kevin. Kevin has aged very well and has enjoyed that fact. I can’t tell you how many times someone has thought he was my twin or younger brother. Good grief!
As we look to bring Kevin home, our goal is to continue caring for him as he progress with the hope that an acute rehab center would be able to re-evaluate Kevin for admittance in their program. In the meantime our family will lean on God and his church as we forge onward. We’ll let you know if he gets discharged tomorrow.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Monday, December 14, 2009
Update #107 on Kevin
So, the first TB test came back negative. The second test was to check Kevin’s level of antigens (which bind to antibodies). It showed us that the first test could have been wrong. So then we have to wait for three samples to be cultured from three consecutive days. The final results could take weeks, but initial results have already started to come in. The first two days samples have come back as negative for TB. Today we should find out about the third sample
The past several days Kevin has still been coughing, but not for the extended periods that he was a couple weeks ago. He has also been keeping his food down, except for maybe Friday night. He had spit up/thrown up some, but not sure what it consisted of or what caused it.
Last week he stopped taking Vancomycin, as well as benedryl. Kevin has already seemed less drowsy and more aware since stopping the benedryl. He was also on doribax until this weekend, but was put back on it last night. WE are still researching why he went back on it.
On the radio, we keep hearing songs that Kevin likes. Now that it is Christmastime, we have heard his favorite Christmas song several times. It’s called, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and was recorded by Band Aid in the mid-80’s to raise money for Ethiopia. Any time we hear that song, we think of Kevin. And when it’s come on the radio while we’re at Meadowbrook, we play it for him.
Please be praying for a doctor to follow Kevin when we leave Meadowbrook. We have been following different avenues trying to find Kevin a doctor, today a doctor denied taking him on, so we continue the search. We do not feel comfortable taking Kevin home, until we have a doctor on board. Please pray that God would lead us to the doctor that He has for Kevin.
Please also pray for our family. This process wears on you. Some days are good, and some days you feel as if you are being ripped apart from all directions. Thanks for lifting us up.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
The past several days Kevin has still been coughing, but not for the extended periods that he was a couple weeks ago. He has also been keeping his food down, except for maybe Friday night. He had spit up/thrown up some, but not sure what it consisted of or what caused it.
Last week he stopped taking Vancomycin, as well as benedryl. Kevin has already seemed less drowsy and more aware since stopping the benedryl. He was also on doribax until this weekend, but was put back on it last night. WE are still researching why he went back on it.
On the radio, we keep hearing songs that Kevin likes. Now that it is Christmastime, we have heard his favorite Christmas song several times. It’s called, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and was recorded by Band Aid in the mid-80’s to raise money for Ethiopia. Any time we hear that song, we think of Kevin. And when it’s come on the radio while we’re at Meadowbrook, we play it for him.
Please be praying for a doctor to follow Kevin when we leave Meadowbrook. We have been following different avenues trying to find Kevin a doctor, today a doctor denied taking him on, so we continue the search. We do not feel comfortable taking Kevin home, until we have a doctor on board. Please pray that God would lead us to the doctor that He has for Kevin.
Please also pray for our family. This process wears on you. Some days are good, and some days you feel as if you are being ripped apart from all directions. Thanks for lifting us up.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Update #106 on Kevin
What can I say? Temp nurses are like a box of chocolates…..you never know what you’re gonna get. Last night’s nurse left waaaay to much to be desired and today’s wasn’t much better. Angie stayed up here last night and she literally had to ask for everything that was done last night. His meal time was 2 ½ hours late. Angie had to ask for eye ointment to be put in the eyes almost every time. She found his feeding tube open this morning after that nurse had gone. There was liquid food all over Kevin’s gown, etc….. Today wouldn’t have been better if not for some other staff members who stepped up and filled the gap.
Tonight has been good. Shift change was at 7 PM. When there is trust with care staff, you can relax. They know Kevin and they know what they are doing. You trust and then you can breathe.
Kevin is laying in bed and relaxed. He moved back into bed from his neuro chair about an hour ago. He is settled and had dinner through his feeding tube. I just looked over and he is alert and eyes wide open, so I turned on some TV. He may not be sleepy now, but when he gets his next dose of Benedryl, he’ll probably be knocked out.
Today, I met with the insurance adjuster about some of Kevin’s stuff. We have some of his stuff in storage, as we have time to sort through it to determine damage. Not sure when we’ll find time to do that, but several pieces of furniture we were able to show the adjuster today. I also showed her some electronics that were on the floor and damaged by the water. She was very sympathetic to what is going on with Kevin and was a pleasure to work with today.
Before that, I had went to an area minister’s meeting. Lunch was good, fellowship was good and the message was impacting. Angie and I, as missionaries, are supported by several of the churches that were represented. Several of them have also helped tremendously in ways beyond our imagination. A minister from one of our supporting churches brought a devotion about things he has learned in ministry. I’m going to put a summary below…
A. Ministry is really really really really hard. (Christ promised us it would be hard).
B. Trust the Gospel. (It’s God’s kingdom, Sometimes, we want to stand over a seed and yell. To try and woo the seed to grow. We have to trust that God will be Lord of our life, whatever it consists of).
C. Trust your call. (Our call is to follow God, wherever He wants us to be).
All those points hit home for various reasons, but what really stood out was what was said to support the third point. It is that to trust our call, we have to ask ourselves, “Am I interruptible by God?” Abraham was interrupted by God. Jonah was interrupted by God. Mary was definitely interrupted by God.
Mom was released from St. John’s Hospital today. The swelling in her leg has gone down, but it is still a little red and sore. She has to take some prescriptions to continue to the treatment.
Kevin seemed to finally be dozing, or at least receptive to the idea. I failed to mention yesterday, that he is in room #110. But you might ask at the front counter, in case they move him again.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Tonight has been good. Shift change was at 7 PM. When there is trust with care staff, you can relax. They know Kevin and they know what they are doing. You trust and then you can breathe.
Kevin is laying in bed and relaxed. He moved back into bed from his neuro chair about an hour ago. He is settled and had dinner through his feeding tube. I just looked over and he is alert and eyes wide open, so I turned on some TV. He may not be sleepy now, but when he gets his next dose of Benedryl, he’ll probably be knocked out.
Today, I met with the insurance adjuster about some of Kevin’s stuff. We have some of his stuff in storage, as we have time to sort through it to determine damage. Not sure when we’ll find time to do that, but several pieces of furniture we were able to show the adjuster today. I also showed her some electronics that were on the floor and damaged by the water. She was very sympathetic to what is going on with Kevin and was a pleasure to work with today.
Before that, I had went to an area minister’s meeting. Lunch was good, fellowship was good and the message was impacting. Angie and I, as missionaries, are supported by several of the churches that were represented. Several of them have also helped tremendously in ways beyond our imagination. A minister from one of our supporting churches brought a devotion about things he has learned in ministry. I’m going to put a summary below…
A. Ministry is really really really really hard. (Christ promised us it would be hard).
B. Trust the Gospel. (It’s God’s kingdom, Sometimes, we want to stand over a seed and yell. To try and woo the seed to grow. We have to trust that God will be Lord of our life, whatever it consists of).
C. Trust your call. (Our call is to follow God, wherever He wants us to be).
All those points hit home for various reasons, but what really stood out was what was said to support the third point. It is that to trust our call, we have to ask ourselves, “Am I interruptible by God?” Abraham was interrupted by God. Jonah was interrupted by God. Mary was definitely interrupted by God.
Mom was released from St. John’s Hospital today. The swelling in her leg has gone down, but it is still a little red and sore. She has to take some prescriptions to continue to the treatment.
Kevin seemed to finally be dozing, or at least receptive to the idea. I failed to mention yesterday, that he is in room #110. But you might ask at the front counter, in case they move him again.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Monday, December 7, 2009
Update #105 on Kevin
So, the staff at Meadowbrook has moved Kevin again. They did it because they are testing Kevin for tuberculosis. TB is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. They started testing Kevin for TB on Saturday with a skin test and samples. The odd part is that they didn’t move him until today. The room has negative pressure, which means it cycles the air out so that it can be filtered. If he does have TB how many people were infected? He doesn’t seem to have many of the symptoms of TB, except coughing and the occasional fever, although I appreciate them checking under every rock. The lung doctor just came in and said she doesn’t think he has TB, but I don’t think that was the final verdict. She said his chest X-Rays looked better, and that is pneumonia may be clearing up. She said it was most likely where he had aspirated (swallowed fluids into his lungs).
When you come to visit, you have to wear masks for the airborne possible TB, then gowns and gloves for the staff infection, which even though is colonized, still comes across as an isolation factor. One plus for moving into the negative pressure room isolation room is that it’s a private room again.
Kevin has both eyes closed right now and seems to be really resting. Usually, he doesn’t close the right eyelid on his own. Sometimes he does though and this is one of those times. Sitting here, I have seen his right arm move a little, his left arm twitch, his head rock back and forth a bit and just now his right foot moving. I remember the first few days just wishing to see anything move.
My mom is still in the hospital. They started treating her for cellulitis. Then for staff infection. Now they have her foot on a cold pack and can’t figure out what is causing the swelling. Angie and I finally got to see her yesterday afternoon. We took her a Sunday paper and went to tell the nurses they left the water out of mom’s ice/water chill pack. They have her on Vancomiacin for whatever it is that they don’t know yet. They have Kevin back on Vancomiacin for the pneumonia and possible TB.
Kevin is also on benedryl. If his physiology is anything like mine, it will make him drowsy, which he seems to be. Hopefully soon, we will know if Kevin has tuberculosis or not…that way we can get rid of these hot and humid masks.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
When you come to visit, you have to wear masks for the airborne possible TB, then gowns and gloves for the staff infection, which even though is colonized, still comes across as an isolation factor. One plus for moving into the negative pressure room isolation room is that it’s a private room again.
Kevin has both eyes closed right now and seems to be really resting. Usually, he doesn’t close the right eyelid on his own. Sometimes he does though and this is one of those times. Sitting here, I have seen his right arm move a little, his left arm twitch, his head rock back and forth a bit and just now his right foot moving. I remember the first few days just wishing to see anything move.
My mom is still in the hospital. They started treating her for cellulitis. Then for staff infection. Now they have her foot on a cold pack and can’t figure out what is causing the swelling. Angie and I finally got to see her yesterday afternoon. We took her a Sunday paper and went to tell the nurses they left the water out of mom’s ice/water chill pack. They have her on Vancomiacin for whatever it is that they don’t know yet. They have Kevin back on Vancomiacin for the pneumonia and possible TB.
Kevin is also on benedryl. If his physiology is anything like mine, it will make him drowsy, which he seems to be. Hopefully soon, we will know if Kevin has tuberculosis or not…that way we can get rid of these hot and humid masks.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Update #104 on Kevin
So Kevin coughed and coughed again last night. He threw up his dinner too (can of food). His fever came back again, getting up to 103.
We think they delivered the wrong hoyer lift and/or sling. This one is for transporting someone who is sitting up. Kevin is not, he is laying down when he is transported.
The pulmonologist came in again today (batting 2 out of 6 days, but two in a row is great!). He wanted to do a TB test for Kevin. He also is treating him for pneumonia.
Mom is being treated for a staff infection now, even though she hasn’t been told what the latest cultures have discovered. She said her swelling had gone down some, only to go back up later in her leg.
Pray for Kevin to have a restful night of sleep tonight. Pray that communication happens so that Kevin gets into the neuro chair twice per day, not more than 2 ½ hours at a time, and is monitored for when he goes to the bathroom.
Thanks for reading and praying. Have a good Sunday,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
We think they delivered the wrong hoyer lift and/or sling. This one is for transporting someone who is sitting up. Kevin is not, he is laying down when he is transported.
The pulmonologist came in again today (batting 2 out of 6 days, but two in a row is great!). He wanted to do a TB test for Kevin. He also is treating him for pneumonia.
Mom is being treated for a staff infection now, even though she hasn’t been told what the latest cultures have discovered. She said her swelling had gone down some, only to go back up later in her leg.
Pray for Kevin to have a restful night of sleep tonight. Pray that communication happens so that Kevin gets into the neuro chair twice per day, not more than 2 ½ hours at a time, and is monitored for when he goes to the bathroom.
Thanks for reading and praying. Have a good Sunday,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Friday, December 4, 2009
Update #103 on Kevin
We’ve been requesting a pulmonologist since Monday. Kevin has been having so many coughing bouts and throwing up, etc… that we wanted to have one of the pulmonologists see him. Finally, tonight, the pulmonologist came in. This was after I went to the charge nurse and told her that this was becoming a ‘delay in care’ issue. It’s interesting, if you know the right phrases, how quickly they will fulfill your needs. The pulmonologist didn’t like what he saw was coming out of Kevin’s lungs, and thinks there is most likely an infection, like pneumonia. He is ordering blood work to be done, and thinks Kevin should get some medicine to combat this. The pulmonologist thinks that is why he has been coughing so much.
Even tonight, Kevin was having another coughing spell. Coughing, then throwing up his food. His food comes in cans and is given to him through a tube directly into his stomach. They have been trying to get him calmed down with meds and breathing treatments. He also has a fever tonight of 103. They were going to give him Tylenol to break the fever.
They have been trying to change medicine throughout the week to see if there is something that is making him vomit. Took him off Metamucil and put him on Colace (I think that’s it). They also took him off Vitamin C and increased his reglan.
We continue to search for the personnel on a home health care team of doctors. We have called a few, sought out several, but still have not heard back from them. The rest of his care team is being shaped too (nurses, therapists, suppliers, etc…).
A few pieces of equipment were delivered to Kevin’s house today. A hoyer lift (it is hydraulic), a geri chair (temporary until Kevin’s wheelchair is done – a few weeks), and a hospital bed. The bed is okay. I am not impressed with the swimming poolesque air mattress that lays on top of the mattress. It is supposed to prevent bed sores, but I have my doubts and concerns. We have raised and lowered the bed. A few times now, as it was going up or down or into position, we hear the motor humming “zzzzzzz” then a loud POP! It sounds like something is breaking on the bed. It has happened when it is moving into different positions.
Since we have moved into the new room, we seem to have had issues every day with his nursing care. We have to follow up on things constantly, like eye ointment, and the time to put him in his neuro chair. There have definitely been some shining moments though. Those are the times, when we lean back and go “ahhhh” as we leave Kevin in the capable hands of those staff members we trust.
I got permission for female family members to stay with Kevin at night, so that opens up more than just a couple of us in a weekly schedule.
And on a note on our mom, they have begun a new antibiotic for her cellulitis. I guess her blood cultures came back and they found a medicine that works better than what she has been on. Not sure when she will get out of St. John’s Hospital.
There still seems to be a myriad of tasks to do before Kevin gets to go home, like finding a generator. And we want him over any infection before he does.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Even tonight, Kevin was having another coughing spell. Coughing, then throwing up his food. His food comes in cans and is given to him through a tube directly into his stomach. They have been trying to get him calmed down with meds and breathing treatments. He also has a fever tonight of 103. They were going to give him Tylenol to break the fever.
They have been trying to change medicine throughout the week to see if there is something that is making him vomit. Took him off Metamucil and put him on Colace (I think that’s it). They also took him off Vitamin C and increased his reglan.
We continue to search for the personnel on a home health care team of doctors. We have called a few, sought out several, but still have not heard back from them. The rest of his care team is being shaped too (nurses, therapists, suppliers, etc…).
A few pieces of equipment were delivered to Kevin’s house today. A hoyer lift (it is hydraulic), a geri chair (temporary until Kevin’s wheelchair is done – a few weeks), and a hospital bed. The bed is okay. I am not impressed with the swimming poolesque air mattress that lays on top of the mattress. It is supposed to prevent bed sores, but I have my doubts and concerns. We have raised and lowered the bed. A few times now, as it was going up or down or into position, we hear the motor humming “zzzzzzz” then a loud POP! It sounds like something is breaking on the bed. It has happened when it is moving into different positions.
Since we have moved into the new room, we seem to have had issues every day with his nursing care. We have to follow up on things constantly, like eye ointment, and the time to put him in his neuro chair. There have definitely been some shining moments though. Those are the times, when we lean back and go “ahhhh” as we leave Kevin in the capable hands of those staff members we trust.
I got permission for female family members to stay with Kevin at night, so that opens up more than just a couple of us in a weekly schedule.
And on a note on our mom, they have begun a new antibiotic for her cellulitis. I guess her blood cultures came back and they found a medicine that works better than what she has been on. Not sure when she will get out of St. John’s Hospital.
There still seems to be a myriad of tasks to do before Kevin gets to go home, like finding a generator. And we want him over any infection before he does.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Update #102 on Kevin
My stomach aches as I write this. No, I haven’t contracted an illness from the hospital, that I know of, but things have continued to swirl violently around us. Things feel like they are caving in around us. We got the heater at the house fixed yesterday, then this morning I find out that several of the outlets in the house have stopped working. This is so far in only two rooms, but one of which is the living room, where we intend to put Kevin when he comes home. We called around and got an electrician company referred to us and they are working on the outlets as I type. While Kevin and my mom are both in the hospital, we found out that someone else close to us may have some medical issues that need to deal with right now. Some discouraging news also came our way this afternoon which continued to push the invisible walls in on us. It doesn’t feel like we can handle everything that is being thrown at us.
I have been calling doctors all throughout the day, looking for a general care physician, internal medicine doctor or physiatrist to follow Kevin once he leaves the hospital. Our goal is for Kevin to progress to the point that he can be accepted into a rehab center after some time at home. The rehab center said they could reevaluate Kevin’s condition after a couple months, it has been a month almost since they evaluated him. Kevin has started following more vocal commands, since then, such as squeezing hands and sticking out his tongue. He doesn’t do it every time, but we don’t know if that is because it is really hard for him to do, or his brain won’t allow him to do it every time or why. We continue to hope and pray for full recovery.
Kevin is actually doing better today than yesterday, which is encouragement to us. His night nurse noted that Kevin would pull his head away when she went to put eye ointment in his right eye. She said that showed signs of perception. I asked her to document that and she said she would. He coughed intermittently last night, but not for very long each time, just enough that it would spook me being gunshy after his 2 ½ hour long coughing episodes yesterday. Today, he did very well, only starting a short coughing bout and so the respiratory therapist gave him a treatment of lidocaine quick enough that it resolved the coughing.
On a lighter note, I don’t actually think that they are trying to get rid of us. At the very least, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Some of this I know, some is what we have discovered and some is guessing on my part. Apparently, the new occupant of Kevin’s previous room is someone who could be a danger to herself, which makes it imperative to be in the one room that has a window off the nurses’ station. Also, since Kevin is still under isolation because of the MRSA staff infection (which is colonized, but still considered isolation) it makes his options for rooms that much more limited. He had to go into a room that was already under isolation….for what we don’t know though. A new room means new staff. The hospital is staffed in zones, and there were only a few friendly faces throughout the day. Other familiar faces checked in on us throughout. The room is much smaller, but they were still able to get Kevin into his blue neuro chair today.
I just spoke to my mom at St. John’s Hospital. Her leg still hurts. However, they are talking about releasing her tomorrow. Apparently, the biggest thing was to get IV fluid in her. They were giving her antibiotics through her IV, but they have now ordered oral antibiotics so that she can take them upon release.
Our faith, hope and trust is in the Lord. He will make our paths straight. He will care for us in ways that we could never imagine nor hope for.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
I have been calling doctors all throughout the day, looking for a general care physician, internal medicine doctor or physiatrist to follow Kevin once he leaves the hospital. Our goal is for Kevin to progress to the point that he can be accepted into a rehab center after some time at home. The rehab center said they could reevaluate Kevin’s condition after a couple months, it has been a month almost since they evaluated him. Kevin has started following more vocal commands, since then, such as squeezing hands and sticking out his tongue. He doesn’t do it every time, but we don’t know if that is because it is really hard for him to do, or his brain won’t allow him to do it every time or why. We continue to hope and pray for full recovery.
Kevin is actually doing better today than yesterday, which is encouragement to us. His night nurse noted that Kevin would pull his head away when she went to put eye ointment in his right eye. She said that showed signs of perception. I asked her to document that and she said she would. He coughed intermittently last night, but not for very long each time, just enough that it would spook me being gunshy after his 2 ½ hour long coughing episodes yesterday. Today, he did very well, only starting a short coughing bout and so the respiratory therapist gave him a treatment of lidocaine quick enough that it resolved the coughing.
On a lighter note, I don’t actually think that they are trying to get rid of us. At the very least, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Some of this I know, some is what we have discovered and some is guessing on my part. Apparently, the new occupant of Kevin’s previous room is someone who could be a danger to herself, which makes it imperative to be in the one room that has a window off the nurses’ station. Also, since Kevin is still under isolation because of the MRSA staff infection (which is colonized, but still considered isolation) it makes his options for rooms that much more limited. He had to go into a room that was already under isolation….for what we don’t know though. A new room means new staff. The hospital is staffed in zones, and there were only a few friendly faces throughout the day. Other familiar faces checked in on us throughout. The room is much smaller, but they were still able to get Kevin into his blue neuro chair today.
I just spoke to my mom at St. John’s Hospital. Her leg still hurts. However, they are talking about releasing her tomorrow. Apparently, the biggest thing was to get IV fluid in her. They were giving her antibiotics through her IV, but they have now ordered oral antibiotics so that she can take them upon release.
Our faith, hope and trust is in the Lord. He will make our paths straight. He will care for us in ways that we could never imagine nor hope for.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Monday, November 30, 2009
Update #101 on Kevin
It feels like they are trying to smoke us out. They have now moved us into another room at Meadowbrook. Kevin has a roommate now. The room is about one third the size of his previous room. There is one chair for our family, whereas previously there were eight to nine chairs plus an extra bed. I am very thankful that it happened after Thanksgiving. Our family had a great day together that day. A plus of the new room is that there is access to the internet. Another downside though is at night, only guys can stay with Kevin. That means that throughout the week it will fall to Kohl and I. It doesn’t matter, if we lose some nights of sleep in a bed, if that is the best place for Kevin to be cared for. If you are looking for Kevin, he is in room #121 at Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital.
Kevin had some of the worst bouts of coughing to date today. Two times Kevin coughed for about 2 and ½ hours. That’s a total of 5 hours. Nothing seemed to calm him down. They tried several treatments of lidocaine. They suctioned him, sometimes he produced something, sometimes not. It didn’t help. He would wheeze and gag and cough violently. He would cough up secretions and a couple times, it made him throw up bile. At least once, he spewed billed from his trach tube. We have been told that with his current (cuffed) trach, he should not aspirate (inhale fluid into the lungs), but today we were told that it is somehow possible. Which is it? Who is right? All I know is that he was vomiting through is mouth and trach today.
Not sure why we did not find out until today, but apparently, the pulmonologists (lung doctors) have signed off on Kevin at Meadowbrook. That means that they are done checking on and determining medical treatment for him. Why would this be since for about a week and a half now he has been coughing and coughing up secretions (having more ‘bouts’ of coughing than before) and producing all kinds of secretions (thin and thick)????? It would seem to me that now is the time for a pulmonologist to be treating him. We requested today that pulmonologists start seeing him again, especially since he has been having the issues of coughing.
We had a repairman check the heater today. It was the fan. They are billing us. I think it is going to cost somewhere between $350 to $450. But now there is heat for Kevin, that is when he comes home.
Our mom has cellulitis. It is a common potentially serious bacterial skin infection. It appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. Skin on lower legs is most commonly affected, which is where it is affecting mom. Left untreated, the spreading infection may rapidly turn life-threatening. We’re glad mom got medical attention when she did. They have her on IV antibiotics (amoxicillin) and are waiting on blood cultures.
The smoking us out could be a conspiracy theory. But who doesn't love conspiracy theories? Thanks for praying and thanks for reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Kevin had some of the worst bouts of coughing to date today. Two times Kevin coughed for about 2 and ½ hours. That’s a total of 5 hours. Nothing seemed to calm him down. They tried several treatments of lidocaine. They suctioned him, sometimes he produced something, sometimes not. It didn’t help. He would wheeze and gag and cough violently. He would cough up secretions and a couple times, it made him throw up bile. At least once, he spewed billed from his trach tube. We have been told that with his current (cuffed) trach, he should not aspirate (inhale fluid into the lungs), but today we were told that it is somehow possible. Which is it? Who is right? All I know is that he was vomiting through is mouth and trach today.
Not sure why we did not find out until today, but apparently, the pulmonologists (lung doctors) have signed off on Kevin at Meadowbrook. That means that they are done checking on and determining medical treatment for him. Why would this be since for about a week and a half now he has been coughing and coughing up secretions (having more ‘bouts’ of coughing than before) and producing all kinds of secretions (thin and thick)????? It would seem to me that now is the time for a pulmonologist to be treating him. We requested today that pulmonologists start seeing him again, especially since he has been having the issues of coughing.
We had a repairman check the heater today. It was the fan. They are billing us. I think it is going to cost somewhere between $350 to $450. But now there is heat for Kevin, that is when he comes home.
Our mom has cellulitis. It is a common potentially serious bacterial skin infection. It appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. Skin on lower legs is most commonly affected, which is where it is affecting mom. Left untreated, the spreading infection may rapidly turn life-threatening. We’re glad mom got medical attention when she did. They have her on IV antibiotics (amoxicillin) and are waiting on blood cultures.
The smoking us out could be a conspiracy theory. But who doesn't love conspiracy theories? Thanks for praying and thanks for reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Update #100 on Kevin
Update 100......not sure what I think about the fact, that we have done 100 of these. Or the fact that this has lasted so long that we needed to do 100 of these. But here we are. The weekend was full, but I'll try to be short.
We got a call on Wednesday from the Medical Equipment company. He told me that he received the paperwork from Meadowbrook and that he didn't think that there was any way that Kevin's insurance would pay for a air lossless mattress. He started telling me about a backup bed, that is similar to a memory foam mattress. I told him that we did not feel comfortable moving forward without talking with case managers who were already gone for the holidays. We will be dealing with that today.
Thanksgiving turned out really good. The family spent the day up at Meadowbrook with Kevin. Angie's sister, Mary Ann, organized a thanksgiving feast for our family. Family and friends helped make a dinner so special that it helped to salve the knowledge of where we were eating it at. We ate Crackerbarrel for dinner and played games together. We hope your Thanksgiving was at least as special.
Kevin is still throwing up. It happened late Saturday night. They aren't sure why. We need to understand why he is throwing up before we bring him home.
He continues to have a cough too. These coughing spells will go on for as long as 45 minutes, where is coughing up some stuff, but not always.
Our mom, Jeanne, got admitted to St. John's Hospital last night. She has been having redness and swelling in one of her legs for a few days and got it checked out. It is some kind of infection. They are doing tests and cultures on her. I think she is in room #1242.
The heater stopped working last night at Kevin's house. It sounds like it is still coming on, but no air is coming out. It was 60 degrees this morning. This obviously needs fixed before Keving can come home.
Kevin has an eye doctors appointment today. He will be checking the progress on Kevin's right eye. It has gotten a little better, but still stays red, even with the eye ointment in on a regular basis.
Lots to do, lots more than this that I am writing too. Thanks for your prayers.
And thanks for reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
We got a call on Wednesday from the Medical Equipment company. He told me that he received the paperwork from Meadowbrook and that he didn't think that there was any way that Kevin's insurance would pay for a air lossless mattress. He started telling me about a backup bed, that is similar to a memory foam mattress. I told him that we did not feel comfortable moving forward without talking with case managers who were already gone for the holidays. We will be dealing with that today.
Thanksgiving turned out really good. The family spent the day up at Meadowbrook with Kevin. Angie's sister, Mary Ann, organized a thanksgiving feast for our family. Family and friends helped make a dinner so special that it helped to salve the knowledge of where we were eating it at. We ate Crackerbarrel for dinner and played games together. We hope your Thanksgiving was at least as special.
Kevin is still throwing up. It happened late Saturday night. They aren't sure why. We need to understand why he is throwing up before we bring him home.
He continues to have a cough too. These coughing spells will go on for as long as 45 minutes, where is coughing up some stuff, but not always.
Our mom, Jeanne, got admitted to St. John's Hospital last night. She has been having redness and swelling in one of her legs for a few days and got it checked out. It is some kind of infection. They are doing tests and cultures on her. I think she is in room #1242.
The heater stopped working last night at Kevin's house. It sounds like it is still coming on, but no air is coming out. It was 60 degrees this morning. This obviously needs fixed before Keving can come home.
Kevin has an eye doctors appointment today. He will be checking the progress on Kevin's right eye. It has gotten a little better, but still stays red, even with the eye ointment in on a regular basis.
Lots to do, lots more than this that I am writing too. Thanks for your prayers.
And thanks for reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Update #99 on Kevin
So, it’s the day before Thanksgiving. We are doing more training today at the hospital. I will be staying there tonight with Kevin and the family is coming up tomorrow for us to all spend Thanksgiving together with Kevin.
Even in the midst of all this we have been finding reasons to be thankful.
- We are thankful for those who have come and worked on Kevin’s house so far.
- We are thankful for the money given towards Kevin’s kitchen project.
- We are thankful for those that fixed the heat at Kevin’s house.
- We are thankful for those who are training us well at Meadowbrook.
- We are thankful for the encouragement that we receive.
- We are thankful for the kitchen installers.
- We are thankful for all those who worked on the house in many various ways.
- We are thankful for the progress that Kevin has made, even if it is slow.
- We are thankful that Kevin has not been throwing up the last couple days.
- We are thankful for lots more too.
The medical equipment company is supposed to bring the equipment over on Friday. Our next target for bringing Kevin home is Monday. We will keep working on the house and training until then.
Thanks for reading and praying.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
Even in the midst of all this we have been finding reasons to be thankful.
- We are thankful for those who have come and worked on Kevin’s house so far.
- We are thankful for the money given towards Kevin’s kitchen project.
- We are thankful for those that fixed the heat at Kevin’s house.
- We are thankful for those who are training us well at Meadowbrook.
- We are thankful for the encouragement that we receive.
- We are thankful for the kitchen installers.
- We are thankful for all those who worked on the house in many various ways.
- We are thankful for the progress that Kevin has made, even if it is slow.
- We are thankful that Kevin has not been throwing up the last couple days.
- We are thankful for lots more too.
The medical equipment company is supposed to bring the equipment over on Friday. Our next target for bringing Kevin home is Monday. We will keep working on the house and training until then.
Thanks for reading and praying.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/
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