Yesterday, after church, the family continued one of our traditions. For the past many years on the Sunday following the Tulsa State Fair, our family chose Casa Bonita for lunch after church. For those who remember, on the back of Tulsa State Fair tickets there used to be coupons for the aforementioned restaurant. The past two years, they stopped printing the Casa Bonita coupons, but still give the discount nonetheless. So, we had a family friend stay with Kevin at Meadowbrook while we went for a experience in tradition and memories. Good food and good times, yet we so wished Kevin was there with us.
Kevin has been doing okay. His eye seemed to get real red by the end of last week, which should tell us that there was no infection therefore the strong antibiotics made it red. Now, that gives the insight to treat his severely irritated eye for exposure problem. Ointment in his right eye every hour.
After, asking a couple times, we got Kevin shaved. This was supposed to be done on Saturday and wasn’t. Sometimes it feels like we have to ask for the same things over and over, usually when there is someone new is working with Kevin, but not always. We never found out last week if Kevin was approved till tomorrow, but since we weren’t sitting on the curb with bags and Kevin on a gurney, we assumed that it was approved for Kevin to be here until tomorrow. We never know from week to week whether the almighty insurance company will descend and tell us the gravy train is over. All joking aside, God will be the one to determine for how long Kevin will be anywhere and in what capacity.
Today, in his blue neuro chair, Kevin did well. A few times, his right leg had some muscle spasms. These only lasted about ten to fifteen seconds each time and they stopped suddenly. Is this just how it works? Sometimes, they last for forty-five minutes, other times for ten seconds? Or is Kevin’s mind stopping the movements when he can? Is it just a change in how his brain is healing? God is really the only one who knows.
Kevin has still had some bouts with fever over the past few days. Even today, it got to 101. We put some cold wet rags on him and his fever subsided. When there is brain trauma, fever can be caused neurologically. They continually check for infections and other issues. This is important, because if he does get an infection, we want to be vigilant to catch it.
Thanks for following all this and what you mean to Kevin and our family,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to catch up on all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (click here instead)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Update #74 on Kevin
Kevin had a fever earlier today, but with a little ice and Tylenol it came back down. Also, I found out that I was wrong, the night before last Kevin did have a fever, but yesterday it wasn’t an issue.
We went over and checked out things at the warehouse that contains Kevin’s property from the house. We made assessments of furniture that was flood damaged. So far the adjuster has only offered on a couple pieces of furniture, but we already found more that were damaged. Pray that this is not a battle. The fridge and stove were working before the flood and the adjuster didn’t want to pay for those either. Also, in looking at the setup of the house. We are going to need someone to come and look at the heater, especially with winter lurking. It isn’t working. It needs to work.
Kevin was “alert” last night until 12:30 AM moving . It is supposed to get his muscle relaxer around 9 PM, yet he is still moving around every night and yet very drowsy some days. I think that Kevin’s doctor is cutting Kevin’s muscle relaxer in half. Although I am not sure when that starts.
I think that the softball benefit tournament got postponed due to a couple conflicts. Once I get a firm date for it, I will repost the information.
Thanks to all those who have given time in prayer, concern for the family, and well wishes,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (archived past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or here)
We went over and checked out things at the warehouse that contains Kevin’s property from the house. We made assessments of furniture that was flood damaged. So far the adjuster has only offered on a couple pieces of furniture, but we already found more that were damaged. Pray that this is not a battle. The fridge and stove were working before the flood and the adjuster didn’t want to pay for those either. Also, in looking at the setup of the house. We are going to need someone to come and look at the heater, especially with winter lurking. It isn’t working. It needs to work.
Kevin was “alert” last night until 12:30 AM moving . It is supposed to get his muscle relaxer around 9 PM, yet he is still moving around every night and yet very drowsy some days. I think that Kevin’s doctor is cutting Kevin’s muscle relaxer in half. Although I am not sure when that starts.
I think that the softball benefit tournament got postponed due to a couple conflicts. Once I get a firm date for it, I will repost the information.
Thanks to all those who have given time in prayer, concern for the family, and well wishes,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (archived past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or here)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Update #73 on Kevin
Last night, Kevin seemed to sleep well. He had less secretions last night and this morning too. Last night’s respiratory therapist told me his lungs were sounding good and looking better on the X-rays. It just shows that his right lung is not taking in as deep of breaths.
Kevin did really well with his shower. They had to unhook him from everything that monitors his status, as well as the wall-flow. So they put a speaking valve on him and rolled him in. We hope they start doing that more as opposed to the sponge baths. He looked so good afterwards and smelled good too.
Kevin has been in his blue neuro chair for two hours. I first put on a new show for him to watch called Community. Then later another show called Supernatural. His eyes have been open the entire time he has been in the chair. Of course his right eye is greased up with ointment, but his left eye has directed towards the portable DVD player several times.
He has been doing very well in the area of digestion lately. He has not had very many residuals lately. None that have required them to stop his tube feeding.
The situation with his fever has gotten better. He has not had hardly any fever the past few days. Keep praying.
Today, I think we have finally found time to check out some stuff at the warehouse from Kevin’s house. It has been difficult finding time that we could leave Kevin and go over there. We need to determine what needs to be cleaned, restored, replaced, etc… of the furniture. The house is coming along and should be finished in the next few days. I don’t know if this includes the kitchen. The insurance is not covering the cabinets, because the adjuster said there was previous water damage. The restoration company has said they would be able to replace the bottom cabinets with a base model out of their own expenses. We would love to replace his upper cabinets at the same time so that they match. We’ve been told that the upper cabinets will cost around $2000 (labor not included). Not sure where that money will come from but we would love to replace them for him. If you are looking for something special to give towards this might be it! Give me a call at 918-850-9828 to talk about it or send me a message.
As we feel the push from insurance to find a next level facility, one of things that we have to be concerned with, unfortunately, is cost. It seems that Kevin’s insurance covers only 50% of a skilled nursing center for up to 60 days. That means that if were to get approved for a skilled nursing center that would cost $6000 per month, the family would need to come up with half of that. We would not be guaranteed a two month stay however, it would go week to ulcer creating week, waiting on the approval of insurance, like we were peasants waiting for the edict of a King each week to determine if we can stay or not. Could we have another cup or gruel sir??
Another way to this effort is to play softball. That’s right softball. I have mentioned before about Kevin’s love of softball and he has been involved in it for years. There is a benefit tournament for Kevin this weekend at Carl Smith. You can find out details here at the softball boards (Benefit-Tourney-for-Kevin-Crosser-Oct-17th.html). I think it has to be a registered team, but you can also go and buy raffle tickets and stuff.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (read the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (alternate address)
Kevin did really well with his shower. They had to unhook him from everything that monitors his status, as well as the wall-flow. So they put a speaking valve on him and rolled him in. We hope they start doing that more as opposed to the sponge baths. He looked so good afterwards and smelled good too.
Kevin has been in his blue neuro chair for two hours. I first put on a new show for him to watch called Community. Then later another show called Supernatural. His eyes have been open the entire time he has been in the chair. Of course his right eye is greased up with ointment, but his left eye has directed towards the portable DVD player several times.
He has been doing very well in the area of digestion lately. He has not had very many residuals lately. None that have required them to stop his tube feeding.
The situation with his fever has gotten better. He has not had hardly any fever the past few days. Keep praying.
Today, I think we have finally found time to check out some stuff at the warehouse from Kevin’s house. It has been difficult finding time that we could leave Kevin and go over there. We need to determine what needs to be cleaned, restored, replaced, etc… of the furniture. The house is coming along and should be finished in the next few days. I don’t know if this includes the kitchen. The insurance is not covering the cabinets, because the adjuster said there was previous water damage. The restoration company has said they would be able to replace the bottom cabinets with a base model out of their own expenses. We would love to replace his upper cabinets at the same time so that they match. We’ve been told that the upper cabinets will cost around $2000 (labor not included). Not sure where that money will come from but we would love to replace them for him. If you are looking for something special to give towards this might be it! Give me a call at 918-850-9828 to talk about it or send me a message.
As we feel the push from insurance to find a next level facility, one of things that we have to be concerned with, unfortunately, is cost. It seems that Kevin’s insurance covers only 50% of a skilled nursing center for up to 60 days. That means that if were to get approved for a skilled nursing center that would cost $6000 per month, the family would need to come up with half of that. We would not be guaranteed a two month stay however, it would go week to ulcer creating week, waiting on the approval of insurance, like we were peasants waiting for the edict of a King each week to determine if we can stay or not. Could we have another cup or gruel sir??
Another way to this effort is to play softball. That’s right softball. I have mentioned before about Kevin’s love of softball and he has been involved in it for years. There is a benefit tournament for Kevin this weekend at Carl Smith. You can find out details here at the softball boards (Benefit-Tourney-for-Kevin-Crosser-Oct-17th.html). I think it has to be a registered team, but you can also go and buy raffle tickets and stuff.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (read the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (alternate address)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Update #72 on Kevin
Coney Island. Today, some of us had meetings downtown. Afterwards, we didn’t miss the opportunity to go to one of my family’s favorite restaurant haunts, Coney Island. All over Tulsa there are restaurants called Coney Islander, they used to be connected with the Coney Island downtown. In fact, it was the first one in town back in 1926! I’m not sure when they parted ways, but the chili at the downtown location is a little different, a little richer, a little better. I can’t tell you how many memories I have of our family, recently and past, that were at a Coney Islander or the Coney Island downtown. Oh how I wished Kevin had been with us for lunch today.
Today, Kevin got his first real shower since the accident! They have a special stretcher bed that can get wet. It is constructed of PVC pipe and a canvas liner. Kevin looked and smelled so good afterwards!
The past couple days, Kevin’s temperature has been lower and even dropped down to normal. Yesterday, Kevin’s heartbeat got high when he was in his neuro chair and exhibited stimulation signs, such as spasms and shakes. This week his head has been moving around more, back and forth.
I haven’t seen his eye today, but yesterday it was looking more red. There are still a few days left of the antibiotic, but if it stays like this or gets even more red, then it would support the eye doctors theory that there is no more infection in it, just exposure.
Thanks for the messages, emails, replies, etc….. We may not always respond to them, but I want you to know how much we appreciate them. Kevin usually gets on average 3-4 visitors per day and we appreciate them very much.
Pray for us as we care for Kevin. Pray for our finances to stretch as we straddle two homes (Angie and I – Italy & Tulsa; Taylor and Kohl – Tulsa & Midwest City). Pray for our family as we try to live and breathe and “do” normal even as we try to figure out what is normal in the middle of all of this. Pray for Kevin to heal and be restored to us.
Thanks for all you are to us,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (for all past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or rather here)
Today, Kevin got his first real shower since the accident! They have a special stretcher bed that can get wet. It is constructed of PVC pipe and a canvas liner. Kevin looked and smelled so good afterwards!
The past couple days, Kevin’s temperature has been lower and even dropped down to normal. Yesterday, Kevin’s heartbeat got high when he was in his neuro chair and exhibited stimulation signs, such as spasms and shakes. This week his head has been moving around more, back and forth.
I haven’t seen his eye today, but yesterday it was looking more red. There are still a few days left of the antibiotic, but if it stays like this or gets even more red, then it would support the eye doctors theory that there is no more infection in it, just exposure.
Thanks for the messages, emails, replies, etc….. We may not always respond to them, but I want you to know how much we appreciate them. Kevin usually gets on average 3-4 visitors per day and we appreciate them very much.
Pray for us as we care for Kevin. Pray for our finances to stretch as we straddle two homes (Angie and I – Italy & Tulsa; Taylor and Kohl – Tulsa & Midwest City). Pray for our family as we try to live and breathe and “do” normal even as we try to figure out what is normal in the middle of all of this. Pray for Kevin to heal and be restored to us.
Thanks for all you are to us,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (for all past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or rather here)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Update #71 on Kevin
Kevin is in his bed with a furrowed brow and frown. He favors the left side of his face. For instance right now, his furrowed brow is on the left side, as is his frown. Over the years, being his younger brother, I have seen his face frown. Sometimes, it was when he didn’t agree with something. Other times, it was when he was frustrated. And then there were the times that he couldn’t believe someone would choose to do whatever they were doing, whether it was going to a particular restaurant (“you want to go there?”) or choose a shirt (“you like that?” Usually, those times were light-heartened teasing.
Kevin went to an eye doctor today. EMSA came and picked him up around 10:30 AM. They ended up hanging around at the doctor’s office since his office did not have things to suction (if necessary) or even a bed to lay him onto off of EMSA’s stretcher. So they moved him into a exam room and went out in the hall until it was done.
Angie and I went with Kevin to the eye doctor. He feels like it is probably just exposure from Kevin’s eye not closing much. However, since there is pseudomonas in Kevin’s lung, he wanted to verify that it was not causing an infection in his eye. So, he wants to hit it hard with two strong antibiotics for five days eight times per day. Also, he wants the ointment that Kevin is getting in his eye to be applied every hour on the hour. I think that is what the order has said for the ointment, but some nurses have only put it in every few hours, while others have stuck to the once per hour order. He also said that he did not want it patched any more. He said that if he opens his eye, gauze can rub and scratch the eye, when it is patched like that. He set up an appointment for two weeks from now. He said if it was only caused by exposure the eye could get more red again, since the two antibiotics are strong. Then they can treat it more for exposure. If there is an infection the antibiotics should make it improve even more.
Angie saw Kevin yawn on Sunday. That’s the first time we have seen that.
We continue to look at new options for a next step, even though we still think it is too soon to go somewhere. Apparently, that is what one facility thought that did an assessment. So what happens if all the possible places think it is too soon and insurance wants him to leave this place??????
Speaking of insurance, the house is coming along….the rooms are all painted and carpet is in. The restoration company showed us tile samples to go in the kitchen. Once we decide for sure on those they can put that in. Then the next step would be starting to go through the flood damaged property. Not sure when we will find the time to do that.
We’re going to check another facility today, then we have to start looking at places further out.
Kevin has still had fever, just low grade (around 100.4) yesterday and today. Not enough for Tylenol yet, but we are keeping an eye on it.
Oh yeah, and Kevin is still furrowing his left eyebrow, just a little…..but the frown is almost gone.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (for previous updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or here)
Kevin went to an eye doctor today. EMSA came and picked him up around 10:30 AM. They ended up hanging around at the doctor’s office since his office did not have things to suction (if necessary) or even a bed to lay him onto off of EMSA’s stretcher. So they moved him into a exam room and went out in the hall until it was done.
Angie and I went with Kevin to the eye doctor. He feels like it is probably just exposure from Kevin’s eye not closing much. However, since there is pseudomonas in Kevin’s lung, he wanted to verify that it was not causing an infection in his eye. So, he wants to hit it hard with two strong antibiotics for five days eight times per day. Also, he wants the ointment that Kevin is getting in his eye to be applied every hour on the hour. I think that is what the order has said for the ointment, but some nurses have only put it in every few hours, while others have stuck to the once per hour order. He also said that he did not want it patched any more. He said that if he opens his eye, gauze can rub and scratch the eye, when it is patched like that. He set up an appointment for two weeks from now. He said if it was only caused by exposure the eye could get more red again, since the two antibiotics are strong. Then they can treat it more for exposure. If there is an infection the antibiotics should make it improve even more.
Angie saw Kevin yawn on Sunday. That’s the first time we have seen that.
We continue to look at new options for a next step, even though we still think it is too soon to go somewhere. Apparently, that is what one facility thought that did an assessment. So what happens if all the possible places think it is too soon and insurance wants him to leave this place??????
Speaking of insurance, the house is coming along….the rooms are all painted and carpet is in. The restoration company showed us tile samples to go in the kitchen. Once we decide for sure on those they can put that in. Then the next step would be starting to go through the flood damaged property. Not sure when we will find the time to do that.
We’re going to check another facility today, then we have to start looking at places further out.
Kevin has still had fever, just low grade (around 100.4) yesterday and today. Not enough for Tylenol yet, but we are keeping an eye on it.
Oh yeah, and Kevin is still furrowing his left eyebrow, just a little…..but the frown is almost gone.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (for previous updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or here)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Update #70 on Kevin
This morning we got here around 8:15 AM. Kevin had another fever of 103, so we told the staff and they brought in some Tylenol. He had it in his system for about an hour and it had kicked in. His temp dropped down to 100. His doctor came in and told us that his eye appointment is set for tomorrow morning, even though his right is looking a little better (it’s still red and pink, but not as brightly colored blood red as previously). UPDATE to the temp (I started writing this an hour ago) – Now his temp has started to go back up, it is at 102, and we have some ice around some warm points of the body to help cool him down until it is okay to take his temperature again.
A family friend came up to give Kevin a haircut. I gave him a little of my gel. He is looking sharp! He does need a shave though.
Kevin got the smaller trach tube placed over the weekend. It went down in size from an 8 to a 6. It also does not have the little balloon on the end. Before he needed that to prevent aspiration. I guess that is not as much of a concern now. There has been some slowdown on capping the trach. I think the lung doctors’ opinion (he has one per week in a five week rotation) is that unless he is more alert, it would be a mistake to remove the trach completely. Normally, you would cap the trach as a way to determine tolerance for removal. But we feel that in coma stimulation and discovery there are other reasons for capping the trach and/or placing the speaking valve. For one, if he is going to make any sounds or say anything, he can only do this when his trach has at least the speaker valve on it (or when capped). For another, studies show that using smells for about ten seconds per smell can be good coma stimulation. So we do see benefit in using those methods as long as it does not hurt Kevin. I was reassured by the PA today that as long as we are here, he can be capped without danger.
There are still rumblings about moving him. While we have looked at several places for the next move, we aren’t sure if it is time yet.
For those of us from out of town (or country), we can start to feel the financial pinch. God has always provided, and we believe that he always will. It’s just in these lean times, that we look to see how God will supply.
Tomorrow Kevin has an eye appointment tomorrow so we will hopefully find out more then.
Last night was the final night of the Tulsa State Fair, so several of us went. We ended up at the knife ring toss as usual. I won a few cool knives for Kevin.
Thank you for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (go here to read past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or here)
A family friend came up to give Kevin a haircut. I gave him a little of my gel. He is looking sharp! He does need a shave though.
Kevin got the smaller trach tube placed over the weekend. It went down in size from an 8 to a 6. It also does not have the little balloon on the end. Before he needed that to prevent aspiration. I guess that is not as much of a concern now. There has been some slowdown on capping the trach. I think the lung doctors’ opinion (he has one per week in a five week rotation) is that unless he is more alert, it would be a mistake to remove the trach completely. Normally, you would cap the trach as a way to determine tolerance for removal. But we feel that in coma stimulation and discovery there are other reasons for capping the trach and/or placing the speaking valve. For one, if he is going to make any sounds or say anything, he can only do this when his trach has at least the speaker valve on it (or when capped). For another, studies show that using smells for about ten seconds per smell can be good coma stimulation. So we do see benefit in using those methods as long as it does not hurt Kevin. I was reassured by the PA today that as long as we are here, he can be capped without danger.
There are still rumblings about moving him. While we have looked at several places for the next move, we aren’t sure if it is time yet.
For those of us from out of town (or country), we can start to feel the financial pinch. God has always provided, and we believe that he always will. It’s just in these lean times, that we look to see how God will supply.
Tomorrow Kevin has an eye appointment tomorrow so we will hopefully find out more then.
Last night was the final night of the Tulsa State Fair, so several of us went. We ended up at the knife ring toss as usual. I won a few cool knives for Kevin.
Thank you for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (go here to read past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or here)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Update #69 on Kevin
Thanks for your continued prayers even with the lack of updates.
Throughout this weekend, Kevin has continued to battle his fever spikes. When the fever comes on, there are full body shivers that accompany it. Sometimes the shivers come first, sometimes the fever comes first. His white count has remained good. I found out tonight info about a sputum culture that was taken on October 2nd and came back on October 5th. It showed pseudomonas again, which brings fevers with it, as well as infections in lungs and eyes, not sure if it was ever in the eyes though.
They continue to put Kevin in the neuro chair on a daily basis, usually twice, but sometimes less, if he has a fever spike or intense body tremors. The doctor has an appointment at an eye specialist’s office on Tuesday morning. This is good for the eye, although I will say that today Kevin’s right eye was starting to look even better, especially when compared with a week ago. There is more pink than red in some sections, and the red is not bright blood red like last Monday night.
We have been learning how to do basic care stuff, including suctioning Kevin’s trach tube and also oral care. The more we know, the better care Kevin will have.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to find all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (if you have trouble with the first link)
Throughout this weekend, Kevin has continued to battle his fever spikes. When the fever comes on, there are full body shivers that accompany it. Sometimes the shivers come first, sometimes the fever comes first. His white count has remained good. I found out tonight info about a sputum culture that was taken on October 2nd and came back on October 5th. It showed pseudomonas again, which brings fevers with it, as well as infections in lungs and eyes, not sure if it was ever in the eyes though.
They continue to put Kevin in the neuro chair on a daily basis, usually twice, but sometimes less, if he has a fever spike or intense body tremors. The doctor has an appointment at an eye specialist’s office on Tuesday morning. This is good for the eye, although I will say that today Kevin’s right eye was starting to look even better, especially when compared with a week ago. There is more pink than red in some sections, and the red is not bright blood red like last Monday night.
We have been learning how to do basic care stuff, including suctioning Kevin’s trach tube and also oral care. The more we know, the better care Kevin will have.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to find all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (if you have trouble with the first link)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Update #68 on Kevin
This morning was much more laid back. We found out last night that Kevin’s doctor had consulted with an eye specialist about Kevin’s eye. They are going to treat it with a very powerful antibiotic and topical ointment.
The MRI while not focused on Kevin’s brain (it was intended for his eye) did capture an overview of his brain. It showed that there was still blood residue around the fracture point on the right side of his head. It also showed residual blood in his brain where the trauma had been (including the brainstem). He said it could take awhile for that to go away.
Kevin has still been battling fever and they are trying to figure out what is causing it. His body has had tremors and chills whenever the fever is coming on, so it has been a signal.
He sat in his neuro chair once so far today for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The physical and occupational therapists held Kevin in a sitting position on the edge of his bed for 20 minutes again today.
Pray for Kevin’s eye to heal, pray for his fever to subside, pray for his mind to heal completely.
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to find all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (an alternate address)
The MRI while not focused on Kevin’s brain (it was intended for his eye) did capture an overview of his brain. It showed that there was still blood residue around the fracture point on the right side of his head. It also showed residual blood in his brain where the trauma had been (including the brainstem). He said it could take awhile for that to go away.
Kevin has still been battling fever and they are trying to figure out what is causing it. His body has had tremors and chills whenever the fever is coming on, so it has been a signal.
He sat in his neuro chair once so far today for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The physical and occupational therapists held Kevin in a sitting position on the edge of his bed for 20 minutes again today.
Pray for Kevin’s eye to heal, pray for his fever to subside, pray for his mind to heal completely.
Thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to find all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (an alternate address)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Update #67 on Kevin
Okay…..take a breath, Matt. Today has been really stressful. Not really bad stuff, but it has already been a flurry of activity. I mean it seems like every doctor, nurse, tech, specialist, case worker, therapist, etc… has come through Kevin’s door this morning. Only the last thirty minutes have been somewhat peaceful. Here’s the list of those that came in:
Infection Specialist (for his eye – he said it is looking better to him)
Wound Specialist (for his heel blood blisters – She is ordering new suspension boots that are soft)
Neurologist (increased the amount of nightly muscle relaxer from 10mg to 20mg, after only one night)
Pulmonologist (Lung Doctor, he said it might not be good to remove the trach until he is more awake)
Physician’s Assistant (to the Lung Doctors – nodded in agreement with the lung doctor)
Case Worker (Insurance cleared Kevin for another week at Meadowbrook)
Respiratory Therapist (capped his trach for about three hours)
Pharmacist (with an antibiotic that supposed to be here last night; it was wrong, I had the nurse switch it)
X-Ray technician (took an X-Ray of Kevin’s chest)
Physical therapist & Occupational therapist (they had him sit up on the side of the bed for 20 mins this time, 2 days ago it was 10)
Nurses (to nurse him to health)
Techs (to tech him to health)
I know there were others, but the one who hasn’t shown up yet, is his main general doctor. He is always good about answering questions, which is good, since I have a list of about six or seven.
Yesterday, we spoke with Kevin’s dentist. We just wanted to check to make sure there wasn’t anything we needed to be concerned with. They said there is nothing that we need to worry about for now. It is good that he is being tube fed, instead of a tube down his throat. The reason is that there is no food going into his mouth to encourage the growth of bacteria in his mouth. We can even get a dry tooth brush to work on his teeth ourselves.
Reps from one of the Skilled Nursery facilities visited today. They missed one of the windows of Kevin’s more alert stages throughout the day. I think they are planning on returning. As of right now, he is cleared to remain at Meadowbrook for another week. We are happy with him staying at Meadowbrook as long as his insurance will let him. Can I just say that it is warped that insurance is one of the biggest deciders for Kevin’s medical state. Asinine. Did the insurance go to school the study medicine??? Well, I just have to fall back and trust in the one who created doctors and insurance agents. God will continue to get us through this situation. Please pray that Kevin remains or goes to wherever God has the best for him.
Pray for Kevin’s complete recovery.
Pray for our family to become closer to God as we go through this together.
Pray that the nurses, doctors, etc… are opened to Kevin’s progress and God’s involvement.
Pray for the restoration of Kevin’s house.
The thing about stress is that it can come from good things and bad things. Stress can impact your health, your decisions, your life. Pray that we rely on the Holy Spirit to comfort us and for us to wade through the waist deep swamp of stress in which we currently find ourselves. I am already feeling more relaxed.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (check out the updates you missed, it may not make sense otherwise)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (you can find them here too)
Infection Specialist (for his eye – he said it is looking better to him)
Wound Specialist (for his heel blood blisters – She is ordering new suspension boots that are soft)
Neurologist (increased the amount of nightly muscle relaxer from 10mg to 20mg, after only one night)
Pulmonologist (Lung Doctor, he said it might not be good to remove the trach until he is more awake)
Physician’s Assistant (to the Lung Doctors – nodded in agreement with the lung doctor)
Case Worker (Insurance cleared Kevin for another week at Meadowbrook)
Respiratory Therapist (capped his trach for about three hours)
Pharmacist (with an antibiotic that supposed to be here last night; it was wrong, I had the nurse switch it)
X-Ray technician (took an X-Ray of Kevin’s chest)
Physical therapist & Occupational therapist (they had him sit up on the side of the bed for 20 mins this time, 2 days ago it was 10)
Nurses (to nurse him to health)
Techs (to tech him to health)
I know there were others, but the one who hasn’t shown up yet, is his main general doctor. He is always good about answering questions, which is good, since I have a list of about six or seven.
Yesterday, we spoke with Kevin’s dentist. We just wanted to check to make sure there wasn’t anything we needed to be concerned with. They said there is nothing that we need to worry about for now. It is good that he is being tube fed, instead of a tube down his throat. The reason is that there is no food going into his mouth to encourage the growth of bacteria in his mouth. We can even get a dry tooth brush to work on his teeth ourselves.
Reps from one of the Skilled Nursery facilities visited today. They missed one of the windows of Kevin’s more alert stages throughout the day. I think they are planning on returning. As of right now, he is cleared to remain at Meadowbrook for another week. We are happy with him staying at Meadowbrook as long as his insurance will let him. Can I just say that it is warped that insurance is one of the biggest deciders for Kevin’s medical state. Asinine. Did the insurance go to school the study medicine??? Well, I just have to fall back and trust in the one who created doctors and insurance agents. God will continue to get us through this situation. Please pray that Kevin remains or goes to wherever God has the best for him.
Pray for Kevin’s complete recovery.
Pray for our family to become closer to God as we go through this together.
Pray that the nurses, doctors, etc… are opened to Kevin’s progress and God’s involvement.
Pray for the restoration of Kevin’s house.
The thing about stress is that it can come from good things and bad things. Stress can impact your health, your decisions, your life. Pray that we rely on the Holy Spirit to comfort us and for us to wade through the waist deep swamp of stress in which we currently find ourselves. I am already feeling more relaxed.
Thanks for your prayers,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (check out the updates you missed, it may not make sense otherwise)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (you can find them here too)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Update #66 on Kevin
I am really missing Kevin tonight. I’m sitting right across the room from him, yet I am missing him deeply to the very marrow of my bones. I just finished looking through over 11,000 photos from 2008. Each one I was looking for Kevin. Looking for his vitality, his liveliness, his personality….and I found several very satisfying shots. About halfway through I felt the pang of missing him, however, as I kept moving through the photos, remembering, savoring, I experienced the full gamut of emotions. I laughed to myself several times, with an audible chuckle, as I saw Kevin making some face. I remember events like Easter egg hunting. My wife, our nephews and nieces thought it would be fun to hide the eggs for Kevin, Greg and me. First they sent us on a wild goose hunt, looking in Greg’s backyard for eggs that were not hidden there. Then they unleashed us upon the front yard to battle over each uncovered gem in the grass, or tree, or hole, or…you get the picture. I saw holidays, such as Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Independence Day is a major holiday in my family. Each year, we grill and shoot fireworks. Many of those years we did this at our family’s lakelot at Fort Gibson, near Wagoner, Oklahoma. Questions arose in my mind, such as when would our holidays return to normal, if ever?
Kevin’s digestion seems to be adjusting well to the increased rate on tube feeding. He hasn’t had his tube feeding pump turned off once today. He also had his trach capped for around 5 ½ hours. Another good run. He also sat in the blue neuro chair for 3 hours and 15 minutes. I am going to talk more to the doctor in the morning about Kevin’s MRI yesterday. The only thing we know for sure is that his eye infection has not entered his eyeball. Kevin just had a bath and he blinked quick and reacted to some cold soap spray on his body.
The respiratory therapist and tech are trying to adjust him in the bed, so that his head does not lay to one side nor lean too far forward. He needs to have a more clear airway.
Kevin also had his first muscle relaxer at night. The neurosurgeon ordered it to give his body a rest. We don’t want him being too sedated throughout the day. His general doctor said for us to just see how he does the next couple days. The muscle relaxer should only last 6-8 hours, and he took it around 9 PM tonight. He still had several movements with his head and leg, even with the muscle relaxer.
I was looking at some of the stats on Kevin’s site and groups. Here’s the latest:
In one month, there have been 2,269 computers (visitors) go to prayforkevin.com from 21 countries around the world! That blog has been viewed by those 2,269 visitors 8,218 times!! There are 296 people who receive the updates on Kevin via email and another 300 people in the Pray For Kevin group on Facebook! Thanks to everyone that is following these updates and praying for Kevin’s recovery! Thanks for prayers for the restoration of Kevin’s house. Thanks also for prayers for our family as we navigate this tragedy. It means more than you may ever know.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to find all previous 65 updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (and yet another way to find them)
Kevin’s digestion seems to be adjusting well to the increased rate on tube feeding. He hasn’t had his tube feeding pump turned off once today. He also had his trach capped for around 5 ½ hours. Another good run. He also sat in the blue neuro chair for 3 hours and 15 minutes. I am going to talk more to the doctor in the morning about Kevin’s MRI yesterday. The only thing we know for sure is that his eye infection has not entered his eyeball. Kevin just had a bath and he blinked quick and reacted to some cold soap spray on his body.
The respiratory therapist and tech are trying to adjust him in the bed, so that his head does not lay to one side nor lean too far forward. He needs to have a more clear airway.
Kevin also had his first muscle relaxer at night. The neurosurgeon ordered it to give his body a rest. We don’t want him being too sedated throughout the day. His general doctor said for us to just see how he does the next couple days. The muscle relaxer should only last 6-8 hours, and he took it around 9 PM tonight. He still had several movements with his head and leg, even with the muscle relaxer.
I was looking at some of the stats on Kevin’s site and groups. Here’s the latest:
In one month, there have been 2,269 computers (visitors) go to prayforkevin.com from 21 countries around the world! That blog has been viewed by those 2,269 visitors 8,218 times!! There are 296 people who receive the updates on Kevin via email and another 300 people in the Pray For Kevin group on Facebook! Thanks to everyone that is following these updates and praying for Kevin’s recovery! Thanks for prayers for the restoration of Kevin’s house. Thanks also for prayers for our family as we navigate this tragedy. It means more than you may ever know.
Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to find all previous 65 updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (and yet another way to find them)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Update #65 on Kevin
We are back from Kevin’s MRI. We got back around 3 PM and Kevin seemed to be sleeping soundly. We might hear something about those tomorrow. Remember, the big reason for the MRI was Kevin’s eye, but there was also brain overview scans too. I sat in the control room and watched the entire procedure. It was also a Tube MRI, as opposed to the Open MRI that I previously mentioned. Kevin did really good on no oxygen and lower heart rate throughout the procedure.
While Kevin was laying in his bed, post MRI procedure. I tried something. I had been showing my mom some candies that I picked up at CrackerBarrel recently. I got them because they reminded me of my youth. Remember those old orange marshmallowey’like ‘circus peanuts’ and the sugar sprinkled jelly orange slices? My grandma always had those in candy containers at her house. When I showed the orange peanuts to mom, she said they were one of Kevin’s favorites growing up. We read a few weeks ago about using smells in coma stimulation, so I broke one in half and put it under Kevin’s nose. I was standing on Kevin’s right side and I couldn’t see his eyes since he was leaning to the left, so I walked around. I tried it again, placing it under each nostril for a couple seconds. After about 4 seconds he started opening his left eye (his right eye was taped shut giving it a rest). I switched it back and forth under his nose and his eyelid kept opening. I told him what it was and told him that I wished I could give it to him. His eye opened really big. Then, looking back, I did something really mean…I ate it. I didn’t mean to do it, it was just natural.
An hour or so later, we had a little scare. Kevin’s heart rate jumped up and raced awhile, then it would slow down. About five or ten minutes would go by and it would do it all again. They also had issues with Kevin’s monitor, so they worked to get it changed out. It seems like Kevin is doing better now.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (Pre-MRI updates available here)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (And here)
While Kevin was laying in his bed, post MRI procedure. I tried something. I had been showing my mom some candies that I picked up at CrackerBarrel recently. I got them because they reminded me of my youth. Remember those old orange marshmallowey’like ‘circus peanuts’ and the sugar sprinkled jelly orange slices? My grandma always had those in candy containers at her house. When I showed the orange peanuts to mom, she said they were one of Kevin’s favorites growing up. We read a few weeks ago about using smells in coma stimulation, so I broke one in half and put it under Kevin’s nose. I was standing on Kevin’s right side and I couldn’t see his eyes since he was leaning to the left, so I walked around. I tried it again, placing it under each nostril for a couple seconds. After about 4 seconds he started opening his left eye (his right eye was taped shut giving it a rest). I switched it back and forth under his nose and his eyelid kept opening. I told him what it was and told him that I wished I could give it to him. His eye opened really big. Then, looking back, I did something really mean…I ate it. I didn’t mean to do it, it was just natural.
An hour or so later, we had a little scare. Kevin’s heart rate jumped up and raced awhile, then it would slow down. About five or ten minutes would go by and it would do it all again. They also had issues with Kevin’s monitor, so they worked to get it changed out. It seems like Kevin is doing better now.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (Pre-MRI updates available here)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (And here)
Update #64
Today is MRI day. EMSA should be arriving in the next thirty minutes to transport Kevin to Southcrest Hospital for an MRI. Kevin is having an OMRI, or Open MRI. Open MRI scanners have been developed for people who are anxious or obese or for examination of small parts of the body, like knees or shoulders. The major difference between an OMRI and a Tube MRI is that instead of lying down in a narrow tunnel, the imaging table has more space around the body so that the magnet does not completely surround the person being tested. I have seen a picture and it looks like something off of Star Trek.
Speaking of Star Trek, I know that some people either like Star Wars or Star Trek. My brothers and I watched both. Captain Kirk, Bones and Spock……good times. I remember going to the movie, Star Trek: Wrath of Khan with a group of people, including my brothers.
The Open MRI procedure is at 12:30 and should take no more than three hours. Then we have to wait on EMSA to transport Kevin back to Meadowbrook. It was scheduled for his eye. The doctor wants to make sure that his right eye infection has not entered into his eyeball. It will also give us an MRI of his brain at the same time.
The neurologist came in this morning. She wants him to start having physical therapy twice per day. She is also ordering a muscle relaxer. Kevin will only have this at night, since it would also knock him out. This will allow his muscles to rest, at least at night, from the muscle spasms and tone that he is experiencing.
When Physical and Occupational therapy came in today, they did lots of range of motion. They also tried sitting him on the edge of the bed for ten minutes. The whole time his heart rate did not go past 117, in fact after a couple minutes it lowered back down to 105. Also his O2 rate was good the whole time. After he was laid back in bed, his O2 rate lowered to the low 90’s (93-95), but the respiratory therapist said that is normal.
Also, I failed to mention that on Friday they had capped his trach for 7 ½ hours. Several hours on Saturday and Sunday. Today they capped him first this morning. He was capped between 7:30 and 11:30. They switched him over to oxygen to help him for transport.
This weekend we also discovered two pressure sores on the heels of his feet. There is supposed to be a wound specialist come in and check them. I guess that will have to wait until after the OMRI, since EMSA is now here.
Thanks for praying for Kevin, the transport and his complete healing,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (tell all your friends)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or tell them this one)
Speaking of Star Trek, I know that some people either like Star Wars or Star Trek. My brothers and I watched both. Captain Kirk, Bones and Spock……good times. I remember going to the movie, Star Trek: Wrath of Khan with a group of people, including my brothers.
The Open MRI procedure is at 12:30 and should take no more than three hours. Then we have to wait on EMSA to transport Kevin back to Meadowbrook. It was scheduled for his eye. The doctor wants to make sure that his right eye infection has not entered into his eyeball. It will also give us an MRI of his brain at the same time.
The neurologist came in this morning. She wants him to start having physical therapy twice per day. She is also ordering a muscle relaxer. Kevin will only have this at night, since it would also knock him out. This will allow his muscles to rest, at least at night, from the muscle spasms and tone that he is experiencing.
When Physical and Occupational therapy came in today, they did lots of range of motion. They also tried sitting him on the edge of the bed for ten minutes. The whole time his heart rate did not go past 117, in fact after a couple minutes it lowered back down to 105. Also his O2 rate was good the whole time. After he was laid back in bed, his O2 rate lowered to the low 90’s (93-95), but the respiratory therapist said that is normal.
Also, I failed to mention that on Friday they had capped his trach for 7 ½ hours. Several hours on Saturday and Sunday. Today they capped him first this morning. He was capped between 7:30 and 11:30. They switched him over to oxygen to help him for transport.
This weekend we also discovered two pressure sores on the heels of his feet. There is supposed to be a wound specialist come in and check them. I guess that will have to wait until after the OMRI, since EMSA is now here.
Thanks for praying for Kevin, the transport and his complete healing,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (tell all your friends)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (or tell them this one)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Update #63 on Kevin
Kevin had an uneventful night last night. Yesterday, he had his trach capped for at least six hours by the time, that we left last night. Usually, they would give his lungs a break, by putting him back on wall-flow, but I’m not sure what time they did that. Regardless, six hours would be his record so far, for being capped and breathing only through his mouth and nose. His respiratory therapist even gave him his breathing treatment with a mask over his mouth and nose.
He has had a fever a couple of times over the past couple days, so the doctor ordered some blood cultures to be done. Speaking of blood, Kevin had some in his urine last night, but apparently, it was just from getting his catheter pulled or something, because that cleared up overnight too.
Kevin’s stomach digestion issues are still a little buggy. They have to keep starting and stopping his tube feeding, so that he can digest better. Keep praying for his digestion issues as he adjusts to a higher dose of tube feeding.
Thanks for praying for the family as we navigate all the issues that naturally come up in a situation like this. Pray for us to find time to deal with the flood issues too. It is difficult tearing time away from Kevin to deal with material things.
Thanks for caring,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to read all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (if you have trouble accessing the site above, try this)
He has had a fever a couple of times over the past couple days, so the doctor ordered some blood cultures to be done. Speaking of blood, Kevin had some in his urine last night, but apparently, it was just from getting his catheter pulled or something, because that cleared up overnight too.
Kevin’s stomach digestion issues are still a little buggy. They have to keep starting and stopping his tube feeding, so that he can digest better. Keep praying for his digestion issues as he adjusts to a higher dose of tube feeding.
Thanks for praying for the family as we navigate all the issues that naturally come up in a situation like this. Pray for us to find time to deal with the flood issues too. It is difficult tearing time away from Kevin to deal with material things.
Thanks for caring,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to read all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (if you have trouble accessing the site above, try this)
Friday, October 2, 2009
Update #62 on Kevin
Last night, Angie and I stayed with Kevin. We went to the fair last night. Our family had fun together, even though it was strange that Kevin wasn’t there. We walked around, went in buildings, ate food and played games. Really, the only game we played was the knife game. It is a favorite of my family. I won a couple red knives in Kevin’s honor, red is his favorite color. After the fair we came back to relieve a family friend and our mom and dad. Then we spent the night.
Kevin had a relatively good night. Yesterday, the doctor had increased his tube feeding rate from 50 to 70 and he has been having some issues adjusting to the digestion. He has had various high residuals (leftovers in his belly). Sometimes that is part of his body getting used to the new amount. Pray that his stomach can start handling the new amounts, which will give him more nutrition.
Kevin has had his trach capped since 2:30 pm (it is 5:04 pm now). So he is going on 3 hours, which was his record so far to date breathing only through his nose and mouth. He is supposed to be moved into his blue neuro chair around 6:00 pm for his evening stint. This morning, he was having different spasms, and his heart rate went up. The doctor explained to us that this is a byproduct of being stimulated, including us touching him. It isn’t causing him pain, it’s like when you work out with weights, you work hard and your heart rate goes up. He said we don’t want to stop touching him, so therefore we accept the byproduct.
The doctor ordered an MRI for Kevin’s eye on Monday morning. EMSA will arrive around 11:30 AM, he’ll go to Southcrest and come back afterwards. I believe this will also give us an MRI of Kevin’s brain at the same time. Two for one!
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to read all the updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (another way to find the blog)
Kevin had a relatively good night. Yesterday, the doctor had increased his tube feeding rate from 50 to 70 and he has been having some issues adjusting to the digestion. He has had various high residuals (leftovers in his belly). Sometimes that is part of his body getting used to the new amount. Pray that his stomach can start handling the new amounts, which will give him more nutrition.
Kevin has had his trach capped since 2:30 pm (it is 5:04 pm now). So he is going on 3 hours, which was his record so far to date breathing only through his nose and mouth. He is supposed to be moved into his blue neuro chair around 6:00 pm for his evening stint. This morning, he was having different spasms, and his heart rate went up. The doctor explained to us that this is a byproduct of being stimulated, including us touching him. It isn’t causing him pain, it’s like when you work out with weights, you work hard and your heart rate goes up. He said we don’t want to stop touching him, so therefore we accept the byproduct.
The doctor ordered an MRI for Kevin’s eye on Monday morning. EMSA will arrive around 11:30 AM, he’ll go to Southcrest and come back afterwards. I believe this will also give us an MRI of Kevin’s brain at the same time. Two for one!
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to read all the updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (another way to find the blog)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Update #61 on Kevin
Our family loves the fair. I can’t actually remember the first time I went to the fair. I am guessing it is because I start going as a baby. Every year my family spends several days at the Tulsa State Fair, playing games, eating corn dogs and listening to concerts; our dad has even played music out there for concerts and in contests. Last year, I took tons of pictures and video, so that the years we are in Italy we can look at the photos and think about the good times with family.
When all this happened, we didn’t even know if it would last this long. We had no idea if we would be here in America for the fair. As the time for the fair approached, we started thinking about the decision of going or not going. It will be so strange and emotional to go to the fair without Kevin. Although, it would probably be just as strange to not go.
Our family has a meeting spot at the fair. Before cell phones, it wasn’t easy to meet up without a meeting spot. We meet at the OU booth in the IPE building (Quiktrip building). Often we would be stuck waiting forever for someone. If we end up meeting there this year, we might find ourselves lingering a little longer for Kevin to arrive.
We did decide to go, at least a few times. Kevin would, and he would want us to do that too. So tonight, a family friend will be with Kevin allowing our family the opportunity to go all together, at least once. So if you remember our family tonight, pray for us to have a good time and have the strength to make it through the emotional aspects of going without Kevin.
The search continues for a next step facility. Kevin is here at Meadowbrook for another week, until next Tuesday (it is a week to week approval). But we don’t want to be caught unprepared so we continue to look at what’s next. Right now, it would need to be a facility that accepts patients with a trach, and some even distinguish between recently placed and older trachs. His is considered a recently placed trach.
The past couple days he has had the trach cap on, which only allows him to breathe through his nose and mouth. He continues to do well with it, sometimes having more coughing issues, but other times doing fine. It is a relearning of breathing. His respiratory rate continues to do well. The other night they removed all leads from his chest (telemetry). The only things they are monitoring now are through the pulsox. It measures his oxygen rating and basic heart monitoring. Kevin had a couple of small sores on his back that he got while in TICU. He hasn’t gotten anymore since being at Meadowbrook. One looks better, the other has looked better and not as good (but never really bad). They both need to heal more.
He has had the trach cap on for a couple hours again today and is doing well with it. He also was in his neuro chair today. In a future update, I’ll post what questions we are asking of the facilities we are looking into for Kevin. It is a long list and some centers respond better than others. I thought it may be helpful for others. And also if anyone out there has more experience than we do, feel free to send us questions we may not have thought.
Thanks for praying and reading. And maybe we’ll see you tonight if you brave the rain and make it out to the fair tonight.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to follow Kevin’s progress and pray)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (an alternate address)
When all this happened, we didn’t even know if it would last this long. We had no idea if we would be here in America for the fair. As the time for the fair approached, we started thinking about the decision of going or not going. It will be so strange and emotional to go to the fair without Kevin. Although, it would probably be just as strange to not go.
Our family has a meeting spot at the fair. Before cell phones, it wasn’t easy to meet up without a meeting spot. We meet at the OU booth in the IPE building (Quiktrip building). Often we would be stuck waiting forever for someone. If we end up meeting there this year, we might find ourselves lingering a little longer for Kevin to arrive.
We did decide to go, at least a few times. Kevin would, and he would want us to do that too. So tonight, a family friend will be with Kevin allowing our family the opportunity to go all together, at least once. So if you remember our family tonight, pray for us to have a good time and have the strength to make it through the emotional aspects of going without Kevin.
The search continues for a next step facility. Kevin is here at Meadowbrook for another week, until next Tuesday (it is a week to week approval). But we don’t want to be caught unprepared so we continue to look at what’s next. Right now, it would need to be a facility that accepts patients with a trach, and some even distinguish between recently placed and older trachs. His is considered a recently placed trach.
The past couple days he has had the trach cap on, which only allows him to breathe through his nose and mouth. He continues to do well with it, sometimes having more coughing issues, but other times doing fine. It is a relearning of breathing. His respiratory rate continues to do well. The other night they removed all leads from his chest (telemetry). The only things they are monitoring now are through the pulsox. It measures his oxygen rating and basic heart monitoring. Kevin had a couple of small sores on his back that he got while in TICU. He hasn’t gotten anymore since being at Meadowbrook. One looks better, the other has looked better and not as good (but never really bad). They both need to heal more.
He has had the trach cap on for a couple hours again today and is doing well with it. He also was in his neuro chair today. In a future update, I’ll post what questions we are asking of the facilities we are looking into for Kevin. It is a long list and some centers respond better than others. I thought it may be helpful for others. And also if anyone out there has more experience than we do, feel free to send us questions we may not have thought.
Thanks for praying and reading. And maybe we’ll see you tonight if you brave the rain and make it out to the fair tonight.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to follow Kevin’s progress and pray)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (an alternate address)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Update #60 on Kevin
Kevin did well throughout the night, as far as his stats are concerned. This morning the doctor looked at Kevin’s right eye (the one severely infected). He saw that there was some white coming back into his eye. We looked at his eye and saw it too. There is a sliver of white on the left side of his right iris. Also above his iris, there is white with a web of red veins, but you can see the white peeking through. The rest of the sclera (white part) is fire engine red, but the filmy layer of pus has come off the iris, so you can see his brown iris.
They put him in his blue neuro chair at 10:00 AM. Around 11:30 AM the Respiratory Therapist placed the cap on the trach again. This blocks off the trach hole and forces Kevin to use only his mouth and nose for all breathing functions. This time, Kevin seemed to adjust well. His heartrate did not go up. His respiratory rate only increased from 22 breaths per minute (bpm) to 25-26 bpm’s.
At 11:45 AM Kevin started having a muscle spasm reflex in his right arm. I used a technique taught to us by the Physical and Occupational therapists. You slowly bend his hand back and hold it in the position. I did that for about 30 minutes, giving him a rest. His heart rate is between 103-110 and his respiratory rate is between 20-25 bpm.
We are trying to investigate the next stage facilities for whenever that may come. If this were his last week, we would need to move him in the next couple days. However, he is still on IV antibiotics and they are trying to work on capping his trach. So that makes it less likely that this is his last week.
The thing is, we want him to be wherever God wants him to be for healing. Please just pray that God would place Kevin wherever he wants him to be.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to read all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (alternate address)
They put him in his blue neuro chair at 10:00 AM. Around 11:30 AM the Respiratory Therapist placed the cap on the trach again. This blocks off the trach hole and forces Kevin to use only his mouth and nose for all breathing functions. This time, Kevin seemed to adjust well. His heartrate did not go up. His respiratory rate only increased from 22 breaths per minute (bpm) to 25-26 bpm’s.
At 11:45 AM Kevin started having a muscle spasm reflex in his right arm. I used a technique taught to us by the Physical and Occupational therapists. You slowly bend his hand back and hold it in the position. I did that for about 30 minutes, giving him a rest. His heart rate is between 103-110 and his respiratory rate is between 20-25 bpm.
We are trying to investigate the next stage facilities for whenever that may come. If this were his last week, we would need to move him in the next couple days. However, he is still on IV antibiotics and they are trying to work on capping his trach. So that makes it less likely that this is his last week.
The thing is, we want him to be wherever God wants him to be for healing. Please just pray that God would place Kevin wherever he wants him to be.
Thanks for praying and reading,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to read all the past updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (alternate address)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Update #59 on Kevin
So Kevin ended up breathing with the speaking valve on for ten hours today (minus the 30 minutes he had a breathing treatment). The Respiratory therapist switched Kevin back on Wall-Flow so he could have a break tonight throughout the night. He did great on it tonight. Breathing in through the trach, and out through his mouth and nose. Pray that he can make the switch over to the trach cap. That means everything goes through his mouth and nose, no trach support for that!
His right eye was definitely less swollen today, but it was still very red and extremely irritated. It continues to appear that there is a layer of puss just under the outer skin of the eye. Pray that it can be determined if the infection has entered his actual eyeball.
One of Kevin’s nurses had it set up so that she could remotely monitor his blood pressure. Just another way to watch over Kevin as he continues to heal. As soon as she was told it was set-up we heard the cuff start airing up! I love technology.
For the past week, whenever Kevin has been put in his blue neuro chair, he starts having these synchronized muscle reflexes. Both legs, both arms, both hands and all fingers contract in bursts. It will last anywhere from 2 minutes to 45 minutes. Physical and Occupational therapy told us that his brain is firing signals to his muscles. His brain fires too much at one time. When he begins having these, we can slowly push his hand backwards towards his foreman and hold pressure. It helps his body to relax. The goal is for his brain to fire just the right amount of signal.
I returned our rental car today. As the employee was driving me back to drop me off, we began talking about where she was dropping me off. I explained it was at Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital. I told her my brother was in a coma after an automobile accident. She knew my name from the rental and asked if I was related to Kevin Crosser. I told her I was his brother and that was the brother that was in the hospital in a coma. She reacted with surprise that she knows Kevin. Her husband worked with him in the past. It is hard for one of us in the family to go anywhere without someone knowing Kevin. He knew so many people. And he had a big impact on quite a few of them.
The stitches are out of Kevin’s wound on the right side of his head. His scar is healing up nicely and hair is growing back in around it. The scabs on his ears, have all but fallen off, or completely healed.
I’ll close tonight’s with Kevin’s stats…
Heart rate 89-95 beats per minute
Respiratory rate 20-24 breaths per minute
Latest blood pressure 97 over 55
And his Oxygen is holding firm at 100.
Thanks for praying for all these things! Let’s thank God together that he has answered so many prayers. Please pray for healing of Kevin’s mind. Pray for healing of Kevin’s brainstem. Thank you for giving your time to the recovery of Kevin.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (the blog)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (the other way to get to the blog)
His right eye was definitely less swollen today, but it was still very red and extremely irritated. It continues to appear that there is a layer of puss just under the outer skin of the eye. Pray that it can be determined if the infection has entered his actual eyeball.
One of Kevin’s nurses had it set up so that she could remotely monitor his blood pressure. Just another way to watch over Kevin as he continues to heal. As soon as she was told it was set-up we heard the cuff start airing up! I love technology.
For the past week, whenever Kevin has been put in his blue neuro chair, he starts having these synchronized muscle reflexes. Both legs, both arms, both hands and all fingers contract in bursts. It will last anywhere from 2 minutes to 45 minutes. Physical and Occupational therapy told us that his brain is firing signals to his muscles. His brain fires too much at one time. When he begins having these, we can slowly push his hand backwards towards his foreman and hold pressure. It helps his body to relax. The goal is for his brain to fire just the right amount of signal.
I returned our rental car today. As the employee was driving me back to drop me off, we began talking about where she was dropping me off. I explained it was at Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital. I told her my brother was in a coma after an automobile accident. She knew my name from the rental and asked if I was related to Kevin Crosser. I told her I was his brother and that was the brother that was in the hospital in a coma. She reacted with surprise that she knows Kevin. Her husband worked with him in the past. It is hard for one of us in the family to go anywhere without someone knowing Kevin. He knew so many people. And he had a big impact on quite a few of them.
The stitches are out of Kevin’s wound on the right side of his head. His scar is healing up nicely and hair is growing back in around it. The scabs on his ears, have all but fallen off, or completely healed.
I’ll close tonight’s with Kevin’s stats…
Heart rate 89-95 beats per minute
Respiratory rate 20-24 breaths per minute
Latest blood pressure 97 over 55
And his Oxygen is holding firm at 100.
Thanks for praying for all these things! Let’s thank God together that he has answered so many prayers. Please pray for healing of Kevin’s mind. Pray for healing of Kevin’s brainstem. Thank you for giving your time to the recovery of Kevin.
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (the blog)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (the other way to get to the blog)
Update #58 on Kevin
They tried to cap Kevin’s trach around 10:30 AM. His stats were okay, but he seemed to be trying to breathe through the capped trach. His body hadn’t quite adjusted to breathing in and out through his nose and mouth yet. So, instead of going completely back on the trach tube, they put his speaking valve on. If you’ll remember, the speaking valve, allows him to take breaths in but he has to breathe out through his nose and mouth. He has been on the speaking valve since since then and his vitals have continued to improve. Just now his heart rate is in the 90’s and his respiratory rate has been in the high teens and low 20s. That means he has been off the trach tube and on the speaking valve for 2 ½ hours. I think before the longest had been around 1 hr 20 mins.
The respiratory therapist came in to take his speaking valve off. She only did this to give him a breathing treatment. He coughed just a first and she suctioned it off. Then he was clear. She said he continued to sound really clear. After the breathing treatment, she put the speaking valve back on, but this time left the nasal O2 line off. They had put in on this morning, when they tried the cap. They said that they didn’t think he needed it, but it was just a precaution. He has done so well, it is better that he has it back off.
Physical and occupational therapy came in and worked on his range of motion. Also over the past couple days Kevin’s residuals have been next to nothing. Residuals are just the measurement of what is left in his stomach, in other words, what he is NOT digesting. So low residuals mean that he is digesting his food well. His doctor said this morning that his nutrition levels were normal, so he is getting what he needs.
People continue to ask what they can do for the family, so I will list options here….
- If you work at American Airlines and have days off that you would consider donating to my brother, Greg, you can do so at the administration desk located next to the injury counselor’s office in the admin building (near the credit union). We are getting ready to start sorting through all Kevin’s possessions that were in Kevin’s house during the flood. We have to go through every single item. It would be very helpful for us if Greg was able to have the time off to help at the warehouse.
- If you want to prepare meals for the family or deliver the meals is something that you would like to help with, we could still use help in that area. You can contact Jeff Congdon, if you would like to prepare or deliver a meal OR you can contribute to the Crosser account #4374300 at 742-DINE.
New stats:
Members of the “Pray for Kevin” Facebook group: 295 members
Subscribers to the “Pray for Kevin” email update list: 285 subscribers
Visitors to prayforkevin.com: 1,968 people
How many times prayforkevin.com has viewed: 6,815 views
Twitter followers of pray4kevin: 30 twitterers
There’s almost been 2000 people go to prayforkevin.com! Thanks for spreading the word. If you know of anyone that would like to get these updates, please forward the updates to them. Or have them go to http://www.prayforkevin.com/ and sign up to receive the updates via email.
Thanks for praying for Kevin,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (click here to read all the updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (just another way to get there)
The respiratory therapist came in to take his speaking valve off. She only did this to give him a breathing treatment. He coughed just a first and she suctioned it off. Then he was clear. She said he continued to sound really clear. After the breathing treatment, she put the speaking valve back on, but this time left the nasal O2 line off. They had put in on this morning, when they tried the cap. They said that they didn’t think he needed it, but it was just a precaution. He has done so well, it is better that he has it back off.
Physical and occupational therapy came in and worked on his range of motion. Also over the past couple days Kevin’s residuals have been next to nothing. Residuals are just the measurement of what is left in his stomach, in other words, what he is NOT digesting. So low residuals mean that he is digesting his food well. His doctor said this morning that his nutrition levels were normal, so he is getting what he needs.
People continue to ask what they can do for the family, so I will list options here….
- If you work at American Airlines and have days off that you would consider donating to my brother, Greg, you can do so at the administration desk located next to the injury counselor’s office in the admin building (near the credit union). We are getting ready to start sorting through all Kevin’s possessions that were in Kevin’s house during the flood. We have to go through every single item. It would be very helpful for us if Greg was able to have the time off to help at the warehouse.
- If you want to prepare meals for the family or deliver the meals is something that you would like to help with, we could still use help in that area. You can contact Jeff Congdon, if you would like to prepare or deliver a meal OR you can contribute to the Crosser account #4374300 at 742-DINE.
New stats:
Members of the “Pray for Kevin” Facebook group: 295 members
Subscribers to the “Pray for Kevin” email update list: 285 subscribers
Visitors to prayforkevin.com: 1,968 people
How many times prayforkevin.com has viewed: 6,815 views
Twitter followers of pray4kevin: 30 twitterers
There’s almost been 2000 people go to prayforkevin.com! Thanks for spreading the word. If you know of anyone that would like to get these updates, please forward the updates to them. Or have them go to http://www.prayforkevin.com/ and sign up to receive the updates via email.
Thanks for praying for Kevin,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (click here to read all the updates)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (just another way to get there)
Update #57 on Kevin
Have you ever heard the song “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” by Don Williams? I remember Kevin bringing home that song on an 8-track. For those of you too young to remember the vinyl albums and 45s, good luck remembering 8-tracks. They were basically pre-cassette cassettes, about the size of a thick piece of toast. Anyway, the lyrics to that song are…
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord, I hope this day is good
Lord, have you forgotten me
I've been prayin' to you faithfully
I'm not sayin' I'm a righteous man
But Lord, I hope you understand
I don't need fortune and I don't need fame
Send down the thunder Lord, send down the rain
But when you're planning just how it will be
Plan a good day for me
You've been the king since the dawn of time
All that I'm asking is a little less crime
It might be hard fo the devil to do
As we arrived here this morning (we had another family member stay last night thankfully), the sun was up, and things felt hopeful. We got there in time to meet today’s respiratory therapist and RN. A short while later and his main doctor came in. We have felt very thankful to God for this doctor. As he examined Kevin, we waited. Once he finished, he shared some thoughts and we chatted for a bit. We had already noticed that Kevin’s right eye had lost some of its swollenness, then he noticed too. He wants to make sure he isn’t missing anything, even though he already called in an infection specialist doctor. He mentioned different ideas such as calling in favors of eye doctors that he knows to get them in Meadowbrook. In fourteen years, he told us he hasn’t had an eye specialist come in there. He also talked about the possibility of taking Kevin somewhere to have his eye checked. Another option was to have an MRI done of Kevin’s eye. He wants to make sure that the infection is not getting into Kevin’s right eyeball. He said the benefit of an MRI is getting one of the brain at the same time. Two for one, he said.
We have heard some suggestions from staff about looking at the next stage for Kevin’s care. Meadowbrook is an LTAC. An LTAC is to help transition Kevin from the ICU to a more healthy, stable life. His vitals have continued to improve. His scarring is healing on the right side of his head. His swelling has gone down from his left arm, where the clot is. The PA said that his pneumonia is doing better. And his pseudomonas is something that can get better, but that he would have the bacteria in his lungs as long as he has the trach tube. The next stage depends on a few factors. In order to move to a rehab center, Kevin would need to be able to participate in rehab therapy three hours per day. At this stage, we aren’t sure if this is possible. Most of it would be range of motion and things like that. He isn’t at the point to do it on his own yet, since he isn’t really waking up. He just seems more alert at times than others.
Another option for the next step would be a skilled nursing center. These are usually a part of a nursing center, but are more advanced and for patients that need more attentive care. If Kevin still has his trach tube in, we are limited in choice to five different places in the Tulsa area. One in Bixby, one in Inola and three in Tulsa. However, the PA came in today and said that they wanted to try out a trach cap today on Kevin. Basically, it caps Kevin’s trach tube, removing the tube that goes into his trach. This gives him a trial run of breathing only through his nose and mouth. Another RT, had told me he was breathing some through his nose the other day, even with the trach in. If this trial goes well, we can look at taking the trach out completely, but putting in a trach button which keeps the hole from closing.
Please pray that Kevin breathes fine without the trach help, that is with the trach cap on. Pray for his continued healing. Pray for him to wake up. I just finished playing for Kevin a Don Williams CD I picked up. His eyelids fluttered when the music came on. Lord, I hope this day is good. In fact, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Thanks for always planning a good day for us God.
Thanks for reading, praying and encouraging,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (the main site for reading, commenting and catching up on posts)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (this is an alternate address for the blog)
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord, I hope this day is good
Lord, have you forgotten me
I've been prayin' to you faithfully
I'm not sayin' I'm a righteous man
But Lord, I hope you understand
I don't need fortune and I don't need fame
Send down the thunder Lord, send down the rain
But when you're planning just how it will be
Plan a good day for me
You've been the king since the dawn of time
All that I'm asking is a little less crime
It might be hard fo the devil to do
As we arrived here this morning (we had another family member stay last night thankfully), the sun was up, and things felt hopeful. We got there in time to meet today’s respiratory therapist and RN. A short while later and his main doctor came in. We have felt very thankful to God for this doctor. As he examined Kevin, we waited. Once he finished, he shared some thoughts and we chatted for a bit. We had already noticed that Kevin’s right eye had lost some of its swollenness, then he noticed too. He wants to make sure he isn’t missing anything, even though he already called in an infection specialist doctor. He mentioned different ideas such as calling in favors of eye doctors that he knows to get them in Meadowbrook. In fourteen years, he told us he hasn’t had an eye specialist come in there. He also talked about the possibility of taking Kevin somewhere to have his eye checked. Another option was to have an MRI done of Kevin’s eye. He wants to make sure that the infection is not getting into Kevin’s right eyeball. He said the benefit of an MRI is getting one of the brain at the same time. Two for one, he said.
We have heard some suggestions from staff about looking at the next stage for Kevin’s care. Meadowbrook is an LTAC. An LTAC is to help transition Kevin from the ICU to a more healthy, stable life. His vitals have continued to improve. His scarring is healing on the right side of his head. His swelling has gone down from his left arm, where the clot is. The PA said that his pneumonia is doing better. And his pseudomonas is something that can get better, but that he would have the bacteria in his lungs as long as he has the trach tube. The next stage depends on a few factors. In order to move to a rehab center, Kevin would need to be able to participate in rehab therapy three hours per day. At this stage, we aren’t sure if this is possible. Most of it would be range of motion and things like that. He isn’t at the point to do it on his own yet, since he isn’t really waking up. He just seems more alert at times than others.
Another option for the next step would be a skilled nursing center. These are usually a part of a nursing center, but are more advanced and for patients that need more attentive care. If Kevin still has his trach tube in, we are limited in choice to five different places in the Tulsa area. One in Bixby, one in Inola and three in Tulsa. However, the PA came in today and said that they wanted to try out a trach cap today on Kevin. Basically, it caps Kevin’s trach tube, removing the tube that goes into his trach. This gives him a trial run of breathing only through his nose and mouth. Another RT, had told me he was breathing some through his nose the other day, even with the trach in. If this trial goes well, we can look at taking the trach out completely, but putting in a trach button which keeps the hole from closing.
Please pray that Kevin breathes fine without the trach help, that is with the trach cap on. Pray for his continued healing. Pray for him to wake up. I just finished playing for Kevin a Don Williams CD I picked up. His eyelids fluttered when the music came on. Lord, I hope this day is good. In fact, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Thanks for always planning a good day for us God.
Thanks for reading, praying and encouraging,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (the main site for reading, commenting and catching up on posts)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (this is an alternate address for the blog)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Update #56 on Kevin
Can I just say, I miss Kevin? I do. This morning at church, I was really missing his voice, personality, etc…
After church, my family went to lunch together. Then we went over to Kevin’s house to see how things were going. Greg had taken the lead at the house during the cleanup, while I remained at the hospital with Kevin, family and visitors. It is actually the first time I have seen the house since the flood. In the driveway there is a long blue dumpster for getting rid of the old damaged sheetrock, cabinets, etc… The front of the house looks pretty much the same. When we arrived, we noticed that there were workers there. Trucks outside, front door open and the curtains drawn in the windows. We went in and introduced ourselves. They showed us what they are doing. The new sheetrock was installed and now they were texturing the walls so that the new pieces were blended with the old. They told us that it should be ready for trim tomorrow. The cabinets have been torn out in the bathroom and kitchen, although the upper ones remain in the kitchen. The insurance will only pay for the ones on the bottom, the damaged part. So at this point, Kevin will have old cabinets on top and new ones on bottom. All the appliances in the kitchen were damaged and should be covered by insurance as well. After the trim is put on, they can start painting the walls.
Kevin has continued to have a pretty good weekend. He was put in his blue neuro chair yesterday twice and so far once today. His heart rate goes up (around 120’s bpm)often when he is in the blue neuro chair and it did again today. He is back in bed with a heart rate in the 90’s.
Please be praying for his right eye. It continues to look worse. They put new antibiotics for his eye, in case it is bacterial. If it was viral it would just run its course.
Keep praying that his lungs would continue to heal. Pray for his mind to continue to heal.
Kevin’s left arm that has the blood clots in it, has lost most of its swelling. The doctor even said he would be fine if they took blood pressure readings from that left arm and leg (which also has a clot). He said that normally, after a week or more, the blood will drill a hole through the clot in order, which allows good circulation. It does take about 6-8 weeks for the blood clot to completely dissolve.
Pray that the picc line in Kevin’s right arm would not cause any clotting.
Thanks for following all of this and thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to catch up on old updates or sign up to receive them)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (just another way to get to the blog above)
After church, my family went to lunch together. Then we went over to Kevin’s house to see how things were going. Greg had taken the lead at the house during the cleanup, while I remained at the hospital with Kevin, family and visitors. It is actually the first time I have seen the house since the flood. In the driveway there is a long blue dumpster for getting rid of the old damaged sheetrock, cabinets, etc… The front of the house looks pretty much the same. When we arrived, we noticed that there were workers there. Trucks outside, front door open and the curtains drawn in the windows. We went in and introduced ourselves. They showed us what they are doing. The new sheetrock was installed and now they were texturing the walls so that the new pieces were blended with the old. They told us that it should be ready for trim tomorrow. The cabinets have been torn out in the bathroom and kitchen, although the upper ones remain in the kitchen. The insurance will only pay for the ones on the bottom, the damaged part. So at this point, Kevin will have old cabinets on top and new ones on bottom. All the appliances in the kitchen were damaged and should be covered by insurance as well. After the trim is put on, they can start painting the walls.
Kevin has continued to have a pretty good weekend. He was put in his blue neuro chair yesterday twice and so far once today. His heart rate goes up (around 120’s bpm)often when he is in the blue neuro chair and it did again today. He is back in bed with a heart rate in the 90’s.
Please be praying for his right eye. It continues to look worse. They put new antibiotics for his eye, in case it is bacterial. If it was viral it would just run its course.
Keep praying that his lungs would continue to heal. Pray for his mind to continue to heal.
Kevin’s left arm that has the blood clots in it, has lost most of its swelling. The doctor even said he would be fine if they took blood pressure readings from that left arm and leg (which also has a clot). He said that normally, after a week or more, the blood will drill a hole through the clot in order, which allows good circulation. It does take about 6-8 weeks for the blood clot to completely dissolve.
Pray that the picc line in Kevin’s right arm would not cause any clotting.
Thanks for following all of this and thanks for praying,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/ (to catch up on old updates or sign up to receive them)
http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/ (just another way to get to the blog above)
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