Update - 2/19/06
The Kurz family is thrilled with Rusk Rehabilitation Center! Brenda has described it as "an excellent place for Matthew to be." The staff is kind, pleasant, supportive and eager to help Matthew through everything.
Each day Matthew gets better with focusing his eyes in the center of his vision and to the right. This is great news! Matthew's responses to people's requests are also improving. He was holding Brenda's hand and kept tightening his grip. Brenda told him that she loves to hold his hand, but it was getting a little tight and uncomfortable, then Matthew relaxed his grip. Matthew also lifted his left arm and grabbed Erich's hand and squeezed. Matthew also continues to use a long blink to answer yes or no to questions.
There are other things that are occurring that the doctors see as very promising and GOOD signs. The right side of Matthew's body hasn't been as strong as the left, but it appears the right side is "starting to wake up". He is moving his right arm and fingers a little more. Matthew has also been "storming". This is a process that the brain trauma patient will go through that the doctors' tell Brenda is VERY good. "Storming" is a sign that the brain is trying to work - it causes profuse sweating all over the body. Matthew was drenched in sweat on Saturday - YEAH!!
Matthew has also gone for a stroll in a wheelchair with Brenda. They had to do some searching to find a wheelchair for someone as tall and slim as Matthew. He reclines in the wheelchair and his eyes are open and alert as he looks at what comes in his view. Brenda discovered some beautiful watercolor pictures and wheeled Matthew over to them. She said he studied them with wide open eyes! This certainly made a mother of an artist very happy!!!
Monday morning Matthew has an early appointment for another CAT scan. We are confident they'll see more improvement from the earlier scans.
I'm sure that many of you know that Matthew is a budding artist. He has been accepted into the Kansas City Art Institute. After the accident, Brenda and Erich visited the school and found out that they are holding Matthew's place in the Fall and if he isn't ready for returning to school in the Fall, they will keep his spot open for him whenever he's ready! Praise the Lord!!! Because of Matthew's high SAT scores, he's eligible for scholarships. The school also has a psychologist that works with students that are challenged or disabled and uses art in his therapy, so when Matthew is ready, he'll have plenty of assistance and help to make transitions.
Some people at the hospital have been interested in purchasing copies of Matthew's artwork that is displayed in his room. Stay tuned for more information if you would like to purchase a copy of Matthew's artwork too.
If you would like to send Matthew cards and letters, here's the address:
Rusk Rehabilitation Center
Attn: North Hall, Room 238B
315 Business Loop 70 West
Columbia, MO 65212
We also have some updates on the rest of the family. Rev. Kurz returned to his preaching duties this morning. Brenda has been by Matthew's side constantly and Erich will relieve her in a few days. Brenda continues to carry on her Shaklee business, no matter where she's physically located. She shares Health and Wellness wherever she goes!
Andrew's MRI showed that his vertebrae 3 and 4 are a little out of place, but further study is needed to determine if this is cause for concern or is just the way Andrew has always been. Andrew feels good and his neck doesn't cause him pain or discomfort. Last week he was in a conference speech contest and he won 6th place in improv and his whole team medalled in the competition! Very exciting!!!
Lucas' finger is doing OK. It doesn't slow him down from studying one of his favorite subjects - BUGS! Much to Brenda's chagrin and now to Grandma Kaiser's chagrin, Lucas has been catching bugs and then storing them in the freezers. Now he's studying these bugs with another "bug lover".
Since Mom and Dad are away from home more, Timothy is enjoying overnight stays with friends - something he eagerly asks to do. Both Timothy and Lucas are proud to wear their Matthew pin at all times.
Before I close this update, Brenda has asked for prayers for the lady she stayed with last night. Early this morning, Jean King was rushed to the hospital. Brenda doesn't know yet how's she's doing.
O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples. And I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your mercy is great above the heavens. And Your truth reaches to the clouds. Ps. 108:1-4
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
Each day Matthew gets better with focusing his eyes in the center of his vision and to the right. This is great news! Matthew's responses to people's requests are also improving. He was holding Brenda's hand and kept tightening his grip. Brenda told him that she loves to hold his hand, but it was getting a little tight and uncomfortable, then Matthew relaxed his grip. Matthew also lifted his left arm and grabbed Erich's hand and squeezed. Matthew also continues to use a long blink to answer yes or no to questions.
There are other things that are occurring that the doctors see as very promising and GOOD signs. The right side of Matthew's body hasn't been as strong as the left, but it appears the right side is "starting to wake up". He is moving his right arm and fingers a little more. Matthew has also been "storming". This is a process that the brain trauma patient will go through that the doctors' tell Brenda is VERY good. "Storming" is a sign that the brain is trying to work - it causes profuse sweating all over the body. Matthew was drenched in sweat on Saturday - YEAH!!
Matthew has also gone for a stroll in a wheelchair with Brenda. They had to do some searching to find a wheelchair for someone as tall and slim as Matthew. He reclines in the wheelchair and his eyes are open and alert as he looks at what comes in his view. Brenda discovered some beautiful watercolor pictures and wheeled Matthew over to them. She said he studied them with wide open eyes! This certainly made a mother of an artist very happy!!!
Monday morning Matthew has an early appointment for another CAT scan. We are confident they'll see more improvement from the earlier scans.
I'm sure that many of you know that Matthew is a budding artist. He has been accepted into the Kansas City Art Institute. After the accident, Brenda and Erich visited the school and found out that they are holding Matthew's place in the Fall and if he isn't ready for returning to school in the Fall, they will keep his spot open for him whenever he's ready! Praise the Lord!!! Because of Matthew's high SAT scores, he's eligible for scholarships. The school also has a psychologist that works with students that are challenged or disabled and uses art in his therapy, so when Matthew is ready, he'll have plenty of assistance and help to make transitions.
Some people at the hospital have been interested in purchasing copies of Matthew's artwork that is displayed in his room. Stay tuned for more information if you would like to purchase a copy of Matthew's artwork too.
If you would like to send Matthew cards and letters, here's the address:
Rusk Rehabilitation Center
Attn: North Hall, Room 238B
315 Business Loop 70 West
Columbia, MO 65212
We also have some updates on the rest of the family. Rev. Kurz returned to his preaching duties this morning. Brenda has been by Matthew's side constantly and Erich will relieve her in a few days. Brenda continues to carry on her Shaklee business, no matter where she's physically located. She shares Health and Wellness wherever she goes!
Andrew's MRI showed that his vertebrae 3 and 4 are a little out of place, but further study is needed to determine if this is cause for concern or is just the way Andrew has always been. Andrew feels good and his neck doesn't cause him pain or discomfort. Last week he was in a conference speech contest and he won 6th place in improv and his whole team medalled in the competition! Very exciting!!!
Lucas' finger is doing OK. It doesn't slow him down from studying one of his favorite subjects - BUGS! Much to Brenda's chagrin and now to Grandma Kaiser's chagrin, Lucas has been catching bugs and then storing them in the freezers. Now he's studying these bugs with another "bug lover".
Since Mom and Dad are away from home more, Timothy is enjoying overnight stays with friends - something he eagerly asks to do. Both Timothy and Lucas are proud to wear their Matthew pin at all times.
Before I close this update, Brenda has asked for prayers for the lady she stayed with last night. Early this morning, Jean King was rushed to the hospital. Brenda doesn't know yet how's she's doing.
O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples. And I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your mercy is great above the heavens. And Your truth reaches to the clouds. Ps. 108:1-4
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
posted by Randy Asburry @ 3:26 PM
1 Comments:
At 9:05 PM,
Anonymous said…
rachel...beautifully written posts of 2/19 and 2/21!!..thank you for the loving details, they are greatly appreciated!...please tell your husband i found the answer to who "sigur ros" is---from a most reliable source--(JRK)!!...they are a rock group from iceland ...apparently we are the last to know that....again, thank you for the smallest details, they are tenderly read. mrs.lithebe
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