Update 2/7/06
Greetings, family and friends of Matthew.
First, let me give an update on Andrew's condition and then I'll give some good news about Matthew. Last week Andrew was experiencing some discomfort in his ear. Evidently, some blood had settled in the ear canal, but it has been clearing up on its own. So, Andrew is doing quite well. He should get his neck brace off tomorrow, Wed. 2/8.
Now to Matthew. He is still stable. The shunt to his brain--that measured his inter-cranial pressure--has been removed, and the doctors are no longer concerned that additional swelling will occur. On Saturday (2/4) Matthew opened his eyes when his father Erich was there, and we are told that his eyes are open most of the time. However, he is probably not focusing on anything or anyone in the room. He is still unresponsive to verbal commands or requests.
On Sunday, 2/5, my wife Rachel went to see Matthew and pray with him and sing hymns for him. As she was holding his hand and singing, she felt his hand tighten, but this was probably an involuntary action. The medical team has also moved Matthew to an air bed, as he had developed some bed sores in the other bed.
On Tuesday night, 2/7, Brenda called with some joyous news. The nurse took Matthew off of the ventilator to see how he would breathe on his own. The goal was to keep him off the ventilator for one hour. Matthew surprised everyone by staying off the ventilator for *six hours*!
That's a very good sign, especially since his rehabilitation and therapy depends on being free from a ventilator. While the family did begin looking into a couple of other clinics for rehabilitation, it looks like the Rusk Center in Columbia, MO, which has a policy that the patient be off the ventilator, will be able to take Matthew after all. Please pray that this will work out.
On Wednesday Matthew is scheduled to have some surgery--I guess we can call it minor surgery--to put a feeding tube directly into his stomach. I'm also told that Matthew is listening to music, although I will freely admit that I have no idea who "Sigur Ros" is. :-)
Please continue to pray that our merciful Triune God, the great Lover of humankind and the great Physician of body and soul, will grant healing and recovery to Matthew. May God bless you!
Randy Asburry
First, let me give an update on Andrew's condition and then I'll give some good news about Matthew. Last week Andrew was experiencing some discomfort in his ear. Evidently, some blood had settled in the ear canal, but it has been clearing up on its own. So, Andrew is doing quite well. He should get his neck brace off tomorrow, Wed. 2/8.
Now to Matthew. He is still stable. The shunt to his brain--that measured his inter-cranial pressure--has been removed, and the doctors are no longer concerned that additional swelling will occur. On Saturday (2/4) Matthew opened his eyes when his father Erich was there, and we are told that his eyes are open most of the time. However, he is probably not focusing on anything or anyone in the room. He is still unresponsive to verbal commands or requests.
On Sunday, 2/5, my wife Rachel went to see Matthew and pray with him and sing hymns for him. As she was holding his hand and singing, she felt his hand tighten, but this was probably an involuntary action. The medical team has also moved Matthew to an air bed, as he had developed some bed sores in the other bed.
On Tuesday night, 2/7, Brenda called with some joyous news. The nurse took Matthew off of the ventilator to see how he would breathe on his own. The goal was to keep him off the ventilator for one hour. Matthew surprised everyone by staying off the ventilator for *six hours*!
That's a very good sign, especially since his rehabilitation and therapy depends on being free from a ventilator. While the family did begin looking into a couple of other clinics for rehabilitation, it looks like the Rusk Center in Columbia, MO, which has a policy that the patient be off the ventilator, will be able to take Matthew after all. Please pray that this will work out.
On Wednesday Matthew is scheduled to have some surgery--I guess we can call it minor surgery--to put a feeding tube directly into his stomach. I'm also told that Matthew is listening to music, although I will freely admit that I have no idea who "Sigur Ros" is. :-)
Please continue to pray that our merciful Triune God, the great Lover of humankind and the great Physician of body and soul, will grant healing and recovery to Matthew. May God bless you!
Randy Asburry
posted by Randy Asburry @ 7:07 PM
3 Comments:
At 3:20 AM,
Anonymous said…
Randy,The power of prayer is at work for Andrew and Matthew. I am a former member of Faith Lutheran in St. Edward. My husband and I now live in Kearney,NE and are members at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Our congregation is praying for Matthew and Andrew at all three services every weekend. The boys have also been on the prayer chain. The 1300 members at Holy Cross will continue to pray for them. I will pass on the update. Rita Kaul
At 11:25 AM,
Randy Asburry said…
Rita,
Thanks for all your prayers, and we certainly commend Matthew, and the whole Kurz family, to the tender mercies and healing of our gracious Heavenly Father!
At 11:13 AM,
Anonymous said…
Andrew and Matthew your in our thoughts and prayers.
Florissant church of Christ
Jeanne Beauchamp
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