Update - 3/5/06
I am able to share a first-hand account with you today after a visit to see Matthew on Saturday. Matthew looks good (and even got a haircut yesterday - just a trim) and it's wonderful to see his eyes bright and alert at times. When his eyes are bright and alert, we are confident that he's aware of what's going on around him or is examining the people by his side very closely. These moments come and go but they are wonderful to witness.
Andrew, Lucas, and Timothy also were there to be with their brother for the first time in two weeks. It was great to have all four brothers together!
Matthew has reached a "stage" where he's more restless and agitated - especially with the movements of his left arm. He fiddles with everything within his reach and when you hold his hand, he fiddles with your rings or gives you a vice grip squeeze.
Yesterday we were very pleased to see Matthew lift his head six inches or so off his pillow or the head rest of his wheelchair and he did this repeatedly!
He's also trying to vocalize. He made a variety of sounds at different times. The time that is quite enjoyable for Andrew was when we went for a walk around the center and Andrew was pushing Matthew in his wheelchair. Andrew went down a long hallway with Matthew and Lucas and they made motor sounds like driving a car. Matthew chimed in and made some sounds too!
Music truly is soothing for Matthew. He has been listening to all sorts of music of different genre, but nothing is like a hymn sung to Matthew. Matthew had been agitated while we were going for the walk mentioned above. Pastor Clayton from Trinity, Cole Camp had stopped by for a quick visit. Before he left he shared words of comfort with Matthew and then we all sang a hymn together. Matthew became very peaceful and his left hand quieted down. It was truly a blessing to witness how much comfort God's word and music brings to this young man. Later when Andrew's girlfriend was with us, we had devotions with Matthew and sang again. He was so relaxed and peaceful.
The doctors continue to be very pleased with Matthew's progress in all areas of his recovery. Next week they will do a swallow test which could lead to getting his trach out. It is common for some brain trauma victims to lose the ability to swallow. Matthew did not and has already demonstrated very strong swallows.
Please keep Matthew in your prayers in particular for this coming Tuesday. He will have an out-patient procedure at University Hospital to examine a cyst on his lung. There's a good possibility that the cyst is pooled blood caused from bruising of his lung as a result of the accident. The cyst is on the outer side of the lung close to the skin. As with any surgical procedure there can be complications, but we pray all goes well.
This was my first opportunity to see Matthew's room at the rehab center and it was a treat to see all the things hanging up in his room. It is easy to see with once glance around his room that Matthew is loved and missed. There are posters from kids at school that plaster the walls. The messages express how much the students miss Matthew, care about Matthew and Andrew and how much they hope and pray for full recovery. The posters also have pictures of Matthew with his classmates in all sorts of activities, including band and baseball. Brenda and Erich have also displayed pictures of Matthew's future school - Kansas City Art Institute. It's a neat "trip through Matthew's life" to see all the things he loves, the artwork that demonstrates his skills and abilities, and pictures of the people he cares about, especially his family and girlfriend. As a person in Matthew's life who has known him since he was born and brought to the font of baptism, it was a joy for me to see how much Matthew as a young man has touched the lives of others in a positive way.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
"Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!" Psalm 25:5-7
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
Andrew, Lucas, and Timothy also were there to be with their brother for the first time in two weeks. It was great to have all four brothers together!
Matthew has reached a "stage" where he's more restless and agitated - especially with the movements of his left arm. He fiddles with everything within his reach and when you hold his hand, he fiddles with your rings or gives you a vice grip squeeze.
Yesterday we were very pleased to see Matthew lift his head six inches or so off his pillow or the head rest of his wheelchair and he did this repeatedly!
He's also trying to vocalize. He made a variety of sounds at different times. The time that is quite enjoyable for Andrew was when we went for a walk around the center and Andrew was pushing Matthew in his wheelchair. Andrew went down a long hallway with Matthew and Lucas and they made motor sounds like driving a car. Matthew chimed in and made some sounds too!
Music truly is soothing for Matthew. He has been listening to all sorts of music of different genre, but nothing is like a hymn sung to Matthew. Matthew had been agitated while we were going for the walk mentioned above. Pastor Clayton from Trinity, Cole Camp had stopped by for a quick visit. Before he left he shared words of comfort with Matthew and then we all sang a hymn together. Matthew became very peaceful and his left hand quieted down. It was truly a blessing to witness how much comfort God's word and music brings to this young man. Later when Andrew's girlfriend was with us, we had devotions with Matthew and sang again. He was so relaxed and peaceful.
The doctors continue to be very pleased with Matthew's progress in all areas of his recovery. Next week they will do a swallow test which could lead to getting his trach out. It is common for some brain trauma victims to lose the ability to swallow. Matthew did not and has already demonstrated very strong swallows.
Please keep Matthew in your prayers in particular for this coming Tuesday. He will have an out-patient procedure at University Hospital to examine a cyst on his lung. There's a good possibility that the cyst is pooled blood caused from bruising of his lung as a result of the accident. The cyst is on the outer side of the lung close to the skin. As with any surgical procedure there can be complications, but we pray all goes well.
This was my first opportunity to see Matthew's room at the rehab center and it was a treat to see all the things hanging up in his room. It is easy to see with once glance around his room that Matthew is loved and missed. There are posters from kids at school that plaster the walls. The messages express how much the students miss Matthew, care about Matthew and Andrew and how much they hope and pray for full recovery. The posters also have pictures of Matthew with his classmates in all sorts of activities, including band and baseball. Brenda and Erich have also displayed pictures of Matthew's future school - Kansas City Art Institute. It's a neat "trip through Matthew's life" to see all the things he loves, the artwork that demonstrates his skills and abilities, and pictures of the people he cares about, especially his family and girlfriend. As a person in Matthew's life who has known him since he was born and brought to the font of baptism, it was a joy for me to see how much Matthew as a young man has touched the lives of others in a positive way.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
"Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!" Psalm 25:5-7
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
posted by Randy Asburry @ 7:02 AM
3 Comments:
At 3:48 PM,
Anonymous said…
I found an article on the Sedalia Democrat (newspaper) website about Matthew. Here's the link if anyone's interested: http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/News/285431855206322.htm
At 10:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Thank you for the update. Has his sodium levels gone down. What did the Doctors say as to why they were elevated. I know there are a lot of people who read the updates and are very appreciative.
At 12:53 PM,
Anonymous said…
Bless your heart, Matthew!
I came to Cole Camp for a visit about a month ago and as I drove I thought of you and your mother and wondered if I'd get the chance to see you. Unfortunately, you had the accident the day before I arrived.
I'm so glad to hear that your mom is supporting your recovery through nutrition. It can make a huge difference and I'm sure it will.
Keep up the hard work and we'll keep up the prayers!
Love,
Diane (Dreier) Weatherford
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