Update - 4/19/06
We hope all of you had a blessed Easter! May your Easter joy continue through the entire Easter season.
Matthew was with his girlfriend, Paige on Easter morning and then with his mother and brothers later in the day. He didn't have the best of days - was very aggitated and uncomfortable. As Matthew's aggitation continues, the staff is becoming more and more confident that a great deal of his aggitation is from the pain Matthew is in. His muscles are so tight and his legs hurt and this would make anyone uncomfortable and aggitated. Matthew just can't voice his discomfort to those around him, except with moans. The surgery for putting in the pump to administer the medication for relaxing his muscles is scheduled for April 25th. Hopefully we'll have wonderful reports to give after that surgery and Matthew's aggitation will decrease. The staff at the rehab center has also lowered the dosage of two medications that Matthew was on and we pray this also leads to less aggitation.
There is a great deal to be concerned about in regards to this surgery. First of all, Matthew has to be physically well, no infections, no fevers, etc. at all before they can proceed with the surgery. If they have to postpone for any reason, Matthew's progress toward improvement with his muscles and ultimately with mobility can be greatly impaired. So, please pray for Matthew's health and wellness so that the surgery takes place on time.
On the "flip side" of this is the side effects from the medication. Even though Matthew did very well with the trial dosage of the medication and his muscles were relaxed, there is always the possibility that the regular administration of the dosage can cause Matthew to be very sick and even have seizures. It can take time, even weeks for the dosage to be adjusted just right and Matthew to receive it well. We pray for a smooth adjustment period!
Some of you may try to reassure us with your comments or question why these things have to be done. We are trusting in our Lord's care for Matthew and know the doctors are doing what is necessary for Matthew's recovery. We share the seriousness of this with you so that you know what Matthew is going through and how far he is from being "whole".
Matthew also has a very deep wound or ulcer in his left foot. This wound developed when he was at the hospital several weeks ago. The boot he had to wear to keep his foot in a proper position was not put on correctly and a sore developed. This sore has been getting worse instead of better. They left it alone to let it heal on its own, but it hasn't healed. It is swollen, black and painful for Matthew. Just recently they began to use a wound cleanser and putting medication on it.
There are also some indications that Matthew may have some paralysis on the right side of his face. He has been drooling in the last week or so more from the right side of his mouth. When he attempts to put his mouth around a straw, the right side of his mouth doesn't close on the straw. When he tries to smile, the right side of his mouth doesn't move. It is possible that this is a temporary paralysis, but it could be permanent.
Now for some positive news: Saturday was Brenda's birthday and Matthew gave her the best present ever - he said "mamamamama"! Yesterday Matthew had one of his favorite meals for lunch - barbecued chicken and pork and beans. He would make a "mmmm" sound after bites and then once Brenda and the other person in the room heard him say "mmmm more". He sure enjoyed that meal.
Matthew has also been holding his head up more on his own, which is terrific. Yesterday he made some attempts to help his nurse with getting himself dressed by pulling down on his shirt.
Today Matthew has a special visitor who hasn't been able to see Matthew in a while because of pastoral duties. His godfather, Randy is with him right now. I hope that Randy can give you a first hand report of Matthew's condition in the coming days.
On the homefront, Andrew is not well. He developed mono and is at home sick. This young man has been working hard to stay on top of his school work and all his activites and now he's run-down. He is getting lots of rest and hopefully will be feeling better soon. Brenda has not been able to go home to be with him so that she doesn't contract any illness and then take the chance of infecting Matthew.
Blessings to you this day!
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
Matthew was with his girlfriend, Paige on Easter morning and then with his mother and brothers later in the day. He didn't have the best of days - was very aggitated and uncomfortable. As Matthew's aggitation continues, the staff is becoming more and more confident that a great deal of his aggitation is from the pain Matthew is in. His muscles are so tight and his legs hurt and this would make anyone uncomfortable and aggitated. Matthew just can't voice his discomfort to those around him, except with moans. The surgery for putting in the pump to administer the medication for relaxing his muscles is scheduled for April 25th. Hopefully we'll have wonderful reports to give after that surgery and Matthew's aggitation will decrease. The staff at the rehab center has also lowered the dosage of two medications that Matthew was on and we pray this also leads to less aggitation.
There is a great deal to be concerned about in regards to this surgery. First of all, Matthew has to be physically well, no infections, no fevers, etc. at all before they can proceed with the surgery. If they have to postpone for any reason, Matthew's progress toward improvement with his muscles and ultimately with mobility can be greatly impaired. So, please pray for Matthew's health and wellness so that the surgery takes place on time.
On the "flip side" of this is the side effects from the medication. Even though Matthew did very well with the trial dosage of the medication and his muscles were relaxed, there is always the possibility that the regular administration of the dosage can cause Matthew to be very sick and even have seizures. It can take time, even weeks for the dosage to be adjusted just right and Matthew to receive it well. We pray for a smooth adjustment period!
Some of you may try to reassure us with your comments or question why these things have to be done. We are trusting in our Lord's care for Matthew and know the doctors are doing what is necessary for Matthew's recovery. We share the seriousness of this with you so that you know what Matthew is going through and how far he is from being "whole".
Matthew also has a very deep wound or ulcer in his left foot. This wound developed when he was at the hospital several weeks ago. The boot he had to wear to keep his foot in a proper position was not put on correctly and a sore developed. This sore has been getting worse instead of better. They left it alone to let it heal on its own, but it hasn't healed. It is swollen, black and painful for Matthew. Just recently they began to use a wound cleanser and putting medication on it.
There are also some indications that Matthew may have some paralysis on the right side of his face. He has been drooling in the last week or so more from the right side of his mouth. When he attempts to put his mouth around a straw, the right side of his mouth doesn't close on the straw. When he tries to smile, the right side of his mouth doesn't move. It is possible that this is a temporary paralysis, but it could be permanent.
Now for some positive news: Saturday was Brenda's birthday and Matthew gave her the best present ever - he said "mamamamama"! Yesterday Matthew had one of his favorite meals for lunch - barbecued chicken and pork and beans. He would make a "mmmm" sound after bites and then once Brenda and the other person in the room heard him say "mmmm more". He sure enjoyed that meal.
Matthew has also been holding his head up more on his own, which is terrific. Yesterday he made some attempts to help his nurse with getting himself dressed by pulling down on his shirt.
Today Matthew has a special visitor who hasn't been able to see Matthew in a while because of pastoral duties. His godfather, Randy is with him right now. I hope that Randy can give you a first hand report of Matthew's condition in the coming days.
On the homefront, Andrew is not well. He developed mono and is at home sick. This young man has been working hard to stay on top of his school work and all his activites and now he's run-down. He is getting lots of rest and hopefully will be feeling better soon. Brenda has not been able to go home to be with him so that she doesn't contract any illness and then take the chance of infecting Matthew.
Blessings to you this day!
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
posted by Randy Asburry @ 9:37 AM
10 Comments:
At 1:39 PM,
Anonymous said…
Get well soon, Andrew! I pray your mono doesn't get severe!
At 3:51 PM,
Anonymous said…
i pray for matthew and the kurz family every day. i pray that matthews surgery will go very well and that it helps his adgitation greatly. i pray that he will be able to walk, talk and all the other things he once was able to do.
god's blessing.
At 6:29 PM,
Anonymous said…
thank you once again, rachel...for such a detailed report...my heartfelt prayers continue each day...love, mrs. lithebe xoxo
At 2:31 PM,
Anonymous said…
still praying...mrs. l. xoxoxo
At 3:39 PM,
Anonymous said…
my prayers are always with the kurz family.
At 4:56 AM,
Anonymous said…
4/21..God bless the artist..and keep him safe...love, mrs. l xoxo
At 8:06 PM,
Anonymous said…
Thank you Kurz family for allowing us to be in prayer for you. As much as this whole experience is teaching you many things, it is also allowing many of us to be more deligent and direct in our prayers for your family. What a gift to us! Growth in faith and prayer practice given to us by Matthew's experience. Blessings on all of you and peace, joy, endurance and assurance in Christ Jesus, Matthew's Lord.
At 7:35 AM,
Anonymous said…
4/23...hi rachel...just keepin' matthew in my thoughts and prayers this morning...love, mrs l. xoxoxo
At 8:13 PM,
Anonymous said…
my prayers are with matthew every single day.
At 10:33 AM,
Anonymous said…
Matthew's medical expenses may be covered by his insurance, but what about the family income. With Brenda basically spending every waking moment at his side, her help with the family income has been greatly reduced or completely diminished. Imagine if you household was cut to one income, how would you survive.
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