Update - 6/29/06

Last week was a very good week for Matthew - he was expressive with immediate responses, saying words, and eating well. When one of the therapists left the room, she waved goodbye to Matthew and Matthew waved back. Another therapist (it may have been the same therapist) was talking to Matthew about giving him something for the pain and she made a statement like, "would that be all right, Matthew?" and he responded with a clear "all right". On Friday when Pastor Kurz was with Matthew, he was standing on the other side of the room and decided to see if Matthew would wave to him. He asked Matthew to wave and Matthew waved back. Then he asked Matthew to make a clenched fist like he was doing and Matthew responded with a clenched fist like his dad's. Pastor Kurz had him make other hand motions with his left hand and Matthew responded in turn. Matthew also started to show more expression in his face (both positive and negative).

Things have not been so great this week. Monday afternoon, Matthew was unresponsive and they couldn't rouse him. His heart rate dropped and his blood pressure was low. He isn't eating again and he wasn't able to relieve his bladder. This went on for a couple days. They ran blood tests and scans and everything looked fine, within normal levels. They believe the level of the baclofen pump was too high (for his muscle tone) and he was dehydrated again. So, they have been giving him extra fluids and decreased the level of the baclofen. He is starting to respond a little more and getting color back into his cheeks. Consequently, because of this setback, Matthew's release date from Rusk has been moved back to July 5th (tentatively).

Andrew is off the crutches and has a new knee brace. He has also been given a new medication for inflammation and that seems to have helped, so his legs are feeling much better. Andrew will soon be going on a mission trip in July with folks from Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp to Mexico. They will be building a house for the needy.

Hope you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend.

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother