Today marks the beginning of Week 24. I'm fixing to tube feed Matthew and get him dressed to start the new week. I will post when I have updates.
September 25, 2008
Matthew had physical and occuaption therapy this morning. They went easy on him because he has his barium swallow test this morning and they didn't want to wear him out. Gale, (OT) put a kleenex on his face and he tried to get his hands up there to get it off, but didn't make it so he shook his head from side to side and made it fall. It fell down in his wheelchair back toward his behind and he reached his arm back, grabbed the kleenex and closed it up in his hand so Gale couldn't get it. Of course, she wrestled for it and said "Guess what I got it back". LOL She is so obnoxious.
He has been using his hands so much more it is unreal. The other day, when they were fixing to transfer him from the wheelchair to the mat, he put his hand down on the mat, turned his head to see where his hand was and flattened it out on the mat, so that he was assisting when they transferred him. His skills of dealing with situations is greatly improved. It is so fun and intersting to watch him figure out how to get to something or get around an obstacle.
One thing we've learned is he does not like for his shirt to be pulled up and his stomach showing. They pull his shirt up and he pulls it right back down. It hasn't even been six months and he has come so far. And really the improvements didn't start until we got here on June 26th, so he has come so far in just 13 weeks. Today is 13 weeks since we've been here.
Well, I just wanted to share the news, I will update on his barium swallow progress as soon as I can. He should be eating by this afternoon. I'm so excited.
September 28, 2008
Matthew passed the barium swallow test and got to eat his first bite of food on Thursday afternoon. It was one of his favorites, Snack Pack chocolate pudding. He did well and really seemed to enjoy it. He was going to get to eat some lunch on Friday, but I was called to go to Clayton and do a site inspection on the land, so the speech therapist told me she would just give him pudding again so I wouldn't miss anything new. He gets to go to the dysphagia dining room on Monday for lunch and will get his first taste of food other than pudding on Monday.
Matthew's cognitive skills are improving every day. He is learning problem solving skills (such as reaching behind his back and pushing a bolster away and grabbing a kleenex that the therapist had on his face) and his understanding of things is just a miracle. The speech therapist said that he is doing many things that according to the CAT scan, he should not be able to do. GOD is so great and his MIRACLE gets bigger everyday that Matthew improves.
Our mobile home is completed and the land work (hauling dirt, building slab etc) will begin this week. According to the transport guy, the land work should be about 4-5 days and moving 2 days, so it will be another week or so before it is moved.
Well, that's all I have for now, thanks again for all the support and prayers.
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2 comments:
This is wonderful news Kimberly! Not shocking though, Matthew is way to stubborn to give up, lol! My heart goes out to you, I can’t imagine how hard this all has been for you, even though things are getting better, It would still be hard! As his mother, you have seen him go through everything in his life. This is a whole new chapter in your life as Matthew’s mom! It probably seems at times like you have started all over, but Praise God that he is HERE to start over with!!! Matthew is a special person, every since I have known him, he has stood out. His personality makes a lasting impression! I believe that God has special plans in store for Matthew and the impression that he has made on all of us!! I have no doubts that Matthew will continue to progress more and more daily and I am praying for God to continue to strengthen the both of you!
Love and Prayers,
Courtney
I'm sorry that I haven't said anything to you sooner, Kimberly. I don't know what to say now, really. Except that God does do great things. Look at Waylon... I read your latest post and t hat's what it reminded me of. It hit me really hard. I can't help but cry. Not because I am sad, but because I am so happy for the progress Matthew is making. Let him know I love him and am always thinking of him and am keeping him in my prayers. I would like to see him, but I don't want to get in the way of anything, either. I know what it is to "live" in a hospital, and it's not easy dealing with everythng everyday plus extra people running around. Congrats on his progress. He's strong, and he'll just keep getting better. If you need anything let me know, and I really do mean that.
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