Hey Everyone,  Just to give you all the latest.  Matt continues to improve, steady small steps but it’s all coming together.  The most dramatic thing of all is that he is starting to verbalize.  Not as clear and we all speak but there’s been enough of it this week that all the nurses have taken notice and are all talking about it so that’s really good to hear.  From what it sounds it’s not just nonsense.  He told a couple of the nurses that were in his room doing I’m not exactly what but were talking about something accident related and he spoke up and said ” stop talking “, don’t know, I wasn’t there, but that’s what they told us on Saturday.  Matt has on more than one occasion told a nurse “no” when they are about to do something that he doesn’t like.   We have all noticed with certain subjects like auto accidents along with certain people that come in seem to set him off and make him anxious so we think that that is all a good thing because with this and other things we ask of him and the way he responds seem to clearly  indicate understanding and processing of verbal conversation.  One thing that is a huge step is getting Matt to swallow on command now and I have gotten him to do it for me and for a couple of nurses who have documented it in Matt’s file for all to see.  Even with these improvements all the doctor that’s rounding this month and the case manager seem concerned with is saving cost and sending Matt home.

This weeks hurdle seems to be the direction of Matt’s additional treatment.  Lisa and I have been in communication with several people that have been in our situation along with other institutions in the Southern California area that treat patients with Matt’s injury.  The overwhelming consensus is that Matt should go to rehab first before coming home.  Kaiser Permanente seems to be moving away from this and have indicated that Matt needs to come home regardless of what we read or who we are talking too. 

I ask for all your continued positive thoughts and prayers for Matt’s continued improvement, strength to guide us through this continuing trying time in our lives and that the doctors, case managers and the other “powers that be” as Kaiser doctors seem to put it, will look at Matt as the smart, talented, wonderful and very loved young man that he is and make the right decision for Matt, not just look out for the most “cost effective way for the company” that seems to blind so many institutions in these “quality of life” and “continuity of care” decisions that can affect so many people for a lifetime whendecisions are made with and ulterior motive and not the care and compassion that health care should be all about.  “Thrive”, what does that really mean and for whom is it directed? 

I will update this blog as things develop.  Thanks for all your support.

Mario

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