Another Matt update

I got a call from my sister-in-law Tammy tonight. My little brother, Matt, had two Dr's appt's today. He didn't get the great news that we were all longing to hear.

The shoulder Dr says the shoulder is healing, but the way that it's healing is not good. They will wait until his neck is more stable and then will have to do surgery and shave away some of the bone.

He's still got five ribs up high that are not healed. Not sure what they are going to do about that as of yet, for now, wait and see what happens. The complication there is that the broken ribs aren't aligned up, which makes for not so good healing. Again, we'll wait and see what happens.

Next was the Rehab Dr, who is overseeing all of his medical care. Matt had an 8 hour brain injury evaluation last week. Evidently he didn't do so hot. They are recommending him to have five hours of brain rehab a day for four days a week. They will do that for three months then re-evaluate.

The Rehab Institute is in Kansas City which means they will spend Monday and Tuesday, and then Thursday and Friday in KC for his rehab. Workman's Comp will put them up in a hotel, but will NOT provide them any food allowance, which I think is STUPID. While they are there, obviously my sister-in-law can't work. Not sure what's going to happen there because they need her income not only for the bills that they have but also for their regular health insurance. Remember that Matt is a diabetic.

So Matt is upset. He's depressed enough as it is about everything. He definitely didn't need anymore bad news! He just wants everything to be done and over with and that's not going to be the case for a long time. The original thought was for them to maybe move to KC but cost of living is so much higher up there and he's only getting a VERY small part of his salary. My sister-in-law only makes minimum wage. So moving up there is not an option. As my sister-in-law said, they are "stuck."

My heart breaks for them. With all the emergency trips to KC and the medical bills we've had lately, we are not in a place where we can help them financially. I hate it too-I've always been able to "bail" my brother out (for lack of a better term) and I can't stand the feeling of helplessness. I just want him to get one piece of good, encouraging news. I told my sister-in-law tonight that I guess we have to just keep reminding ourselves just how lucky Matt is to even be with us still. She totally agreed and said that she told Matt today that most people with brain injuries can't walk, feed themselves, take care of themselves, etc. At least he can do those things.

So again I ask, on behalf of my little brother Matt and his wife Tammy, that you please join me in saying a prayer for him. Pray most of all for his mental health and then for his physical health. When you are depressed mentally, it's hard not to let it affect you physically. I know God has taken care of him so far and I know that God will continue. I guess what we need more than anything else right now is just that peace that passes all understanding that God promises.