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I saw this too and can't tell if it's good or bad news sometimes, but any news is nice to hear. Keep em coming Bob.

Mom's update




I didn't realize it had been a week since I've updated. I kind of have mixed emotions about updating. I hope everyone understands.

I will start with Thursday: We had a family meeting with the team of Rehab Doctors, the Therapists, Social Worker, Nutritionist and Matt's Care Manager. Matthew is on a medication for 'LOCKED IN' syndrome. Which we aren't for sure Matt really has. Anyway, the meeting went well. They are thinking Matt will get to come home in about 2 weeks!!! With that, Matt will have to have a special bed and a hoist to get him in and out of bed and into his wheel chair. We will be making the dining room Matt's room. This way he will be by the living room and kitchen so Bob and I will be able to care for him. We will also have someone to help us at the beginning. It was also decided that Matt have another MRI to see where the blood clot was and whether to continue the aspirin for it. As well as finding out about the tumor.
Friday morning: started early - @ 6:00 am. Matt was taken to radiology for his MRI. When he got back to his room - ALL of his therapies began! Aunt Darcy came to visit and brought him a Foreigner's CD and a 'Man of Steel' t-shirt! Then, we had visitors from TUCSON - woo-hoo! Mrs. Riggers (Robyn) Matt and Emileigh's music teacher from Donaldson and her husband Mike came by to see Matt! Matt was very happy and so was I! She brought a poster for Matt and pictures of some of the teachers, staff and students! We have them hanging in Matt's room!
The Doctor came in to tell us the results of the MRI. (Bob wasn't at the hospital yet) thank God, Aunt Darcy was with us. The tumor is the same - but, the MRI showed another blood clot! Since it was the beginning of a holiday weekend - we have to wait until Tuesday to find out the treament. The concern is how many days out from Matt's surgery is safe to give him blood thinning medication.
Friday evening: Matt had more visitors! A friend of his before we moved to Tucson, Brody! He and Matt were friends in preschool to elementary school. Brody's family came to visit too! Brody made Matt's night!
Saturday: Bob stayed with Matt and had several visitors - Aunt Deb, Uncle Doug and Aunt Traci and Nonnie!
Sunday: Matt and I watched 6Teen, iCarly, listened to Star Wars Book on Cd and a Healing CD, it was a mellow day --- EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT....MATT MOVED HIS HEAD BACK AND FORTH AND CONTINUED TO MOVE HIS HEAD!
Brody's family came for another visit and brought an incredible tray of meat & cheeses and fruit! Yummy! Aunt Deb & Uncle Doug had Bob and Emileigh over for dinner and they brought me dinner too!
Monday: Bob is with Matt and they have already listened to Styx and Foreigner. Nonnie has visited, and there are more visitors on the way. MATT CONTINUES to MOVE HIS HEAD!!!
Thank you for all of the visits!
I will update Tuesday or Wednesday on the next 'steps' for Matt. Please continue your prayers, for Matt's progress, healing, strength and faith!

On September 9, 2009 (09-09-09) @ 9:00 AM or PM (OR BOTH), PLEASE light a candle for Matthew - for his fight, for his strength, for his faith, for his endurance, for his HEALING- for MATTHEW ROBERT HERNAN!
God has blessed Matt and our family with wonderful family and friends - thank you for 'being there' for us!

peace, light & love ~ Shari for the Hernan's

check this out!!!!

Good Morning on 9-9-09!

Wanted to share some of our joy and happiness with everyone!
Matthew had an amazing day yesterday. Our hearts are happy! He is moving his head back and forth and lets us know he is telling us "no"! He's working on his head moving up and down for 'yes'! But, the therapists noticed Matt was moving his index finger on his right hand - so, when he moves that finger it means 'yes'! Remember I mentioned before surgery that we all have our own signs for Matt to give us? Matthew did my sign (a full-on Peace sign) Do it - and you will see what I mean - he had to raise his index and middle fingers then use his thumb to hold the other 2 fingers down! Amazing - right? Then, of course, Bob needed to see his sign - and Matthew gave him that one too! (I think you all remember which sign is Bob's) :)They both just laugh! Last night was Bob's turn to spend the night - so, when I was saying my good-bye's and giving kisses, Matt WAVED good-bye to me! Aaaah - GOD is GOOD and PRAYER IS POWERFUL!! OH, and MATT IS MAGNIFICENT! Yesterday - Matt surprised all of his Therapist by showing them he could move his head, they were so happy! What is so wonderful, Matt is being 'weaned' off of the medication for the 'locked-in syndrome' the Doctor's think he has...hmmm...interesting?

Another great part of yesterday for Matt - 3 Chiefs Cheerleaders came by to visit him! Oh my goodness, wait until you see the pictures, he was one happy young man! The Cheerleaders were so nice. Thank you Patti for getting the ball rolling on that visit!

It feels so good to share happy news! We didn't get much information yesterday on the blood clots and medication Matt might take to treat them.

On September 9, 2009 TODAY (09-09-09) @ 9:00 AM or PM (OR BOTH), PLEASE light a candle for Matthew - for his fight, for his strength, for his faith, for his endurance, for his HEALING- for MATTHEW ROBERT HERNAN!
God has blessed Matt and our family with wonderful family and friends - thank you for 'being there' for us!

peace ~ light & love, The Happy Hernan's!

Thanks for keeping us updated.

Some of the better news we've seen. And I think I read they're going home in a couple weeks too, correct? That's great.

Bob and Sherri

Hold your sons hand and read this to him! Sherri you are to put your hands on his head as well.

Read this to Matthew not sure why but I was told to pass this on to you. I read it and the hair stood up on the back of my neck and I started to weep for your son. Bob read this out loud to Matt for some reason he needs it and make sure your holding his hand!!!! And Sherri needs to be touching his head! There is power in his word!!!

Luke 6- 8-10

But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. 9 Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

Thanks Corey I have posted this on his guest book and will try to relay it to them other ways. and you are right I got goose bumps reading it as well. Thank you.

Its been a while, Mom's update tonight sounds good to me guys, keep up the prayers.

Thanks


Matt has accomplished A LOT since Wednesday! Matt can move his head up and down for YES - he can move his entire right hand and arm! His right toes are starting to move too!
Emileigh and Matt played 'rock-paper-scissors' last night. I think I've said this before - but, it's so worth saying again and again, Emileigh is Matt's best therapist! She does an AWESOME JOB working with him and making him laugh!

Here is how each day is for Matt:

Between 7 & 8 am the Doctors come around and check on Matt, ask questions, see what new moves he can make, meds, etc...

Before 9:00 am he is in his wheel chair ready for Occupational Therapy & Speech Therapy
10:00 - 11:00 - Physical Therapy
11:00 - 11:30 - School
Break
At 1 or 2 pm Matt has Occupational Therapy again for an hour!
After that - it's Physical Therapy again for an hour!
Every other day Matt has: Music and Pet Therapy and then an activity with the Child Life Specialist. In between all of the above are check-in's from the nurses to give him meds, food, etc.. and Bob, Emileigh and I work with him on different tasks! He is ready to fall asleep around 8:30 or 9:00.

Today for Physical Therapy, Matt was on the 'tilt' table - which helps him be upright safely! He got to play Wii! He played baseball! Did a great job considering we do not have a Wii and it is AMAZING THERAPY! Really works his arms, hand / eye coordination, it's FUN too!

We are all working on helping Matt talk. We are having a contest on what word he is going to say 1st - of course, we all want him to say our names - but, deep down, the word we would like him to say first is MATT!!!!!!!!!!!! He's got the puckering down, and can wrap his lips around a straw, even makes sounds - he needs to be able to do more before he can eat solid foods.

Today during his break, we watched Star Wars (Return of the Jedi)! I forgot how much I liked that movie!

Tonight is Bob's night! He got to the hospital earlier than usual so that he and Matt could watch Monday Night Football together!

Want to say 'thanks' to our family and friends who have visited Matt in the hospital, it means so much to Matt and US! Looks like it's going to be about 2 more weeks before Matt can come home. The Doctors and Therapists are seeing improvement and they want to keep him there a little longer to continue working with him.

peace - light & love ~ Shari for the Hernan's

I like the tone of this update. Sounds very encouraging. Thanks Bob.

Bob and Shari

Hold your sons hand and read this to him! Sherri you are to put your hands on his head as well.

Read this to Matthew not sure why but I was told to pass this on to you

Did you notice what the date was when God told me to give you this word from the Bible? It was on Wednesday!! And you just wrote to us today this.

"Matt has accomplished A LOT since Wednesday! Matt can move his head up and down for YES - he can move his entire right hand and arm!"

God is good!!!

Dang allergies.

I'm going to beat you to the punch here Bob. Hope you don't mind...

I'm with you Dave. My eyes have been running a lot lately when I read this.

HAHAHAHA you guys are the best!!! I was so excited to post this and now even more thrilled that you beat me to it!!

Way to go and thanks for being there for them guys!

I was considering posting it last night but thought, meh, I'll give him 12 hours.

Darn are you waiting for the email notice or checking in from time to time. I checked my mail and as soon as I get the notice from caring bridge I transport it here.

I get the emailed notices from Caring Bridge for Matt and a couple others there.

Got another update...how long do I give Bob?

LOLOLOL I just got in the house from work and checked my messages and had to laugh wondering if you beat me to it again.

btw Omaha thanks man!



Mom's upadate

Emileigh and I are getting ready to go up to the hospital - I made dinner for the 3 of us. Tonight is my night to spend the night, Bob stayed yesterday afternoon and last night watching football with Matt. We do have a great system by taking turns and making & bringing up dinner for each other.

I thought I should let everyone know the great news!

Let me start 1st with...Matt is coming home on Friday!!!! Now, let me tell you everything that has to be in place for Matt to come home. For the last week we have been told all of the things that we will need to take care of Matt at home. Pretty much the same equipment that we use at the hospital. Saturday - Aunt Darcy came and stayed with Matt during the day and PaPa and Nonnie came in the afternoon into the evening while Bob and I moved the dining room furniture down stairs. Aunt Deb, Uncle Doug and Sammi came over to help.

We are ready for a special 'reclining air bed' a 'hoyer lift' 2 wheel chairs - Matt has been using a motorized chair and a regular chair. He will need a reclining shower chair. All of this will be delivered this week. Our issue is ramps for the stairs to get Matt into the house and up to the dining room. I know someone sent me an email a while back with info on a place to call - I cannot find the information. If any of you have ideas and or suggestions we welcome them. We are considering making them.

Now...for some totally, wonderfully awesome news! Matt has said more words - 'oh mom' - 'emileigh' and kind of can say 'nonnie'! He is moving his head side to side up and down and can lift it! His head, neck and shoulder areas are getting stronger daily. Matt has started to move his right & left toes. With the therapists he can type on the computer with a mouse.

We appreciate your continued prayers and positive thoughts - and would please ask, to keep them coming? Pray that the homecoming and transition go well for our entire family.

Really great!

Another great update! I love these Bob! This one is especially exciting news. I would imagine being able to care for your boy in your own home is huge.

Can't swallow now--- a big lump of joy in my throat!

Can't swallow now--- a big lump of joy in my throat!

Bob, if bodies with a few skills are needed for making the house accessable by building ramps and other modifications.....color me there brother! I believe you still have my cell #.

For sure! I just got off the phone with a cousin that's a elevator guy and we are checking to see what options there might be. I haven't seen the house that they moved into right before Matt went in for surgery so I don't know the layout or anything and I need to talk directly to Shari to see whats up.

As always guys keep up the prayers

And thanks for being there

How, count me in too if you need some more bodies. I'm just up the road a little bit.

-Darn Royals beat up my Red Sox last night...