URGENT PRAYERS NEEDED FOR MATT CARROLL

[INSIDETHEFORTY]

I don't know Matt personally, but my prayers are with him and his family. Get well soon, Matt!

Yours in Drum Corps,

Ron Gunn

[skajerk]

Thank you to all that have responded.

The latest report:

Good Afternoon, there have not been any changes to update at the moment, however we do have some positive things that we know you all would like to hear about Matt.

- The doctor has ordered "range of motion." This means that the nurses are to exercise Matt's limbs and work on his range of motion. The nurses say this is a good sign, because the doctor is preparing him for recovery. :)

- Yesterday (7/8/10), at 1am they begin to feed matt via feeding tube to his stomach.

- Matt was also taken off of the medication for hypertension, which means that his blood pressure is stabilizing, and that his blood pressure is responding well to treatment. These are important things that need to happen towards recovery!

- Matt's motor skills and reflexes are still reacting strongly, and his sedation medication has been adjusted accordingly. We know he's still being a fighter!

Here are some terms, that we just wanted to post for you all, because we know that the more you know, the better you can understand Matt's condition. We all know you care so much and want the most accurate information. We will try to do this as often as possible-

Hemorrhage: 1. An escape of blood from the intravascular space.

2. To bleed.

- Aneurysm: (MATT DID NOT HAVE AN ANEURYSM). We know that this is what many of you have heard, and we just wanted to make sure and clarify for you).

(Aneurysm) - is a localized, blood-filled dilation (balloon-like bulge) of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall.

- Brain Ventricle: One of a system of four communicating cavities within the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord.

* This is where Matt's hemorrhage occurred, on the left side of his brain. (An Intraventricular Bleed, or IV for short.)

These are just a few terms that will hopefully give you some more information and give you a little more insight. These are of course just general definitions, and here are some sites that may be beneficial:

WebMD.com

Medicinenet.com

Medical-dictionary.com

We know that you are all anxious for updates, so if and when there are changes, or needs for updates we will definitely get that information to you ASAP. In the mean time, some advice we were given from one of Matt's wonderful nurses is this:

There is no use in being anxious, as we (family and friends) don't have control over the situation. We don't know what will happen in the future, but we should all rest easy that Matt is receiving the best care to optimize what he will do in the future.

We are still waiting, so stay positive and we will keep you posted. I strongly believe Matt's positive strides are happening because of the energy you are all sending! Keep sending your love, prayers, and thoughts!

You know, I just can't grasp the fact that here I am... an over-weight man in his mid 40s, a father of 3 and married for 16.5 years. Then here's Matt... a young man in his early 30s, not even married 3 weeks! A man I was singing and jumping around with on stage just a couple weeks ago that is now struggling for his life! I don't get it!

Edited July 9, 2010 by skajerk

[skajerk]

Nothing new to report but this was the latest journal entry:

Hello Matt Supporters,

I just wanted to write a note, to answer a couple of the questions I have been getting:

Where to send gifts/flowers:

Matt cannot have flowers and most gifts in his room since he is still in the ICU. Our camp is pretty much set up in the waiting room, so it also makes it difficult to receive, or keep flowers/gifts around. So you can send flowers etc., to his parent's house, and they and Laura can enjoy them, and make sure Matt knows the love you send!

**Also, Joy, Matt's mother has suggested, that in lieu of sending a gift, perhaps you would like to make a donation to Matt's Band program at Bullard High School.

Here is the address for flowers, etc.:

(You may address to any of the Carrolls')

6719 River Terrace

Riverbank, Ca 95367

Many of you have been messaging me and emailing me, and I greatly appreciate your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. Thank you so much for your support and concern...

I can tell you again, that Matt's wife and family are extremely, moved, and find a great deal of support in your kind words you send and visits with them. Please continue to do so. This is truly an amazing family.

Visiting hours are still the same as previously posted, and again if you have questions about that, I can answer them. I am also enjoying uploading the pictures you have emailed me, it has been great! If you haven't yet, email me one of you and Matt to post in the photo section. :)

[skajerk]

The latest:

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010 3:39 PM, PDT

Good Afternoon!

During the Doctor's rounds earlier today, he informed us that Matt is still stable and has had no change. No worsening in the condition is still good!

It is still too soon to do another CT Scan, so in an effort to be able to run more tests as soon as possible, they are going to bring down his sedation to see if his blood pressure can remain stable. Last time they tried this his blood pressure did rise just a little bit, but this time around, so far so good! This means that Matt has been brought a little closer to consciousness, and if he can maintain his stability, they will be able to do more investigative testing on the brain. We will keep you posted of all of the progress as we get it.

Also, he gave Laura's hands a nice strong squeeze today with both of his hands! :)

Progress is being made... and as always, I want to remind you, that you all have so much to do with it, please continue with your love, energy, support, and prayers. It's working!

I'll update again as soon as we have more.

[skajerk]

Still a long ways to go, but it sounds like he's fighting! Here's the latest:

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010 10:47 PM, PDT

Good Evening, Here is tonight's update:

Matt is now fully off of sedation and we are waiting for him to regain consciousness. As previously mentioned, we want Matt to regain consciousness so that the doctor may perform further tests and a new CT scan while Matt has brain activity.

Also as previously reported, last time Matt's sedation was brought down, his blood pressure began to rise, so he was put back under the heavy sedation. This time, (today) Matt did very well, and although there were some fluctuations throughout the process, Matt's blood pressure has been stabilized, without any sedation. This is great news! Furthermore, The pressure has reduced from his head, and although he still has the ventilator, he is breathing on his own.

While trying to coax him into consciousness, and asking Matt questions, his family members and Laura witnessed him nod his head slightly "yes".

The medical staff would like Matt to wear shoes most of the time, so you will be happy to know he's rocking his favorite kicks... that's right, his Chuck Taylor's! ;)

At this point we are waiting for him to regain consciousness, and we hope it happens anytime soon!

Matt's family would like me to remind you, that although we are seeing progress, and we can be thankful and celebrate, this is only the beginning, and we can't stop praying, and sending Matt loving thoughts and positive energy. Even though this is good news and he is fighting, it is still a waiting process, and he needs our support to help him win this battle. Please don't stop!

Not only have I had the honor to witness the love of many towards Matt, and realize more than ever the countless lives he has touched, I have gotten to witness this amazing family that Matt is lucky enough to have. Their faith is undying and an example to us all. That, combined with what you are all doing to help and the love you are sending Matt's way is undoubtedly working wonders. Let's keep coming together for this wonderful person, and my dear friend Matt!

[DNgo]

I don't know Matt personally, but prayers and best wishes for continued progress and recovery.

[snarecal1]

I know him- I GOT YOU!!!!

[skajerk]

The latest:

SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2010 12:53 PM, PDT

Hello, Here is this afternoon's update;

At around midnight last night, Matt opened an eye and the other one was "coaxed" open. His blood pressure spiked up a bit when that happen, so Matt was put back under sedation. While under sedation, (and he still is), Matt's blood pressure medication was adjusted and now his blood pressure is doing very well. We will wait to see when they begin to lower sedation again.

Matt is STILL showing progress. It is just going to be a process, and it still means waiting and being patient for all of us. The medical staff is working diligently to provide Matt with all he needs.

To bring him to consciousness and stabilize him further, the process of adjustments is necessary, so we are still moving forward!

It is so wonderful to have new support messages, texts, emails, and pictures sent each day for the family to enjoy. Please keep them coming.

Thank you again everyone!

[skajerk]

Hopefully this doesn't develop into a setback. In other words... KEEP PRAYING!!

The latest:

MONDAY, JULY 12, 2010 8:27 AM, PDT

Good Morning,

Last night, Matt began to have 'involuntary shivering'. The medical staff got it to stop, and then it happened a second time. He was taken for a CT scan, and no change or possible cause for the shiver was found.

A possible cause for the shivering could be the beginning of an infection. Matt's family has asked me to make this update and ask you to pray about this. If Matt were to develop an infection, this would be a setback. Please continue to go strong on your prayer, thoughts, energy, and love. Matt needs our help to continue doing all the fighting he has been doing!!

I will update as soon as we have more information. Thank you, and please keep helping him!

Edited July 12, 2010 by skajerk

[lp1955]

Prayers are with you Mat get well