Kevin's Recovery Helping Kevin Mather on his road to recovery

My time with Kevin this morning-from Pastor Brian Howard

Having just returned from vacation last night I went to the hospital this morning and spent an hour or so with Kevin and then some time with the family.  As I walked into the ICU Kevin was laying on his back, wide awake, and able to talk. He put up his hand to shake my hand.  I told him that I was sorry that I was not on the ride last Friday but that we had been out of town.  Around his bed were his buddies Brent and Chris, Gregg Gentry, Kevin’s dad, Kevin’s uncle, Pastor Sam, Tiffany and myself.  We talked about the accident, about whether or not he was in pain, and we talked about how hungry he is.  (He kept asking for cheesecake)  Kevin went back and forth between cracking jokes and making comments about the seriousness of his situation.  He remembers all of it and that seemed painful.  Though it was sobering to see him layed up and injured, it was encouraging to be able to have a normal conversation with him and to see him so alert.  While I was there he ate for the first time (Vanilla Pudding)  Before I left we prayed together and with those gathered around his bed.

A few things struck me:

• God was not absent from the hospital nor was he absent when the crash happened.
• Kevin is surrounded with friends, family, and a church that loves him.
• Kevin’s wife Tiffany is a rock and he is blessed to have her.
• The Gentrys are a God honoring and trusting constant presence and encouragement.
• The recovery time is just beginning
• After a couple of weeks when the newness of this difficult situation wears off, we are still going to need to surround Kevin.
• Kevin is a warrior who will take his passion for endurance sports into his recovery.

As we were driving home, Pastor Sam, who was with me, mentioned how the way that Tiffany and the Gentrys are handling this situation clearly shows that the gospel is evident in their lives.  This is so hard but God is not absent.  I will continue to join in prayer with all of you for Kevin.

Pastor Brian Howard

Hospital Update

July 6, 2009 10:00 a.m. The Stout’s wrote:

The following information was from Janice Gentry regarding the doctors visit this morning:

The neurosurgeon came in to see Kevin this morning and examined his wound, saying that it was in prestine condition, but that he needs to lay flat for another 24 hours.  The bone fragment had cut into the lining of the spinal chord which was why he had some fluid leakage and they were considering putting in a drain yesterday.  Laying him flat will ensure that there is no leakage.  The doctor’s also removed his cervical collar today.  The neurosurgeon said the next step in his recovery would be to filter his blood to prevent clotting, then get him ready to begin rehabilitation.

The goal for rehabilitation is to get Kevin into Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA.  This rehabilitation center is known for being one of the best spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers in the country.  You can check them out at www.rancho.org.

Janice said Kevin was hungry and ready to eat real food this morning, but the doctors said he had to wait until they could move him onto his side!

Specific Prayer Requests:

• That they will be able to get Kevin into Rancho Los Amigos
• For financial support if he does get into Rancho Los Amigos
  
• Rest for Tiffany, she has had very little sleep since the accident happened

Again, thank you all for your continued prayers and support to Kevin, Tiffany, & their families!