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

February Update

Hey everyone!

Sorry it’s taken so long to provide another update. The past few months have been a bit busy. 

The main areas of change or relatively big news is that we are actually in the process of purchasing a home!  It’s been encouraging to feel like we are at least making some progress in our quest toward normalcy.

After countless doctor appointments, CT scans, MRIs & a bunch of frustration, Kev FINALLY got his brace off last Thursday!  Even though his back/core muscles were completely immobilized for 7 1/2 months, he’s been adapting really well so far. Even though he says he feels “really wobbly” he’s been able to maintain his balance & transfer incredibly well.  

Now that the brace is off, we will probably start car shopping soon so Kev can get back behind the wheel & have some freedom.

We’re still at therapy twice a week & he’s been working super hard. The main things they’re working with him on are stretching, core/back strength & balance & walking with braces & a walker. The braces he wears go from the bottom of his foot all the way up to his hip socket.  The purpose of the braces are to lock out his knees.  He uses the walker for stability & then has to engage his abs & obliques to try to lift his leg & swing it forward.  It’s an insane amount of work & the purpose is not for him to walk with the braces instead of using his wheelchair, but rather to attempt to maintain some bone density & muscle mass in his legs to keep his bones from becoming brittle & breaking  

There hasn’t been any change in sensation or movement below his level of injury, but we are continuing to pray for a miracle.  The swelling in Kev’s legs continues to be very prominent. The doctors don’t know why his swelling is so much more severe than all other paraplegics but it’s problematic for several reasons: 

1.  It makes his legs super heavy which make them harder for both of us to maneuver

2.  It causes his toe nails to become ingrown because his toes swell over his nails

3.  It makes him have to wear very tight compression stockings which area nuisance & challenging to put on.

Thanks again for all if your love, support & prayer…we truly appreciate it!!           

Kev & Tiff