Topic: Get well, Matt. (Read 164357 times)

wig · « **Reply #400 on:** February 28, 2014, 02:45:10 pm »

Thanks for the updates, Brooke.

Way to go Matt!

I noticed your post count is 29,964. I can't wait to see you post #30,000 by yourself!

Samson · « **Reply #401 on:** February 28, 2014, 07:28:09 pm »

Quote from: JimH on February 22, 2014, 04:00:22 pm

His memory is much better. He remembered a password I told him a week ago, without any prompting. He still remembers nothing about the accident or even about the 5 weeks he spent in the previous hospital, most of it in intensive care.

This is all good news especially when taken into context. Generally there will be permanent retrograde memory loss for events leading up to the accident and including the accident. A period of permanent memory loss going forwads from the accident ie anterograde amnesia, for example the 5 weeks in the previous hospital, is also an expected thing. The great thing though is the return of laying down continuous new memories eg the recall of the password. This is the end of so called "post traumatic amnesia" (PTA) period and in my experience is often a great turning point. Of course the rehab staff at Bethesda are world class and would know more about this.

Quote

His parents were there and his dad said he's doing well on cognitive testing.

fantastic news as is the progress in physical therapy. Improvements on multiple fronts always very welcome news !

Quote

For the first time, he displayed significant emotions. Things that make him happy make him cry a little. He has his sense of humor again.

A period of "emotional lability" is expected following TBI. Best to ask the staff how to interpret this.

One thing I was curious about when I initially read of Matt's unfortunate accident was what part his antecedent infection played in all of this.Specifically I wondered whether there may have been a degree of encephalitis intially clouding his consciousness and/or contributing to coma? Again, maybe something to ask the staff about.

Anyway, so far great news Matt and I wish you continued and speedy recovery. My best wishes too, as well as admiration for your family including your JRiver family at what is obviously a stressful time for them.The support of your family and friends is an important part of any Rehabilitation process, it cannot be underestimated.

Cheers
David

JimH · « **Reply #402 on:** March 01, 2014, 07:04:06 pm »

Matt has a phone again. I sent him a text today.

"Are you there?"
"Yes."
"Good."

Monday he will be moved to a place called Courage Center, in Golden Valley. It's on my way home, so I'll be able to stop by more often. He should get more frequent physical therapy there. It's in the middle of a park, so he'll have the birds and the trees to watch.

mwillems · « **Reply #403 on:** March 01, 2014, 07:09:49 pm »

Quote from: JimH on March 01, 2014, 07:04:06 pm

Matt has a phone again. I sent him a text today.

"Are you there?"
"Yes."
"Good."

Monday he will be moved to a place called "Courage Center", in Golden Valley. It's on my way home, so I'll be able to stop by more often. He should get more frequent physical therapy there. It's in the middle of a park, so he'll have the birds and the trees to watch.

That's really great news. I read the reports over on Caring Bridge daily, and I'm constantly amazed at the speed of his recovery. Given his work ethic, though, I probably shouldn't be surprised that he's doing such great job of it!

Chico · « **Reply #404 on:** March 02, 2014, 05:53:12 pm »

Quote from: JimH on March 01, 2014, 07:04:06 pm

...It's in the middle of a park, so he'll have the birds and the trees to watch.

As soon as the temperature gets above Zero and there isn't 10 feet of snow!
(Man.... You guys got hammered this year!)

Keep Going Matt!

jgreen · « **Reply #405 on:** March 03, 2014, 11:37:37 am »

Matt, you rock!

JimH · « **Reply #406 on:** March 03, 2014, 12:00:55 pm »

Quote from: JimH on March 01, 2014, 07:04:06 pm

Monday he will be moved to a place called Courage Center, in Golden Valley.

About now, he should be in Brooke's car, on his way there.

I think this is what he'll be doing there:
http://www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/inpatientprogram.aspx

JimH · « **Reply #407 on:** March 03, 2014, 06:34:43 pm »

He's there now. I stopped to say hello. He seems happier there, but a little tired from the move.

Brooke was there, then his mom and dad came, with both of the kids, Elise and Ben.

He had another cognitive test today. Brooke was encouraged by the results. He could recount a story that he was told about a woman who is given a ruby ring, loses it, then finds it in her pocket. He could do that with me an hour later.

He's bummed about not working.

His dad bought himself a 16 ounce diet cherry Coke from the vending machine. When Matt saw it, his eyes lit up. His dad offered him a drink of it and Matt drank about half of it.

He's in a regular wheel chair now. He can move it. He still has a lot of trouble moving his legs. I hope that will change now as he gets more regular physical therapy.

rlebrette · « **Reply #408 on:** March 04, 2014, 12:00:17 am »

That's really great. Matt, we are waiting for your own feedback, keep the recovery up!

WebSnake99 · « **Reply #409 on:** March 04, 2014, 10:06:40 am »

Matt, get well soon! You are making good progress.
Best wishes from Austria
Rene

fitbrit · « **Reply #410 on:** March 04, 2014, 12:41:51 pm »

I sent Matt a couple of text messages today. I didn't include any feature requests for MC.
I did, however, tell him that we're overjoyed with his daily strength increases, but he should stop once he exceeds how strong he was before the accident; otherwise he'd crush those he will hug.

JimH · « **Reply #411 on:** March 04, 2014, 05:59:26 pm »

I stopped this afternoon to say hello. Matt's parents, Brook, and Elise were having cake with Matt. Cherry Pudding Cake.

Bob had said he was having trouble with something earlier today, so I asked Matt.

Matt, do you remember what the message loop is?
Sure.

What does it do?
It does everything.

Does it allow one part of the program to communicate with another?
Yes.

How does it do that? What controls it?
The main app is in control. It pumps the message loop.

Even on Linux?
It has to.

bob · « **Reply #412 on:** March 04, 2014, 06:09:44 pm »

Very cool!
Saved questions coming soon

astromo · « **Reply #413 on:** March 04, 2014, 06:20:27 pm »

Excellent news Jim. Sounds like the hands who put Matt's head back together didn't leave any screws loose or had parts left over - kudos to them. Hope the work on getting him mobile follows along in the same fashion soon.

JimH · « **Reply #414 on:** March 04, 2014, 07:50:56 pm »

Matt's dad, Roger, told another funny story today. A young guy, not too big, tested Matt on the power of his grip. He said that he usually could to about 140 pounds. He proved it today.

Matt got 57. Very respectable, given that he hardly moved for about six weeks.

Roger, who played defense for Iowa State in the late 1960's, did 90. It was a sobering experience.

kensn · « **Reply #415 on:** March 05, 2014, 12:37:36 am »

Respect... It's all about respect... LOL...

bil1010105 · « **Reply #416 on:** March 05, 2014, 07:51:59 am »

I have not really been keeping up with JRiver and decided several months ago that MC18 would be my last version. There are other reasons for this, and nothing to do with the quality of the software.

However, after reading here about Matt (who I respect and admire as a fellow developer & human being) and his horrible accident, and slow (but nevertheless amazing) recovery, I wondered what I could do to help from 7,000 miles away.

The only thing I could think of was to buy a license to MC19, and thus support JRiver who are supporting Matt so honourably. Not many employers would do that. So I have done this... the only thing I can.

Get well, Matt.

pcstockton · « **Reply #417 on:** March 05, 2014, 04:51:55 pm »

Quote from: bil1010105 on March 05, 2014, 07:51:59 am

The only thing I could think of was to buy a license to MC19, and thus support JRiver who are supporting Matt so honourably. Not many employers would do that. So I have done this... the only thing I can.

Same here! I was just going to wait for 20 since 19 has been going for a while. I figured this is the best thing I can do to "help".

I have been pondering buying a Mac license for the same reason. Probably will.

-Patrick

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #418 on:** March 05, 2014, 09:38:08 pm »

Quote from: pcstockton on March 05, 2014, 04:51:55 pm

I have been pondering buying a Mac license for the same reason. Probably will.

Same here, so I actually did purchase a Mac license today and I'll use it in a day or two after I redo my Hackintosh.

JohanJooste · « **Reply #419 on:** March 07, 2014, 05:33:17 am »

Mrs. Ashland, I believe Matt's strength and determination originates from you a loving Wife,
Beautiful intelligent kids, Parents, Work friends and Faceless Connections spread all over the
world and his Programming talent. This is what he lives for !

All adds up - He knows what he's doing and by what I'm reading he's doing a darn fine job !

Our thoughts are with Matt on a speedy recovery and I salute you Ma'am.

JimH · « **Reply #420 on:** March 07, 2014, 07:20:07 pm »

I saw Matt and his family again today. He's making progress, but it's painful. The Courage Center works him hard. They are very professional there.

When I stopped by, he was in the exercise room pedaling a "bicycle". It was a pair of pedals in front of his wheelchair, with a small screen showing the speed he was doing. I'm sure he was thinking about his racing games.

The twist was that he was wired. He had about 10 or 12 patches connected to wires, all over his legs.

Mike, the physical therapist, said that at low voltages, they felt like bee stings. Matt wasn't very happy, but he did it without complaining.

I had brought a banana bread. When Matt was finished, Roger (his dad) asked him "Matt, do you want to go back to your room and lie down? Or have some cake?"

"Cake."

So we all had a little banana bread.

Samson · « **Reply #421 on:** March 07, 2014, 08:07:28 pm »

Quote from: JimH on March 07, 2014, 07:20:07 pm

He had about 10 or 12 patches connected to wires, all over his legs.

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has been used to treat both weakness (i.e to increase strength) and to reduce spasticity (spasticity is increased muscle tone causing stiffness and difficulty with movements following injury to upper levels of the nervous system, upper motor neurons).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_electrical_stimulation
http://strokengine.ca/intervention/admin/patient/FES%20Lower%20Extremity-Family%20Information.pdf

there are also various other treatments for spasticity (not advocating just saying)

bob · « **Reply #422 on:** March 07, 2014, 09:31:20 pm »

When John and I saw Matt today I asked him about some programming issues and he had a good insight.
It was very nice talking with Matt and his parents :-)

drmimosa · « **Reply #423 on:** March 08, 2014, 10:59:54 am »

I'm just thrilled to hear how much progress Matt's recovery has made. It has been very moving to experience the support given by his family, coworkers, and friends here on Interact and Caring Bridge.

Keep up the good work, we are thinking of you Matt!

john greenwood · « **Reply #424 on:** March 09, 2014, 08:45:56 am »

I'm a newbie here, but I've learned so much from Matt's prior posts that I miss his continuing presence.

I look forward to his return.

TheAudiophileDutchman · « **Reply #425 on:** March 09, 2014, 03:54:10 pm »

Quote from: bob on March 07, 2014, 09:31:20 pm

When John and I saw Matt today I asked him about some programming issues and he had a good insight.

This is amazing! Thanks for sharing with us

Matias · « **Reply #426 on:** March 10, 2014, 07:44:28 am »

I also check here regularly to see Matt's progress. I hope he gets well soon.

jesseinsf · « **Reply #427 on:** March 11, 2014, 02:00:02 pm »

Every time there is a "Latest (maybe less stable)" update or if I happen to be in the forums, I have to check how Matt is doing here before I view the change log for the latest build or before I leave the forums. Anyway, I'm happy to hear that Matt is getting better. :-)

prerich · « **Reply #428 on:** March 11, 2014, 02:59:29 pm »

I'm very late on this, but I'm very very very, glad to hear that he's recovering!!!!!!!! My thoughts are with you and your family Matt!!!!

JimH · « **Reply #429 on:** March 13, 2014, 06:53:58 pm »

I've seen Matt a couple times this week. It's hard to find a good time because they are giving him so much therapy. He is generally pretty tolerant of it, but sometimes it bothers him.

He is getting steadily better, but he is also often confused. He will tear up at anything very emotional (mention of the accident or even family). Yesterday, I asked him "What makes you sad?". His answer was hard for me to understand. When I did get it, he was saying that he's not sure whether he's dreaming or it's real. I told him it was real, but that it wasn't surprising that he might wonder.

I thought about this afterward. The best way I could find to describe what he is going through, what he feels, is the way we all feel as we are waking up. We're half asleep, half awake for a few minutes.

I do think he is still waking up.

mykillk · « **Reply #430 on:** March 14, 2014, 06:44:02 pm »

Quote from: JimH on March 13, 2014, 06:53:58 pm

I've seen Matt a couple times this week. It's hard to find a good time because they are giving him so much therapy. He is generally pretty tolerant of it, but sometimes it bothers him.

He is getting steadily better, but he is also often confused. He will tear up at anything very emotional (mention of the accident or even family). Yesterday, I asked him "What makes you sad?". His answer was hard for me to understand. When I did get it, he was saying that he's not sure whether he's dreaming or it's real. I told him it was real, but that it wasn't surprising that he might wonder.

I thought about this afterward. The best way I could find to describe what he is going through, what he feels, is the way we all feel as we are waking up. We're half asleep, half awake for a few minutes.

I do think he is still waking up.

Is he on any medications?

astromo · « **Reply #431 on:** March 16, 2014, 08:13:56 pm »

I've been keeping tabs on this thread and I think I'm not alone in harbouring a feeling of wanting to help in some kind of substantial way beyond positive thoughts, words of encouragement and best wishes. All the more difficult because of geography.

Well, I just was flicking through an industry journal and read a paper that's very relevant to Matt's circumstances. Relevant to me personally as well because I had the experience of falling hard a year or 2 ago on a set of stairs at my place. It was early morning (so probably still half asleep) after some rain (slippery). I was putting out rubbish bins (trash cans) for collection, got my footing wrong and went down like a sack of spuds. Apart from embarrassment, all I had to deal with was bruising.

Those stairs now have non-slip material to prevent a repeat performance.

Back to the paper, I'm attaching it here with the view that it may help. Given the nature of the article, the publishers have taken a spirit of sharing and they permit it to be redistributed. It's written with a focus on industrial workplaces but the messages fundamentally apply at a domestic level. Never hurts to wander around your home and spot where some fixes can be made before a problem occurs.

While I may strictly be pushing the boundaries of copyright, I think the good intentions here are perfectly aligned.

JimH · « **Reply #432 on:** March 17, 2014, 02:25:11 pm »

Roger got Matt out of the Courage Center on Saturday to go to Ben's birthday party. The pictures and story are here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattashland

I saw him yesterday morning. Conversation is getting closer to normal. He's still sleeping a lot and gets confused sometimes, but is often sharp. He's getting bored with the restricted life he has and wants to go home, but he's not yet able to move himself from the bed to the wheelchair and back.

6233638 · « **Reply #433 on:** March 17, 2014, 02:47:44 pm »

Thanks for the continued updates Jim. I'm always following this topic and the Caring Bridge site even though I don't post in this topic much.

I'm glad to hear that things keep improving.

Cmagic · « **Reply #434 on:** March 18, 2014, 02:22:17 am »

Same here. I'm not as frequently visiting the interact as I used to do in the past.
What keeps me coming is reading this thread with Jim's updates and it's good to see pics of Matt having good time with family.

Bon rétablissement Matt, à très bientôt,

Christian

JazzDoc · « **Reply #435 on:** March 18, 2014, 05:50:31 am »

It is always encouraging to hear of Matt's progress, supported by his family, his colleagues and the Interact forum. You are doing so well Matt ... Your journey along the road to full recovery is not yet complete but we continue to think of you as you travel. Sending love and good wishes to you and your family.

jgreen · « **Reply #436 on:** March 18, 2014, 10:46:21 am »

Better and better, Matt! You're taking control of your future!

Yah, rehab suxx, there's no doubt about that. Doubly suxx that the moment they see you can handle what they've thrown at you, they're gonna throw more. All about small steps.

JimH · « **Reply #437 on:** March 18, 2014, 10:26:53 pm »

Matt made it home for dinner tonight. His parents took him and brought him back to Courage Center. There's a post on Caring Bridge.

MarkCoutinho · « **Reply #438 on:** March 19, 2014, 06:13:21 am »

Thanks for all the updates, Jim. I appreciate them a lot.

Al ex · « **Reply #439 on:** March 19, 2014, 05:06:35 pm »

Great to hear! Looking forward for his first own post in this thread

stricko · « **Reply #440 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:46:39 am »

very very late to this

Get well soon Matt

JimH · « **Reply #441 on:** March 22, 2014, 07:01:17 pm »

Brooke posted a couple of times on Caring Bridge. Matt went home for a meal, then back to Courage Center. His physical therapist got him to use a walker and he just walked away. Roger, his dad, said he just walked out of the room. He really wants to get out and go home.

Brooke said that the doctor looked at his CT scan yesterday, and she said his brain looked "gorgeous". I think Brooke was slightly jealous. I am too. The doctor also said that a small part of his brain, one that controls motor control, appeared to have a problem, but that he was clearly working to rebuild that functionality.

Brooke also gave a very moving account of their visit to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Hennepin County Medical Center, where he spent the first 3 weeks of January.

Matt's Brain is Gorgeous

Matt Walked 75 Feet!!!

Neuroplasticity -- How a Brain Rebuilds

astromo · « **Reply #442 on:** March 23, 2014, 06:41:13 am »

Quote from: JimH on March 22, 2014, 07:01:17 pm

He really wants to get out and go home.

Best place for him, as soon as it makes sense. It's pretty clear he's impatient to get back there. Easy to understand.

With the progress that he's been posting to date, I'm confident that Matt will get home quicker than anyone. Great news.

glynor · « **Reply #443 on:** March 23, 2014, 08:46:51 am »

Great, great news.

And, I think, we all could have told that doctor that Matt had a beautiful brain, even without his fancy scanner.

JimH · « **Reply #444 on:** March 23, 2014, 07:39:56 pm »

I saw Matt again this morning. Brooke and his kids, Ben and Elise, were there. They were all working on a puzzle. I brought a Sunday NY Times and a bag of candy bars. Matt put the NY Times on a chair.

The bag had:
Butterfingers
Snickers
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
M&M Peanuts

Matt found the Reese's, devoured it, went back for the Snicker's.

A few minutes later, Brooke said, "Matt, would you like some of the quiche?" "No, I'm full. Thanks."

MrC · « **Reply #445 on:** March 23, 2014, 08:39:52 pm »

Maybe you should have placed the bag of candy 80 feet away.

jtwrace · « **Reply #446 on:** March 23, 2014, 09:36:01 pm »

Quote from: MrC on March 23, 2014, 08:39:52 pm

Maybe you should have placed the bag of candy 80 feet away.

Good one. LOL

Samson · « **Reply #447 on:** March 24, 2014, 03:47:50 am »

Quote from: JimH on March 22, 2014, 07:01:17 pm

Neuroplasticity -- How a Brain Rebuilds

So glad to hear that Matt continues improving. Neuroplasticity is a fascinating area and opens possible therapeutic pathways such as neuromodulation techniques to change both the function and structure of the brain and central nervous system. We know that sensory experience can be modulated, for better or worse, and subsequently cause physical brain changes. These concepts may be of interest to Matt (other than in the context of his injury) in that they have some relevance to our perception of things like music. I started a thread on computer audiophile ( as "audiophile neuroscience"), "Where is audio truth", and neuroplasticity was part of those discussions. I have not placed the link here as i don't want to distract from discussing Matt's recovery. It may (or may not) be useful for some to help understand a little more about the topic,placed in a musical or audio context. If so, see post 1,post 986,post 546.

There has been interest in the way music therapy might mediate functional neurological recovery, http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:10260&dsID=Neuroplasticity_.pdf, and http://jonlieffmd.com/blog/music-training-and-neuroplasticity.

Given matt's audio/musical background, this may be a worthwile modality to pursue or discuss with his speech pathologist/therapist.

bil1010105 · « **Reply #448 on:** March 24, 2014, 04:58:23 am »

Quote from: JimH on March 23, 2014, 07:39:56 pm

A few minutes later, Brooke said, "Matt, would you like some of the quiche?" "No, I'm full. Thanks."

http://www.bernstein-plus-sons.com/RPDEQ.html

Real programmers don't eat quiche!

Truly great news. Thanks.

jgreen · « **Reply #449 on:** March 24, 2014, 10:43:48 am »

Yup, life is a bunch of bags of candy, just out of reach.

Well, I am tickled pink at Matt's progress. In my uninformed opinion, the fact that Matt is irritated/fussy with his institutional surroundings is a VERY encouraging sign.

Matt, congrats and well done on a tough journey so far!

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Get well, Matt. (Read 164357 times)

rlebrette