CVICU Day 1

So, we went to see Gary this morning and saw that he was doing okay. His nurse said that he had a rocky night. Gary is listed in Critical but stable condition. They are going to keep him intabated and the heart pump in until tomorrow morning and re-evaluate. They are satisfied with his levels and are cautiously optimistic. His nurse said that we have to take baby steps forward. However, their is progress being made. The reason to keep him under is to make him stronger in the long run. We appreciate all of the continued support and prayers from everyone and ask that only family members come to the hospital at this point because he isn't awake and is still in ICU. Please fill free to call and we will talk if we have the chance. Again thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

The Matthews Family

Post OP Update

Well we have had some more news. Gary has been out of surgery for a little while now. While the surgery did go mostly to plan there have been a couple complications. As they started to take him off the bypass machine, the leak in his valve came back to a certain extent. The doctors do not think that the valve is faulty or needs replacement. They did decide to put in a balloon pump in order to assist the valve in working properly until the heart has gained enough strength back. This has caused the doctors to decide to leave him on the breathing machine and sedated for the rest of the night instead of for just another 4-6 hours. They have said that he will feel worse before he feels better, but what do you expect when your chest is pulled open. In short, this is not bad news, just not as good as we were hoping for since we were all hoping for the best possible. Please keep him in your prayers, he still has a long way to go.

Surgery Update

The Dr. just came out and gave us an update on Gary's surgery he is on the Heart and Lung machine and doing well. They would call again in an hour or two with another update. The surgery started around 1 and they said that it would take about 4 1/2 hours so only a few more to go. Will post again when we know something else.

Surgery

It was decided last night that Gary will have a triple bypass on Thursday afternoon. The surgeon came in last night and told all of us what they were going to do and explained how they do the surgery. He said that their are so many blockages that they really won't know that they can do until they get him open and can see the heart for themselves. So as of right now it has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon around 12:30. For any of you who have been in a hospital or Dr. office you know that is subject to change either early or most likely later. We really do appreciate all of the love and support that our family is receiving during these trying times. We are so grateful for the modern technologies that we have now and everything that they can do to fix problems. Garys dad had his 1 st heart attach at 47 ish?? and the 5th one was the one that did him in. I asked the Surgeon while all of the family was in the room about any suggestions that he has for his children because I was ready to take my husband for a full work up tomorrow. He said that he would suggest that they have a stress test done to see as well as watch for diabetes. It was nice to hear from the Dr. instead of a nagging wife because I have been saying this for a while. This is all that we know for the moment. The surgeon was very optimistic and that really helped put our mids at a little more ease. For any that are interested we are having a fast on Thursday. Once again thank you so very much for all of your thoughts and prayers.
The Matthews Family

Gary Update

Gary had his angiogram (sorry for spelling am in a hurry) we were hoping that they would do a stent and that would be the end of it. Unfortunately that is not the case. Pretty much all of the veins and arteries going into his heart has a clog somewhere. Also only 30% of his heart is function and one the the valves is leaking. So stents are out of the question. they have moved gary in CVICU so that they can keep a better eye on his very week heart. They will have to do surgery they are having a special surgeon come in to review his case and see what they can do. They can't do your normal bypass because of there all the different clogs are. So we are waiting in limbo once agian until the surgeon tells us something which we might know tonight or in the morning. we are having a family fast on Thursday if any of you would like to join in with us that would be great. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayer for our family during this once again difficult time. I will update more when we know something else.

Once again please forgive my spelling thanks for everything.

The Matthews Family

Gary Matthews

For all of those who are wondering Gary did have a mild heart attach. He was transfered from Banner Gateway to Banner Heart Hospital. They will be running more tests today to see if their is any blockage in the heart. He was also diagnosed as a type two diabetic. I will keep all of you informed if you want nay more information please call my cell phone. Thank you to everyone who helped out yesterday and for keeping our family in your prayers.
Blaine & Tiffany Matthews

Ryan's 3rd Birthday Party

We had a big water party for Ryan's 3rd birthday. We invited three families that live on our street and a few more from the ward as well as Ryan's cousins. It was nice and hot that day so it felt good to cool off in the water.Starting to get a little cold
Chillin by the sprinklers
Ryan with the ladies :)

Ryan enjoying his pizza and root beer (so don't bug me)
Kayli and her purple freezing self :)

Even though Ryan got a new bike for his birthday he still loves to ride the broken little pink bike. What a cool dude with no shirt riding his bike.
Ready for bed with his favorite birthday present his truck that Kayli & Lilly gave him.