- L
NEW UPDATE BELOW FOR JUNE 30
Matthew Blaylock, of Fairview, TN was in a serious car accident, Sunday May 22nd, and has severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis, broken arm, and internal injuries of the kidney, lung and stomach. He is young, he is an athlete, strong and healthy. He has a long road towards recovery, yet we believe in a full recovery for him.
I am Matthew's grandmother and on behalf of his family, I am raising money to help defray hospital costs, travel expenses and other costs for his immediate family, which are accruing rapidly.
Matthew has a very bright future ahead of him.
Matthew is a star on the Fairview High School Wrestling Team.
Matthew is to begin his Senior year at Fairview High School this coming fall.
Please donate now to support his recovery, to support his family's additional expenses and medical costs.
Every donation will assist in his ability to walk through that door at the beginning of the Fall semester.
We are grateful for your prayers, your thoughts and every donation.
Thank you for your support!
May 26, 2021
UPDATE:
Matthew had successful surgery to reconstruct his pelvis yesterday. The surgeon was able to open all crushed nerve pathways in his sacrum.
Matthew had surgery scheduled today to repair his left arm.
His internal injuries are being monitored at this time. Doctors do not want to do an exploratory surgery if at all possible.
We, his family, are deeply grateful for the prayers and support from the Community.
UPDATE: May 27, 2021
Matthew had his arm surgery yesterday. The break was above the elbow, for which we are very grateful. The doctor said the bones came together strongly using plates and screws.
Matthew was moved out of the Trauma unit into a trauma private room last night. He will need everyone's support throughout the summer.
Matthew Blaylock, of Fairview, TN was in a serious car accident, Sunday May 22nd, and has severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis, broken arm, and internal injuries of the kidney, lung and stomach. He is young, he is an athlete, strong and healthy. He has a long road towards recovery, yet we believe in a full recovery for him.
I am Matthew's grandmother and on behalf of his family, I am raising money to help defray hospital costs, travel expenses and other costs for his immediate family, which are accruing rapidly.
Matthew has a very bright future ahead of him.
Matthew is a star on the Fairview High School Wrestling Team.
Matthew is to begin his Senior year at Fairview High School this coming fall.
Please donate now to support his recovery, to support his family's additional expenses and medical costs.
Every donation will assist in his ability to walk through that door at the beginning of the Fall semester.
We are grateful for your prayers, your thoughts and every donation.
Thank you for your support!
May 26, 2021
UPDATE:
Matthew had successful surgery to reconstruct his pelvis yesterday. The surgeon was able to open all crushed nerve pathways in his sacrum.
Matthew had surgery scheduled today to repair his left arm.
His internal injuries are being monitored at this time. Doctors do not want to do an exploratory surgery if at all possible.
We, his family, are deeply grateful for the prayers and support from the Community.
UPDATE: May 27, 2021
Matthew had his arm surgery yesterday. The break was above the elbow, for which we are very grateful. The doctor said the bones came together strongly using plates and screws.
Matthew was moved out of the Trauma unit into a trauma private room last night. He will need everyone's support throughout the summer.
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: according to his Mom, the doctors have decided to do exploratory surgery. I don't have details yet but as this unfolds, we will let you know.
UPDATE: May 28, 2021
Yesterday, Matthew had exploratory surgery which revealed holes in his small and large intestine. The SI has been repaired. The LI had both holes cut off and Matthew now has a temporary colostomy bag for 6 months until the LI heals. It will be removed and the LI will be reconnected. Doctors say he will be fine but the internal organs need time to heal.
UPDATE: May 29, 2021
Yesterday, after a very rough night from the effects of three consecutive surgeries, Matthew actually had a day of rest....or rest as good as it gets in a hospital. He slept and dozed throughout the day. The doctors believe everything fixable has been repaired.
Now, the truly hard work begins: rehab, PT, and keeping his fighting spirit up.
UPDATE: May 30, 2021
I was able to see Matthew for the first time since his accident. His eyes were so clear. He has started on a clear liquid diet but must go very slow because his stomach is damaged and the side affects of anesthesia. He ate 7 spoonfuls of broth (I promised him some fantastic broth when he moves out of trauma), ate ice chips and was given the okay to eat strawberry Jello. The look of ecstasy on his face when that first bite of Jello went in his mouth is one I will always treasure.
He seemed very determined to heal, and get going into life. We know he has really no clue as to the length of time he must spend healing but that energy, that fire, that determination will take him far.
It's up to all of us to stoke that fire.
UPDATE: May 31
It's been one week since that phone call from our son "Matthew's been a car wreck. On his way to Vandy ER."
One week since we sat outside Vanderbilt ER for 7 hours waiting to hear he had stabilized.
He is recovering. Yesterday marked the day when he was allowed to eat solid food. He had bar-b-q'd chicken and mac 'n cheese.
And a milk shake. And a smoothie. His appetite is increasing. Obviously, his stomach is healing.
He is continually being monitored for internal bleeding. Those innards are still bruised, injured and tender.
We are grateful, ETERNALLY grateful.
We are grateful for everyone's generosity, prayers, support, and donations.
Today is a new day.
UPDATE: June 1
We are deeply grateful to everyone for their continued support, prayers, donations for Matthew. Thank you.
Matthew has been moved to a different room which has different age rules for visitation. 18 and older only can visit.
We realize this is very difficult to accept for everyone: Matthew especially.
Matthew's epidural has been removed so pain management is being handled differently. A drain was removed. Hopefully his cast on his arm will be removed today so he can begin moving it. Physical therapy should resume today.
Matthew's health is vulnerable and fragile right now. He is stable but still in danger of internal bleeding, and his healing process will take months of healing, not weeks. Rest is critical and the hard work of rehabilitation is critical. It's a very difficult situation.
UPDATE: June 2
We appreciate everyone's respect for the age limits for visiting Matthew. We understand it's difficult not to see him however, we must follow the rules. Matthew's health and wellness comes first. Rest is paramount to his recovery.
We appreciate all the love, donations and prayers that continue to sustain our family.
Matthew is in a lot of pain, and probably WILL be dealing with pain for a while. The nerve in his left leg is not functioning yet. This does not mean paralysis: he can move the leg and foot. There is not much feeling down the leg and foot at this time.
Matthew is in Trauma Stepdown, which is a good thing. We are anticipating him being moved to rehab within the next week or so.
UPDATE: June 3
We are eternally grateful for the outpouring of love, compassion and continued prayers for Matthew.
Matthew is struggling with the extent of his injuries, and what he wants for his Senior year of high school.
What he cannot do today may be what he perceives as his limitations for the future.
It's tough being 17 and being so injured.
Please pray for Matthew to be given all the support he needs to rise up to the tasks before him.
We believe in him and his ability to win this battle.
UPDATE: June 4
Matthew's white blood cell count began to rise. Abscesses under his stitches in the abdomen and around his liver were discovered.
Today, he will undergo a procedure to drain the abscesses externally. The doctors hope to be able to successfully drain them without installing a drain and treat them with oral antibiotics.
Please pray for a successful surgery today. Matthew has been experiencing pain and nausea. We are hopeful this procedure today will address those ongoing problems.
UPDATE: June 5
Matthew's surgery yesterday went very well. The abscesses were drained and he has reported feeling much, much better. Time will show if the antibiotics prevent another one.
Matthew has been accepted at a rehab facility in Franklin, TN. He may move there early next week.
We don't have the details for visiting at the rehab facility at this time. We will let you know when we know.
UPDATE: June 6
The report coming in this morning is as follows: Matthew is doing good this morning. Pain is tolerable. Got some good sleep last night. Has trouble finding comfortable positions, which is understandable. Getting a bit of movement in his left leg but not the foot yet.
UPDATE: June 7
Update with more detail will be a bit later today.
Matthew is showing increments of improvement, which is how the body heals in response to trauma.
Time is our friend right now.
He is looking forward to rehab, and getting home.
UPDATE: June 8
Yesterday, Matthew transferred to the rehab facility.
He made the trip well, and begins the transition work to go home.
Today, he will get his first shower after two weeks in the hospital. THE BEST SHOWER EVER!!!!!
This is NOT physical therapy. This is where he learns the skills necessary to go home: how to transfer from wheelchair to car and back, how to transfer from wheelchair to bed and back, how to transfer from wheelchair to toilet and back.
UPDATE: June 10
FIRST: Our deepest gratitude to our community. Insurance doesn't pay for medical equipment. After sending out a request to the community at large, people have responded and everything needed, so far, has been given or loaned to the family.
A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO Tucker's House! This non-profit is providing the family with the StairLift, the ramps necessary to get Matthew back into the house.
Thank you for the continued prayers and financial support, the cards, posters and all the friends/family showing up to give him support.
Without Community surrounding the family in such a way, his recovery would NOT be possible.
Matthew is getting quite the workout learning the skills necessary to go home. His pain is great, which naturally will happen after such great trauma to his body, and then beginning to move around instead of being in bed all the time. It's work, no doubt about it yet he is meeting the challenge.
UPDATE: June 13
Matthew went to see the pelvis surgeon on Thursday. He had 54 staples and 5 stiches removed.
The doctor will see him again in a month and they will discuss the process to walking at that time.
The doctor says it could be months before he has full use of his left arm but the physical therapists have a glove
he wears and he can actually play Xbox when using it. It looks full-on Star Wars level science.
Matthew is working hard to go home. He is doing a LOT of physical therapy.
His spirits are good and is getting better rest in the rehab facility.
Matthew's family is working diligently to get all the medical equipment in place at home so Matthew can go home.
Your prayers and financial support are deeply appreciated. He still has a long road ahead.
UPDATE: June 16
Thank you to TuckerFoundation.org
This non-profit makes it their mission to retro-fit homes for disabled people and providing medical equipment for short term and long term use, free of charge. This organization is worthy of your time and consideration for charitable giving.
I saw Matthew for a short visit Monday, the 14th. He was just returning from PT. He used his hard earned skills to get from the
wheelchair to his bed and had better movement in his left leg. He is working hard. PT causes him to really hurt, of course.
His medical team met yesterday to go over his progress.
Matthew is going home next week!!!!! He was hoping for this coming weekend but the house isn't ready quite yet.
The StairLift is installed and next are the ramps which means a basement re-do in a short amount of time.
We are so excited!!!!
UPDATE: June 30th
Matthew is home!!!!
He is happy to be home and his dog, Ellie Mae is soooo happy he is home.
WE are grateful, humbled and relieved he is home. There was a minute there when we were not certain he would return home.
He is experiencing the worst nerve pain I have ever witnessed in his left foot. He is soldiering through it; really, he has no choice.
Matthew is resilient, and has a strong spirit.
Matthew has a LONG way to go.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support shown by the Community.
Thank you.
UPDATE: May 28, 2021
Yesterday, Matthew had exploratory surgery which revealed holes in his small and large intestine. The SI has been repaired. The LI had both holes cut off and Matthew now has a temporary colostomy bag for 6 months until the LI heals. It will be removed and the LI will be reconnected. Doctors say he will be fine but the internal organs need time to heal.
UPDATE: May 29, 2021
Yesterday, after a very rough night from the effects of three consecutive surgeries, Matthew actually had a day of rest....or rest as good as it gets in a hospital. He slept and dozed throughout the day. The doctors believe everything fixable has been repaired.
Now, the truly hard work begins: rehab, PT, and keeping his fighting spirit up.
UPDATE: May 30, 2021
I was able to see Matthew for the first time since his accident. His eyes were so clear. He has started on a clear liquid diet but must go very slow because his stomach is damaged and the side affects of anesthesia. He ate 7 spoonfuls of broth (I promised him some fantastic broth when he moves out of trauma), ate ice chips and was given the okay to eat strawberry Jello. The look of ecstasy on his face when that first bite of Jello went in his mouth is one I will always treasure.
He seemed very determined to heal, and get going into life. We know he has really no clue as to the length of time he must spend healing but that energy, that fire, that determination will take him far.
It's up to all of us to stoke that fire.
UPDATE: May 31
It's been one week since that phone call from our son "Matthew's been a car wreck. On his way to Vandy ER."
One week since we sat outside Vanderbilt ER for 7 hours waiting to hear he had stabilized.
He is recovering. Yesterday marked the day when he was allowed to eat solid food. He had bar-b-q'd chicken and mac 'n cheese.
And a milk shake. And a smoothie. His appetite is increasing. Obviously, his stomach is healing.
He is continually being monitored for internal bleeding. Those innards are still bruised, injured and tender.
We are grateful, ETERNALLY grateful.
We are grateful for everyone's generosity, prayers, support, and donations.
Today is a new day.
UPDATE: June 1
We are deeply grateful to everyone for their continued support, prayers, donations for Matthew. Thank you.
Matthew has been moved to a different room which has different age rules for visitation. 18 and older only can visit.
We realize this is very difficult to accept for everyone: Matthew especially.
Matthew's epidural has been removed so pain management is being handled differently. A drain was removed. Hopefully his cast on his arm will be removed today so he can begin moving it. Physical therapy should resume today.
Matthew's health is vulnerable and fragile right now. He is stable but still in danger of internal bleeding, and his healing process will take months of healing, not weeks. Rest is critical and the hard work of rehabilitation is critical. It's a very difficult situation.
UPDATE: June 2
We appreciate everyone's respect for the age limits for visiting Matthew. We understand it's difficult not to see him however, we must follow the rules. Matthew's health and wellness comes first. Rest is paramount to his recovery.
We appreciate all the love, donations and prayers that continue to sustain our family.
Matthew is in a lot of pain, and probably WILL be dealing with pain for a while. The nerve in his left leg is not functioning yet. This does not mean paralysis: he can move the leg and foot. There is not much feeling down the leg and foot at this time.
Matthew is in Trauma Stepdown, which is a good thing. We are anticipating him being moved to rehab within the next week or so.
UPDATE: June 3
We are eternally grateful for the outpouring of love, compassion and continued prayers for Matthew.
Matthew is struggling with the extent of his injuries, and what he wants for his Senior year of high school.
What he cannot do today may be what he perceives as his limitations for the future.
It's tough being 17 and being so injured.
Please pray for Matthew to be given all the support he needs to rise up to the tasks before him.
We believe in him and his ability to win this battle.
UPDATE: June 4
Matthew's white blood cell count began to rise. Abscesses under his stitches in the abdomen and around his liver were discovered.
Today, he will undergo a procedure to drain the abscesses externally. The doctors hope to be able to successfully drain them without installing a drain and treat them with oral antibiotics.
Please pray for a successful surgery today. Matthew has been experiencing pain and nausea. We are hopeful this procedure today will address those ongoing problems.
UPDATE: June 5
Matthew's surgery yesterday went very well. The abscesses were drained and he has reported feeling much, much better. Time will show if the antibiotics prevent another one.
Matthew has been accepted at a rehab facility in Franklin, TN. He may move there early next week.
We don't have the details for visiting at the rehab facility at this time. We will let you know when we know.
UPDATE: June 6
The report coming in this morning is as follows: Matthew is doing good this morning. Pain is tolerable. Got some good sleep last night. Has trouble finding comfortable positions, which is understandable. Getting a bit of movement in his left leg but not the foot yet.
UPDATE: June 7
Update with more detail will be a bit later today.
Matthew is showing increments of improvement, which is how the body heals in response to trauma.
Time is our friend right now.
He is looking forward to rehab, and getting home.
UPDATE: June 8
Yesterday, Matthew transferred to the rehab facility.
He made the trip well, and begins the transition work to go home.
Today, he will get his first shower after two weeks in the hospital. THE BEST SHOWER EVER!!!!!
This is NOT physical therapy. This is where he learns the skills necessary to go home: how to transfer from wheelchair to car and back, how to transfer from wheelchair to bed and back, how to transfer from wheelchair to toilet and back.
UPDATE: June 10
FIRST: Our deepest gratitude to our community. Insurance doesn't pay for medical equipment. After sending out a request to the community at large, people have responded and everything needed, so far, has been given or loaned to the family.
A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO Tucker's House! This non-profit is providing the family with the StairLift, the ramps necessary to get Matthew back into the house.
Thank you for the continued prayers and financial support, the cards, posters and all the friends/family showing up to give him support.
Without Community surrounding the family in such a way, his recovery would NOT be possible.
Matthew is getting quite the workout learning the skills necessary to go home. His pain is great, which naturally will happen after such great trauma to his body, and then beginning to move around instead of being in bed all the time. It's work, no doubt about it yet he is meeting the challenge.
UPDATE: June 13
Matthew went to see the pelvis surgeon on Thursday. He had 54 staples and 5 stiches removed.
The doctor will see him again in a month and they will discuss the process to walking at that time.
The doctor says it could be months before he has full use of his left arm but the physical therapists have a glove
he wears and he can actually play Xbox when using it. It looks full-on Star Wars level science.
Matthew is working hard to go home. He is doing a LOT of physical therapy.
His spirits are good and is getting better rest in the rehab facility.
Matthew's family is working diligently to get all the medical equipment in place at home so Matthew can go home.
Your prayers and financial support are deeply appreciated. He still has a long road ahead.
UPDATE: June 16
Thank you to TuckerFoundation.org
This non-profit makes it their mission to retro-fit homes for disabled people and providing medical equipment for short term and long term use, free of charge. This organization is worthy of your time and consideration for charitable giving.
I saw Matthew for a short visit Monday, the 14th. He was just returning from PT. He used his hard earned skills to get from the
wheelchair to his bed and had better movement in his left leg. He is working hard. PT causes him to really hurt, of course.
His medical team met yesterday to go over his progress.
Matthew is going home next week!!!!! He was hoping for this coming weekend but the house isn't ready quite yet.
The StairLift is installed and next are the ramps which means a basement re-do in a short amount of time.
We are so excited!!!!
UPDATE: June 30th
Matthew is home!!!!
He is happy to be home and his dog, Ellie Mae is soooo happy he is home.
WE are grateful, humbled and relieved he is home. There was a minute there when we were not certain he would return home.
He is experiencing the worst nerve pain I have ever witnessed in his left foot. He is soldiering through it; really, he has no choice.
Matthew is resilient, and has a strong spirit.
Matthew has a LONG way to go.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support shown by the Community.
Thank you.