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A Thanks to You All

Matt — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:42:00 GMT

This is Shelby with her new van. We cannot possibly thank you all enough for the support you have given us. We thank those of you at our home church, Huron Hills, here in Ann Arbor for your grace and love. We especially want to thank the pastoral and administrative staff who arranged the van fund and did so much leg work to realize this goal. We thank those at Shelby's home church in Merced for helping us like we are family even though you are so very far away. We thank those of you that follow this blog, friends and family alike, that donated. In a very tangible way you may see how you have helped Shelby and myself. Without each and every one of you that donated we would not have this vehicle for Shelby. Without your love and support we would be far worse off. Thank you again to each and every one of you. We love you all and wish there were someway to repay all your wonderful generosity.

Keep on Dancing

Matt — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:07:00 GMT

Hi all. I shared this story to all of my facebook friends and family and thought I would share it with everyone that is keeping up with Shelby through the blog. This morning I put on a Mercy Me CD to listen to while getting Shelby ready for the day. Despite singing not being my strong suit I was singing with the CD as it played (poor Shelby). There is a song titled "Alright" and it includes the lyrics, "count it pure joy when the world comes crashing. Just hold your head high and keep on dancing." So right after I sang those lyrics Shelby tells me, "we need to do that." I told her that if she danced I would. So with the biggest grin ever on her face, she raised her arms as high as she can and waved them in time with the music. I danced. She continues to amaze, encourage, and bless me. So everyone, if Shelby can, we can!

Let's keep on dancing!
Sue

Merry Christmas from the Campbells and the Gersons

Matt — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:19:00 GMT

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! It feels like very much like Christmas here. The air is cold (why anyone lives here in the winter I will never understand). We have had a small amount of snow, but for a Californian born and raised it is too cold for me! We have our tree in place and decorated. The decorations include the "party pinecones" Isaac collected, painted, put glitter on and mailed to us. They added a great touch to the tree and Hazel loves to eat them.

Sorry it has been so long since our last post. There really hasn't been too much to write about. We stay busy with therapies and doctors appointments although both have been slowing down in frequency. We finished our last therapy for the calendar year 2009 that will be covered by insurance. We will continue with occupational therapy and the serial casting/splinting to continue the gains that have been made getting Shelby's wrists, hands and fingers in more functional positions. It has been slow going due to the delicate condition of her skin. Skin breakdown is a real issue. It seems like the slightest pressure can cause sores on her hands and fingers. Julianne, the OT that has been working with her calls Shelby her "delicate flower". She has been so good to her. I can never thank her or praise enough for the time and effort she has put in on Shelby's hands. We have appointments for both Monday and Friday this week to continue the casting.
    This week we will be seeing the neuro opthamologist to evaluate any vision issue that may have occurred as a result of the brain injury. Shelby says she the vision in her left eye is not so good. We will know soon enough I guess. That appointment is on Wednesday. The information packet we received regarding this appointment said to plan on the visit taking from 2 to 4 hours.
    On Thursday, we have an appointment with her physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. His name is Dr. Eckner. She will be getting botox shots in her neck to hopefully loosen up the muscles and help to straighten her neck out. Her head continually leans to the left and forward. It looks very, very uncomfortable.
    Her wake/sleep cycle is still off. I am not sure we will ever get her back to sleeping at night consistently. Matt is up with her most nights until 3 or 4 in the morning. We are grateful he can pretty much set his own schedule and do some of his work from home. He can sleep late after a bad night and make up for some of the lost sleep. I wish sleep was the only thing Matt has lost due to this. He continues to impress me with his unwaivering love for and devotion to Shelby.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. We miss you all very much!

Just Sue

Shelby is back home

Matt — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:18:00 GMT

Shelby was released from the hospital this week. Her meds have been adjusted and she is on a course of antibiotics to fight an infection. The doctors feel it was the infection that landed her back in the hospital and now that it is being addressed she is doing very well. She is very tired and this is likely due to the infection and the antibiotics she is taking.

Not much else going on, but she is excited to be back. Hazel is excited too. She is quite the mopey mutt without her mom.

Shelby set back

Matt — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:03:00 GMT

I apologize for not updating this sooner but we have been very busy. Shelby began to have bouts of nausea Sunday evening. We changed her feeding from the gastric tube to the jejunal tube hoping this would help. Vomiting stopped but dry heaves took their place. Unable to keep much fluid in her she began to dehydrate and her stomach distended. After talking to the on call doctor by phone we took her to the ER on just before midnight on the Tuesday. X rays, CT scans and ultrasound show what internal med, gastroenterologists and surgeons are thinking is a partial bowel obstruction. They are taking a very cautious approach to treating and giving her body time to clear the obstructions without surgical intervention. She is showing improvements. She is no longer in pain and the nausea seems to have subsided. No time frame for discharge but no one is in a hurry. They keep her hydrated with the use of an IV. She has had no nutrition since Tuesday and according to the doc's she will not have any introduced into either G or J tube for until at least Sunday.

We will try to keep everyone updated. Thank you for the prayers we are confident are going out for all of us!

Just,
a very tired Sue

Scholarship bed status

Matt — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:18:00 GMT

Hi all! Not a whole lot happening here. It is getting colder and it rains more than I have ever experienced in my life. It rains in the summer. No snow yet but it is still only October.
Therapies have slowed to only Occupational Therapy. They are still casting her left arm/wrist and splinting the right to straighten and get the most functionality out of them. It is slow going mainly because they are hampered by how easily Shelby's skin breaks down. She has no body fat and pressure on any one spot can cause a open sore in just a matter of hours. This therapy will continue for the remainder of the year with at least one session per week. The insurance will pay for 4 or 5 more and after that,until the 1st of Jan we will have to pay for it ourselves. If we stop, not only will she not make any more progress but she will lose all the gains we have made thus far. Once this is all done our goal is for her to only require a splint at night to maintain. Like a retainer after the braces come off.
During my last post I told everyone about the scholarship bed at the Eisenhower Brain Injury Center. Shelby was not chosen to receive it for the new 90 term starting in November. They will however keep her on the list for the Feb 9th opening. Thank you all for your prayers. Keep them going for the Feb opening.
It has been an emotional week for Shelby. Those days are the hardest. She cries often...sobbing at times and it breaks our hearts a little more each time. The up side ...yesterday she started to cry and asked what happened and I told her that I thought if she really thought about it she would remember what happened. She stopped and thought and then told me she had heart surgery and a blood clot went to her brain. I explained that she was correct except the brain injury was not caused by a blood clot/stroke but rather a lack of oxygen to her brain, and that just that she was able to stop and recall this herself shows us there is improvement and healing happening. She stopped crying and smiled.

Keep us in your prayers we so appreciate each and everyone!

Just,
Sue

Shelb and her baby

Matt — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:01:00 GMT

October 11, 2009

Matt — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:51:00 GMT

With Sue's help Shelby has settled in at home very nicely. Things are as normal as they will be for a while. The only real need we have in the near or distant future is transportation for Shelby. I am able to transport her in our CRV for now. However, Shelby may be getting a wheelchair in the coming months that does not fit into our CRV. In that case she becomes entirely dependent on A-Ride here in town for transportation. To say that A-Ride is unreliable would be selling their gift of flakiness marvelously short. The winters here are not easy and for Shelby to have to wait outside is not something we are interested in. Our church family at Huron Hills Baptist has seen this need and has set up a van fund for Shelby.

A number of you have expressed desire to me in emails and to the blog's comments that you would like to give to the van fund for Shelby. First, I must say thank you for any help that you do choose to give. Many of you have already given so much help that it touches my heart that you continue to be so selfless. I should expect nothing less from people that Shelby loves. Second, I must thank the members and leaders of Huron Hills Baptist who have lead the charge for this need of Shelby's. Their gracious giving and tireless support has helped us immeasurably already. Finally, I in no way want those of you following the blog to feel guilty if you choose to not give to this van fund for any reason. I was a little reluctant to post the request for funds simply because many of you have already given so much that I just can't find my way to ask for more.

With all that said I have posted the letter drafted by Huron Hills alongside this post. If any of you have other questions about Shelby's fund you may contact Pastor Tony Mlynarek. His information is included.

Van Fund Letter

Shelby 100:3 Van Fund

Matt — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:42:00 GMT

Dear friend,

This letter contains a real concern and a practical way you can help. On February 24, 2009, Shelby Campbell underwent open heart surgery. She did not wake up for 5 days. An MRI revealed moderately severe brain damage somehow occurred. She is now wheelchair bound, has no control of her legs, and minimal use of her hands and arms. She is unable to speak, or form new memories without extreme repetition. Shelby now requires constant care and one hundred percent assistance with all tasks.

It is times like these that our hearts are heavy and we cannot speak words like “progress” or “success.” What a storm Matt & Shelby Campbell (and their family) have faced these past eight months. I know Jesus most assuredly is their rock in this storm. When I ask Shelby, “Where is Jesus?” she always points to her heart. Yet the pain and suffering is so real and so intense. Recently Matt shared their story to a small group of college students. He prefaced the story with, “I may breakdown here as I have not shared this in its entirety.” There was not a dry eye during the next hour of sharing.

I am writing you because the story of Matt and Shelby is by no means over. While we continue to pray for healing for Shelby (and one Huron Hills leader wisely prayed for healing for Matt’s broken heart), we can also pray for God to show His goodness and His presence as a sun and a shield to the Campbells.

Shelby is with us, and we want to help her travel to the hospital, church, small group, and wherever else she would like to go. Thanks to one Huron Hills leaders’ initiative, we have started the Shelby 100:3 fund. Our aim is to raise at least $7,000 to purchase an accessible van for Shelby. We are glad to start the fund with $1,003 from two donations of $500 and $503 dollars. Psalm 100:3 says “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Would you prayerfully consider a gift of $500, $300, $100 or any other amount to assist in this need? You can simply mail a check made payable to Huron Hills Church, and indicate if you desire a tax-deductible receipt. Please address the envelope as the “Shelby 100:3 Fund.” All donations will go to the purchase of a van and other needs the Campbells request. Please pass this on to anyone you know who may assist the Campbells.

Peace in Christ,

Tony Mlynarek

College Pastor

Huron Hill Baptist

3150 Glazier Way

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

734.769.6299

www.huronhills.org

Hi from Sue

Matt — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:44:00 GMT

Hi all! I will be helping Matt with the blog. I came here to help Matt not just to care for Shelby but to do whatever I can to make things as easy as they can be under the circumstances. So if keeping up the flow of information on Shelby's progress will take one thing off his shoulders, I will do it. Be advised, I am not nearly as eloquent as my son-in-law, nor am I the "offspring of an English teacher" so my spelling and grammar may be incorrect at times. Be patient I am doing the best I can.
Shelby continues to make small progress and gains. She is vocalizing more. We do still have to remind her that she can speak to get the sound from her, but when reminded she does her best to speak. This morning Matt shared that during the night after repositioning Shelby's legs for her when he returned to his bed Shelby said to him in an audible voice, "Thank You". It may seem like such a small thing but to have her find her voice and speak without being prompted to do so is such an encouragement to us. Matt had a huge grin on his face while relating this story to me. We miss her sound so much!
Last week for the 4th time we had to have her G-J tube replaced because the Jejunal line was again not working and instead of emptying into the jejunam it was emptying into the stomach. It took two days to get into interventional radiology and so we during that time we used the gastric line to administer her medications and to feed her. Her stomach handled it well with no residual food or meds left in the stomach. So it looks like her digestive issues may be resolved we hope. After the new GJ was placed we decided to continue to use the gastric line for feeding and meds. For now we are limiting any food she takes by mouth until we are sure that her stomach is handling the tube feed for at least a couple of weeks or so. Our goal is for her to start taking in more and more food by mouth until she is able to maintain her nutrition without a tube feed supplement. She may not ever reach that point, but we are going to give it our best try, slowly. If she were able to discontinue the tube feed she and Matt could once again share a bed because she would not have to sleep while in an inclined position. That would be huge!
Shelby has been practicing using a motorized wheelchair. She loves it!!!! She has the biggest smile on her face while she is riding around. If she told me once, she told me 5 times today during the training today, " I iike that" . I must admit it is going to give me more gray hair. It is like riding in a car with a teenager with a permit again. My heart races when she gets close to walls, doorways, people or any other obstacle that might be in the way. Due to the short term memory issues, we must remind her often that when she is about to hit something let go of the joy stick and the chair stops. I need to remember to be patient (not really my strong suit) and give her time to learn this.
Short term memory continues to be an issue but she has shown improvement in this area also. At times she remembers things that have happened since the injury. It is hit and miss but that she remembers at all is great. And with prompts she remembers more even more information. As an example, her therapists names some days she remembers them easily and other times we have to provide clues or and she remembers the names.
We will soon exhaust our insurance approved therapies for the year 2009. Shelby is on a list for a scholarship bed at the Eisenhower Brain Injury Center. I understand this to be an in patient facility. Shelby is one of 4 persons being considered for the bed for the term starting in November. It is a 90 day program. It would provide her with daily occupational, physical and speech therapy for 90 days and then we would be in the year 2010 and would have a 60 more outpatient therapies. So please keep this in your prayers for her.
We are so grateful for all the prayers and support we have received. We can never say thank you enough to co-workers, friends and family. Our church families both here and in Merced have been so supportive also. Shelby and Matt's home church, Huron Hills Baptist Church is currently raising funds to help us purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle. We are grateful for public transportation we have here, but it can at times be unreliable.
I am sorry this is so long but it has been awhile since we provided any information on Shelby's progress I had a lot to say. I promise to make the updates shorter from now on.

Thank you again,
Just Sue

Hello Everyone

Matt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:08:00 GMT

Hello everyone. This is Shelby. I’m doing better. Thank you for all of your caring. It means a lot to me. I’m getting busy with all the therapy. Being home is really great. It’s nice to be home again. Hazel has been crazy but I love her anyway.

Love, Shelby.

July 18, 2009

Matt — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:30:00 GMT

Shelby is home! She is very happy to be home and doing very well. I am ecstatic to have her back and Hazel doesn't know what to do with herself now that mom is home. She does know that there are a lot of soft things to steal and chew on with Shelby back though. Shelby is still going through serial casting so she has to return to the hospital a few more times to try and finish with that. She will begin home therapy sessions this next week and that will happen for a couple of weeks. After that she will start outpatient rehab at a facility here in town. She continues to work on producing sound and she has made some wonderful strides. She can make faint sound and with effort can hold notes as well as change pitch. We have also seen more movement in her legs since she came back home. I truly hope that her return home will help make her happy enough to keep her working hard. Pray for her continued progress and pray that things run smoothly here at home for all our family. Thank you again to everyone that has lent a hand, made a meal, given rides, dogsat, and helped us any other way I have not mentioned.

Two Wonderful Years

Corby — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Shelby made me an Anniversary Card

Corby — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:06:00 GMT

Shelby and the Gang

Corby — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:46:00 GMT

Happy Anniversary Matt and Shelby

Corby — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:55:00 GMT

We love you very much. Corby and Brenda

July 5, 2009

Matt — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:58:00 GMT

Sorry for how late this update has been. I have been without internet for a while as we moved apartments. As many of you could glean from some of the comments Shelby's trach has been removed. Her throat is healing nicely and much faster than I would have expected. She continues to push herself in PT and OT. She responded so well to the first botox that the doctors performed it again on her hands and wrists. it has not been long enough to see a really marked improvement, but we should see some soon. Speech continues to work on mouthing words and coordinating sound with mouth movements. Shelby has made two trips outside the hospital recently. You all know we took her to see Transformers 2. She had a lot of fun and really liked it, but said the first was better. The other day she went and had a pedicure and a massage that she loved. In OT she is making a door mat to take home when she is discharged. Speaking of discharge she will be released on the 15th of July and that date is solid. It is unlikely that she will be extended as much of what she is doing she can perform in outpatient therapy. There is still a possibility that we may take her to a subacute facility for a while before bringing her home, but once I know for certain I will update everyone. I would prefer to not do this, but if it is better for her recovery there is not much of a choice to be made. For now pray for the botox to work well and that we are able to bring her home rather than to another facility.

Also we have moved to a first floor apartment for Shelby's access. Please send any cards or care packages to our new address.

2715 Windwood Dr. #56
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

June 23, 2009

Matt — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:27:00 GMT

Today Shelby began 48 hours with her trach plugged. If she makes it to Thursday morning at 9 without trouble, suction, or removing the plug the trach is coming out. Shelby also was extended today until the 9th of July. I am both happy and sad about this. While I am glad that she will be staying longer and that she is making progress I was hoping she would be home by our anniversary if only so she could spend that day in her own house with her family. The botox has been successful enough that they will be doing both hands and wrists soon. Hopefully this will yield some of the same results as the last round. Tomorrow she is making an excursion to the movies again. We will be seeing Transformers 2. I hope she has as much fun this time as she did at the last field trip. I will keep everyone up to date once we find out about the trach and botox. Until then keep praying for her progress and for her emotions. She has been frustrated and upset recently. She goes through bouts of this occassionally and there is very little I can do to help. Just pray for her comfort and happiness.

Hazel Loves Shelby 2

Corby — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Shelby and Isaac February 23rd 2009

Corby — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:24:00 GMT