Matt was taken from the USBA bodyboard contest in Huntington Beach, CA to the ER section of HOAG Hospital. He was admitted in the ER for two hours and then was taken into surgery for and emergency brain operation. The Dr was called from home and showed up in his pajamas. We wait 6.5 hrs until he was brought into the recovery room were he rested two hrs and thats when Jess first got to see him. We find out that the Dr is the same Dr that Alternative Surf's Ron Ziebell had, so we have some peace of mind knowing he will be well cared for.

Matt is admitted to ICU of HOAG Hospital were he would remain for next few days. Not much to report except removal of the blood clot was a success, and Dr ordered a new cat scan to be taken to see if bleeding has stopped, which it had. Nurses are giving many different medication to help pain and nothing works. He is in a medicine induced coma so he can hear and barley respond to nurses commands. Swelling has started to occur which is expected and he is paralyzed completely on the left side. The nurse enters to do a response check before I left for the evening and I wish I had it on film. Matt was pretty out of it and was having trouble responding to the nurse when she asked him to raise two fingers. She asked multiple times and still no response. She then asked him to wiggle the toes since they were not as swollen as his hand and on the second time asked he gave us a wiggle. The nurse then asked Matt again to raise two fingers and no response. She took a flashlight, lifted his eyelids and gave him a little wake-up call, and asked him to just raise any two fingers he could... and of corse Matt throws us a SHAKA!!!

Update as of  6:00 am ... Matt broke out into a high fever last night but of corse the Dr's took care of it quickly, but in a good sense it sorta made him more alert... He was responding much better to the Dr's commands that I had seen in the past 32 hrs. Jess held his hand and told him he look good and she loved him and he squeezed her hand... I told him that I wanted to sleep in his room and that he was missing out on all the hot nurses that were taken care of him and I said if you understand let me know and he gave me a double squeeze. So his spirits are high and we are all by his side.


Fresh Update!!!!!

Omg cant even begin to tell you guys.... so my last update was this morning after I left at 830am... I went to work and left around 3. I got to the hospital at 5-ish and was amazed. Jess and his family told me they took the air tubing out of his throat and he had his eyes open and was talking... I couldnt believe it... we werent allowed in yet so I jumped on my comp to create the website for matt. Jess and Matt's mom went in when they were given the ok and they came out saying that matt was asking for me, of corse I got teary eyed... I went in by my self to see that chew-baca smile (well half smile since he is still paralized on the left side of his body). He was moving his head , his eyes were half open, he was adjusting him self on his pillow, moving his right leg and arm all around... I could not believe what I was seeing. This guy was a hibernating bear only 10 hrs earlier. I talk with him for 15 minutes and this is what he had to say....

matt: im so glad ur here u dont know what it means to me..
alex: of corse you would do the same for me
matt: they cut my wetsuit up
alex: hahahah i know buddy but dont worry about it i got it covered
matt: you know what really sucks?
alex: whats that buddy?
matt: i wasnt even able to ride the white wash in when it happened...
alex: haha ur rediculous you dont need to be worrying about that buddy..
matt: alex tube..tube..tube
alex: yeah you got tubes comming out of all sorts of places lol
matt: no suction drool..
alex: oh did they give you one ... oh here you go...
Matt: *takes tube places in own mouth and says.... look im a dentist ahhhhhh ha ha 
alex: ur amazing matt truly amazing...
matt: i want my chu-ba-key (meaning his pug)
alex: *hands matt a stuffed animal pug look-a-like... its not chu-ba-key but its the best we can do buddy
matt: i cant smile cuz my face dosent fully work...
alex: its ok bud i know you are...
nurse enters room and see he has a hick-up attack while changing vitals..
nurse: matt you need to take deep breaths remember?
matt: *wierd look on face 
alex: *being briefed on early agreements between matt and nurses... : matt what was ur agreement with the nurses for taking the tubes outta ur throat?
Matt: * takes a deep breath and a second and a third.. i have to take deep breaths or they put tube back in..
nurse & alex: good job matt keep it up.
nurse leaves room...
alex: matt i gotta take off for a couple minutes to help your mom and sis load some stuff in the car ill be back in a lil ok?
matt: *grabs my hand... alex i wnt ste po
alex: one more time matt i didnt catch that
matt: wnt ste po
alex: haha what buddy.. take a deep breath you got it
matt: i want steak and potatoes
alex: lol oh man i love you! be back in a few minutes
matt: *throws thumb up

so amazingly this guy has his spirits up and is definatly fighting...  stay tuned for more updates!!! thanks for all ur prayers... so thankfull we all are!!

ps. sorry for all the spelling errors and grammar sorta tired lol

8am update... Matt seems to be responding well to the current medical attention that he is receiving. He is breathing almost completly on his own. Right now he has oxygen tubes and periodical respiratory treatments. Matt has told me that the respiratory treatments smell weird, and he recognizes the smell from when he was a child and had croup cough. The Dr told me that it is great that he can "logically place" where he remembers that smell. They all said to rest assure, that part of his brain is completely in tacked.

Update from Matt him self... Hi guys my ear hurts, my head itches, I like this suction thing its awesome I gotta buy one. Im looking forward to throwing schwacks out in the water in the near future. Hey, sneak some food in here.. (Speaking to the nurse)... Jess needs tea, water, and gatorade... she needs sleepy time tea, but it's not for me I swear. These hickups wont go away. What's your name? (speaking to nurse) ... hi matt im marry anne bongiovanni... matt responds  ur name is bon jovi? 
nurse check me ear... I may have a ear infection... Alex keep growing your beard and you will be Dave Hubbard.


Needless to say Matt is showing his true self again, and making his demands though he's not quite all there it warms are hearts to hear him talk even if he is complaining :)

Today was the first day that Matt met with the Physical Therapy Team in the stoke unit. They were able to successfully sit Matt up on the side of the bed. Although Matt could not support his body weight, this was indeed a large step in the direction of recovery. Later in the day Matt and Jess were educated more on what actually happens to a body during a stroke. We learned that Matt's equilibrium is not  at a normal balance. We also learned that given the odds that Matt will walk again- learning to do so will take months and even years. During thursday afternoon Matt was able to have Pastoral care and members of the church come and pray for him. Matt has decided to listen to the doctors and hear what they are saying... but that dosen't mean that what they are saying is true and factual. " Our God is a big God, I was practically born blind and today I see. My dad (Eric Peterson) was given a set few amount of days to live while diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 5 years ago, and today he stands over Matt with prayers and arthritis. My dad speaks healing and life into Matt's body. If there is one thing I can say it is that, in the powerful name of Jesus Christ Matt will be healed. I have faith!"- Jessica Eldridge

That night Matt started to become uncomfortable as it was getting near his time for medication. He would try to toss and turn and say repeatedly I need to get up help me get up. I had to sorta restrain him slightly so he wouldn't hurt himself and tell him to try and take deep breaths and try to focus on relaxing your body. Finally the nurse came in with Matt's meds and within 5 minutes the looney tunes show started....

Matt: My head hurts
Jess: Im sure it does love Im sorry I cant help, but the nurse just gave you your pain medicine so you should be ok shortly
Matt: Its because I went to the Sierra's and I tried to steal a salmon and I got mauled by a black bear
Alex: haha oh really? you should call your work and tell them thats why your in the hospital haha
Matt: I need to get a brown beanie now for work to match my outfit... Hi how may I drool on you?.... no I don't want that drool face to park my Maserati, let him park the Honda.
Alex: haha I think its someone's bedtime
Matt: Actually what happened was chew-ba-key (matt's pug) was running around in the bears den and I had to save her and the bear didn't like that and he mauled me.
Alex: haha all right buddy you get some sleep and rest that body, I'll see you later.

Reports from Jess: 

This morning when Matt and I woke up, you would never be able to guess what we found in bed with us. A Maggot ! I was lying in Matt's bed and I woke up to a weird blurry object in front of my face between my head and Matt's head. As soon as my vision came too I realized what it was and basically flew off the bed. I played tug-a-war blame game with the hospital on how it got there, and they blamed it on the home grown/hand picked flowers sitting on the near by window sill in Matt's room. If you know me then you know obviously that I made quite an over dramatic scene and made sure Matt's room was bleached from top to bottom. Between our pug and the kids, Matt and I seldom get a night's rest alone for just the two of us. There is always some part of the family in our bed with us ha ha. Being in the hospital we thought hey maybe we would get a bed to ourselves ... ha ha I guess we were wrong. ha ha. One of the nurses went as far as to say that she was glad it was a Maggot because people use them to eat away at bacteria and infection. I told her that we live in Orange County, not some third world country. 

At around 12 noon after the Maggot drama, Matt and I met with the speech therapist who wrote new orders for Matt to start orally taking his medication in pill form. This didn't happen right away, it took many hours and then Matt finally successfully swallowed his medication with the help of apple sauce and pudding. An hour later we got the news that Matt was ready to be moved from the hospital to a rehab home. This transition went well and happened quickly at around 4:30pm. oh, Matt also passed his food analysis test. Which means that he is now allowed to eat pureed foods and thin liquids.

At the rehab home we were able to set up a crib in Matt's room and even put up the baby jumper in the door way for Cody. This room is starting to look very inviting. I posted pictures on his walls, hung up his cards, and displayed his beautiful orchids. As hard as it is for Matt to adjust to a new way of life, I am so proud of the way he is handling it all. I am so lucky to be the woman that Matt has chosen to be by his side- not only right now but I hope also for all my life.

Reports from Jess:

Today was the first full day at the rehab. As reality has begun to set in, Matt started struggling to obtain an appetite. He dropped weight and very seldom ate. Because it was a saturday there was no physical therapy on the schedule. Instead we hung out together with our 8 month old son Cody, just chilln all snuggled up in bed. One of the most exciting things about the rehab home is the tv in Matt's room. See, at home we live in what I like to call the storage.. There's no cable, No radio, No internet, No long distance or even call waiting. So to snuggle together and watch the bachelorette  was new and exciting. Although visiting hours were over at 8pm I was able to stay with Matt until well past midnight and then missed him so much for the next 6 hours I was away.

Reports from Jess:
Matt is so handsome and with each day that he dosen't shave his face i am overwhelmed with his beauty. I love his facial hair! and its not just me that thinks he looks so great. Because of his job he had to shave his face and there for his his title of chewbaca aka chewy disappeared. Alex has vowed to not shave his face until Matt is better. lol Everyday Matt looks 100x's better.. the stitches look more healed, and the bruises from all the I'V's are slowly going away, the voice becomes a bit more clear, and his body seems to respond in a more positive manner. Today was a full day filled with a few special visitors. Ron Ziebell and his son stopped by to say hello and ended up staying for a couple hours. Close friends Brandon & Cori Daily also shared time with Matt providing him with love and support. Matt says that one of the nicest surprises today was when his pug "chewbaquee"  woke him with kisses in the morning time. I could literally see Matt's spirit lifted and encouraged at the site of his dog. Together chewbaquee and Matt were able to take a long nap of about 2 hours- I wish I had my camera- it would have been a priceless picture. Another wonderful blessing was brought to Matt at 7pm this evening by our loved and appreciated friend Alex Gero. He brought Matt a new Toobs Hexx Bodyboard. Bright Yellow and stylin. This board seems to be a huge positive motivation for Matt to want to work hard at not only his physical therapy, but all his therapies. I guess that could be since alex knows the Hexx is Matt favorite board to ride of all time.

Monday Funday!! not really :(
Matt started his day with speech therapy at 9am with great improvement from the past days. Matt say's : "If I could see the sky it would be blue" at 11am he continued his day with an hour of occupational therapy. The therapist got Matt sitting at the bedside for almost 10 minutes. Together Matt and his OT practiced to have Matt touch his face with his hands. The motions in practice will help Matt to re-learn how to brush his teeth, his hair and even wash his face. But we all know that it will also help Matt to be able to put on his SPF face lotion and Zink up his nose and lips. Today at noon Matt had his first complete physical therapy session with Dr. Paul who got Matt up and about in a wheel chair- this is the first in 8 days that Matt was able to go outside his hospital bed room. Physical therapy with Dr. Paul went well and a second session happened this same day at 2 pm. After this big workout Matt spent his evening resting quietly.

Today Matt was in extreme pain and when he asked the nurse to take out his catheter she said no. So once again we al know how I am- I went above the nurses & doctors here. I called my own personal doctor and family friend. Dr. Ash told me that the cath needs to be taken out asap. It can and will cause an infection if left in. Later that day while Matt was in his last session of physical therapy, as kindly and appropriately as I could I said, "If you do not remove the cath fine. But it will be removed even if I have to do it myself." As soon as Matt was back in his room they removed it. To top it all off they told us that Matt did have a UT infection.

Matt was given antibiotics for his UTI and Physical Therapy was good  as well as all his therapy's for the day. All the doctors got together today and had a meeting about Matt's progress. The out come of the meeting was that, although Matt is doing very well he has not made enough progress to be discharged quite yet. Jess was pulled aside into the meeting and told of ways their home needed to be changed in order to benefit them in their new way of life. Changes included things ike wheel chair accessibility, shower chair, shower rails, and so much more.

The OT started today by stretching out Matt's left arm, brushing his teeth, and making sure that he was in no pain at all thus preparing him for physical therapy. PT went quickly. Matt used a mirror as a tool to help keep his mid-line straight. He also said that he looked bad, " I noticed the bags under my eyes and my crazy hair cut. Then it was lunch time he had a great lunch. The night before while Jess was at home she purred 3 pieces of stuft pizza and Matt was very thankful. After Lunch Matt had another session of physical therapy with fellow waterman and Dr., Dr. Paul. When Matt was working hard during physical therapy Jess's personal request had finally been granted. A week ago today I (Jess) told the nurses that I wold really love to have Matt in a private room. Today that happened. I was able to move all his stuff and get his entire new room all squared away by the time he was back to rest. Our friend and Matt's co-worker Gissela came to visit Matt and I could tell that he really enjoyed that. Right before I left I made a phone call to the surgeon requesting the staples and stitches to be removed. I hope the doctor gets the message because the nurses here want to keep them in another week- Not a good idea- "JESS"

During physical Therapy Matt worked on sitting and standing also pivoting/shifting his weight from left to right. During his speech therapy Matt worked on problem solving which means thinking about the order in which you would do stuff when given a task. The occupation therapist had to stretch out Matt's left arm, hence leaving it very sore. After a full day of therapy Matt was very tires. The friday night nurse is a man named Matthew, he is super awesome. He told us that today was the lucky day to remove staples and stitches. I guess my phone call to the surgeon yesterday did help. Matt said that his farts smell like "old man" farts ewww!!!! He blames it on the hospital food. Oh yea, today we ordered a splint for his left hand that way it dosen't stay gimp. Right now the nurse started taking out the staples and he let me take out his stitches. Now I really am nurse Jessica, but it was kinda gross.

This morning is a slow morning. Matt, Cody and I all woke up  together in Matt's bed. When it was time for Matt to eat breakfast Cody and I went back to sleep in his porta-crib. After breakfast they gave Matt his med's, I cleaned the room, and Cody enjoyed some naked time with warm water. I was able to get Matt showered, and I also shaved his head so that it looked good and would grow back evenly. After shower time Cody-man went down for his nap, and Matt and I watched Battle of the wedding planners while I massaged the left side of his body to try and help bring back some feeling as it was an early night for all of us

Happy Father's Day Matt!
I brought Matt a dozen red roses and his favorite candies as well as cards and a special cookie. The cookie was in the shape of a Hawaiian shirt. It's blue with a green palm tree on the right side. I got this for him to symbolize his desire to vacation in Hawaii, and also my promise to do my best to get him there once he has recovered enough to go. The first visitors today was my mom and dad and of corse our amazing Grace. There was so much love in the room and we could al feel the weight of the spirit. Again my dad spoke healing over Matt, and he also tried to get Matt to the beach for the day- but the doctors said no way. Today is also Patti Hamiltons b-day. Matt's mom, sister, and family friend Eric Scheffer came to celebrate Father's day as well as his mom's birthday. We were able to spend quite a while with both sides of the family. Matt and I also had a physical therapy session together with Dr. Derek. He worked alot with me to learn how to transfer Matt from bed to a wheel chair and back again by the end of the hour Matt and I both were sore and tired. Matt got his pain med's so he went to sleep, but I however had a bit more trouble falling asleep this night.

Bright and early Matt started with physical therapy at 9 am although the therapy is a challenge for Matt. "It hurts my back" Matt says. Doctors and therapists say that it is the best thing he can do for himself right now. The staff continues to gently push him just enough to help gain as much as possible. Today was the first day that Matt was able to use the upstairs therapy gym. In this particular gym there are palm tree paintings on the walls, and music playing constantly. Needless to say there is a high viberation of positive energy flow up there. During Matts session we were told that Matt has gained "Trace Movement" in his left arm. Praise God!! From 1pm-3pm Matt and Cody took naps. As I watch my boys sleep I was honestly overcome by a a scene of peace and comfort. I have decided that I want to eventually become a nurse. When our lives are more smooth then I will begin my education in the direction of a nursing degree. I am inspired by how well Matt is now doing, I am so proud of him. -JESS