Welcome to Marvin's blog

Hello dear friends and family -

We have decided to set up this "blog" in order to keep everyone up to date on Marvin's progress. First of all, thank you all SO much for your kind words, prayers, and help. It has meant so much to us. God has sent us angels through you with your visits, your calls and cards, and your prayers.

To fill you all in on what has been going on, after being moved off the ICU floor, Marvin had a very bad night and is now back in the ICU. He has had difficulty with fluid in his lungs, infection, and he is very weak because he isn't able to swallow and get the calories he vitally needs to get stronger and recuperate. (Supposedly, this is somewhat common because the plate that is in his neck gets in the way of swallowing). This has been taking a toll on Marvin not just physically, but mentally as well, which is to be expected - we are constantly cheering him on because he's fighting so hard.

In a time that has been looking pretty bleak, today Marvin had movement in his right hand which up to this point has shown no signs of moving. We cheered and laughed and placed your cards all around his room in the ICU. We still request your prayers to help him with his swallowing. In addition, he is having surgery tomorrow to insert a feeding tube to help him get more calories. Please keep us in your prayers so that the lung infection goes away and he gets through the surgery without further complication.

We are looking at 2 rehab centers - Shepherd's Center in Atlanta and the VA Spinal Injury Unit in Augusta. Both come highly recommended by the team of doctors, and at this point we are not sure of where or when he will be transported for rehabilitation.

Thank you all again so much for helping our family get through this and for keeping us in your prayers.

Love,
The Murdaughs