Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Matt started feeling sick at the beginning of the week of 4/25. He thought he may have had food poisoning or something of that nature due to having flu-like symptoms, and checked himself into a hospital in northern Ohio (near where he was working) on Wednesday 4/27 after also developing difficulty of breath. An EKG, a blood test, and a chest x-ray were run, but the tests didn't indicate a heart attack at that time (we have since learned there is a very small window of time when an active heart attack would present itself). His blood pressure was high, so they prescribed him medication and he left the hospital. He came back to Cincinnati Thursday afternoon and went to bed early since he still wasn't feeling well. The next morning, he was very feverish and again having trouble catching his breath, so Kathy took him to Jewish Hospital. They quickly determined he had suffered a massive heart attack (STEMI). Along with this, the doctors suspect some of his organs had not been getting sufficient oxygen for some time because of the damage to his kidneys and his liver. They honestly couldn't believe he came into the hospital in the state he was in (Kathy wheeled him in, but he probably would have tried to walk).
Since coming to the hospital on Friday morning (4/29), Matt has been in critical condition. The severity of the heart attack he suffered caused a large hole between the ventricles in his heart, which is extremely rare, as confirmed by the doctors who have only seen this condition twice before. By Friday night, Jewish Hospital had done pretty much all they were able to do. They didn't have all the equipment he needed and surgery was not an option at this point. The Cardiovascular ICU at UC Medical Center (University Hospital) was the only hospital around willing and able to take him. He was airlifted from Jewish Hospital to UC around midnight on Friday night. Once there, the doctors got him set up on an ECMO machine, which is meant to do some of the work for his heart and lungs and keep him more stable. Due to the condition of his other organs, they started him on dialysis on Saturday, 4/30. As of today (5/2), the doctors are trying to determine next steps, which may or may not include an operation on his heart.
Despite all this, Matt has amazingly remained responsive and aware of his surroundings. His brain was not affected by the lack of oxygen, like his other organs, which we are beyond thankful for. When he is awake, he can hear and understand most of what anyone says to him. Though he is intubated and cannot verbally communicate, he has continued nodding his head and squeezing our hands, and even cracked a few smiles here and there (all things for which we are truly blessed). In true Matt Hughes fashion, he even attempted to shake the doctor's hand to thank him before transferring from Jewish Hospital. The entire medical staff has been astounded at Matt's strong will throughout this process, but as his family and anyone who knows him, that comes as no surprise.
During this time, it's easy to get wrapped up in all the negative. However, along with some of the hidden blessings already mentioned above, we have remained hopeful and positive because of these additional lucky breaks and God winks:
- Up until two weeks ago, visiting hours were from 1pm-3pm with only two visitors total allowed per day. Prior to that, in the thick of COVID, no visitors were allowed at all. Now, visiting hours are from 12pm-6pm, and our whole family has been able to be there together. - Every week, our family's church focuses on a single family to pray for. We received a letter in April (before any of this happened) letting us know that May 2-6 would be the week for the Hughes Family. - One of Matt's best friend's has a son-in-law who is a cardiologist at UC Medical Center and is on Matt's care team. Having a personal connection around to care for him and explain things to us as they happen is a blessing we do not take for granted. - The ECMO device Matt is currently on is a rarity. UCMC CVICU is the only hospital in close proximity that has the machines, and one available for Matt.
Over the last five days, we've received an outpouring of love and support, and we cannot thank everyone enough for your thoughts and prayers. It's clear how extensive a community Matt has. Because the volume of these messages is so high, we wanted to create a centralized place where people can receive updates. We are so grateful for and feel the impact of all your love and prayers; it provides our family with such comfort and hope during this incredibly difficult time.
Matt's memorial service will be held Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 9:00am at Northminster Presbyterian Church with a reception immediately following from 10:30am -12:30pm in the 19th Hole at the Wyoming Golf Club (see addresses below).
Northminster Presbyterian Church - 703 Compton Rd Cincinnati, OH 45231
https://northminsterchurch.org
(513) 931-0243
Wyoming Golf Club - 81 Mt. Pleasant Ave Cincinnati, OH 45215
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Matt Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Matt's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
