Donovan Recovery: Trach Removed After Month
Mayville State quarterback Matthew Donovan had his tracheostomy tube removed Tuesday, marking a key step in his physical therapy at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals.
By Michael Bennett ·
Matthew Donovan had his tracheostomy tube removed on Tuesday. The Mayville State quarterback is continuing his recovery from a head injury sustained during a college football game on Sept. 19. He has been undergoing therapy at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Lincoln, Neb., for the past two weeks after transferring from Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.
Terry Donovan, Matthew’s father, posted updates on Facebook on Wednesday. He described the recovery process as a bumpy road with varying daily progress. Terry noted that Matthew had a particularly good day during his occupational therapy sessions. He observed that his son kept trying to talk and put words together despite feeling tired. Terry stated that he was proud to watch his son keep at it.
The timeline of the injury began with the Sept. 19 game. Donovan, a native of La Crescent, Minn., who played high school football at Kasson-Mantorville, suffered the head trauma. He was placed in an induced coma initially. The family moved him to the rehabilitation facility in early October. The tracheostomy removal occurred after approximately one month of use.
Although Donovan still cannot speak clearly, his father reported that he had one of his best days of therapy on Tuesday. Terry Donovan praised the speech therapist at Madonna. He said the therapist does more than work on talking and finds ways to get Matthew to respond. Terry wrote that his son gave her some of his best responses yet during that session.
Terry described a specific interaction where the therapist tried to get a reaction from Matthew. He reached up and grabbed her arm. Matthew also started making sounds as if trying to convey a message. While no clear words emerged, the effort was a positive sign for the family.
Mayville State head coach Rocky Larson and members of his coaching staff visited Donovan at the hospital on Sunday. Terry Donovan said the coaching staff has become a blessing to the family. He noted that they have come to know the men on a level beyond being the parents of a football player. The coaching team continues to check in on the quarterback’s progress.
Matthew Donovan is scheduled to continue his therapy regimen at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. His father will remain in touch with the medical staff and update his public posts as the recovery proceeds. The next phase of his care will focus on further speech and cognitive development.
