DAY 70

Rick had a completely opposite day from last Saturday. He ate everything on his trays today, and then some. He had 2 good therapy sessions...stood in the standing frame for 20 minutes (the 1st day he stood in the standing frame he only stood for 5 minutes) and then this afternoon he did the handbike and actually made 3 rotations in a row without assistance. He stayed on the hand bike for 4 minutes. He's tried to feed himself several times, too.

And I was so excited about the baclofen trial, that I forgot to tell y'all he said two words yesterday...and they were the plainest, loudest 2 words we've heard to this point. Since the trial was going so well, the speech therapist came in, and Rick was really moaning and making a lot of noise. So she thought she'd turn that into some talking. She asked him, "what ranch do you live on?" and he said, "Tongue River"...it was great! And here's what a small world it is...this speech therapist went to college at Baylor with Jared whose family owns the ranch! So she is actually familiar with Tongue River!

I think we have the eye issues resolved. The ulcer has healed up, but Rick has extremely dry eyes because he's not blinking right and he's not closing his eyes all the way when he sleeps. The eye doctor prescribed some more ointment and we are placing a small amount of tape at the corners of his eyes at night to make sure they are closed. His eyes look 10 times better today.

The kids left earlier. They are going to Vernon with Kim and Phillip tonight and then back to Seymour tommorrow. They had great things to say about their first week of school.

I thank God everyday for being on our team. Rick will be healed...he will. And, if it's possible, he will be an even better man than he was before.

Love,
Crystal