DAY 282

Nothing extremely exciting to report today. We did have his baclofen pump increased to 300 micrograms. He has been at 300 before, but was taken back down because of the last seizure. I really feel like somewhere between 300 and 350 is where he needs to be. Dr. Wolcott's nurse usually comes to TLC, but today she was extremely busy. They asked if we could bring him there. So, since Dr. W's office is just 2 blocks from TLC, and since it was such a nice day, we decided to go for a stroll. Rick enjoyed getting out of the building for a little while and Sarah and I enjoyed a little cardio and sunshine. Tomorrow they have a cook out planned for the patients in the little courtyard behind the building and I know Rick will enjoy that. Today in PT homework I got him on the mat again and stretched him. This time when he laid on his stomach he was able to stay there for 10 minutes...another record. I really think that getting out of his chair and standing and walking as much as he has been is getting rid of a lot of the tightness in his lower back. In ST they worked on talking loud. The goal is for him to speak at 65 decibels and today he was speaking at 58. If you ask him how loud he is, he'll tell you he's shouting when he's talking in a normal voice.

All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other. John 13:35

In our faith we leave footprints to guide others. A child, a friend, a recent convert. None should be left to walk the trail alone. It's the principle of discipleship. ~ Max Lucado

Thanks for all you footprints!

Love,
Crystal

DAY 281

Well, it was a Monday for Rick. It wasn't bad, but I don't think he got enough rest this weekend and he was really tired today. We got some very important paperwork signed this morning...our wills and power of attorneys. If you dont' have these documents, I highly encourage you to get it taken care of before you're in the situation we are in. Laura and Lyssa were kind enough to take time out of their day to be our witnesses, and Laura made Rick another chocolate cake and Rick told her once again that he loved her! He had to sign, Ricky Gene Kieschnick, about 10 times and initial about 10 times...it was very tiring for him. He also had roping group today, and he swung his rope better than he ever has. He still hasn't gotten the hang of bringing his wrist back around, but it's coming. He walked on the treadmill in PT. His left leg was scissoring pretty bad today...still need a lot of stretching on the inner thigh and strength building on the outer. I didn't sit in on the OT or ST sessions today.

Goodnight and God Bless!

Love,
Crystal

DAY 280

We went to church this morning for the first time since Rick's accident...and it felt good. We went to the First United Methodist Church in Wolforth. The nurse at TLC goes to church there, plus the pastor from that church, Curtis House, came by TLC one day to see one of his members that was there and also prayed with us. It was a wonderful service with a full praise and worship band on the stage and a wonderful message from Curtis. The members were so kind to us, and had a special spot reserved for Rick when we got there.

When we got back to TLC, Rick's cousin from California, Troyce and his wife Karen, had came to visit with Glenn. Rick ate lunch and visited with them, but by 2:00 he was ready for a nap. At 5:15 we had to wake him up...he was having a good snooze. He ate supper, showered and was back in bed by 8:00!

Today I ran into a lady that was a patient at Truspoint when Rick was. She told me that she still prays for Rick every day, and she was so inspired by him. She was hurt while riding her bike and broke her hip and pelvis. She said that on the days she felt like giving up she'd say to herself, "if Rick can do it, then I can do it!" I'm so proud of Rick for being an inspiration to others...even patients at TLC have told me the same thing.

Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! Jesus we praise you...Jesus we need you...Jesus please save us.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 278 & 279

Friday was a good day for Rick, and I have to say that last week was the best week he has ever had. Today he has just been eating, sleeping and watching tv. The kids didn't get to come this weekend because Riley had twirling tryouts this morning. I'm proud to say that 12 girls tried out and all 12 girls made it. I think Riley will have a blast being a junior high twirler.

Come near to God, and God will come near to you. James 4:8

Hope y'all have a great weekend.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 277

Rick was really pushed hard today. He had 2 sessions of PT...he walked on the treadmill this morning and they increased the rate that he walks at, and he balanced against the wall and did exercises this afternoon. In OT he dressed himself...he was really close to doing it ALL by himself and was very close to tying his shoes. He has now gained enough balance and core control that he can shower on a shower bench instead of a shower chair and that is progress! In speech he voiced, wrote, and read. He was really tired by 4 o'clock and laid down to take a nap.

He received another package today. This time it was food! Baroque's from Sandy Shelton and they were delivered right at the end of the lunch break. Rick had already finished his lunch, but when he saw the baroques, he wanted one, and he said, "right now."

Through Him also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Moreover let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance develops maturity of character. And character produces joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5: 1-5

God Bless,
Crystal

DAY 275 & 276

I have a perfectly good reason for not posting last night...I ran off to Seymour to see my kids! Rick was having a really good day, so I thought I'd better take advantage of it and go watch Riley play b-ball. He was out of his chair, on his feet for about 3 hours yesterday. Laura had him balance against the wall and do all kinds of exercises like wall squats and marching, etc. I stretched him out after lunch for his PT homework, and he was actually able to lay on his stomach for 6 minutes...that is a record for him! I surprised the kids and got to my sisters about 5:30...they had no idea I was coming. The ballgame was fun and it was great to see everybody and watch Miss Riley play. I dropped the kids off at school this morning and headed for King County. I dropped by the 6666's mare barn first and visited for a while...so great to see my friends there. Then stopped by the Supply house and had a great visit with Louise Daniel...one of her sons had a brain injury years ago and she has so much good advice, and faith. Then on to Tongue River. Lucky for me it was lunch time, and I timed it perfectly! Had a great lunch and great visit with everyone out there. I went to the house (2nd time in 9 months) and it's hard to see our stuff there. Rick requested his wedding ring, his watch and his boots. I was able to get them, except the watch...it's not a Timex, it didn't take a lickin' and keep on tickin', so I 'll just get him another one. He was eating supper when I got back and was doing really good.

We got the best package in the world from a group of 4th graders in Monahans, TX today. Kristen Ray's 4th graders made cards for Rick and they were so sweet. I was reading them with a smile and tears at the same time. These kids are reading the blog and had some of the most encouraging words I've heard in a long time. Keep praying kiddos, and remember that praying is not like ordering at McDonalds. You can't place your order and then pull up to the 2nd window and have your prayer answered just like that. So, always pray big prayers to our big God and keep praying until you get an answer...sometimes you pray for a Big Mac and you get chicken nuggets instead, but it's what God knows is best for you. Love you guys...thank you so much!

Love,
Crystal

DAY 274

Rick started the week off right. Laura was so inspired by his stair climbing at the park on Friday, that she took him into the stairwell this morning and he climbed the stairs. These stairs are a lot steeper than the stairs at the park were. There are about 8 steps, and the first time he went down he kind of rushed and didn't take the best steps he could have. At the bottom he leaned against the wall and was able to keep his balance without anyone touching him. He went back up without any problem...sat down and rested and then did it all again. When he was done he was breathing hard and his little heart rate was up...which is good thing since that hasn't happened in 9 months. He also had "roping group" this morning. Him and 3 other paitients are in it. Sarah (theraputic recreation therapist) is having this group build a roping dummy as one of their projects. It's not finished yet, but you know how cowboys are...they'll rope anything. He handled his thin water really good today, and had about 3 opportunities to drink thin water. This is so good because the more he drinks the thin water, the more able he is to handle it and can eventually get all his drinks thin. He was stretched in OT and also played bowling on the Wii. I went to the park today and walked/jogged a little while then played b-ball with some of the patients and techs...it was great to be outside.

Looking forward to another great week...we are closer and closer, every day, to going home.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 272 & 273

Spring Break came to a screeching halt at exaclty 4:45 pm in Dickens, TX. That's when I met my dad to pick the kids up...and it was rough. Poor Riley...if Rick could be healed through her will alone, it would be done. We had a great visit from Rick's brother, Guy Wilhelm and his wife Tammy. They drove up from Livingston on Friday and spent all day Saturday with us and stopped by for a little while this morning. Guy had news to share...Tammy is pregnant and they are having a little girl in July. Rick's advice was this..."sometimes you have to go through their butt, to make their ears work." The weekend was mainly spent eating and sleeping and watching March Madness.

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done."

Love,
Crystal

DAY 271

A fabulous end to a fabulous week. Rick just had the look today...the "I'm feeling good today" look. This morning he had an Orientation class where they read about St. Patrick's day and then had to answer questions. Rick got all his questions right. In PT he worked on unloading the dishwasher and putting the dishes up. While he was standing up putting the dishes away, Laura (PT) let go of him and he kept his balance for a good little bit. Today being Friday, is outing day. The plan was to go to the Ranching Heritage Center...Rick was very excited to go. When we got there, however, it was closed for Spring Break...makes sense, right...close when folks are looking for something to do. Anyway, we had to improvise, so the therapists decided to go to Legacy Park. Legacy Park is a really neat park. All of the playground equipment is inside a fenced area and everything is made out of wood. It's all forts and has an "old west" feel to it, but works in all the traditional playground equipment. It is also very handicap accessible. Rick started off working with his speech therapist. Then we watched as several patients, and therapists started going down the slide. Meredith said, "there's no reason Rick can't do that." So we wheeled his chair up a couple of ramps, but then he had to climb about 7 steps to get to the top. He stood, and with Laura's help, he climbed the stairs...like it was nothing, like, "oh ya, I do this everyday." When he got to the top he noticed he had an audience, so he waved to everyone. There were a lot of people now watching him and cheering him on. I am taking pictures and trying not to cry. He sat down, got Cade in his lap, slid down the slide, high fived Cade and kissed him. A couple of the therapists videoed it, and I've got pics to post. This awful weather started blowing in late this afternoon, and it is extremely cold and windy tonight in Lubbock...forecast is for snow tomorrow.

Thanks so much for the continued support...your calls, notes, letters and messages keep me going.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 269 & 270

Great couple of days for Rick. Yesterday he bowled and practiced roping, walked with the rolling walker, but didn't go far, and worked on some handwriting. He also had his team meeting in which all the therapists agreed that he hit a bump in the road (& flew off in the ditch), but has gotten back on track and is back to where he was before the seizure and sickness. We got a surprise visit from Bobby, Sandy and Tatum Shelton. Rick was really happy to see them, and even happier to see that they had horses in their trailer. He stood to pet them and was so happy...it took him to another level. Sandy told him that she had made baroques (meat filled pies) when he was still in the hospital, but John Karl and I ate them all...he looked at me like, "you did what?" and I said, "you were in a coma, and we were hungry!" And he said, "that's not a good excuse!" Today he had two great speech sessions and drank 3 glasses of thin water and only coughed once. He worked on walking on the treadmill without hanging on to anything, only supported by the harness. Riley's friend, Autumn Woolsey, from Roaring Springs came to see her and she spent the day with her and ended up spending the night with her, too Cade and I went to watch the Lady Raiders in their NIT tournament game against Houston...they won. Can't wait 'til Rick can go to a game with us.

Hope that everyone has enjoyed their spring break...we sure have, it's gone by too fast.

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Love,
Crystal

DAY 268

Progress for Rick today...he is now on the Frazier Water Protocol. This protocol is the next step to getting on regular thin liquids. To follow it, he has to brush his teeth for 2 minutes, then clean his mouth with a solution of 50% water, 50% hydrogen peroxide for 2 minutes then wait for 30 minutes and he can drink all the regular thin water he wants. The concept is that it isn't the water in the lungs that causes the infections, it's the bacteria that gets in there. The lungs can absorb the water. The minute he eats anything, however, he has to go back to the thickened liquids or clean his mouth again. Handling thin water thoughout the day will facilitate getting on thin liquids permanently. I'm so proud of him. Of course, the main problem Rick is going to have with this is staying out of the Hershey Kisses during the day!

He had a visit from Kelly Burns Waggoner from Vernon today. When she came in she said, "do you know who I am?" And he said "no" And she said "Kelly Burns" and his eyes lit up and he smiled at her...he knew exactly who she was. He's had so many visitors like that...people he hasn't seen in 20 years like James "Tooter" Hayes, Rowdy Rasberry, Larry Williams, Jason Jarvis and plenty of others...he remembers everyone!

(We pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, (to exercise) every kind of endurance and patience (perserverance and forbearance) with joy. Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light. Colossians 1:11-12.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 267

Rick got up a little late this morning, and was allowed to skip his first therapy to finish his breakfast. He had a good day and worked hard. I'm so thankful everything has worked out...last week just felt like a big waste...time that we'll never get back. I took the kids to watch Alice In Wonderland...it was pretty good, the weather in Lubbock today, however, was not. Rain, rain, sleet, and snow, and then more rain. Rick finished the day with PT. He used the big sling shot again. Riley drew a funny face on the mirror for him to aim at. During one of his breaks we were talking about nicknames. Laura (PT) said "I'm gonna start calling you Ricky Bobby." And Rick said, "Shake n Bake!" It was so funny. We couldn't understand what he was saying at first, but he kept saying it with a smile on his face and finally we figured it out. The kids really enjoyed seeing him work during therapy today.

Please continue to pray for Rick to make gains and for the will of God to be done.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 266

Rick is back to his old self and showed it today picking on Tess & Addison. He has always picked on my nieces their entire lives and they still to this day, do not know what to make of him. One thing they always know when they see him, is that he is going to get a kiss from them if he has to chase them down to get it. As soon as Tess was in reach today, he went for her...kicking at her with his foot with the biggest grin on his face. I told the girls they'd better take advantage of the situation and give Rick back all he's been giving them, but they wouldn't do it. I, however, do! All his little comebacks that he has for me, well I've been turning them around on him. My favorite is, "I can't look at you a## and read your mind!"....that's a good one! It's good to see him have a good day. He ate good and took his usual 2 hour Sunday afternoon nap. My Uncle John called today to check on him. I told Rick, "Big John said to get better and get out of here so you go hang out with him." And Rick said, "Tell him 2 months...2 more months." So, I guess that's Rick's prediction...I would be tickled with 2 more months. So, hopefully tomorrow Rick will be hitting it hard and make his prediction come true.

Good night and God Bless.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 264 & 265

Yesterday, Rick made it until 11 am, and then said he felt sick at his stomach and wanted to lay down. He slept until 2:30...which got him out of going on the Friday outing to the mall...I don't think it hurt his feelings at all. The kids got here around 7:00 and Rick managed to stay up until 8 to visit with them and my sister, brother-in-law and nieces. This morning he slept until 9 and had a really good morning. His Aunt Linda and Uncle Bobby stopped by and had a really good visit. Rick really enjoyed it and smiled alot while listening to their escapades trying to get to Lubbock with their 5th wheel. Linda also brought chocolate covered peanut patties from Ada Lee Cook and those really made him happy! All and all Saturday was a pretty normal day for him.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on you own insight or understanding. In all your ways, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He wil direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 263

I actually got several smiles out of Rick today, and that's my gauge of how well Rick is doing. He participated well in PT, OT, and ST before lunch, and then did decent in PT and OT after lunch, but then laid down and took a 2 hour nap...that is progress...remember on Monday he napped for 5 hours. I pray the lower of dose of keppra will control the seizures and allow him to make progress in therapy. I figure he'll rest up over the weekend and be back to his old self next week.

Last night got even better once I got back to L&L's...Lyssa had cooked crab and shrimp...I just told her, "I'm never moving out...when Rick gets released, we're all movin' in with y'all!" They have been the best! I forgot to tell y'all about another bright spot in our day yesterday...Wyatt Adams and his mom Courtney came to visit us...I went and ate lunch with them and Laura, and it was a much needed break from rehab. When Rick struggles in therapy, I struggle right along with him, and it can be mentally fatiguing. It was so good to get out for a while and enjoy their company.

Thanks to everyone for all their good timing in lifting Rick and I up...God knows just when to send His angels in. Our storm is part of His plan and we'll ride the storm out.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May he look up on you with His favor and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 261 & 262

Today was a better day than yesterday, but still not back up to snuff. He had his baclofen pump refilled yesterday, and although it is a quick and easy procedure, it took 2 hours to get that done. He did about 2 hours of therapy, and then had to lay down the rest of the day. Today he managed about 4 hours of therapy and napped the rest of the day...even said not to wake him up for supper. Dr. W decided that since Rick is only having partial seizures, then maybe he doesn't need as big of a dose so, the keppra dose was cut in half today...hopefully we'll see some results tomorrow and he won't be so sedated.

On the 6th day, God created man. When he did this he also created this most wonderful organ we call the brain. The more I find out about what marvelous things the brain can do, the more I know what a marvelous God we have. I've done a lot of research and thought y'all might find some facts interesting. The brain can aquire new nerve cells and connections between nerve cells all throughout our lives. The brain responds to mental stimulation much like muscles respond to physical exercise. A piece of the human brain the size of a grain of sand contains 100,000 neurons and 1 billion synapses, all "talking" to one another. Because God created the brain in this way, it can be renewed & restored to it's fullest. And I believe that Rick will be restored to his fullest.

I just got the most wonderful visit from 2 "strangers". Alfonso and Stepanie are actually friends of Laura's and found out about our situation last week while visiting with Laura. They have been praying for Rick's full restoration, and stopped by tonight to introduce themselves, and said a wonderful prayer with me. When they got ready to leave, Stephanie wrote down their names and number on a sticky note...you know the kind...it's been in your purse so long it's a little torn and tattered, but it's all you've got. I noticed something written on the back of it, and it was this verse:

I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Isaiah 41:9.

I said, "oh, there's a verse written here, do you need it?" And she said, "no, someone wrote that down for me and it looks like you need it now." WOW!!! High five to God...I needed that after these last few days have been so hard. Stephanie also believes that God is teaching us perserverance, and I believe she is totally right. So, thank you God for sending Alfonso and Stephanie, I'm going home tonight in much better spirits than I have been in in awhile.

I still BELIEVE!

Love,
Crystal

DAY 260

Rick got up at normal time this morning, did one hour of therapy, and then went back to bed for a 3 hour nap. He ate lunch, did 2 hours of therapy, and then back to bed for a 2 hour nap. He ate supper, is in the shower right now and will be back in bed by 7:00. I knew he would be wiped out, but this is crazy! This new medicine, keppra, is partly to blame...hopefully he'll adjust and be back on track by the end of the week.

As for me, I'm hungry and tired, and can't think of another thing to write tonight. Hopefully, tomorrow's post will be much more exciting!

Love,
Crystal

BACK TO TLC

Rick was released from Trustpoint @ 4:30 this afternoon. We made it back to TLC and were very happy to get there. They we all very happy to see Rick back, too and he tipped his cap to them as we made our way to his room. He ate supper, showered and fell asleep within 10 seconds of his head hitting the pillow. Tomorrow we'll have to go slow with therapy, and maybe for the next few days, but I know he will bounce back.

The kids had a good weekend...they got to do normal kid stuff...played little dribblers, went to a b-day party, and spent the night with friends. So, even though they didn't get to see us, it was all good.

Guthrie's church celebrated their 100th year today...I do wish we could have been there. And yes Ann, I remember Easter last year and Cade wanting to make sure that Brittany felt welcome there by sharing his eggs! Hopefully, we'll make it to the summer celebration.

Love you all and thanks for your prayers.

Crystal

DAY 258

I do not like being in the hospital...it is not a fun place to be. Rick has held down everything he's eaten yesterday and today and no more diarrhea. He's had 3 bags of fluids and should be well hydrated. Dr. Wolcott will release him either tomorrow afternoon, or first thing Monday morning back to TLC...and I cannot wait to get there. Rick got out of bed and sat in his chair for a few hours this morning, then napped and laid in bed the rest of the day. He is extremely wiped out from the bug plus we started him on the anti-seizure medicine called Kepra this morning. It is supposed to be the least sedating anti-seizure medicine there is, so hopefully his system will adjust to it quickly and we can continue to make progress. Hard to believe, but I had really forgotten what the hospital setting is like. At TLC Rick is never in his room. His day starts at 7:00 for breakfast and he's in therapy all day. No TV in his room at TLC either, and all meals eaten in the dining room. And he's much better attended to there...here, he's just a number, 206, at TLC he's Rick.

Dean Gfeller came by to see Rick today, but he wasn't really up for much visiting, and I understand. Rick just now fell asleep in the middle of watching the PBR, so that will tell you how tired he is!

We continue to take one day at a time, and trust in our Lords plans.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3.

Dear Lord, thank you for all the healing you've done in Rick and for all the healing yet to come. We praise you and thank you for your mercy that we do not deserve. Please continue to fill Rick with your holy spirit and give him the strength he needs to overcome this so that all the glory can be yours. In Jesus name we pray...Amen.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 256 & 257

The stomach bug has done a number on Rick. We were not been able to get the diarrhea and vomitting stopped yesterday, and around 2:45 he had another seizure. It was a lot like the last time...lasted about 45 seconds, resolved on it's on, and took Rick about 30 minutes to become responsive again. Dr. Wolcott decided to admit him to Trustpoint to push fluids and get the stomach stuff under control. Rick is really wiped out. So far today, he hasn't had any diarrhea or vomitting, and he's done a lot of sleeping. We will probably be here through the weekend. Another EEG was performed yesterday, and indicates that there is "something metabolic going on in the frontal lobes". I haven't really had a chance to talk to Dr. W about the EEG and what exactly that means, but he definetly wants to start Rick on anti-seizure medicine, and is researching which medicine to put him on. The last one we tried, tegratol, was very, very sedating to Rick, so he is looking for something other than that. We got to see a lot of our old friend here at Trustpoint, unfortunatley Rick is not on the rehab floor like before, but he is in acute care.

The other bummer is that we won't get to see the kids this weekend. This bug is the last thing they need, and I don't really think Rick is up for much visiting anyway.

Please keep praying for Rick. I'm not sure why God keeps allowing these hurdles to be put in our path, but we will do whatever it takes to get around them. And, as hard as it is, remember to praise Him even during these hard times.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 255

Awwww...darn...Rick has the stomach bug! So, not such a great day. He was doing good until about 10 am and then it started. It's been going around and I was just hoping he wouldn't get it, but no such luck. He says he doesn't feel bad, and even ate throughout the day, but was having trouble going to sleep tonight. I went to the last Lady Raiders game with Laura and Lyssa, and when I got back to TLC at 9:30 to check on him, he was still awake. The Lady Raider game was good....they played Baylor and there was a bench clearing brawl after the 6'7" Baylor girl slugged a Tech girl...it was pretty exciting. Tech lost, but came back from 20 down to get within 5. I stayed with Rick until 10:30 and told the night shift that if he doesn't sleep tonight to make sure he's not woken up in the morning. Tomorrow we have an appointment to get his baclofen pump refilled @ 11:00. I'm hoping we can still make it, but if not we can reschedule...his pump alarm isn't scheduled to go off until 3/9.

Good night,
Crystal

DAY 254

So, I get here this morning to find Rick motorin' down the hall to the kitchen. He is on a mission. He has tried to tell 4 different people what he wants. They've figured out its something out of the fridge, but noone can understand him. So, they say, "you go get it, and we'll follow you." So, I get here and I ask him what he's after and he says, "hot sauce". The techs just laugh...they were understanding hot, but not the sauce part. He was weighed this morning and is up to 166! Dr. Wolcott is again very pleased with last weeks progress report he received this morning during rounds. He wants to bump the baclofen pump back up to where it was before the seizure, so we'll go slow...started by going up 15 micrograms today. Rick had 2 PT sessions today. This morning he walked with the walker and had good steps...still a little scissoring with the left leg, but way better with getting his heel down. This afternoon he got to do some target practice. They built a 5 ft tall sling shot out of PVC pipe and therabands. Then, they drew some animals on a big whiteboard...coyote, birds, buck, doe, rabbit, squirrel, etc. Rick's job was to stand up and keep his balance while shooting the animals. He did such a great job...you should have seen him squatting down and taking aim. David (PT) had to keep a hand on him, but it didn't look like he had to help support too much. If there were 10 animals on the board, it only took him 12 shots to hit them all...and he enjoyed it! He also enjoyed eating chocolate cake while standing in the standing frame...said it made standing frame not so bad.

I'm thankful to make it through another day, and know that we're closer and closer to Rick's complete healing...I told God from the very beginning, "I do not accept this for Rick". He will not only live, but live life to the full...Amen. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. Hebrews 11:6

Love,
Crystal

DAY 253

Overall another great day to put down in the history books. He looked a little tired this morning when I got here, but made it until 2:00 before he tried to quit us. Laura baked him a chocolate cake and brought it to him at 1:00. He held both hands out to hug her, then reached for the pan. I said, "Rick, what do you tell her?" And he looked up at her and said, "I love you" and smiled. We just laughed and laughed...so that's what it takes to get an "I love you" out of Rick...ya just got to bring him chocolate cake. At 2:00 he decided he didn't want to work anymore. So, I had to give him a little kick in the pants to get him going again. Basically from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Rick is going nonstop. Most of the time he gets a one hour break during the day, but other than that, he is in therapy every hour on the hour. So, I can understand that he needs a break, but I still push him to get the most out of this. Maybe he didn't sleep well last night because he got in bed at 7:30 and was asleep within 10 minutes.

Y'all keep letting your little light shine, and I will do the same!

Love y'all!
Crystal