DAY 211

The kids got to go to some therapy sessions this morning with Rick. In theraputic recreation, we played a board game together, and I thought it was very thoughtful of Sarah to think of an activity we could do as a family. Adam (my brother) got here and we went to lunch at 11:00 to give Rick some one on one time with his ST. At lunch Chance and Terri O'Neal came by and Rick was glad to see them. Chance was able to get a big smile out of Rick talking about the Ft Worth Ranch Rodeo and Horse Show in 2007...let's just say Rick lined out the guard at the Burnett entrance to the grounds and noone from the 6666's had another problem out of him! Tongue River had some tough luck this year at the ranch rodeo, but there's always next year...time for a little break from the ranch rodeo circuit anyway. Glad everyone made it home in one piece.

While Rick stood in the standing frame I showed him another e-mail from Brenda...again "People of Wal-mart" and there was one picture that I thought, "here it is...he's gonna laugh", but it was just a lot of air...he was laughing alright, just couldn't hear it. But, he got everyone in the gym's attention "laughing so hard". BTW, Brenda, it's the one about the dandelions and tulips!

Adam and the kids left at 1:30...it was hard to say goodbye, but it is not near as hard as it was when we were at Pate. Rick had his team meeting this afternoon. Each therapist went over their evaluations of Rick, and everyone had great things to say about him, and all the potential they see in him. They did not give me an estimated discharge date...said it all depends on Rick. I actually like that and just like I've learned, every head injury is different and no 2 people will have the same prognosis or outcome. Everyone also said they could tell he is a hard worker and he's always willing to work. He tends to lose his focus after about 30 minutes but can be easily redirected. He needs to build his strength and endurance. I believe it will happen, it's just a matter of time.

It's 7:15 and Rick is in bed asleep. I'm going to leave early...you don't get a whole lot of sleep when you sleep in a queen size bed with Riley and Cade!

Love you all,
Crystal

DAY 210

A pretty lazy Sunday for Rick. Darrell, Lauri and Rachel came to visit and took us to lunch. After Rick took his nap we had a really good visit with them. He smiled a lot and was happy to see them. When they got ready to go Darrell said, "you better stand up and give me a hug." So, Rick stood with minimum assistance from us and hugged Darrell and Lauri.

Funny for the day:
This morning Rick starts trying to tell me something. All I can make out is "I need to have a" and the rest is all mumbled and I can't understand. So I said, "you'll have to spell the rest" so he spells "s-e-r-i-o-u-s m-o-m-e-n-t" and I'm like "oh no, what wrong...what do we need to talk about". And he says again, "I need to have a serious moment...pretty soon" So, I said "what kind of serious moment?" And he holds up 2 fingers which is his signal for when he needs to go to the bathroom. We all just cracked up...to me this is another sign from God that Rick is going to be okay. Praise the Lord for good signs!

Other progress Rick has made in the last couple of weeks: he has graduated to nectar thick liquids which is just one step below regular thin liquids, he can blow his nose (seriously, he couldn't blow his nose before), and he can snort. I know...some things are more thrilling than others.

Thanks again to all you prayer warriors who continue to pray for us...may God give a special blessing to you.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 208 & 209

The trip to Main Event yesterday went pretty good. Rick played pool. He stood for one shot, but sat in his chair for the rest of the shots. I will really be glad when his new chair comes in, he'll be able to get around in it by himself alot better than the one he is in. Sometimes going out in public with Rick in a wheelchair can be pretty intimidating, and you would be surprised at the places we go that don't have their handicap doors turned on...they have them, they're just not turned on...very frustrating. Anyway, Main Event was fun and I think he enjoyed getting out of the building. The kids arrived with Linda, Kay, and Janice around 4:15 and Rick was glad to see them. One of the patients loaned us his Lonesome Dove movie, so Rick and Riley sat on the couch watching it and Cade and I played Battleship...Rick was really in his element.

Today he took a 3 hour nap and was feeling good when Jean, Melanie, and Renee and their kids came by. Rick had lots to smile about, and tried to visit, although I wasn't very good at interpretting tonight. He kissed baby Carson on the forehead and kissed Rebecca on the hand and Jean right square on the mouth! Don't be jealous Curtis!

I'm still amazed at the support that we continue to receive...from strangers, friends and family. We have received so many incredible cards and letters and they are so uplifting...I can't even tell you how it makes me feel. We are so blessed.

Still livin' on faith.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 207

My blog won't have much to say today...yesterday caught up with Rick and he was tired all day. So tired that he skipped lunch and took a 2 hour nap! When I woke him up from his nap he was so groggy...he looked at me like I was speaking Japanese to him! He finally came around about 4:00, and felt good enough at supper to laugh at Steve's jokes...and one of these days we're are going to hear his giggle, but now he's in the shower and will be ready for bed as soon as he's out. Today affirms for me just how much Rick worked yesterday. Besides all of his conversating, he had some pretty physical workouts yesterday. The OT tech worked with him yesterday with a weighted dowel rod. Randy wanted Rick to pull and see how hard Rick could pull...so he says "give it all you got", uh-oh...that was the wrong thing to say, Rick dug in and pulled so hard that he pulled Randy right out of his seat. So then they made a game of it. Rick said today that his left arm and shoulder were hurting, and that doesn't surprise me, that's the most he's ever used his left arm.

We are supposed to go on an outing tomorrow to Main Event. I'm anxious to see how that goes. And the kids well be here tomorrow, yea!

Goodnight and God Bless,
Crystal

DAY 206

It's really fun to post the blog when Rick has had a good day. He did so many great things today, I don't even know where to start.

First thing we had case management. This is where we talk to our social worker about anything and everything. Rick's social worker is a wonderful Christian woman and she really started our day off right. She asked Rick what his goals are, and he said "I want to be able to take care of myself and my family". So that got me all teared up. Then she said, "have you made any new friends here?", and he reached for his pen that he always carries in his shirt pocket...of course it wasn't there. She let him borrow a pen and he wrote down the first and last names of 2 guys here. I was completely and totally shocked. Then she said, "Is there anything that we need to fix or do for you?" And he said, "my room is cold", and "when do I get to go home?" He had conversations like this all day. In OT he baked brownies. First, to open the box he reached in his pants pocket looking for his pocketknife that of course wasn't there either! Then when they got through making the brownies he asked Emily if he could lick the bowl! It was so funny...I just love him...he's always cracking me up. And let me tell you, he did enjoy licking the bowl. We got a visit from Phil Fox and Monte Hollar...they had him smiling all through lunch talking about chappin' people at the mare barn and halter breaking colts. As much as Rick hates halter breaking colts, he'd give anything to be tugging on one right now. Blane came to see us right before bed, and even though Rick was tired, he was really happy to see him, too.

Before he went to sleep, he was laying in bed and I said, "Rick you better go to sleep." And he shook his head no. I said, "why" and he said, "what time are Cade and Riley going to be here?" He misunderstood them on the phone earlier...he thought they were coming tonight and he was going to wait up for them! He's asleep now and I'm heading to L&L's Bed and Breakfast and Supper and Entertainment. Hope y'all have great night.

Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Love,
Crystal

p.s. I posted the visitation hours and address. They really only want folks visiting at lunch time and after five, but anytime on the weekends is fine.

DAY 205

Another successful day for Rick. I'm so proud of him, he's put together 7 great days in a row. He was a little tired today and took a 2 hour nap, but I thought he did really good. I didn't sit in on the speech session today, but Meredith said he did fabulous. He walked on the treadmill in PT for about 10 minutes...his steps weren't as good as they can be, but that's the longest he's walked in a long time. In theraputic recreation therapy, he played bingo, but it was math bingo. So he had to answer math questions before he could put a bingo chip down. But, the questions were worded like this, "what is 2 plus 1 plus 1" and he had a really hard time with that. If it was broken down then he would get the right answer. After supper we looked at an e-mail that Brenda Duckworth sent me...Images from Walmart...Rick was really cracked up over that...thought for a second I was actually going to hear him laugh.

I'm so encouraged by what I see from Rick, and I'm really pleased with TLC...this is what I had envisioned when I thought about transitional rehab. The doctors and therapists have always told me that brain injuries make the best gains in their first year, and some gains their second year. We are almost to 7 months and I think Rick still has a lot of potential to make some great gains. Everyone agrees and can tell that he's a hard worker...that's that cowboy character coming out in him.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 203 & 204

We had to get up early this morning to get to the ENT appointment. Rick handled the ride over pretty good, but threw up on the way back. The appointment was pretty uneventful. Dr. Nguyen decided to do a videostroboscopy...yea, a big word for taking pictures of the vocal chords, and we'll do that on 1/21. He doesn't think that Rick is a candidate for botox right now. He was very encouraging because he said, "it's only been 6 months since the accident" and really thinks that it will come back. His nurse stayed in the room after he left and said that her husband had a stroke when he was 46 and she was devastated. It took a long time for him to walk and talk, but he finally did and with only 1/2 his brain functioning. She said that now, 10 years later, he still figures out new things. At that point I really needed to hear that. I was pretty flustered by the time we got to the office, our driver didn't know where we were going, and we were late to the appointment. Plus, I was hoping the doctor would do the scope and say, "aha! It's blah, blah, blah, and this is how we'll fix it", and of course that didnt' happen. Another angel in the right place at the right time. j

In PT he did butt scoots...not boot scoots, butt scoots down the mat and back. He got his momentum going and really did quite well. We didn't hear much voice in ST, and Emily just stretched him in OT.

We got to use the video phone this weekend. It was really neat and the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. When Rick saw them on the screen he waved at them. We'll get to see them a little extra this coming weekend as they our out of school on Monday.

Well, Rick's had is shower and is in bed. I figure he'll be asleep by 7:30. I need to be heading to bed a little earlier myself. Hopefully Lyssa won't be watching scary movies tonight when I get to the house...I don't do scary!

Good night and God Bless,
Crystal