The weekend has been a good one...sorry I haven't posted. On Friday, Brad and Lynann Stewart were going to bring the kids to me, but I was so worried about the roads that the kids had to wait until Saturday, and my dad brought them. Brad and Lynann of course had no problems getting here on Friday, but I just couldn't handle worrying about them. My Dad hasn't seen Rick in 2 weeks and couldn't believe how much better he looks and is doing. Sometimes it's hard for me to gauge just exactly how much Rick improves when I see him every day. The kids and I went to the Texas Tech Lady Raiders game on Saturday night. We got to see Brad and Lynann and Ryan and Lacey Rankin...their kids performed at halftime with the PIPS group...we really enjoyed the game and the company. Joanna Elliott and her beau Jeff came by this afternoon, but unfortunately Rick was napping and didn't get to visit...they were, however, provided plenty of entertainment from the kids. I met my mom in Dickens at 4:00 and they've headed back to Seymour to make another week.
God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7
Love,
Crystal
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
DAY 221
Rick was really interested in the blog last night and wanted to look at the pictures. He didn't recognize Dr. Carlile in the picture from Baylor, and he pointed to the title 220 days. I told him it has been 220 days since his accident and he said, "that's a long time". And I explained to him that it's really not a long time for a brain injury. The neuro doc told us in the beginning that for every 7 days the body heals, it's equivalent to 1 day of healing for the brain. So, if you look at it that way, it really hasn't been that long. I pulled up all the pics I've taken and he looked at all of them, but doesn't remember any of it.
This morning he got upset again before I got there, but got over it. He told me he just needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't get someone to take him...they just couldn't understand what he was saying. He ate breakfast and then did speech homework. He did not want to work on the arm bike today and told us that his left shoulder was hurting. I think it's really sore from all the working out, plus there is a little seperation at the joint. So, Randy did some e-stim on it and he actually asked for some Tylenol. During PT he was supposed to walk on the treadmill, but still seemed to be in a lot of pain, and couldn't really concentrate enough to walk. After that, he was wore out, and fell asleep. It didn't really matter because the weather was so bad that TLC let all the therapists go home at noon, and Rick got to take a 2 hour nap. This afternoon we watched "Open Range" and ate popcorn which he throroughly enjoyed. I left early to make sure I could make it to L&L's before the roads got bad, and I'm sure it will be late before I make it there in the morning.
"I've seen faith that moves a mountain, hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling, I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new....that's what faith can do" ~Kutless
God Bless,
Crystal
This morning he got upset again before I got there, but got over it. He told me he just needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't get someone to take him...they just couldn't understand what he was saying. He ate breakfast and then did speech homework. He did not want to work on the arm bike today and told us that his left shoulder was hurting. I think it's really sore from all the working out, plus there is a little seperation at the joint. So, Randy did some e-stim on it and he actually asked for some Tylenol. During PT he was supposed to walk on the treadmill, but still seemed to be in a lot of pain, and couldn't really concentrate enough to walk. After that, he was wore out, and fell asleep. It didn't really matter because the weather was so bad that TLC let all the therapists go home at noon, and Rick got to take a 2 hour nap. This afternoon we watched "Open Range" and ate popcorn which he throroughly enjoyed. I left early to make sure I could make it to L&L's before the roads got bad, and I'm sure it will be late before I make it there in the morning.
"I've seen faith that moves a mountain, hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling, I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new....that's what faith can do" ~Kutless
God Bless,
Crystal
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
DAY 220
Found out again today what a small world it is. After checking on Rick first thing this morning, I headed to Total Body Collision to have my car looked at. I still haven't gotten the hood latch fixed from December. Anyway, this guy at Total Body Collision is a friend of Laura's. He asks me if we're kin to any Kieschnick's in Vernon and I said...all of them. His name is Jason Strong and he went to Tech with Clint...crazy, huh? The other thing is the new OT here is Jay Hart's daughter-in-law...her name is Nika and she's been working with Rick some and after looking at Rick's pictures she thought we might know Jay and Linda.
Rick's day was good. He got a little upset while I was gone because he needed something, but noone could tell what he was trying to say. I know that's got to be frustrating. He was fine when I got back. In OT he worked on putting on his "cowboy shirt"...the blue wrangler snap shirt. He did really good getting it snapped. In one of the group sessions they played a game called "Buzz Word". The first buzz word was "old"...so every answer had the word old in it. Rick knew the following ones and the others in the group didn't:
The name of a movie about a boy and his dog-----Old Yellar
The name of the card game where the queen left does not have a match----Old Maid
The name of the geyser at Yellowstone National Park----Old Faithful
I was pretty impressed. He ate supper, had a shower, and is now looking over my shoulder as I type this blog...he's really interested in what I have to say about him. He just now told me to tell y'all that he says, "hi". His friend Dylan that is a patient here, too showed Rick the pink zebra striped socks he was wearing today. Rick looked at him and said, "I wish I had 2 pair of 'em"...and hopefully y'all already know the punch line to that joke!
Well, time to get Rick in bed. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement...please keep praying for Rick.
Love,
Rick and Crystal
Rick's day was good. He got a little upset while I was gone because he needed something, but noone could tell what he was trying to say. I know that's got to be frustrating. He was fine when I got back. In OT he worked on putting on his "cowboy shirt"...the blue wrangler snap shirt. He did really good getting it snapped. In one of the group sessions they played a game called "Buzz Word". The first buzz word was "old"...so every answer had the word old in it. Rick knew the following ones and the others in the group didn't:
The name of a movie about a boy and his dog-----Old Yellar
The name of the card game where the queen left does not have a match----Old Maid
The name of the geyser at Yellowstone National Park----Old Faithful
I was pretty impressed. He ate supper, had a shower, and is now looking over my shoulder as I type this blog...he's really interested in what I have to say about him. He just now told me to tell y'all that he says, "hi". His friend Dylan that is a patient here, too showed Rick the pink zebra striped socks he was wearing today. Rick looked at him and said, "I wish I had 2 pair of 'em"...and hopefully y'all already know the punch line to that joke!
Well, time to get Rick in bed. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement...please keep praying for Rick.
Love,
Rick and Crystal
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
DAY 219
In PT this morning Rick walked on the treadmill. He walked better than I've ever seen him walk before. His left leg hardly scissored at all and his steps were so good. He can see himself in the mirror when he's walking on the treadmill, and he really concentrates and watches himself walking. He took at total of 213 steps with a break about halfway through. In ST, Meredith wanted to get him outside of the office. He talks really good in an environment without any distraction, but outside of that office he doesn't do as well. So, today she brought him to his room, with the radio playing, his pictures, me and another therapist there to provide some distraction. He handled it pretty good. He loves to tell people about the pictures he has, especially the ones that Marilyn Cheatham took of him at the Remuda Sale at Pitchfork in '08. He worked on dressing in OT, had a case managment group meeting, did the standing frame for an hour, and then played a game of Scattegories. I helped during Scattegories, but he came up with a couple of good answers. During Rick's case management group on of the PT's was taking a group over to the park to play kick ball, but needed one more person. So, I volunteered to go play. It was really a lot of fun...but I can tell I've done nothing for 7 months.
We had visits today from Ginger Elliott, and Mary Lou and Jennifer. Ginger came by at lunch and of course understands so many things that Rick is experiencing. It was great to see Ginger and catch up on the goings on in Guthrie. Mary Lou and Jennifer came by this evening and gave Rick a hard time. Rick kissed Mary Lou on the cheek before she left...the food here is good, but it's not as good as hers! We miss everyone in Guthrie so much.
Well, I'm about to put Rick to bed and head to L&L's...hoping they have some Aleve I can bum from them...my knees are letting me know they didn't have as much fun playing kick ball as I did!
Love,
Crystal
We had visits today from Ginger Elliott, and Mary Lou and Jennifer. Ginger came by at lunch and of course understands so many things that Rick is experiencing. It was great to see Ginger and catch up on the goings on in Guthrie. Mary Lou and Jennifer came by this evening and gave Rick a hard time. Rick kissed Mary Lou on the cheek before she left...the food here is good, but it's not as good as hers! We miss everyone in Guthrie so much.
Well, I'm about to put Rick to bed and head to L&L's...hoping they have some Aleve I can bum from them...my knees are letting me know they didn't have as much fun playing kick ball as I did!
Love,
Crystal
Monday, January 25, 2010
DAY 217 & 218
So many people were moved by my post on Saturday. I can tell you it was an awesome experience. Sometimes God answers your prayers in the neatest ways. I was only praying to make it through the meal without any major problems, and not only did He make that happen, He made sure that we saw Him...His timing was perfect. I wanted to make it out of Cracker Barrel without crying from fear. I left crying from the kindness shown that was overwhelming...who knew Jesus would be hanging out at the Cracker Barrel? Cade said, "Mama, are those happy tears or sad tears?" Happy, Cade...happy.
The kids left yesterday and even though it's not as hard to say goodbye as it used to be, it's still not easy. We had a visit at lunch today from the Shipps...Doris Ann, Jeff and Coley. If you haven't seen Coley in awhile you will be shocked...he has to be 6 foot at least, and he brought a bag of candy which Rick was happy to see.
Therapy was pretty average today. His mobility and sitting balance are really getting good. We'll probably make another adjustment to the baclofen pump. But we'll go up in smaller increments than we did the last time. There are 2 other patients and 1 therapist here that have baclofen pumps. They are very interesting to talk to.
Looking forward to another great week...hope you have one, too.
Love,
Crystal
The kids left yesterday and even though it's not as hard to say goodbye as it used to be, it's still not easy. We had a visit at lunch today from the Shipps...Doris Ann, Jeff and Coley. If you haven't seen Coley in awhile you will be shocked...he has to be 6 foot at least, and he brought a bag of candy which Rick was happy to see.
Therapy was pretty average today. His mobility and sitting balance are really getting good. We'll probably make another adjustment to the baclofen pump. But we'll go up in smaller increments than we did the last time. There are 2 other patients and 1 therapist here that have baclofen pumps. They are very interesting to talk to.
Looking forward to another great week...hope you have one, too.
Love,
Crystal
Saturday, January 23, 2010
DAY 216
A SATURDAY OUTING TO CRACKER BARREL
Today TLC wanted to take the patients to Cracker Barrel for lunch. I asked Rick if he wanted to go, and he was very adamant...yes, he wanted to go. He wanted to eat a steak and baked potato. We've been on outings before, but I knew this one would be different. When we went to the Tech Museum and to Main Event, our group was pretty much the only people there. I knew Cracker Barrel would be packed on a Saturday, plus eating for Rick is one of the harder things...he still chews very slow, needs help keeping his face & clothes clean, and sometimes needs help manipulating his fork. So, I prayed for this outing to be successful and mainly for Rick to enjoy himself. Manuevering the wheelchair through the Cracker Barrel store and into the restaurant was a bit tricky, but not too bad. We had a lot of people staring and even the kids noticed it...this made me uncomfortable. We were seated as a family, not with the TLC group...that's just how it worked out. We ordered and tried to act as "normal" as possible. Rick did fantastic with feeding himself, I only had to help out a few times and did so as discreetly as possible. Cade sat next to Rick and helped out, too. When it was time to go, I breathed a sigh of relief. The kids went to the restroom so I moved over by Rick and was talking to him when an older couple motioned me over to their table. The man said, "Can I please have your ticket...I'd like to pay for your meal." I was astonished, and caught of guard. "No sir", I said, "you don't have to do that." And he said, "but I want to...I noticed throughtout your meal how caring and loving your family is to him, and I want to buy your meal". I started crying...I was really overwhelmed...guess we weren't as discreet as I thought. I brought Rick over to him, explaining what had happened, and Rick took off his hat, and said, "thank you". I only caught the first names of the couple Marian and Anita. Marian explained that his previous wife had Alzheimers and he had spent years caring for her before she passed away. He said to me, "be sure to take care of yourself" He was so kind. As we moved on, Riley accidently bumped into someones chair, they were quick to apologize for being in the way and then as Riley stood on the porch waiting to go, a woman came over to her and said, "Is that your dad?" And Riley said, "yes ma'am". And she said, "well, you and your family take such good care of him, and I just love it...be sure to always always take care of your parents." The love of God, through the kindness of strangers, shined brightly today.
God Bless You All...and a special blessing to Marian and Anita
Love,
Crystal
Today TLC wanted to take the patients to Cracker Barrel for lunch. I asked Rick if he wanted to go, and he was very adamant...yes, he wanted to go. He wanted to eat a steak and baked potato. We've been on outings before, but I knew this one would be different. When we went to the Tech Museum and to Main Event, our group was pretty much the only people there. I knew Cracker Barrel would be packed on a Saturday, plus eating for Rick is one of the harder things...he still chews very slow, needs help keeping his face & clothes clean, and sometimes needs help manipulating his fork. So, I prayed for this outing to be successful and mainly for Rick to enjoy himself. Manuevering the wheelchair through the Cracker Barrel store and into the restaurant was a bit tricky, but not too bad. We had a lot of people staring and even the kids noticed it...this made me uncomfortable. We were seated as a family, not with the TLC group...that's just how it worked out. We ordered and tried to act as "normal" as possible. Rick did fantastic with feeding himself, I only had to help out a few times and did so as discreetly as possible. Cade sat next to Rick and helped out, too. When it was time to go, I breathed a sigh of relief. The kids went to the restroom so I moved over by Rick and was talking to him when an older couple motioned me over to their table. The man said, "Can I please have your ticket...I'd like to pay for your meal." I was astonished, and caught of guard. "No sir", I said, "you don't have to do that." And he said, "but I want to...I noticed throughtout your meal how caring and loving your family is to him, and I want to buy your meal". I started crying...I was really overwhelmed...guess we weren't as discreet as I thought. I brought Rick over to him, explaining what had happened, and Rick took off his hat, and said, "thank you". I only caught the first names of the couple Marian and Anita. Marian explained that his previous wife had Alzheimers and he had spent years caring for her before she passed away. He said to me, "be sure to take care of yourself" He was so kind. As we moved on, Riley accidently bumped into someones chair, they were quick to apologize for being in the way and then as Riley stood on the porch waiting to go, a woman came over to her and said, "Is that your dad?" And Riley said, "yes ma'am". And she said, "well, you and your family take such good care of him, and I just love it...be sure to always always take care of your parents." The love of God, through the kindness of strangers, shined brightly today.
God Bless You All...and a special blessing to Marian and Anita
Love,
Crystal
Friday, January 22, 2010
DAY 215
Rick just keeps ginnin' right along. He went on an outing again today to the Tech Museum. It had some pretty interesting things, but also some things that didn't interest him at all. When we got back to TLC they started the weekly "community meeting". I left to go meet my Dad and get the kids. When I got back Rick had been voted as "Client of the Week". The patients and the therapists vote each week on which patient they think has had the best week, this week it was Rick.
Devin and Clint Kieschnick came to visit today. Rick was happy to see them, and had to arm wrestle Clint before he left! Tanner also stopped by for a few minutes and Rick reminded him of his prior promise of budlight.
We are now back at L&L's and the kids are playing with the dogs and begging to play the Wii, but I think it's bedtime! Good night and God Bless.
Love,
Crystal
Devin and Clint Kieschnick came to visit today. Rick was happy to see them, and had to arm wrestle Clint before he left! Tanner also stopped by for a few minutes and Rick reminded him of his prior promise of budlight.
We are now back at L&L's and the kids are playing with the dogs and begging to play the Wii, but I think it's bedtime! Good night and God Bless.
Love,
Crystal
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