Monday

I didnt see Richard today because Im working. However he called me tonight and we talked for about 15 minutes. He read me his journal entries today. He has to write down once an hour what he does to help work on his memory. He said they are going to let him cook mac n cheese this week and eat it. He is really excited about that. He also said that Jose (case manager) told him he could leave on the weekends on a "field trip" with family. Im not sure what that entails but if they let me bring him to my house on a Saturday, Ill let everyone know. It would be nice for people to stop by and see him to encourage him. He really needs encouragment right now. He is tired of therapies and just wants to come home. He doesnt understand that its not safe yet for him to leave. He said he has no patience and thinks he is all better. As for anyone who wants to visit him at FINR, I would call me first (941-628-6206) so I can give you directions and make sure he is there and not in therapy. Also, it takes approx. one hour to get there-FYI!

Birthday Party

Yes, we are having a party for Christies 16th birthday. It will be the weekend of July 28th. More details later if anyone wants to come. A lot of family is flying in to be there and Richard is currently planning the party. He has ideas in mind so we are going to let him do what he wants! He did mention he wants lots of balloons.

Sunday

Today was really cool. Philip brought his laptop so Richard could get on the internet. We showed him a picture of his house and he remembered that. He still doesnt remember my house though. We showed him a map of Florida so he knows where he is. He had never heard of Wauchula so he didnt know where it was in regards to Port Charlotte. Then Philip logged on to his email and Richard sent out an email to everyone at the CCSO. He was really emotional trying to put his thoughts to words. He cried the whole time he wrote it. After that we played cards for a while. We left at dinner time. He said he had visited Christie this AM and she was more alert than before. He is really excited for her to get better.

Saturday

Sorry I havent written in a while. Wednesday and Thursday I had school. Friday, I had someone here working on my house so I couldnt leave. I went up today and hung out with Richard. He was excited when I got there. He had just started a scrabble game with the RSA's so I joined in. It was really enjoyable. We were cracking jokes and arguing if words were really words. When we were done, the whole building went to the cafeteria and we all played BINGO. There was a prize table so if you won, you picked. I won twice and Richard won once. Then it was almost time dinner time. I gave Richard a 'spa' treatment which consisted of me cutting his fingernails and toenails, trim his nose hairs, his rogue eyebrow hairs, and rogue ear hairs. We laughd the whole time. I told him of things he used to do when he first starting "waking up" the really funny things. He kept saying, why did I do that? or why did I say that? He told me about his morning. Breakfast was 'okay' Lunch was pizza chopped into little pieces "pretty good" Andthe highlight of his day......... Irv Hopkins and his wife came to visit. He was totally thrilled and honored that "someone would drive that far to come see me" A group of us are going up tomorrow. We'll update then.

Tuesday

I went up first thing this morning with Philip and my friend Rene. My mom and Dave were already there. He was just finishing up speech therapy when we arrived. We went and visited Christie for a little while. She gave me a kiss. It was really cool. She looks wonderful without her trach. Both of her eyes are open and she moves her head all around. Richard came over with her also. He got up and gave her a hug and a kiss. For morning therapy he had to walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes. Then he had stretching of the shoulder where he singing the dhoulder song (you have to be there). Then we played kick with a beach ball for 15 minutes. By then it was lunch time. Richard did his usual, Im not hungry thing, but his therapist wasnt having it. She pushed him until he ate 1/3 of his plate. We told some jokes during lunch. He was actually laughing. It made me laugh because he was so amused with himself. After lunch we played UNO for 30 minutes in the common room. Poor Rene never won! We wheeled him over to his OT. He hates the 130 session because they stretch his shoulder and it hurts. So he has decided to call it torture instead of therapy. And instead of her being the occupational therapist, she is the occupational terrorist. We left after that therapy. He was headed to his room for an hour nap before his next therapy. We saw Christie again before we left. She was in the chair and looking all around. Its nice to see both eyes open.

Our Weekend

This is Richard's mom & Dave. We arrived Friday and spent the weekend with Richard and Christie. Let's start with Christie's update. When we arrived Friday, we went to visit Christie and was amazed at how she looked. She was more alert and moving her arm and head more than she was before. She would turn her head toward us and her mother Becky. Saturday when we went to visit Richard, he wanted to go visit Christie. We wheeled him to see her. While we were there he bent down to give her a kiss and when he did Christie actually pursed her lips and put her mouth on his cheek and actually KISSED him. This was such an exciting moment for Richard and everyone there. She kisses him whenever he gets close enough to her now. We were also privileged to get kisses from her also. Sunday she slept most of day, possibly because of having so many visitors. Monday she had a doctor's appointment and we didn't get to see her that morning. Later on that afternoon when she returned, we went to see her and discovered that the doctors had removed her trach and also her IV line from her hand. They are also feeding her through her peg tube straight into her stomach instead of a continuous IV feeding. When Richard saw her without her trach he was so excited and sat next to her on the bed and gave her a big hug and kiss. She returned the kiss and was real loud when she did it so there was no mistake about what she had done. Her Great Grandparents were there on Sunday and had a good visit with her.

Richard was in good spirits Friday when we arrived and was excited to see us both. He wanted us to join him for supper so off we went. When we got back he was really tired because he had rigorous therapy on his shoulder. He laid down and we all watched TV with him. Saturday he was still sore and was exhausted. He still wanted to go visit Christie so we wheeled him over to the SMRC building to see her. We were able to visit with Christie on the porch for a while and then it started to rain hard. Richard had to get back to the Dogwood Bldg. so I wrapped him in plastic garbage bags so he wouldn't get too wet and cold and off we went running through the rain and puddles. When we arrived at his bldg. the room assistant was ready with a towel and we dried him off and changed his clothes and got him into bed to warm up. Later on that day we played monopoly with another client and her mother. While we were playing he had a visitor. It was Cecelia and her sister. We all had a good visit and had supper. We left soon afterwards. Sunday Richard had a real bad headache and was not able to shake it. He tried so hard to keep us company but ended up sleeping most of the time. Then his grandparents came and he got up to play cards with them but had to stop after a few hands because of his headache. We put him back to bed. He pretty much stayed there most of the time. When we arrived on Monday he had already had his breakfast but was not feeling good. He was sort of out of it all day until around three o'clock. He still went to his therepies but could not put his all in it. He did however walk for his therapy all the way to the fishing pier and back and then had to go up and down the steps three times. He was really whipped after that but he managed to do it. Then we played a version of volley ball with a beach ball. We played charades at his three o'clock therapy and had a real good time. He is very animated when he wants to be. The reason why he was so tired and sore all weekend is because they have doubled the amount of therapies. We will see him and Christie in the morning for a couple of hours then we will be on our way home. Angie and Philip will be taking over that morning after we leave. Please keep Christie and Richard in your prayers. We would like to thank everyone who have helped all of us and for the many prayers and good wishes sent to them. God bless you all for your kindness.

Help If You Can

Many of you know that Richard wont be able to live on his own when he is discharged from the rehab center. He still will require outpatient rehab, must learn how to drive again, and learn to be financially repsonsible for himself. These are just to name a few. I only have a small two bedroom home that will not accomodate his needs. After much prayer (and a huge step of faith) Philip and I have decided to add an addition to our house. We are going to convert out big garage into a in-law type suite so he can have the supervision he needs however the privacy he deserves. I have a gentleman from our church who is going to oversee this for me. If anyone has any expertise in this area or knows someone that will be willing to help with time and materials please call me. (628-6206) We will be doing things such as windows, doors, running new electricity and lighting, framing walls, drywall, painting, a phone line, and running air conditioning to that area. Im sure there are more things that I dont know about. Im confident we can accomplish this before he comes home which will be approx. two months from now. Please help us bring him home!
Also I want to personally thank everyone that has helped us tremendously till this point. People came out to help us move Richard from his house. People have provided places for my family to stay.People have feed us great meals since we are constantly on the go and have no time to cook. Someone provided a storage space for Richards belongings until he needs them again. The money raised from various fundraisers will be greatly used for medical bills since they have already surpassed $1,000,000. (before insurance) Mostly thank you for your daily prayers. I know there are a lot of people feverently praying for our needs daily and Im forever thankful.
Many people have asked about pictures of Richard. I have, for quite sometime, wanted to post pictures of Richards recovery along the way. We take weekly pictures and videos so one day he will see just how far he has come. However, after discussion with my family, we feel that it would not be appropriate to post them online. His journey through this has been a constant struggle and is a very personal issue. Therefore, we choose to respect his privacy. Please continue to pray!!!

Saturday

I havent seen Richard or Christie for two days. My mom and step dad have been with him. On the weekends Richard kind of chills out because he doesnt have therapy so they have just kind of hung around. My mom did say that today they were outside and got caught in a rain storm. They covered him with a trash bag and pushed him back to his building somewhat wet. Becky is here with Christie so Im sure when she returns to SC she will update everyone on her own website. Im going up tomorrow so Ill write again then.

Thursday

I spent part of the day with Richard and Christie today. When I got there Richard was finishing up one of his therapies. He was excitied to show me his new home. So off we went to his new place. Its really nice. He showed me around. He said he loves the chef at the new building. Says the food is better there than the other building. I told him it was probably because he is eating regular food now, its better. But his Patient care Tech said she thinks it better there also. He said he had pancakes for breakfast with maple syrup and the chef cut them into little bite size pieces for him. He said the cream of wheat was bland so he got some mixed fruit pieces and mixed it together and it was good. He had an hour before his next therapy so we played cards in the common area and talked. He expressed to me that he hopes he can return to work soon. He said he enjoys his job and worked really hard to get where he was. He doesnt want to lose that. He got some mail today and was excited. He opened the two cards and read them aloud to me. If anyone wants to send mail here is the address
FINR-Dogwood FINR-SMRC
Richard Martel Christie Martel
1962 Vandolah Rd SAME AS OTHER
PO Box 1348
Wauchula, FL 33873

Just be advised that FINR reads Richards mail (at my request) before he gets it just in case they think its something that would upset him.
Christie was in the gym doing therapy when I got there. I watched for a little while. I found her later in her room. She appeared to be sleeping so I just sat with her. Her room is so decorated with stuff. It looks great.

Wednesday

I did not go to FINR today, I had to work at EMS. They did call me and tell me that they moved him to Dogwood (the step down facility). I asked his case manager how he took it and he said Richard loved his room and the TV (its a 42 inch flat screen). Jose (his case manager) asked him if he wanted to come back to the other building (as a joke) and Richard said Hell No! Apparently he likes it. He will have to adjust to the structure program over there. He isnt allowed in his room until after dinner. He has choices to occupy his time with. They do an adult education program tailored to where you are in recovery. His choices will probably be computer lab or woodworking for one hour a day. Well see how he likes it! Im going tomorrow after I get out of school.

Tuesday

Christie wasnt there today. She went to the hospital for some tests. When I got there Richard was in her room leaving her a note. It was cute, he put it on her pillow. They really pushed Richard in his therapies today. He walked 15 minutes on the treadmill and rode the bike for 10 minutes. He complained but did great. We had our monthly meeting about him. It was a good pow-wow. He has made it very far. He will move to the other building probably tomorrow. He had a sense of humor today. He kept sticking his tongue out at people. I made fun of him and he gave me the finger. He cracked a couple of jokes. And he won RummyCube and had to do a victory dance. He stood up and got his groove on. I wish I had a camera. By 4pm he was exhausted. He didnt get an afternoon nap because I shaved his head. He didnt like his hair long so I brought clippers and cut it. They also progressed his diet to soft mechanical which basically is the same food he has had but it actually looks like food not ground up puree. He might eat more now because it will look appetizing. Have a great day everyone!! Thanks for reading!

Sunday

I spent yesterday and today with Richard and Christie. Yesterday, Richard and I went for a long walk with 'Mama' and then we played Bingo. After dinner, he wanted to take a nap, so I left. It was a great visit. Christie slept, she felt really hot with a fever. The nurse said although she has a fever, her lungs sound good. Her arm isnt as swollen as its been.
Today, we got there and Richard was sleeping. We woke him up and he said he wanted to sleep for an hour. So we went with Christie. The nurse said Richard was in there earlier and Richard called Chrisite's name and she turned her head towards the noise. Then the nurse said she moved her arms around when Richard said something funny. Both of those things might have been coincidence but its cool anyway. She looked good today. Didnt feel hot. Moved her arms around when I touched them and turned her head from side to side. After Richard woke up, we went for a long walk outside. The we played UNO. When dinner came, we all ate together. He ate most of his food. As far as the green tea goes, He is allowed to drink it but I have to put the thickener in it. Richard knows he is moving to the other facility. For those of you who have never been there, its a building down the little street (walking distance from where he is now). He will have to come back throughout the day for his therapies. Its apparently very structured at the other facility. No napping. You are required to be doing something at all times. They try to simulate real life and most people are up and at it most of the day. He is a little freaked out about that. It might take some getting used to.

Friday

I didnt see either of them yesterday. I had to work. Today I had school and intended on going straight home. Richard called me Thursday night and asked me to visit and bring him a pillow and some green tea. When I spoke with him today, he remembered talking to me and asking for those specific items. I thought that was awesome because his memory is not there yet. So, I drove up after class and brought him what he wanted. Unfortunately, he had just fallen asleep. They said he was cranky all day and wanted to nap during the day but they were waxing the floors with a loud machine so he couldnt. I stayed for an hour and he never woke up. I didnt want to bother him soI left him a note and went home. I'll be there tomorrow. I got half way home and realized I didnt see Christie. Brain Fart :) I forgot she was there. Ive had a long day...forgive me!

Wednesday

I spent 8 hours at FINR today. I watched all four of Richard's therapies. He did a variety of jaw and tongue exercises with speech therapy. That goal is to strengthen the mouth and jaw to began eating solid foods. He had a baked potato for lunch and was able to chew that. His physical therapy consisted of walking alot. He went outside and walked around the building twice (its a big building) then they made him play catch with me for ten minutes. He also had to stand up in one spot and balance and play a game for 15 minutes. We played UNO. They did range of motion on his left arm and neck because those are the only two things he isnt moving properly. In the afternoon he had OT which consisted of playing a board game. They try to teach counting, patience, and endurance of his attention span. He did excellent in all of them with minor complaining. After everything was done, he wanted to walk more. Im not sure Im allowed to but I let him get up and I took him out the side door and we went quite a ways. His main goal today was to stay up all day without naping. He is trying to sleep better at night but his "crazy dreams" wake him up. We also has a long talk. His memory is starting to return and its so cool to him. He's amazed with himself when he remembers something. That memory usually sparks another one. We went on for more than hour about growing up. His short term memory still isnt there but its coming along also.
We also visited Christie three times today. Once she was sleeping and he didnt want to bother her. Once she was in the chair and he had a talk with her. Told her it was good for her to be in the chair because laying in bed all day wasnt good for her. The last time we saw her she was in the gym working out (they were doing the working out for her) and he told her to pay attention to what they were doing because soon they would make her do it on her own. :) He told her to work hard to get better like him.
The day before this Philip spent the day with him because I had school. He said they had an awesome day. That he worked hard and ate all his meals. Richard really responds to Philip being there. Its good for him. BIG NEWS: Its not final yet, but they think that Richard can move to the independent living facility next week. He have more freedom and privacy.

Monday

I spent most of the day at FINR. I got there really early and found Richard in the lobby laying on a sofa. He said he drives by it in his wheelchair all the time and always wondered if it was comfortable. I went to all his therapy sessions with him. He does very well but he is very impatient and gets distracted and frustrated easily. You have to redirect his attention to what he is working on. But he completes the tasks and usually gets them all right with a few small mistakes. For physical therapy he had to sit on a ball (balance) and play catch with me. I made him throw it with his left hand because he never uses that one. He argued and there was lots of drama but in the end he did it. His other therapies went well. I get so caught up in how well he does throughout the day when Im there. Then he takes a nap and when he wakes up he thinks its the next day and he remembers nothing...even if the nap was 10 minutes. But they said his short term memory is usually the last thing to come back.
We visited Christie twice today. She looked great. Richard hung out for a while but got emotional so we left. When I left, Christie was in the gym having therapy. It amazes me the things they do with patients even in her condition. They bring her right into the gym with everyone else and start working with her. I watched for a little while but had to leave. Her right eye is completely open now and she looks all around the room. If anyone were to see her for the first time you would probably think she looks bad, but since Ive been with her often...she really does look better than ever. Richard is so concerned with her. She was sleeping and we were in there. She was snoring and he kept asking her was she okay and asked me why she was breathing like that. I told him she was fine. If she moved a little bit he says why did she do that. I said...because she wanted to. He's like a little protective hen. I really precious!

Sunday

I havent seen Richard since Thursday. I've had school the last couple of days. I have checked on him daily by speaking with his nurse. He does seem to retain that Christie was in the accident with him. He has visited her several times in her room. The nurse said he seems to be taking it okay but he does seem depressed. They will speak to the doctor Monday about changing his medications around to fix this before it becomes a problem. He doesnt do therapy over the weekend so he just hung around. Im not sure what bed he is in now. :) I'll be with him all day tomorrow during all three therapy sessions and Ill be able to tell you how far he has come. Also next week, Richard's monthly progression meeting is coming up. Its a meeting where I sit down with everyone who has any contact directly with him from his therapists, case managers. doctors, dietician...etc. They show me where he has come and where he is now. They also show me where they think he will be by next meeting. Its a time to ask questions and share concerns. Im looking forward to that because although I know he has progressed greatly, its nice to look at it on paper and see just how far. Its encouraging for me.

Listen Up

This website was created to update everyone on Richard and Christie's progress during this horrible ordeal. It was created out of love for the both of them. I have never written anything negative or pointed fingers at anyone or anybody that is making this situation harder to deal with. Some people feel the need to take shots at me in the comment section. That is not the purpose of this website. Hundreds of people (from all ages) read this daily because they are truely concerned for their well being. Therefore, if you dont have anything nice to say about their recovery, I would appreciate you dont say it all. Let's concentrate on healing.

Thursday

I just got back from hanging with Richard. He was very confused today. Maybe they had just medicated him, I dont know. After a while he started to make sense though. We went for a chair ride. When we got away from the facility, he wanted to walk. I helped him. He went about 30 feet and back. He said, I feel manly now! When we got back to his room, he informed me he didnt like his bed anymore and wanted to find another one. He walked around and got in another bed (a clean one). I told him that wasnt his bed. He said it was more comfortable and he wasnt getting out of it. Soon he was asleep. When his therapist came to get him she said where is he. I pointed at Richard and all the nurses were laughing. But they said if that one makes him happy, he can have that one. He did great in therapy. It was math and he was mad! He kept saying, I cant do it, its too hard but he was done it in no time. When we returned to his room, he went to that other bed again and got in it. Again I told him it wasnt his bed. He Said "It is now!" and he fell asleep. That was my visit.

Wednesday

Philip spent the day with Richard. He had a dentist appointment this morning. They took the stitches out of his mouth from his jaw surgery because they were really hurting him. They also pulled that tooth that has been bothering him. Now he should be able to start eating better.He mostly behaved. Then he went back to FINR and Philip met him there. Philip said he ate good today. Richard responds great to Philip I guess because he is a guy and he doesnt want to look weak in front of him. Philip also sat down with Richard and explained to him about Christie and the fact she was also injured. We decided this was a good time for this since Christie was transferred to FINR today. We dont want him to run into her and find out that way so this was best. He was very emotional but then moved past the saddness and said he needs to hurry and get better so he can be there for her. Since we are not sure how his memory works yet, he might totally forget by tomorrow so we'll see.
Also, I will no longer be able to update anyone on Christie from here on out. Im sorry for this inconvience!

Tuesday

Okay, the dog is much better. She spent the night in the hospital but is now home. Very bruised and moves slow but otherwise okay. Ive almost moved Richard all out of his house. I have a couple of heavy items I cant move myself. Any offers? I have to do it Thursday or Friday. My mom spent Monday with Christie. She 'slept' the whole time they were there so there is nothing new to tell. I spent Monday with Richard. He is very emotional. Cries without notice. They are working on his meds to try and reduce this anxiety. Cant wait until it starts working. Its very emotionally exhausting to spend a day with him. Today he had an ultrasound of his bladder to make sure the surgery healed. Tomorrow he has a dentist appointment (down here in Port Charlotte) that Philip will meet him at. One of his fillings got knocked out in the accident and the tooth is loose. They both have a long road ahead of them. Keep all of us in your prayers.
PS-Also, a while back someone wrote that Christie had their game card or something. I think I have it. Let me know who it belongs to and what it looks like.

Moms Visit With Richard

Today was a very emotional & exciting day for Richard, Cecelia came to visit him today and he was very excited to see her. He told her that not only was she a friend but now he consided her family. She visited for about an hour. Mom and dave had to take Richard on 4 trips out side in the wheel chair so he could enjoy the sun and the the light breeze, he even had them take him on a 1 mile ride in his wheelchair through the FINR compound. Once we got back, his ribs were really hurting so he took a long deserved 90 minute nap. They still will not let him drink water unless it has been thickend like honey because he still can not drink regular water. The consistency has to be thick. He still has to learn to chew and swallow solid foods. He can walk very short distances with assistance ( a few feet). We are so proud of all the improvements he has made. Richard did talk to his Grandmother today and wished her a happy birthday which is Tomorrow. He did not want Mom and Dave to leave but when they had to, he made them promise that they would be back at 10:00 am and they had better not be late.
We moved Richard out of his house this weekend so he doesnt pay rent while he is recovering. Also....PRAYER REQUEST...Richard's dog (Cheyenne) got out of our yard today and got hit by a car. She is also in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery. Keep her in your thoughts!!!