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!!!