After two months it is hard to believe that I am actually here. Am now busy with a variety of programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and am learning to use adaptive tools like Dragon Software which would give me the ability to use the computer by voice activation. I am also learning alot about my injury and Robin and I are getting alot of training in how to manage me going forward. Our overriding goal right now is to be able to have me go home at the end of my rehab. There are things that need to happen around the house to be able to do that. So, we (especially Robin) are trying to work through the options - needless to say it is overwhelming. I appreciate the support you all have given through your cards, gifts, and posts to this blog. Just yesterday I was able to use the computer to view the posts. I can never express how much they have lifted my spirits. Thank you and we will keep you posted on my progress.
P.S. My trach has been removed, only a bandage on my throat remains.
What a great goal to be able to go home after Rehab. I know you will be committed to your Rehab:) Happy to know you are sporting tennis shoes, my personal favorites. More progress with the trach out that is great news. I know you have a lot of work to do but you have a great support network. I will keep praying for you and your family. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteJohanna one of your Groupie friend's
Nice to hear from you Rick! Best wishes in your rehab & transitional efforts. Room 468 will definitely be a "happening" place! As a show of support, I would encourage all of us to focus on improving at least one thing in our lives while Rick rehabs away. Whatever it is, make it happen, and call it a "Ricky". Bill
ReplyDeleteWow. It's great to hear from you, Rick. Am going to try to stop by this Sunday and say "Hey."
ReplyDelete--Marcus
How lovely to have your words! So thrilled at the progress you have made!
ReplyDeleteShira
Hi Robin and Rick,
ReplyDeletePlease keep Steve and I in mind as you put together your "to do" list. We would love nothing more than to be able to help. We are all looking forward to the day you get to come home. I'm so impressed that you are managing these entries now. Hats off to both of you! Take care. Cindy & Steve
Rick, so good to hear from you, we miss you, keep up the hard work!
ReplyDeleteTracy
Rick and Robin- it's amazing that we could live only a few doors away and not know about the momentous things going on in our friends and neighbors lives... We only heard today of the battle you-all have been facing. Please keep us as a resource... Denis retired a year ago, and is so good at building that we will be passing along our contact numbers for the remodels, rehabs needed. You know we have had challenges in our past, and care-taking and hospital living are very familiar.. being only minutes away we can help with some of those 'lifting moments' that just suddenly will occur when you get home. Our love to you, Denis and Lorrie Sjoquist (Lorrie's phone: 206-499-7131)
ReplyDeleteWay to go Rick!! I knew you were an amazing guy and with your great sense of humor you will be out of rehab and home befor you know it!
ReplyDeleteMiss you and your emails with crazy requests that were needed yesterday! Keep up the great work!
LaDonna
Rick; It is so good to hear "your voice". I am so happy about the progress you are making. Pamela
ReplyDeleteRobin and Rick - It is truly a joy to hear from Rick himself, and to witness your loving partnership in the wonderful goal of heading home. We at OSPI hope that you know we are thinking of you each day with love and support. Your determination and hard work are truly inspirational.
ReplyDeleteRobin Munson
Rick/Robin - The gift of voice! So good to "hear" from Rick. The gifts will continue. Sometimes the gifts will be big in-your-face-right-now gifts, and sometimes the gifts will be overlooked and only found when one looks back. My wish for you both is an abundance of these gifts every day. Michele Kemper
ReplyDeleteRick and Robin It really was good to read a post from Rick. Your are in our thoughts often. We are very excited to hear about your progress. Larry and I are available to help however we can to help you reach your goal of coming home. Larry and Faith
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back On-Line, which is more than I can say for our network today. :) Get better Rick and keep the faith. Jim K.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick and Robin,
ReplyDeleteI just want to say how gratified and impressed I am with how you are both doing. Robin, my heart and thoughts go out to you each and every day. Rick, I am so amazed at your incredible determination and resoluteness of spirit.
My very best wishes to you.
Katrina Clark
The rehab unit means you will be going home! The staff works very hard to help you accomplish that goal! They will wear you out, in a good way. So, hang in there. Tina was Cameron's go to nurse during his stay-her nieces and nephews went to the Shelton View. A very small world!
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear from you personally. You, your family and the members of your department are in my daily thoughts and prayers. So glad you are progressing towards rehab.
ReplyDeleteKeep the posts coming. Those of us that are so far away really, really need them. You are such an inspiration to us all.
Debbie Hale
It's so great to hear from you! I hope you know how much we miss you around here. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask about you or tell me how wonderful you are to work with.
ReplyDelete-Adrienne
Rick, as tears stream down my face reading your words, I remember the pain I felt for your family as Doug and I stood beside you that day in the hospital room just before your son's wedding. In my mind I thought, how can this happen to a family, much less to a family that I don't even know? I walked out of that hospital room in utter sadness and wonderment of what I could ever to do help ease the burden.
ReplyDeleteI know that not one of us on our own can take your burden away, but as a whole standing in your stead and praying for healing, miracles can happen. I know that I have witnessed a miracle. Rick, keep up the fight. Robin, keep filling him with love that radiates way beyond yourself.
Penny Carey
Hi Rick,
ReplyDeleteIt's very good to see that you are making progress with rehab now. And since I find it hard to find appropriate words of encouragement of my own I borrow somebody else's that I came across recently (see below). We are all so proud of your courage, patience and acceptance of your situation. Keep it up,
Irmgard at Symetra
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
~ Unknown
Well hello Rick! (and of course Robin =) So glad things are going well and being home is in the future. I am jealous that the hospital and staff will get to enjoy your awesome sense of humor that we all love so well! Make sure you put me on your list of "helpers" for getting things ready for your homecoming. We are here for anything, even if it is preparing chow for the work crew. Wishing you a speedy rehab and would love to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteMike and Mel =)