Live the Lion was created in an attempt to keep everyone up to date on Lance O'Cull and his road to recovery.

Lance was involved in a car accident near Morehead, Kentucky about 30 miles from where we grew up Thanksgiving weekend of 2010. He was airlifted from the scene of the accident to UK Medical Center in Lexington. The doctors told us that they could fix everything below the neck, but his brain was in God's hands. On December 22, after multiple surgeries, Lance was transferred to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia for an intense rehabilitation program.

It was there that Lance began to gradually emerge from a coma. Lance was discharged to home, in Vanceburg on February 17th, to continue his therapy with family.

On March 10th, Lance's 25th birthday, he stood on his feet for the first time in 103 days, with lots of help. On May 11th, Lance was accepted into Cardinal Hill's brain injury unit. There he impressed and amazed our family and friends, as well as his therapists through the progress he made everyday.

Between September 2011 and April of 2012, Lance was back and forth between Cardinal Hill's inpatient program and Shepherd Center's inpatient and outpatient program. He has had a couple minor surgeries to enhance his healing and a baclofen pump inserted to help with the tone in his body.

For the past year, Lance is back in Lewis County splitting his time with both parents. He continues to travel to Ashland 3 times a week and Lexington once a week. He is learning to walk again and we couldn't be more thrilled.

It hasn't been easy, Lance has had some setbacks and tears still fall. But he is up and running this marathon. And we are all running right along beside him.

Most of the blog entries have been made by myself, Chelcee, the big sister, Brock, our baby brother, and Dr. Johnny, our dad. Our goal is for Lance to finish this blog as soon as he is able.

God has been with Lance and our entire family, giving us strength. We give Him the Glory. He is the God of Miracles.



~Chelcee




Thursday, January 13, 2011

3 days in a row?

You may be thinking, wow! Chelcee is updating three days in a row. 
Well, this isn't much of an update, just a couple things I wanted to share. 

First, many of Lance's friends have commented that they didn't have a picture of themselves and Lance. When Lance traveled to Rome, he took a picture of himself in front of the Coliseum and added this picture to facebook. Lance's caption is under the picture.
If ever you have wanted to go to the coliseum with me, just cut yourself in~ I dont mind
[He had this very situation in mind--that of friends being neglected either of sharing a photo-frame with him or never visiting ancient Roman architecture.  This takes care of both problems, sort of. -brock's edit] Our friend, Alison photoshopped herself in, with the help of Matt. She included it in an email she sent. I thought it was an excellent idea. 
If you would like to do the same, CLICK HERE!
If you perhaps, don't like to travel, don't worry... There will be plenty of photo opportunities in the future. :)

      We had another visitor today, our long-time friend, Chuck Perry. He was the minister at Tollesboro Christian Church when my Dad was in high school and college. He is currently ministering at Peyton Lick and working with Mission Journeys. Some of you may recognize him as the guy on the floor with all the cameras at the UK basketball games. He's an excellent photographer for the University of Kentucky sporting events. This picture came out dark because Chuck insisted on posing by the window in hopes of getting a glimpse of the snow. In Georgia. 
Lance was sleepy today. He slept through his shower and most of the morning. But this afternoon, he had his eyes open. When Dad called to talk to Lance, he anticipated it by reaching for the phone! 
Also, the wound vac is off. Lance had a severe wound on his left leg. A wound vac was placed the first week at UK. Yesterday, they decided it could come off. This is very exciting. It's our impression that once the wound vac comes off, a decision about a skin graft can be made. After they decide whether or not to go ahead with a skin graft, Lance will be able to move to a smaller trach or even a complete trach takedown.

My Dad and Gena are visiting with Ted and Holly Gilbert this evening. 
Ted will probably update the facebook page later, but this is what I know now.
Shannon laughed at her mom today. She is becoming more mobile in the bed, by holding on to the rails and attempting to lift herself up. 
The doctors are referring her to Cardinal Hill for rehab. 
I'm so excited for her recovery!
That's all for now.
God Bless!
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2 comments:

  1. MarilynJanuary 17, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”
    “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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  2. MarwaJanuary 17, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    thank you for updating us! it really means a lot!
    I am Marwa from Tunisia, I met Lance in Turkey's Summer camp back in June 2009, we had so much fun,he was kind of THE guy in a group of gals from all over the world, we used to spend all the day together, he was the only guy to have spent so much time in the girls' house. and since then we have been in touch via facebook. I pray for him everyday, I cannot wait to have him awake again, to amaze the world with superb ideas, thoughts and deeds. Lance, know that even if you are now 'taking a nap' you still amaze me.

    PS: show him the pic plz I sent you chelcee:p

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