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




Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Lance Preparation On Many Fronts

Lance was kept busy on Monday with a few diagnostics due to some swelling in arms during the weekend.  X-rays and ultrasound evaluation demonstrate that all seems ok so plans can proceed.  A new cast was fabricated for left arm; the purpose of all the casting is to stretch muscles and fight against limited movement due to prolonged shortening of muscle tissue.  These are uncomfortable to him because his muscles want to bend arm while cast holds arm straight.  He continues to wear bi-valves on legs and a soft splint on right arm at this time; these are secured in place from 8 PM to 8 AM daily.

During a time of frustration on Monday morning, Jill reports that the therapists positioned his wheelchair in front of the FES bicycle.  This time, just to see what would happen, no electrodes were connected to his legs to stimulate muscles.  Guess what happened.......he started pedaling and continues to pedal for 26 minutes!!!!  The rest of the day was filled with physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

In Vanceburg, his bedroom was being prepared with removal of carpet and laying of linoleum.  Measurements were made and materials ordered to construct ramp.  Many calls were being made to arrange home health, physicians, and other needs, once he arrives back in Lewis County.  After work  Chelcee, Gena, and I started toward Ashland to look at a wheelchair accessible van; with  snow covered roads looking dangerous, we reconsidered about 5 miles up the road, turned around and returned home.

-John
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6 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    26 minutes on the bicycle sounds really good. Still praying for Lance and each one of you.

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  2. MarilynFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    That bicycling is awesome!! Keep it up, Lance!
    Praying for you all,finding the van, continued healing and improvements for Lance and most of all a daily spiritual renewal.

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  3. AliciaFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Keep up the great work Lance. Continued prayer for improvements!

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  4. karenFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    Fantastic! a lot of us might have a hard time riding that long!! Hope the weather gets better so you all can get your preparing done. they are saying Monday it will be 50's or 60 even! I think it will be so wonderful for Lance to be home and in a familiar place once again, as they say there is no place like home and I feel with all my heart that it will help him completely evolve! and just to make sure were all gonna keep hoping and praying for just that!! Take care and be careful in your travels.

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  5. AnitaFebruary 9, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    More great news for Lance. Awesome job on the bike Lance! I can only imagine how excited you are to have Lance back home and I'm sure a little scared too without the saftey net of all the medical staff being around 24/7; but, you guys will do great and Lance will improve and recover at an even faster rate being in familiar surroundings and being with even more family and friends. Daily thoughts and prayers continue for both Lance and Shannon and they are being answered.

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  6. BobbieFebruary 9, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Wow what great improvements! Praying for Lance and each one of you! Always in my thoughts and prayers!

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