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 22, 2011

Short Update

Lance needs your prayers tonight ( I know you have already been offering) as he is in UK Medical Center.  He arrived about 4:30PM and I will fill in more details later.  The current status is that he is heavily medicated for pain; the working diagnosis is an obstruction in his intestine.  The doctors of the Blue Team (Lance's original physician team here at UK in the weeks following the accident) are currently reviewing test results so that we can get diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

9:00PM update - Lance received great attention here at UK as soon as he arrived.  The Blue Team docs were in the room quickly; he had been moved directly from the ambulance, through the halls, up the elevator, and into his room.  They are trying to remove gastric contents (draining stomach), and therefore relieve pressure, and hopefully this problem may correct itself - without surgery.  They have taken another x-ray with contrast media in the stomach and it yielded desirable result - that the tube that goes into stomach is positioned properly.  Now the tube has been sutured into position and we wait (for a day or two?) to see if this problem resolves.  The good news is that there seems to be a fair chance that he may avoid another surgery at this time.  Another surgery at this time would be a setback in his recovery, but a non-surgical resolution would not have such significant impact. It was great to see Carly, one of our fav nurses when we were here before and Leslie, another nurse at the hospital who is a lifetime friend and showed tremendous hospitality during December.  They stopped by the room briefly, as did Trish, to say hi.

Thanks to all of you prayer warriors. Those prayers are powerful and appreciated; they are making the difference.  During this time they truly are the greatest gift.  Thanks for all offers their help; we appreciate so much, the love you show.
-John
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3 comments:

  1. CindyFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Praying to the ONE who knows our words before they are even formed on our lips and WHO knows the source or Lance's current problems...

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    I've been praying for Lance and the rest of the family. For strength and health to the ones helping and for Lance's recovery. When I saw Lance in the cafeteria at Shepherd he brought so many memories of my Danny, that's why I had to go to your table and introduced myself. I've been there, I feel for you and understand what you are going thru and the Lord is the only one that can sustains us and understand our feelings. Even though we met briefly it seems to me that I have know you and you are part of my family. May the Lord gives you peace, strength and hope and may He guide the doctors that are taking care of Lance at this time in the valley, soon you will be on your way up to the peak of the mountain. Blessings, Loida from Atlanta.

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  3. MarilynFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    I am sorry to hear that Lance has been in pain and had to go back into the hospital. As a parent, seeing your child suffer is heartbreaking to say the least and we would gladly take their pain and make it our own if we could.
    I look on this as a small detour on Lance's road to recovery and I know he will be back on track very soon.
    I pray that God will hold you all very close tonight and comfort you.
    "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

    So I pray that God will meet Lance's needs tonight and that he is able to return home soon.
    Love to you all,
    Marilyn

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