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




Monday, April 11, 2011

looks like its just me...

Brock has been super busy the last several weeks with school and trying to come home to visit with Lance every chance he gets and of course, music. Dad has gone back to work, working at least 4 days a week. So, it looks like its just me left to blog. If you know me, you know that I am always busy. With everything that has been going on with Lance, it seems that my life just became more busy.

Lance is doing great. We have continued with just standing and pivoting him instead of using the hoyer lift to get him in and out of bed. It gives him the extra exercise every day. The other day, I told him that I was tired and I really needed him to help stand up. Usually we count to 3 and then stand up, however, he was already on his feet before I even started counting. I think he really knows whats going on. He is becoming more attentive to the iPad and a couple music apps thats we've downloaded. Such as, a bongo drum, a piano and a guitar. He always moves his fingers and sometimes reaches out for the screen.

Lance has had several visitors this week. Old friends and college friends. I haven't been able to be there for most. But Dad has told me that he thought Lance really enjoyed them. Today, mom told me that Lance was trying to turn over. I haven't seen him for 4 days, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow, to see what all has changed.

There are so many people to thank every single day. People who are still... sending cards, and emails. and bringing food. and doing anything they can do to help. We can't express our gratitude enough.

Also... tshirts.
ok, so if you came to the zumbathon and you ordered a red Dance 4 Lance shirt, they are here. I'm pretty sure that I've delivered them to everyone that ordered.
If you ordered a tshirt after the zumbathon, from Tara Lewis, at the Dental Office, or if you sent me an email or a facebook message, you were ordered a Live the Lion shirt, shown on the right.
I think that I've spoken to almost everyone about this. If I missed you, I'm so sorry.
The final order will be placed on this Friday. April 15th. No need to have money by then, but I need to have a final number for Impact to make them.
The smallest we can order is a child's extra small, which is a 2/4.
You can email me at chelceeocull@gmail.com with your size or if you have any questions.
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4 comments:

  1. AnitaApril 11, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    So glad to hear Lance is continuing to improve. He is a fighter and, although the road to recovery may be a long one, Lance will come out on top. Prayers are being said daily.

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  2. LoidaApril 11, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    I am glad to know Lance continues forward in his recovery. Long road, but the Lord is good and faithful. I encourage you as a family and I know is not easy to hold on to the Lord and do not lose faith. There is light at the end of the tunnel, focus in it, the thing is that you do not know when you will come out but you are moving towards it. I am talking by experience and the strength and knowledge the Lord gives you, if you ask of Him, is marvelous!
    Blessings to all.

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  3. MarilynApril 11, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    I feel so bad that I haven't been by to see Lance. I promise I will get there!! It's great to hear about his progress. I know that he is working very hard to recover his abilities, and tell him to keep on sustaining. As for the shirts, I believe I ordered 2 of the gray, one large and one medium. Hopefully when I drop by, I will have the money with me.
    All my love and prayers continue for your family.

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  4. UnknownApril 14, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    I'll try this again. Wouldn't work for me the other night. Anyway I just wanted you to know Chelcee how much I admire your dedication to your brother. I feel that soon he will be able to tell you he loves you and to thank you. I pray for heach of you nightly. Love,Martha Long

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