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




Saturday, August 6, 2011

well, you must be going to the right church

This blog has been viewed over 100,000 times. I can not even begin to express my gratitude for all of you. For all of your cards and calls, texts and dinners, they have all helped us help Lance.
The past two weeks have been truly amazing.
As most of you know, in early July, Lance was whispering a few words every day. That has certainly continued. He came home from Cardinal Hill on July 11th. We've been busy since then. He is still traveling to Ashland three times a week and to Lexington once a week for therapy. We thought this would wear him out. Nope. He does fine. We are the ones that are worn completely out :)
He has continued to work hard in every therapy session he has been to. The therapist at Kings Daughters have been amazing at helping him. He continues to get stronger in his legs and his arms. He will follow commands better with his right arm and right leg. Even some with his left arm, which we've been so worried about.
One morning about 2 weeks ago, my dad walked in his room and said, Hey Lance, How are you? and Lance said, "I"m fine, How are you?"
Is it ok that I'm italicizing and changing the color of his words? well, I am anyway.
Since then I've pretty much been grilling him. Trying to see who he remembers, how far back he remembers and how recent he remembers.
He knows his birthday. Very clearly, he will say March 10th. 1986 is sometimes muffled. His voice will sometimes be weak. Sometimes the speech is slurred and sometimes he gets tired and doesn't want to talk at all. I asked him how many years were between us, he told me three. I asked him how many years were between me and Brock, he quickly answered six.
He knows all of the months of the year, the days of the week and who the president is. He also answered yes when I asked him if he thinks the questions we are asking him are stupid :)
I started saving simple headshots of friends and family and saving them to the iPad. I've tried to get a hold of everyone to let them know that he can say their name. Among the famous are... Brock (of course, he's his favorite) Ben Harrison, Derrick Reeder, Alex McGlone, Jean McGlone, Chris McGlone, Megan McGlone, Clay Lykins, Brandon McDaniel, Spencer Walters, Jasper LeMaster, Chad Kidwell, Lacey Collins (not Patton), Travis Patton, Corry Eveland, Ashley Cooper, Jared Dixon, Matt Voiles, Randy Lucas, Patrick Barker, Trish Murphy, Doug Boyd, Aaron Kegley, Mary Rohrer, Chase Plummer, Colton Halverson, Kaylee Cooper, Daniel McClurg, and Mike Halcomb.
also... Bill Clinton and John Coltrane.

Lance had an appointment with a neurologist last Thursday. It turned out to be quite a long day, with an extended time in their lovely waiting room. We went through a facebook album of one of his classmates from Patterson. He told me a name for almost every person in the album. I showed him the famous Kinneydip picture from the new years day of 2010 and I asked him where it was, he answered, Kinney. I think that all of this information is still in Lance's head. He just needs some help getting it all out. Once we finally were back to see the doctor, he was certainly amazed that Lance had been nearly comatose for so long and then began talking after 7 months. After Lance told him his name and birthdate, the doctor said "well, you must be going to the right church."
Thats right. We are. Good things are happening.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and continued support. and Give God All the Glory!

12 comments:

  1. Woo hoo!! Made my day, my week, and my month. I will be offering a big praise report at church tomorrow!! Thanks for updating us. GOD IS GREAT!

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  2. I stand amazed in our God again!!! I love standing amazed at all He does! Thank you God for what you have done for Lance and all of us!

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  3. So so happy for Lance and especially for all of our family who have been working so hard with him. God Bless all of you and thank you so much for the update. It truly reminds all of us that life is precious and with God and Prayer all Things are Possible....

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  4. What Such wonderful news!!!! I am so glad to hear about Lance's progress!! 'wonders never cease , and Miracles happen every day! I think you have a "wonder" and a Miracle! As always our thoughts and prayers are with you all!!! Karen Killen

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  5. Praising the ONE who knows every word,even before we speak it!

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  6. So good to hear this...PTL!

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  7. Lance, I'm so glad to see you improve. You're an amazing person. I (started to put hope, but instead I will use the word know) KNOW you will continue to improve and impress everyone. How I know you already have and God is on your side. Dianna Elliott

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  8. Through my tears, all I can think of is: Glory unto the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, 'tis now and ever shall be. Amen, amen.

    Keep going, Lance. We love you.

    Anita

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  9. Praise the LORD!!!!

    I read this blog regularly to keep up to date on how he's improving. Lance is one patient who truly touched my heart. I'll never forget him!

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  10. WE are so glad to hear this news...Patrick had told us he was talking...just didn't realize to what extent. As I said before....God is showing you light at the end of the tunnel!! Our thoughts and prayers for Lance each day.....
    Carol & Steve

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  11. This is great news! Give Lance our love!

    Karissa and the gang at KY Refugee Ministries

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  12. I knew Lance when he lived with Jasper and Brandon over on Waller- I've been keeping track of his progress and am SOOO THRILLED to see how wonderful he is doing. I send all my best to your family- and thank you for your posts!

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