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, October 20, 2011
if only i had an app for this...
Ok, anyway, we haven't updated in over a month, lets see... what all has happened.
Lance spend a whole month at Cardinal Hill. He was able to walk on the lokomat two or three times a week. Lisa, the therapist that helps him with that was able to make great strides this time in the flexion of his left knee. Physical therapy and occupational therapy (Kelly and Deanna) were working with him on a daily basis, stretching his muscles and helping him with daily activities. Gretchen cleared him for eating! Lance can now eat almost anything. We started with soft, moist foods. However, he can chew most anything. In fact, he has been eating so well, that we no longer have to give him the 7 cans of tube feeding every day through the tube in his stomach. He is down to only 2 cans. Lance was discharged from Cardinal Hill last Friday. Since then he has been eating lots of homecooked meals. Vegetable soup, brown beans and cornbread, meatloaf, etc.... I would say that we will be taking the last 2 cans of tube feeding away soon. He is also taking all of his pills by mouth now :)
Lance has stepped up his singing game quite a bit lately. I can youtube any song I can think of and he can sing it to me. Born to be Wild, Bennie and the Jets, Boy Named Sue. It doesn't matter, he knows the words and sings right along.
We went to church this past Sunday and he sang to all of those songs as well.
Since he is back home, we are back to trips almost everyday. Which is tiring but very helpful for Lance.
So, things are going well. Thanks to everyone who sent me gentle reminders that no one had posted anything in weeks. We appreciate ALL of you sooooo much!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Back to Lex and Cardinal Hill, Here We Go, Go, Go
We witnessed the Cardinal Hill expansion project as it was nearing completion while here from early May through July. Now we are occupants of the new wing - in fact the first to use room #212, as this unit was just opened yesterday. As would be the case, there are many kinks to be worked out in the addition; in spite of that, it is very nice and has many amenities that should make it good for him. We have enjoyed renewing acquaintance with friends made during Lance's first stay. He was restless the first night but has had a good day with assessments from occupational(Kim and Joe) and speech therapy(Karen). During admission we got to see Dr. Nickerson, as well as Kelly - fresh back from her Utah trip. Also this afternoon we spent a couple of hours outside at our Lexington "tailgate party"(in the Cardinal Hill lot). As I type this I am listening to the Cats and Cards do battle at Commomwealth Stadium.....and thinking about how Lance would probably have been there, had things been different. (TV is one of the kinks that I mentioned so I'm tuned into WLAP on my laptop.)
Chelcee and Brock and Sara were able to stop in for visit yesterday. Also Grandma Marlene, Christa, and Mary Corns . Lambert Farmer, a friend from Southand Christian, stopped in this afternoon and Jill was here this evening. So Lance's welcome has been more that adequate and if I know Lance he will quickly adapt to new surroundings. His attitude has been so pleasant - lots of smiles and today a spontaneous shared humorous moment as he and I worked on lyrics for our new song - a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.
Daddy says I gotta go to rehab - I say no, no, no
It' not 'cause of drugs; and man is he glad, don't you know, know know
Headed back to Lex and Cardinal Hill, here we go, go go
Good nurses there and one is Bill - that we know, know, know
I know they'll work me hard on Monday morn
They say everyday seems like a marathon
Like a Lion, I will try to be brave and strong
Life - with all its tears - is really not too long
Gonna put my faith in God - I know that He will save the day, day ,day
I will keep on trusting Him - all along the way, way, way
-John
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
I hadn't posted a picture of Lance yet. Except for when he was walking on the treadmill, but I've stayed away from his face because I wasn't sure how he felt about that. However, I can't help but post this one... He looks wonderful!
Today, my dad loaded Lance up in the convertible and took him for a ride around town. He went to tell our Grandma Betty, happy birthday. Then they drove out to Clarksburg, hoping to run into Mom or Ben, stopped by the dental office and even drove out to the high school.
Since Thanksgiving weekend, Lance has only ridden in a helicopter, ambulances and the handicap accessible fan. The Sebring was a nice change of scenery.
I was wondering this evening if it was scary for him to be back in a car. Especially one without a top. I wondered if he would be anxious. But, Lance continues to impress us all. He seemed relaxed and had a good time.
Lance continues with trips to Lexington and Ashland for therapy every week. They are doing such good things for him. Sometimes, they ask him if its hurting and he says yes. Then, they will ask if they need to stop and he says no. He has such determination. He went back to church again this past Sunday. He is also able to eat more.... homemade ice cream, small pieces of fruit and he is drinking from a cup by himself. Sometimes, I feel like things are slow. But all I have to do is think back to 9 1/2 months ago and then I remember exactly how far he has come and how powerful prayer is.
I'm sleepy... maybe I will update more soon!
-Chelcee
Sunday, August 28, 2011
November 28th to August 28th
The past month has gone well as Lance makes progress through 4 outpatient therapy visits per week-3 in Ashland and 1 in Lexington. His therapists are so special and we appreciate each one; thanks to Amy, Ryan, Leslie, Lacey, and wow Susan, you are so very special to us. During these visits he gets speech, occupational, and physical therapy. He continues to be treated for muscle tone-a common problem for patients like Lance. It is improving. We are seeing movement in the left leg; I praise God for this ,after watching it lay still for 8 months. He can move his right arm/hand much better now and has been eating much more in the past week. One of his favorite things has been fresh peaches from the orchard.
Communication has improved also. We have been surprised at his memory of the past: people, events, important numbers(such as social security number). It is wonderful when he expresses his own thoughts. I had taped a Ben Harper concert and we were watching it Monday evening. I paused it and Gena asked if he was ready for shower; without moving his eyes away from the TV he said "Maybe later." We laughed and watched the concert in its entirety.
Thursdays are for Cardinal Hill; we often run into old friends there as Lance takes his "walk" on the lokomat, supervised by Shelby. Always as the van goes through Lexington, he watches out the window and takes in the familiar sites. He seldom sleeps as we travel and has tolerated the many miles well.
Back to church.......we had discussed church attendance a few times but it was evident that it was a troubling topic for Lance. Three weeks ago, on a Friday evening, we drove to Vanceburg Christian and went inside. Ed and Teresa Bryant were there and we visited with them for a few minutes. Then Lance and I went to the back of the sanctuary and paused behind the back pew as we gazed toward the stage. After a couple of minutes Lance became very emotional.....and cried out. I'm not sure what was going on in his heart during those moments but I know that God was there comforting Lance. I believe Lance felt Him then and that God has made His presence known to him on this journey; I look forward for Lance to be able to tell us about that part of the story. What did Lance remember as he looked over the pews to the front of the room? Was it the beautiful stained glass? (One of my favorite scenes is Jesus holding a small lamb....just like He holds us when we are frail.) Did he recall plays in which he had participated? Did he recall being behind the pulpit when one of the shortest sermons in history was shared, by him? Could he have been thinking about playing music in worship? This was one of his loves and he had stood on that very stage and played his bass guitar to the Lord just seven hours before the crash.
Whatever happened that night, I figure Lance knew best - it wasn't time for him to attend. I continued to raise the question 2-3 times per week and each time the answer was negative.....until this past week. I asked multiple times, to be sure I was not getting the wrong impression; each time the answer was yes. I am thankful tonight that Lance had followed Christ and accepted His grace. The Comforter, I know, will be there meeting his needs from this day forward.
-John
Saturday, August 6, 2011
well, you must be going to the right church
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!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Lance is traveling to Lexington once a week for Lokomat therapy and to Ashland for outpatient therapy, 2 or 3 times a week. We are so excited to meet all of his new therapists and see what they can do to help Lance in his recovery. One, we know and already love, Leslie Weddington!
Since the schedule is so hectic, we ask that if you want to come visit Lance, just get a hold of one of us. He needs lots of rest since most of his time is spent on the road. But I think he has enjoyed people visiting him.
Its been a rough week in Lewis County. I'm asking that you keep both of these families in your prayers. They need renewed faith and strength to get through the days, weeks and years ahead of them.
A couple days ago, a 17 year old volunteer from Chicago drowned in Kinniconick Creek. You can read about it here.
A week ago yesterday, a 16-year old from Garrison, passed away. Drew Riffe. His mom is Tracie, a cousin to my step-mom, Gena. His dad, George and step-mom, Tessa are great friends of mine. Drew loved to ride horses. The day of his burial, 153 horses rode along side him for his last ride here on earth.
To honor Drew, the the Rough Riders Saddle Club of Lewis County will host its July trail ride on July 23rd at George and Tessa Riffes' on Bill Chain Road in Garrison, KY off of Route 3311.
They will be riding the entire Mountain Trail from start to finish, roughly 8 or 9 hours. This is a difficult ride. The ride will start promptly at 9:30am. Riders need to include a trail lunch. A cookout will follow the ride on the Riffe farm at the days end.
Please RSVP to Kirk Collier at 606-541-4207 or Reah Stone at 606-541-5009 or Becky Horsley 606-541-0157.
Directions: If traveling East on AA HWY: Turn right off of AA onto 3311, If traveling West on AA HWY: turn left off of AA onto 3311. Go approximately a mile, and turn onto Bill Chain Road, his place is on the right. Signs will be posted.
I know many of you aren't from Lewis County and won't be able to attend this trail ride, but please keep this family in your hearts and prayers this Saturday.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tour de Lance
In the past few days he has eaten his first food since Thanksgiving weekend. It seems to be going well and Gena cannot wait for him to be home so she can cook some of his favorites. The current plan has him returning home by this weekend; we will start outpatient therapy as soon as consults can be done.
Lance has been trying to get some words out for the past 3 weeks - thanks in a large way to Gretchen, his speech therapist for the past 8 weeks. Jill had seen him move his lips to "mom" and other times we could make out names and phrases "I love you" and "God is good". A week ago Thursday about 6AM he said the first syllable of Chontale, a member of the nursing staff; this was with enough volume that it surprised me. Later that same day he whispered "dad" and I had never heard a more beautiful sound than that faint whisper. Since that time he has said (or attempted to say each of our names). Chelcee asked him "Who is our dad?" and "Who is our mom?" - he quickly whispered "John" and "Jill". That was middle of last week. On Friday he said "Gena" to her. Saturday morning, during a visit from Tom and Karen Cox, he faintly whispered "Tom".
Tonight was really cool. The speech therapist called Lance after she had gone home for the day; Jill was there in the room and answered phone, then handed it to Lance. He whispered "hi" and "bye" to Gretchen. Soon afterward, I called and Lance said those word to me as well. I asked him about Brock(who was also in the room) and he said "Brock" audibly. When you have not heard from someone you cherish for 7 1/2 months, these are big events. We celebrate and give God all the glory for the good that is coming from this experience. We know and trust that God is taking care of Lance, consoling him during fearful times, and providing the Holy Spirit abiding presence so he knows that the Creator of the universe is still watching over his every breath - knowing the number of hairs on his head.
After the phonecall this evening and after watching Stage 9 of the Tour de France earlier today, I felt the compelling need to take a bicycle ride. It was dusk and it was very hot/humid but I jumped on Lance's Felt bicycle which he had purchased with graduation cash he received after earning his Master's Degree at the Patterson School of Diplomacy. I rode 3 miles to one of my favorite spots - the peak of the Ronald Reagan Road. This is a connector road from the AA Hwy to the Black Oak community; it is one mile road and is a decent challenge on a bicycle because of the grade. Just as one begins the descent, you get a beautiful panoramic view of the Ohio River valley. Tonight the sun looked like a bright red molten ball as it dropped over the mountain. I enjoy the beauty of this place for many reasons. Often I would stop as I gazed across the valley and call Lance - he would always give me time to describe what it looked like at that moment. He would say I wish I was there with you, dad......and I felt like he meant it. Tonight seated on his bicycle, listening to his voice, realizing the long and grueling tour he has traveled (and knowing there are many miles left before we arrive in Paris) made me feel him very close. Thank-you, his fans and friends, who line the narrow mountain path and cheer him on each day with your prayers, with your love, with your tears.
An FFH song goes something like this: "This would not be the road I would choose for me; but it still feels right somehow. I have never felt Him as close to me - as I do right now, as I do right now." Him is capitalized because Him is God. Thank you God for victorious days like today. Thanks for being close though, even on days that seem gray.
-John
Monday, June 27, 2011
c'mon baby, do the locomotion
Lance has shown great improvement in almost all areas. There are several coma recovery scales that have been used to measure Lance's consciousness. He is now measuring a 4 on the Rancho scale. Some might say that he is awake... I still have faith that there is more emerging to come.
I mentioned before that during speech therapy, not only are they working towards vocalization, they are working on all kinds of communication. Lance has a mouse that can plug into a computer, its a huge mouse. with a baseball size trackball. And left and right color coded buttons. When you ask Lance to roll the trackball up and down, he does. He can also roll is from left to right. When dad ask him to right click, he follows that command. One day last week, he moved a card on a solitaire board using the mouse. He will also mouth not only single words, but phrases. Such as God is Good. and I Love You. He can count from 1 to 10. So even though he can't move the noise up and out, most of us can read his lips.
Yesterday, Ted and Holly Gilbert came to visit him. Ted taught Lance how to play guitar several years ago. Ted, Lance, Brock, Dad and Kevin Angel were in a band called Joyful Racket. Ted played several of their old songs, and when he played How Great is Our God, Lance mouthed almost every word!
After continuous casting on his arms, botox injections and strenuous stretching, I think that the tone has been broken in Lance's arms. He is able to stretch them out almost straight. His left arm still doesn't do as much as the right. But his hand will squeeze yours. and sometimes he will rotate his shoulder while sitting up. Last week, they began pool therapy for Lance. The warm pool water has really helped in many areas. Lance loves to swim, and we get to get in the pool with him.
A couple weeks ago Lance was eating bites of pureed chicken. However, something has caused his swallowing reflex to decrease. We think this may have been caused by the Botox that was administered to the muscles in his arms. In some rare causes, Botox has been known to temporarily paralyze muscles that are involved in swallowing. So, until that effect wears off, we will be only giving him ice chips.
Back in March and April when we were at home, Lance had great strength in his core. He was able to help us stand and sometimes he even wanted to continue to stand. Because of seizures medication and medicine to help with the tone in his arms, that core strength has been lessened over the past several weeks. However, last Tuesday the therapist decided to see how long he could sit on the edge of the exercise mat with his feet on the floor. They were watching their watches closely, hoping he could make it to 30 seconds. Lance sat perfectly still, with zero support for 30 seconds, then a minute. then two minutes. Then... as more of the staff gathered around, he continued to sit. There were calls being made to the insurance company and all eyes were on him, as he sat upright for 20 minutes!
The other big thing is the Lokomat! The Lokomat is a robot.. sort of. Lance is strapped into a harness and is suspended over a treadmill. More straps secure his shoulders and legs, all of this is hooked up to a computer which assist Lance in locomotion therapy. The machine lets Lance move his legs in a walking motion, but will kick in to help if he gets tired. Its a lot like the FES bike he rode when he was in Atlanta. When they tell him to kick harder, or bring his knee up higher, the sensors on his legs show that his muscles are working.
The first time, Lance walked for 15 minutes, 1421 feet. The second day, 26 minutes. and 4373 feet. I hope all of you can open this video!
Lance is working hard... so, please keep praying for him!!
-chelcee
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
3 More Weeks...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A Ride to Remember: In Memory of Zach Ruble 06.04.11
To pre-register, go to Limestone Cycling League
Sponsored by the Limestone Cycling League and Kentucky Gateway Museum Center in Maysville, KY. All event proceeds go to the Zachary Ruble Memorial Scholarship Fund administered by the Hayswood Foundation.
Find it on Facebook. Zach Ruble Memorial Ride
Lance was able to participate in the Zach Ruble Memorial Ride the past two years. Of course, this year he will be cycling on a stationary bike at Cardinal Hill instead of in Maysville. But I know that if was able, he would be there. Lance shared Zach's love for nature and respect for the outdoors. He loved exercising and pushing himself, and I know he would be trying out the "Ruble Challenge".
So, if you are around Maysville this weekend, go out and ride a few miles.Do it for Lance. Do it for Zach. But most importantly, do it for yourself.
~chelcee




