Russ Canick’s Recovery Blog

Today Russ and I went down to Madonna to see Skid, he had come down to Madonna with a monetary contribution that had been collected on a Poker Run for him, and all of the Nurses and Therapist we could find. It was like old home week…It was so good to see Skid…I feel like we have known each other for ever!

We just hung out in the hallway and soon the word was out that we were there….Many of Russ’ therapist were just so excited to see him in his power assist wheelchair. He is just an amazing man!

The day started with Elijah sleeping on his Dad’s shoulder!

He was really out!!! I love his mouth slightly opened! Elijah is just going to kill his Grandma someday when he sees all the fun pictures I have of him!

Have a great night!!! If you live in Omaha, try and stay cool….this heat is just to crazy for words…

Sandie

Russ, Lou and Myself went to Louisville,NE. yesterday for a fund raiser for a friend that we made while Russ was at Madonna. Her name is Margo. She was in a traffic accident last June 20, and was left paralyzed from the waist down. One of the bars in Louisville had a poker run, street dance, food, and bands all set as the fund raiser. They had 340 bikes show up just for the poker run!!!!

It was an awesome night to say the least, and we all had a very good time. Russ enjoyed the time he was able to visit with Margo.

Life is good, and it is so good to see the friends that we have made, progress on the road to recovery. We should never take anything for granted, and we should always thank the Good Lord for his tender mercies.

Here is a picture of Russ and Margo….

Enjoy the rest of your weekend….

Sandie

Today brought a great therapy session!!! Lauren worked Russ real hard with the “LOOPS”! He hasn’t worked with them for a few weeks, and so today we saw how much stronger he has become…..It is so good to see him be able to work so very hard….Lauren teased him a little about not working with the loops because he had to get a new wheel chair! HaHa….

In this picture you can see the determination on Russ’ face to be able to roll from his back to his side….He is able to roll the top half of his body very well and his legs just follow along…Lauren is trying to make him able to participate more in his dressing routine in the mornings.

In these next photo you can see him working on pulling himself up to a sitting position….that is the new goal…..!! How exciting is all of this progress!!!

Russ is pushing all the time with his right arm during this exercise….I also have to point out that Lauren is indeed helping him balance as he moves. She supports where it is needed. He is a long way from doing this solo, but he really has the desire to conquer all….

Russ is planning on a trip down to Madonna hopefully by the end of this week. Russ is going to try and get ahold of some of our other rehab buddies and see if they want to join him, it is time for some show and tell…..

Sandie

I know that Russ had a really good time seeing all of you again. I am sure that if he had working fingers he would be back there in a blink of an eye…..

The cook out was mighty fine…..

Here is a picture!

Have a great day!

Sandie

Russ had a happy day at therapy yesterday. The only little support he used was to hold his index finger up so that he could type on the laptop! By having his finger exposed he could also use the mouse! He is really excited to be able to get on his home laptop and just play around! All of you who play Mafia Wars on Face book, beware! Russ will be back to play on his own!

He has come such a long way from just a few months ago of using a strap to hold a pencil in his had to type with, to now using his finger and no arm support! He is truly amazing! The Lord continues to bless him with strength and healing powers.

If you get some time, give him a call or come on over and visit him!

Have a great day!

Sandie

Lou went to therapy with Russ today…..I had my own Dr.s App to go to.

Lou told me that today Lauren had Russ wheel himself around the therapy gym with out anyone helping. It took him 5 mins! I think that is just wonderful. The area we are talking about is a pretty big area. Close to the size of a school gym.

Lauren then took him outside and had him work on going up 5% and 10% grades. He was able to control the wheelchair buttons with his knuckle and this is important because he was able to make the chair hold while going up the grades! Super impressive!!!

Like I have said before, you are all more than welcome to come out to Russ’ therapies……

Have a safe and great 4th of July weekend!

Sandie

Today was good with just the SON! I think we are all starting to get fins and gills!!!!

Russ had a very hard working day today at therapy. Lauren was working with him on being able to roll over on the mat, and to work with leaning over in his chair and pulling himself back up. The following pictures show this exercise.

Lauren also gave him some new eating utensils with the challenge to eat 2 complete meals before he goes back next week!!! This progress is just so wonderful!!!!

We are planning on making a trip to Madonna in mid July, so that Russ can show his therapist how much progress he has made since he left them…..

Life is just wonderful!!!!

Sandie

This is just to say HI!

Russ did not have therapy this week. He has a small pressure sore on the bottom right edge of his right foot. The Doc said it is a deep bruise. He is elevating his foot and just taking it easy. It is looking much better today.

Russ has been very blest not to have had any sores so far. We are hoping this is the first and last one!!!

Sandie

This has been a most challanging year to say the least! Russ has come such a long way from that first phone call on the afternoon of June 6, 2009! I can still feel my heart beat the way it did when I first got the call of the accident, and then the waiting for Kelly to call back with the details of where they were taking Russ!

I want to thank Kelly once again for his quick actions on getting Russ the help he so badly needed! You are my super hero!

Russ has been and was so blest even when the accident first happened. He had no head trauma, and for that I am so very thankful. Heavenly Father was watching over him even then, as he still is now.

Russ has come such a long way, and with his new chair his desires to continue on grow stronger every day!

Russ has some wonderful therapist at Immanuel and to them I want to say Thank You! You have been so super supportive of Russ, and you tolerate our family very well!!!

I also want to thank all of those at Madonna, who helped us as a family, when the situation for us was the worst we could possibly think of. You all taught us so well on SCI and recovery, and supported us on our down days and laughed with us on our up days! You will always be in our hearts.

I could ramble on that is forsure, but you have read enough of my thoughts this past year! I want to thank you all for your kind words and love that we can feel from you.

Sandie

Russ has had a super great day! His power assist wheelchair is here and he is doing really good with it. Lauren and Rob were both very surprised and pleased with his ability to make it go so smoothly.

This has been a long time coming….

Russ just continues to move forward. His new chair did bring a tear to my eye. I am just so impressed by his spirit to succeed and the desires of his heart. As we all know he will have this chair conquered in no time.

Life is good today

Sandie