Russ Canick’s Recovery Blog

I hope that 2012 brings wonderful blessings to you and yours.

I come to you all very humbly today. We are trying to get Russ a new ramp built in the back yard. The state is helping with $5,000.00 but we still need $2,040.00. It has become very slow in finding the extra funding and I am hoping that no one will be offended by this request of mine, but I am looking to see if all of you wonderful friends and family would be able to help raise these monies with out doing a “fund raiser”.

The plan is to have a sidewalk laid from the driveway out into the back yard. From the sidewalk will be a new ramp that will come up to the front side of the deck instead of the side that we have it coming from now. The slope will be not nearly as sharp as it is now and this will make it much easier for Russ to begin using his other wheelchair more often. He wants to be in his other chair, but the ramp is a real slow down for him.

Those of you who have helped him up and down the ramp in his power assist chair know the challenges of the wet weather, and we all know it is coming again.

I am requsting this ever so cautiously trying not to offended anyone. We just need help!

I am thinking about having a ribbon cutting ceremony after the new ramp is in and a Cook Out!!!! The Cook Out maybe after the warmer weather is here, but I am up for a winter cook out if that would be the vote.

Please let me know your feelings.

Thank you so very much

Sandie

If you would like to donate you may send checks to me
Sandie Canick
15351 Papio St
Omaha, Ne 68138

I hope you all had wonderful thanksgiving days with your loved ones…We had 19 here for Turkey!

The Grandkids are all growing up so fast. Adin is now crawling and pulling himself up. He is so much fun.

Russ headed out to the Hideout lastnight to watch “little” Canick play dub-step. Daniel did a great job according to all of those in attendance. You all will have to catch a show one of these nights.

Russ was also able to hold a plastic cup with his beer and he drank it on his own! One of his friends made a video and sister Becky put it out on Facebook. If you are her friend you can watch the video.

Russ, Aunt Peggy and myself have made a get fit pack. Starting on Monday we ladies will start exercising 3 days a week and Russ has to get into his standing frame. Looser has to buy dinner. We haven’t set a goal date, but this is a great challenge for all of us.

Updates have been few and far between and for this I am sorry. Russ’ doc denied him more physical therapy at this time. Hopefully by gettng back into the standing frame will get some more motion going. He will go back in a year so by then who knows what the good Lord will bless him with.

I have gotten back into writting my book. A friend of mine who is an Author gave e a wonderful idea on how to go about writting the book. I am now so excited. If you still have any stories to share please let me know.

Life is GREAT! Russ has gotten so very strong.

Sandie

Russ and I made a roadtrip down to Madonna to visit one of Russ’ friends. On the way there we stopped for a bite to eat at Amigos!!! That is our fast food stop when we go to Lincoln. I use to pick up lunch or dinner from there for Russ while he was staying at Madonna,

Anyway, we went to visit his friend Justin Diehm. I don’t know how many of you know this friend of his, but he was hurt just a few weeks ago and is just getting started on all of the PT and OT. We found his room (114), and then I left the guys alone to visit.

I was able to meet his Grandma, who has been spending alot of time with him. She and I were able to talk about the roll the family has to play in this recovery, and some of the things to get started on…ie, Medicade, In home care, finding a van, etc. It was good to talk with her.

Justin told us that he has a blog on caringbridge. Go to caringbridge and type in justindiehm and his page will come up. His Dad has told him about some benefits that will be coming up for him.

Justin has two young sons, and they have drawn him some great art work that his hanging up on his walls. He is also a HUGE Husker Fan!!!

I know that he would love some company, so those of you who know him please head on down and see him.

Russ is doing good. No more major movements, but he is having the tingles down in his feet that he would get in his arms a little bit before they would take off and start working…..We all continue to pray for more recovery…

Have a great day!

Sandie

This morning after Russ had his shower he was in his sling waiting to get onto his bed, when he called my name, “Mom”. I headed on down the hall only to have Russ tell me that he can move his RIGHT FOOT!! I tell ya what, the tears started to well up in my eyes, I was so super excited…I stood there and watched his right foot moving back and forth like as if you were pushing on the gas in your car.

Pretty soon Russ’ doorway was crowded with Myself. Jon, Becky and Elijah….Becky asked him if he could move his left foot too and he said he didn’t know, so HE DID!!!!

We have no idea what this wonderful news will do for Russ, but I know we are all thinking that if the signal to move his foot made it that far down the LEG, then the LEGS should be starting to get ready to do some walking!!!???!!!!

Russ said that while in the shower he was able to start moving his big toe!!! The Good Lord is still so very much apart of this family’s life, and still working wonderful miracles with and for Russ.

Life is GREAT!!!

Sandie

I just wanted to take this time to let you all know that one of Russ’ friends was paralized this past Saturday. His injury is the same as Russ’. I will not post his name at this time, but I know that he and his Dad read this blog.

I am asking that you all say a prayer for this family. They so very much need your support and the blessings of the Lord.

Russ is doing good. We just took his van in tonight for a major service!! The airconditioning is on its way!!!

This is a picture of Elijah and Jake having a sleep over at Grandma’s!

Sandie

First I want to thank all of you who came out to Russ’ benefit, it was a huge success once again. Russ is planning on getting some much needed work done on his van. Those of you who drive Russ know that the Air Conditioning is lacking cool air and the fans to move it around. Pretty soon those long hot rides will be a thing of the past.

I want to thank Billy Dunn for his time and wonderful talent. (I am still able to draw stick figures.) The one of Russ here is just so great!

I also want to thank Chris Glover, Shaken Babies, Farmdog, Anestatic and Black on High. Joe Riss for being such a wonderful MC and raffle king.

We had a real fun time. I want you all to be sure to go to The Hideout even when we do not have a benefit. Dave and Steve are great guys and always treat the Canick’s wonderfully!

Besure to stay cool during these HOT summer days!

Sandie

So, I am fixing dinner tonight and all of a sudden Russ says “My legs feel different tonight”…..Lou and I are like “what”?
Russ proceedes to tell us that his legs are all tingley and that he is really aware of them tonight!!!!

I just thought that this was something special to share with all of our fan base!!!!

Have a great night

Sandie

July 9th from 8:00pm till midnight (atleast), at the wonderful Hideout!!! I don’t know where we would be with out this wonderful neighborhood establishment!

If you have a Facebook you can find the invitation by going to Benefit Concert for Russ Canick.

Looks like another wonderful line up of bands!!!

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Sandie

Today marks 2 years sence Russ had his accident. Lots of bitter sweet memories, and lots of recovery!

He has come such a very long way from laying on a pressure cushion on his pillow to being up and at em all day long. He has also been upgraded in terms from Quadriplegic to Tetraplegic. He has movement of his arms and trunk, so this is the up grade in terms.

I am still attempting to write a book about Russ and I would love ANY stories you would like to share with me about you and Russ both before and after his accident. You can send those to my email sandie.canick@gmail.com

Have a great day!
Sandie

I did not make it to therapy today, but Jill got to see first hand how Russ’ therapist had him trying out his driving skills!!!

How awsome would it be for Russ to be able to start driving again this summer! He is so strong.

Jill and I are going to start working him out in his power assist chair so that his arms get stronger. We are planning on going out around the neighborhood and down to the park….

Life just continues to get better all the time.

Sandie