Shower, shave and a piece of fresh apple pie; it's good to be home!
rws

Sept 30. What a great day...Elle's 16th birthday and Ron came home :) He wanted a hair cut as soon as he walked in the door. He walked all the way down the driveway. (I pushed the trash can and he pushed his wheel chair...was nice having him beside me. When Elle came home from her volleyball game and saw Ron sitting at the table eating warm apple pie (thanks Ms. Khilstrom), she said, "My life is finally getting back to normal!".

The ladies from work came to visit and gave him his new bicycle hat and BlackBerry. You guys are too funny. No wonder Ron misses work so much :) Thanks for your support!

Sept. 28..just got home from the new school open-house. Wow they have worked so hard and the classrooms look great. Elle is excited about now having to carry all her books on her back from class to class now. (I bet her backpack weighed around 100 lbs...ha) Thank you all for your encouraging words tonight. The lLrd is good and you all are too!

The big going home date is Tue, the 30th. Elle reminded me last night at her 16th birthday party, that dad coming home will be the best present ever. I brought him some of her cake today. (see picture) Elle had fun doing therapy with him this morning by playing catch with nurf balls (thanks Debbie), (see picture). I walked with him outside without the wheelchair or walker. He even surprised me and went up two flights of steps, just him and I. We can truely make it now in our house. He is such a hard worker. We are so proud of him. The boys came home this weekend and moved furniture around in Johnny's room so we can live down here for a while. They even tightened up the banister, "cuz Dad will need that support alot and it has to be fixed!" Great to have men around the house again.

Home next TUESDAY! A month in the hospital, I haven't spent this much time in a hospital since my FP residency at Hinsdale in '86. While here, I've learned much about teamwork, patience and the power of positive influence (I'll do my best to retain and reapply learnings).

I've also relearned to climb stairs (18 steps is max so far), walk short distances without assitance, feed myself etc... I still haven't figured out how to get up off the floor, if/when I go down. (Upper extremeties are weaker than lower, distal weaker than proximal). Arms are gaining strength (left weaker than right), I'm not strong enough (yet) to wheel myself in a wheel chair for more than 20-30 feet. Plumbing works on demand;-)

Dayton Daily News interviewed me today, article tommorrow? (Never know about how an article turns out).

Support remains awesome, THANKYOU. Pam is my candidate for sainthood.

Second chances, such a gift.

rws

my sister Lynn

Sept. 22 We have power! Yah..finally after a week with no power. It feels like heaven taking a hot shower. It makes you really appreciate the little things like Ron said earlier. Ron is continuing to progress daily. He actially said today that he cant wait to get home. That means he's really starting to feel good. He walked in the hall without a walker and went up and down 8 steps. He's getting around in his wheel chair like a champ, going anywhere he wants in his room now. Yesterday when I came in his room he was sitting infront of his computer. He said proudly, "I got it out, set it up and turned it on all by myself." He's ready for work now...watch out...Ha.
Things are really looking up...Elle gets her car back tomorrow looking like new again, the insurance people are coming to assess the tree damage to the barn, and as of today, the pool is crystal clear (thanks for the electricity). We now have more wood for this winter than we may need. A big thanks to our neighbors Bill and Dave and Papa George.
Again, the Lord is so wonderful...thank you all for your continued love, support, cards, visits and food. We owe you all lots. Pam

I'm climbing stairs (3 steps), feeding myself all meals with a "real" fork (it aint pretty), empting the plumbing on a genuine porcelain throne (with 6 inch extension)... mm, mm life is grand.

Enjoy the simple things in life, I am (its currently about all i can handle).

A big shout out and thx to Dean Morris, who concieved, created and coaches this blog.

rws

Ron and Richard were looking forward to their annual fifty mile bike ride and breakfast in  Cedearville, Ohio on September 6. Ron, knowing that he has a tough time keeping up with Richard decided in secret to sneek in an extra 20 mile ride on Labor Day. Unfortunately, Ron met his match, a two inch ledge on the approach to a slippery bridge. Instead of cancelling the planned 50 mile ride Richard decided to take Ron on the ride in spirit. Hence the Ron Stout Tribute Ride. If you enjoy the pictures of this years ride plan on joining Ron and Richard on next years 50 mile ride!     

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I hope you enjoy the pictures "Richards Ride" as much as i do. Richard is a great friend and my most frequent riding partner over the past 10 years. My injury prevented me from personally joining Richard on our traditional "breakfast ride" (crosses the bridge I got "close and personal with). As you can see, he found a way for me "go along". Thx Richard!! rws

I want to thank all of you for the prayers and kindness, it really helps my recovery and frame of mind, to see how wonderfully your supporting Pam and the kids. My P&G friends, your card writing fools, THANKS, I appreciate each note, visit, gift etc...

I understand a little better now, the phrase "each journey begins with but a single step." As i prepared to take my first step, iwas somewhat fearfull. Looking at the other end of the parallel bars, I saw a young man with one leg, sweating profusely, take first one hop forward, then another. YES, I can. This is not a journey I would have chosen, but i embrace it and am fascinated by what I'm learning.

Best, rws

Wed, Sept. 17. We have been out of electricity for almost 3 days now so I have not been able to update this. I am here at work today, took a hot shower :) and trying to update this quickly.
Ron is continuing to improve daily. Thank you for all your continued prayers.
Yesterday when I went up to see him, he was sitting in the wheelchair and said, "Watch this." He transfered himself to the bed without and help. We all were so excited. He is feeding himself all meals now with this little contraption they strap to his hand. And...as you already read, the plumming is working. No more stright caths...Yah. He took his first shower in the shower chair yeaterday too.
Again, the Lord is so good. We are happy for all the improvements. The doctors say he will get to go home in 3 more weeks if all goes as planned. Will continue with PT and OT once home.
I wanted to thank my mother-in-love,Helena Stout, for all her dedication and time she has spent here with us helping. Ron's sister was here the first 23 hours wit him and his mom and dad came that whole first week, and mom has stayed here going on 3 weeks now. What a trooper she is. Love you lots mom!
And thank you all for your continued cards, visits, food, and pick-up (Dave Jiminez). He lent us that to clean up all the fallen trees on our property. Until later......Pam

the ''plumbing" is starting to work and i am typing with one finger;-) alls well! rws

Sept 13. It is sabbath, what a great evening. Was so special haveing all the kids in Elle's class over for vespers. The most incredible thing happened, my cell phone rang and it was Ron. He made his first call on his blackberry all by himself and it was to me :) He said his family all made it in from Michigan and they watched him in PT. He actually went up and down 5 steps. That is awsome because we have 2 steps in our house from the bedroom, familyroom to the kitchen. As he says, "nothing looks pretty yet, but he did it". We are truely on our way!
Lynn (Ron's sister) and I came up here early this morning and brought breakfast, McDonald's egg mcmuffin. He had a big scrubbing and actually got up on the bedside commode...everything works better sitting up vrs in bed, you get the picture... I learned yesterday how to transfer him all by myself. He is getting so strong. Progress, keeps me smiling!
Have a great Sabbath, and remember God is an awsome God. Thank you, Thank you!

Sept. 10. Hay bro, you are 50 today...how does it feel? I dont want to hear anything negative....you are in great health..Ha. Was good talking to you.
Ron had a good day. Actually fed himself Becky's delecious enchaladas with this neet gadget. As he says, "wasn't too pretty or anything, but he got the job done". He walked his usual 3 laps down the runway. Getting stronger every day. Praise God. Got more encouraging cards today. Thank you for your love and support. It keeps us going.

Just an FYI...Monday night 7ish, Elle's (our daughter) school caught on fire, so they have no school this week. She is enjoying more time with Ron at the hospital and just doing nothing. Will have a temporary location by Monday. Then later that evening on my way home from the hospital, waiting for the light to change infront of Graders Ice Cream shop, a drunk Harley Davidson driver decided to smash into the back of Elle's new Jeep Liberty. He went flying and smashed himself bad. I just sat there looking in the back mirror at this guy with blood running down his face...Lord, I really did not need this. He decided to run from the scene, knowing he was in deep doodo. They found him with sniffer dogs and put him in jail. The only good thing about it all is that he does have insurance. Ha.

Thanks for your prayers...will continue to keep you in touch. Love you all

Sept. 9, 2008 Ron had a great day. During his PT session this morning, he actually walked the length of the runway (13 steps) 3 times with rests inbetween. He is working so hard. His mom had goose bumps just watching him work. We are working on bowel and bladder control. Not that you wanted to know that. He put his right index finger and thumb together today for the first time. Only having slight movements with the Lt hand.
Again, thank all of you for your cards and calls. Every night I sit with him in his bed and read all the new cards that have arrived. It is so encouraging. What would we do with all of you. :)

Sept. 8, 2008 Wow, what a difference a few days make. Thank you all for your prayers, support, cards, food, the list goes on and on. We feel so loved.

He is now on the rehab floor with 3 hours a day therapy, OT, PT, and get this, recreational therapy. Yesterday, they got him up in a wheel chair for the first time and actually took some steps in the gym. He was jazzed. An old medical buddy, Randy Schell, came to visit and Ron was showing off for him. Was great to see him work and see progress. We are still working on the hands. The OT lady brought him a device to hook to his hands so he can start today plucking on his computer. Yah.

Thanks again for all your support. I truely know the meaning of the word angel now, (Bonnie). Pam

Rehab

add pictures

Sept. 5, 2008. Wow, what a journey. First, thank you all for your prayers and support. The Lord is good.

What Happened? Monday morning, the first, Ron went for a bike ride on the bike trail by Waynesville, and hit something on one of those old bridges and flipped over his handle bars and landed on the right side of his head, neck and shoulders. He was knocked out for a few minutes and when he came to, could not move from the neck down. His bike was still clipped in and on top of him. He told me yesterday that the sky on Monday was so beautiful. That was all he could do was lay there and look at the sky. A lady coming the other way found him and called 911 and me. The kids, friends and I met him in the ER at Greene Mem. Hosp. in Xenia. They did the x-rays, cat scans etc and were wonderful. (Thank you Bev, Kirk and Kyle for everything that day) They ended up transferring him to the Trauma center at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. His MRI confirmed a spinal cord injury with contusions (bruising) in 2 places. No severed cord, but pretty much no movement below the shoulders. He has spent the past 3 days in their ICU with every monitor you can imagine hooked to him. Yesterday they transfered him to the Neuro Trauma unit where they have continued working him over with PT, OT, Rehab plans, etc.

Today, Sept. 5, the only thing attached to him is his neck brace and the foley catheter. He's moving all extremities a little except his wrists and fingers but has sensation from head to toe :) He sat on the side of the bed but no walking. He is as ornery as ever and I love it...when that stops, I will truly get nervous. Thanks again 4 everything, prayers, cards, flowers, food, house cleaning etc. We love you all and will keep you informed. Keep the prayers coming....I see them working everyday!

Ron's recovery updates

Ron Stout