Ohhh! It's been a while!

All have been busy with the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays!  And a little wheelchair action didn't slow down Dan and/or Mom.  They've had lots of fun visitors who have been coming to keep them company, Mom and the ladies have been playing Bridge, and they even attended the Raider Ranch Christmas party among other things.

We'll get to the pictures in a second...but, in other 'rehab' news, Dan went to see Dr. Dumais this week.  Dr. Dumais said Dan's pelvis is progressing along as it should and he even cleared him for some aquatherapy.  Aquatherapy is just as it sounds, therapy in the water.  He'll start to take his first steps again under the water in a big pool at the rehabilitation facility.  Hooray!

Pat and Val White stopped by today to visit and brought the cutest, little bottles of champagne!

From the Raider Ranch Christmas Party held earlier this week:

They took a 'field trip' to the Harley store after their appointment with Dr. Dumais earlier this week:

Cameron, Carrie, Jeff and Wendy all came to visit at the beginning of last week:

Last week, Cash ran in the Toys for Tots run in Lubbock.  Mom went to cheer him on.  He finished in 36:23.  On Thanksgiving morning, he headed out to run the Turkey Trot 12K, where he finished in 1:13:39:

Stay warm and Merry Christmas!

Look Who's Forty!

Carrie came to visit over Thanksgiving Break and received her birthday present a bit early.  She's forty years young this week!  Happy Birthday!

Out of Surgery

Dan went into surgery this morning and is already out of surgery and recovering.  When Dr. Dumais went in, he found that the left pin was far more loose than he had previously seen on the x-ray.  Since it had become so loose, they would need to go in through another site to re-pin.  Therefore, they opted to remove the Ex/Fix.

HOWEVER, Dan is still restricted to the same very, very, very limited activity he was when the Ex/Fix was in place.  Actually, he's probably a bit more restricted, and we must be even more careful.  The main screw which was left in place could break at any time if we are not extremely careful.  This limited activity must continue for at least another 6 weeks.  This means no weight baring and still in the wheelchair.  This means using the walker only as a means to push himself up and "lift himself down" into the wheelchair from the medical bed or from the 'bathroom chair.'  This means no walking yet.  This means no rehab hospital yet.  No means no, and "at least 6 weeks" means at least 6 weeks.  

Below is him sporting his super cool "Jiffy Pop" hat with Cash before surgery.  Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers this morning!

More to come later,
Abbey

Back to Surgery...

On Monday, while Dan was transferring out of his wheelchair, he heard a loud "POP" followed by severe pain.  Since then, he hasn't been able to transfer between his bed/wheelchair, etc., due to severe pain.  Mom took him in to the Orthopaedic surgeon today to check on the Ex/Fix and the severe pain.  They took X-Rays and determined that the left pin of the Ex/Fix has come out of position.  It must be repaired. 

Therefore, he will go back to surgery tomorrow (Friday) to reposition the Ex/Fix.  The surgery will be performed at UMC but we are unsure of the time at this point. 

We will post more details as we have them. 

Abbey

*Update: All of the pre-op blood work, chest x-rays, etc., taken today were normal.  Therefore, they can proceed with surgery tomorrow.  He is an "add on" to the surgery schedule tomorrow, but, most likely his surgery will start between 8 AM and 9 AM.  Jaime, the retired police officer that is a driver for Raider Ranch, will take them to UMC bright and early at 5:30 AM.

Thanksgiving Week Part One

The beginning of Thanksgiving week brought several visits from close family and friends!  Dad was thankful and gracious for each and every one of you that came by to say hello.  

Ralph and Rebecca came by to visit on Monday night.  Their regular visits have been enjoyed my Mom and Dad both.  Thank you both for thinking of them when you are in town.

Brandy and Gene Weinette came on Tuesday to visit, as did Paul and Harriett Schaub.  

Katherine Allison, (Alisa's friend from Tech & future "RN Extraordinaire") came to sit with Dad on Tuesday so that Mom could go to a couple of doctor's appointments of her own.  

That same day, Caleb, Alisa and Little Miss Snowflake arrived for their Thanksgiving week stay and Chuck arrived that evening with his 'weekly mail run' delivery.

The ladies of The First Christian Church created a Prayer Quilt for Dad.  Thank you!!  He was delighted!  Pictured are Sherrie Dunlap, Karen Caison, Linda Powell, Dian Souder, Shannon West, Deborah Canada and Nancy Adair.

More to come,

Dan's Dozen

Happy Saturday!

HAPPY __________ to you all!

(choose one of the below)

a) Recover from the Turkey & Fixin's

b) College Gameday

c) Shop till you drop-it's the first Saturday of the Christmas season

d) all of the above

(shhhh! Papa, we're watching football!)

Someone was able to babysit while Caleb and Alisa headed to the Tech football game today.  We'll be back with a Thanksgiving Week Wrap-Up tomorrow.  Whew! It was a big week!

Amarillo Globe News

The following story ran on the front page of Saturday morning's Amarillo Globe News:

Group Helps Hurt Farmer

We are so grateful for everyone who helped out!  The AGN did not mention everyone by name, but please know we are thankful for each of you!

Thank you Tommy Coleman, Rusty Strickland, Peter Harms, Chester Fowler, Arnulfo Garcia, Aurora Contreras, Aaron Contreras, Armondo Morales, Oscar Perez, Nicky Watts, Robert Watts, Lee Stegall, Nelson Stegall, George Soto, Jose Soto, Randy Langley, Jesse Garza, "Santos" Viesca and Abigail Garcia!


Kirby Campbell, again, thank you for capturing the memories and sharing them.