Good Moring

We've missed a few days on the faxes. Chuck and I went home for the Wedding and came back Saturday night. Jen and her friend Angie came and stayed with Chris , and his friend Brain came on Friday. The Wedding was so very beautiful - as was the Bride and Groom . We wish them happiness forever.

Jennifer and Chris had a good weekend. He is eating and drinking more now and its such a pleasure to see him do anything we all take for granted. He especially likes Caprice Sun and apple juice. He doesn't eat enough to be really nutritional but its a start.

He has answered a question for a drink with a ah ah or unh unh . ( I'm sure thats very clear ) but he hasn't said any words we could understand. He has also started lifting his index finger as a yes to some questions. Again they are small accomplishments but we are so very happy with them.

Bob Gardner's letter in Winston Cup Scene and other publications have generated an out flow of love and generosity for Chris . We are so grateful.

We also had so much help getting the Wedding plans together- especially my friend Gloria - Total Elegance- you're great Gloria.

Love to All Barb

Good Moring

Its Midnight and Chuck and I just came down to the motor home from Chris' room. Chuck just flew in tonight to stay a couple of days while I go home and get things going for the Wedding on Friday. Chris was sleeping so peacefully just now. Sometimes he just twists and turns so much. But tonight he is "content " looking. Actually, he just looks so healthy and so perfect that he just seems like he's taking a nap before a football game or going to a race. So every day we hope he will just open his eyes and actually see us and remember who we are. Until then we watch and wait.

Chris has been in Isolation since last July with VRE a bug that is resistant to all known antibiotics. But this week he had 2 negative cultures so the isolation notice was removed. So he has passed one more crisis and although the infectious disease doctors thought he could have VRE 6 months to a year - he is clean after 3 months.

During the first therapy session yesterday he was mumbling and slurring sounds. Jackie kept asking him what he was saying and he said very clearly " It hurts " He was having his left arm stretched out. That was the arm that was nerve damaged when he was . This is the first words we've heard since his trach was removed. Hopefully were moving forward with talking.

Love Barb

Good Moring

Chris and I just watched the tape of the latest South West Tour Race at the Las Vegas track. I think its the first one we've actually watch since he's been hurt. Its been to sad for me to watch everyone go on - although everyone must. We just put a VCR in his room so we park him in front of the TV and turn up the sound at time he actually seems to be able to " track" to the sound and maybe see something. We also have the current motor-cross races that Marshall taped for him. We watch that quite a bit. As you all know Chris raced motorcycles for about 9-10 years so he knew all the current riders. Its all in the hope of stimulating a response.

Chris is doing well with his breathing and his pulmonary physions, Dr. Brown is happy with his current progress. We owe his current status to Dr. Brown's aggressive treatment and his faith in Chris' abilities.

Dr. Friedman ( Internist ) was also in to see him. He tells us Chris is doing very well and he will not have to see him as often. Dr. Friedman has been so wonderful with Chris he had him as a patient in ICU after his 1st surgery and continued to monitor his progress. All of Chris' doctors have become very close to the entire family. It gives all such a comfort to know they truly care for Chris.

Barb

Good Moring

I went home this weekend to help get the house ready for Samie & Ajays Wedding on Friday. Jennifer and here friend Teresa stayed with Chris. Jen has been so wonderful after all these months she keeps the faith with us. Its been so very difficult but as long as we all remain full of faith and optimistic we can cling to each other and to Chris. No matter how hard it is for us we all look at Chris ( his beautiful face and those blue eyes ) and know that there is where all the courage is. He gives us that extra boost when we're tired and depressed. He gives us the reason to continue. All the hope in the universe seems to be focused on his body and his eyes express it all. I'm so proud of my son.

Bob Gardner ! I spent Friday night opening envelopes from Citibank with deposit slips from your letter in the magazines. What wonderful people race fans are. Most send letters of encouragement. I'll copy them and share them with you. Thank you , Bob

The Wisconsin raffle tickets are surpassing anything we excepted. Chucks family works so hard awfully hard at this. Dolores, we got your message about Rockford Speedway and the Races in March. I'll call you soon. Las Vegans are also into the raffle. Our friend Deanna and her friends sold hundreds of tickets. All of this means so much to us. The Insurance company has come to the end of our rehab benefits and starting Sept. 12 TH. we're responsible for part of the expenses. After 100 days we'll have to pay more. Chris' recovery will be very long no one can even guess how long.

On Friday the hospital had a celebration for rehab allummi. It was so very exciting to see and meet people who had gone through the program. Most had a similar prognosis that Chris faces - not able to walk or talk or function as a person. But, they had all " beat the odds " and came back to talk to us. Toyota Motors presented a new van for the rehab unit for the use of patients. This was done through Judy and Parnelli Jones and their son, Page, who was a patient here. Page also spoke at the presntaion. It was so inspiring. Chris was on local TV - he was even dancing in the gym with a couple of therapists. He also was holding the animals that are here every week for the patients to interact with. He had a great day. He is starting to be a little more vocal again. And we are trying to get him to eat and drink during the day. He doesn't have much of an attention span for that yet. His favorite now is Caprice Sun fruit drink.

Thanks Everyone, Barb

Good Moring

Our days are getting more normal. There have been no blood tests or X-rays , or c-scans or any bad news. Its great of course it could be much better - but at least its not worse.

Chris' breathing is so wonderful. All those awful reactions are diminishing and he looks so great without all the dressings and ties around his neck.The ear , nose and throat doctor who put it in came today and said everything looks good we could be on our way to removing the button as well. His neck of course will be pretty scared. He's had the trach for so very long. Its a very large accomplishment of course it hasn't happened yet, but it might.

Were always looking for small things Chris does and some days there is nothing new but, last night he put his right hand over to his other arm and actually scratched his left arm ! I know it sounds crazy , but its a remarkable thing. Its a purposeful movement and thats what we're looking for. What small steps for such a big guy.

Jen will be here tomorrow. There is a rehab reunion tomorrow. Chris will go and watch and listen while everyone plays games.

Love Barb

Hi Everyone

Chris had a good day yesterday. He has become a little more vocal than he had been but no real words that we can actually understand. He is healthy - maintaining his weight and remaining strong. He can really fight all of us if he doesn't want to move an arm or leg. It's just like wrestling. We are still trying to get the insurance to approve the injection called Botox to relax the ham string muscle in his left leg . Its incredibly painful for Chris when we try to straighten that leg. If we don't keep straightening it we will lose the range and Chris' muscles will shorten up and impair his walking. The shot will relax the muscle and will be able to keep the leg loose and the range of motion will remain good.

Our only news is that will have to pay approximately 1/2 of the room charges here. Our rehab benefits are exhausted and we've gone to a lesser level of insurance benefits. We'd like to stay here 30-60 days. We'd like to keep the continuity of care while he is progressing. Will have to see how it goes. Thanks everyone for all you do.

Love You Barb

Good Morning

Halfway through September - I guess time flies whether your having fun or not.

Chuck has been her with Chris and I for the past few days it's nice to have someone else here to help make transfers from the bed to the chair and help turn Chris. Otherwise I have to wait for someone from nursing to come help me. They are always right there , but its just nice having someone here.

We took Chris out to the park again today. We make quite a caravan with the wheelchair , the lift , supplies, ( food - drink - etc. ) and 3 therapists and us. Its a major procession. Then we get him to the grass, take off his shoes and socks and let him enjoy the cool breeze. It was really nice.

Just before we went out side Dr. Rehn came in to take out Chris' trachea. He just has a small piece that keeps the trach opening "open" in case he should need anther trach or if Doctors need access to the area. Hopefully he will do well with just the button and the trach will come out some day. But for now he will have this clear button on his neck and will see what happens. But it is a step closer to "normal".

Love You Barb

Good Morning

I missed yesterday. I went back to Las Vegas on Sunday for Samie and Ajay's Wedding Showerand didn't get back to the hospital until Monday morning.

I don't have any really exciting news from the week end Chris is doing well . He is healthy and participating in therapy. He hasn't said anything we could understand since Thursday. However his nurse that comes in from 11-7 said she heard him say thank you when she turned him on his side. Maybe he still has good manners.

Today his therapist took him outside to the Fitness Center Park. We took the lift with us and took Chris from the wheelchair down to the grass. They took off his shoes and socks and let him feel the grass. He was very quiet I'm not sure what he felt or what he thought . Were trying it again tomorrow.

Bob Gardner was here again this week end. What a guy ! He brought homemade peanut butter cookies . He's contacting thousands of racing fans on Chris' behalf . Bob is a wonderful person , he's always saying Godspeed Chris Trickle, Godspeed. I love that.

What a great week end at the races. Mike Ray, Walfie, Kurt, and Dick Cobb all did well. Many of the racers again had kind words for Chris and many gave the winnings to his Medical Account. Thanks

Barb

Good Morning

And it is a good morning. Chris had a good day yesterday. In the morning session of therapy he surprised everyone by saying " I want Juice ". At the time there were 2 therapists in the mat room with him. I had gone to answer the phone ( it was one of Chris' Doctors ) so I was not in there. Jackie, one of the therapists came running out of the mat room to the refrigerator and got some apple juice. I went right back to the mat room and he gulping down apple juice. Apparently he had said " I want Juice" clear enough for both therapists to hear the same thing. They asked him if that is what he said and he said " Yes" They said that was really clear. So he drank the first 4 oz. bottle of juice and started on another. Everyone was so excited ! Everyone was coming to our room to see if he was doing anything else !

The only thing out of the ordinary he did was go to nuclear medicine for a bone scan which took 1 1/2 hours. It is the first time he had this. It is becoming harder to move his arms and legs - he still has total range - he can move all limbs in all directions but it appears to be painful. So the test is to see if we have additional problems.

Barb

Good Morning

The represenitive from our insurance company came today. The Doctors and Staff here at the hospital were great. Everyone was so positive about Chris' progress and they were eager to draw the visitor into Chris routine. She sat in on both therapy sessions and spent a hour with Chris and myself in our room. She was really on a " Fact Finding Mission ". No decision was made today. I hope we are able to stay here. Chris is comfortable and I have certainly attained a sense of safety and a feeling that everyone here is doing their very best to bring Chris out of this. What ever happens Chris will remains our primary focus and we'll work it out.

I've been hearing about raffle tickets !!! I can't believe how hard everyone from Wisconsin to Las Vegas has been working to sell there tickets. We are grateful. We know how supportive all of the Trickles and Possimeau families and friends in Wisconsin have been these last months. They sold hundreds of tickets. In Las Vegas Deanna tells me she ran out of tickets in 10 minutes at the last race. She had help from her friend Sonny. Thank you all so very much. One day Chris will be able to thank everyone himself for all the continued love you have shown him.

Good Morning

Today will be a big day. A representative from our Insurance Company will be here she has a meeting at 10:30 with the therapy team and neurologists. She will also sit in on Chris 11:00 therapy session. The purpose is to see if he has progressed enough to warrant extending our rehab benefits. Our rehab has run out and we will have to make some deals with the Insurance Company. I am hoping to be able to stay here until Chris can communicate with us. Right now he is really vocalizing so much and all indications are that he could be trying to talk to us. So anyway wish us luck today - we'll need it.

Chris got to go outside for his first therapy session this morning. He did some exercise in sitting and ate a little bit of food. So he actually had a picnic. There are plans to get him outside this week and down on the ground for exercising. That should be quite an experience. We'll need to take his hoist out with us to get him to the ground and up again.

Thanks to everyone who is working so hard on the benefit run in Las Vegas in November and also all of the family members and friends who are selling raffle tickets for the drawing. Thanks again and again.

Hi everybody!

It's 7 months today -or actually tonight. With the recent death of Princess Diana and all the controversy we're reminded of all the awful events we all experienced when someone tried to take Chris' life. No matter who you are -or how well known- your feelings of total hurt are all the same.

Brian and Deanna left last night. They were so helpful to me yesterday. They were right there to do bed to chair transfers and to help stretch Chris out in the mat room. We have permission to take him to the work out room without a therapist and work on stretching to maintain his range of motion. We have a problem with his left leg. It wants to draw up towards his chest and he doesn't really have control over it. To get it to straighten out is very difficult and very painful for Chris. But, if we don't do it, he will not have total use of it when he starts to walk.(AND HE WILL WALK) When Jen & I straighten it we have to put all our weight on it. So it was good to have Brian here to help get it straight. Chris was in pain and he was trying to tell us something. Deanna & I thought he was trying to say "Brian" There were definite sounds of "B" coming from him. Anyway, there is a procedure involving an injection in his muscle that will give us a 3 month time block to relax the muscle so it can be worked.

 Good Morning

There are so many wonderful people in the world. All of you - our families who have been with us from the beginning - our great friends - race fans - our race team -so many truely great individuels. But today we would like give a special thanks to Dick Cobb , his family & crew Dick won the track Championship in Las Vegas & dedicated the season to Chris Trickle . Also to Mike Ray his family & crew all his winnings for last Saturday's race ( he was 1st place ) was endoresed over to Chris' medical account! That was $1,000.00 ! Chuck and I are overwhelmed with your kindness and generosity. We'll never forget it and please never forget Chris. He's trying so hard to come back to all of us. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see him coming thru the doorway with his grin and a hi for everyone.

Jen & I got to take Chris down to the exerize room yesterday. We get him doun on the mat and strech him out. We were pleastantly surprised by Jackie & Jimmy with little Jimmy & Jane. We all had a great visit today ( Sunday ). Brian & Deanna came in . It's grat to have the extra help. As Chris gets better he becomes more work. Wer'e moving him around a lot more and helping with his daily care. He's really becoming high maitence.

Love Barb

 Hi Everyone

On Sunday it will be 7 months since some unknown slime pulled up beside Chris and in a brief moment fired a shot that has changed so many lives. Of course the biggest change is for Chris.

Tomorrow Jen will be here. I'm sure Chris misses her. So they'll have a few days together.

All Chris' lab reports were good today. All his blood work is still anemic but its not to bad. His tegratol level was also low so it had to be adjusted to prevent seizures. All of this is something that is dealt with on a daily basis. His lungs are also a daily concern he's always at risk for pneumonia. People who who have had "trachs" as long as he has usually have several health problems. Hopefully Chris will get a new form of tracheotomy soon . Maybe some of his problems will clean up.

Chris had a average day today. He did well during special therapy. He ate some tapioca pudding and drank Caprice Sun and ate 1/2 of a otter pop. If he would just become more cognitive it could go faster. Now he's learning things while he's really sleeping. But we will continue

Barb

 Hi Everyone

We had anther good day today. Chris had his eyes opened most of the day and seemed alert. Everyone was telling us they thought he said " Oh Shit" - could it be passable ? At the 11:00 session for therapy they heard him say "thats enough" Chuck and I were there and of course we heard him, but the therapists and nurses are supposed to be objective. Although they say they want him to talk so bad that they may be hearing things. At 11:00 PM the respiratory therapist heard him say " I don't want it" that was in reference to a breathing treatment with a face mask. I know he's so close to waking up and saying " Whats Up ". If we could get him pushed over this edge we could be on our way. Mean while we keep doing the best we can. His doctors continue to come by every day to be sure his body stays healthy while his brain heals. We have the best doctors and best care for Chris - he deserves the best. He has always given us 100% of his love and his effort . We'll continue to give him all we have for as long as it takes.

Love to All Barb

 Hi Everyone

I forgot to tell you about the Labor Day Party on Monday. The re-hab unit had their own picnic on one of the patios. Everyone came in their wheelchairs or their walkers. There were games and long tables of food. All the therapists brought something. It was very nice. Do you suppose UMC does anything like that for their patients?

Chris was different today. He was wide awake all day. He was alert and wonderful throughout the day. At midnight we were still waiting for him to sleep. During his therapy he stood in the standing frame and ate 1/2 of a snack-pack of chocolate pudding. He took good bites and swallowed well. We hope this continues tomorrow. The representive from the Insurance Co. will be here next Wednesday. So I hope good things continue to happen.

Lab reports were good today and as Dr. Brown says " We have a Good Lung Day".

Barb

 Good Morning

September ! I'll never get over how our lives have frozen and still the world moves so fast. And this weekend has reminded us of other tragedies going on as with Princess Diana dying so violently. So much sadness.

Chris is in a holding pattern. The drug being used to stimulate & wake up his " brain " has been discontinued & a different one used in it's place. But the process has to be started all over again . So the doses are small right now & it will be a week or two before we see any changes. We are told there are several drugs that can be utilized this way.

On Saturday & Sunday we had a number of visitors which included Chris's friends Calvin, Marshall, Greg, Rich, Michelle, Tonja, Chris & Alma And all their babies , How great ! Also Carey Allen & Emily from San Jose. And my mom, Heather & Saunders . We had a wonderful visit. It was footballs opening day that was always so important to Chris. Jen is making his picks at the hotels - Good Luck

Barb