Thursday, December 15

Only wonderful things to report today. Richard is continuing to amaze us and his doctors with his continuing progress everyday! He has been evaluated and accepted for transfer to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, in the Medical Center. He will move there this afternoon. TIRR treats people with a range of disabilities from complex conditions like brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma and amputation, to rehabilitation for conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-polio syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/tirr/).

When we receive more information on his room number, rehab schedule, and visiting hours we will update you all.

Below is the link for directions and parking information so you may plan your visit:

http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/tirr/directions.aspx

Richard's Recovery Benefit

Staurday, December 10, 2011 was an extremely successful day of fundraising for Richard's recovery. I could not have dreamed up a better turnout than we experienced. The benefit was held at South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena, TX. We had a basketball tournament, silent auction, raffle, and BBQ.

The basketball tournament was fun for all who played and those who watched. We had 9 teams that participated... Big Richard, The Closers, The Bulls, Team TWSCO, Average Joes, The Celtics, Shot Collin, The Rockets. and The Heat. They played 20 minute games, full court, double elimination. The first game began at 9am and the final game ended around 4pm. Big Richard took first place in the tournament. Each player on the winning team received a $25 gift card to Academy. BIG Thank you to all of the teams for your time, participation, support and for providing the entertainment! Also, a big thanks to all the families who came out to support their teams. And an extra special thanks to our #1 referee and long time family friend, Tommy Lyons and also Mr. Mike. Thank you gentleman for giving up your day to help us out.  

Aside from the basketball tournament the silent auctions and raffles were also very successful. Many people took home a great prize, or two. We had a wide variety of items donated to the cause. To name a few; a wagon full of toys, everything irish, a few movie bundles, grilling basket, Texan's!, sports photos, laser hair removal and facials, Gringo's/ Bullritos/ Jimmy Changa gift basket, Everything Caffeine with starbucks gift card, wreaths, handmade scarves with bath & body works goodies, etc. We also raffled off two original Ducks Unlimited signed and numbered prints. Congrats to John Bogar and Jason Webster, two well-deserving people as they have been big supporters in all of this. Thank you both!  And Thank you to all who donated items.

In the midst of all the business inside the Family Life Center, the Knights of Columbus Co. 803 were busy selling BBQ plates in the parking lot. The plates were sold for $8 and included brisket, sausage, potato salad, beans, and all the fixins. Special thanks to Carl Stoncipher for taking care of all of that for us. You were such a great help!

We are so happy to annouce that we were able to raise nearly $4,500 in one day to put towards Richard's medical expenses. We will never be able to repay you all for the support you have given us. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have you all in our lives. On Sunday, middle daughter, Ashley told Richard how well the benefit went and how much we were able to raise. He responded with a big "thumbs up"! We know that he too is so grateful for all of you and what you are doing for our family.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

South Belt Leader-Ellington Houston Newspaper

We made headlines :) Follow the link to see our Benefit advertised in this week's issue of the South Belt Leader-Ellington Houston Newspaper

http://www.southbeltleader.com/Leader12-8-11.pdf

Donations

We have had many people so generously asking how they can donate to, or help with Richard's recovery. To make this easy for you all we have set up a savings account at Wells Fargo Bank. The account is named "Donation to Richard McGinty" and the account number is 5919061191. Cash or check deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo location or to anyone in the McGinty family. Checks may be made payable to: Donation to Richard McGinty. All money raised at the benefit (team entry fees, silent auction, and bbq plates) will be deposited in this account as well. All proceeds will go toward Richard's medical bills and our family's out of town expenses the first weeks of Richard's recovery spent in Nacogdoches (hotel and food expenses).

‎Gulf Coast Tool & Rental values family, and are committed to helping families in desperate situations. Gulf Coast Tool & Rental will match all $10 donations to the “Donations to Richard McGinty” fund at Wells Fargo Bank under account number 5919061191. Please make checks payable to “Donation to Richard McGinty,” and then let them know that you’ve donated by posting on their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ggctr).

Don’t forget to post on their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ggctr) so they’ll know to match your donation!!!

We want to thank you all so very much for your continued support. It is making the process much easier on our family; emotionally, spiritually, and financially.

Visitors

For those who plan to visit Richard... he has been moved again to the 5th floor Room# 521

Sunday, December 4

Incredible updates to share since the last post!! Today was an amazing day for Richard, as he is really beginning to come back to us. Although he is still unable to speak, we believe he fully understands what is going on. He recognizes all of us and is trying to interact.

Richard spent a couple of hours sitting up in his Neuro chair in the lounge area today. He likes watching all the people come and go and the nurses hard at work. When his daughter, Ashley got to the hospital he and Molly were sharing a McDonald's soda. Every time Molly would hold up the cup Richard's eyes grew big and he slowly opened his mouth. Molly would give him a couple of drops from the end of the straw... just enough to get his mouth wet. He thoroughly enjoyed every single drop. He is showing a lot of interest in bright colors. The visitor name tags were neon green today... he couldn't take his eyes off of the name tags, maybe a little mesmerized. When his sister, Lisa and youngest daughter, Megan showed up the nurses were putting him back in his bed. Once he was situated back in his room we all joined him there. Being himself, his eyes are constantly fixated on the TV now. He has found the remote to his TV and is very protective over it (naturally!) He is beginning to grasp things and using his thumb a lot. He is holding onto his remote and squeezing our hands when we ask him to. When his mom and dad, Sidney and Richard E. arrived tonight Richard slightly held his hand up to shake his father's hand and it looked as if he mouthed the word "Momma." Happy tears for all of us. The Jelly bean trick continues to work as well. We flattened out a jelly bean and told Richard to stick out his tounge. He did, everytime. We would rub the jellybeans against his tounge and then tell him to close his mouth so he could taste it, and he did, everytime. When we asked if he wanted more he would tap his foot against the bed.  Obviously he is missing his sweets :)

Such great relief seeing him make these amazing advancements in his recovery. Everyday he gives us more reason to have hope. Richard is a man on a mission and he'll continue to fight. We couldn't be any more proud.

We hope to see you all- new and old friends, family, and strangers at Richard's benefit on Saturday December 10 from 9am-5pm. If you need more information please leave a comment and I will respond as soon as possible.

Good Day

Today Richard is very responsive. He is answering yes and no questions by tapping his right foot. He gave us a thumbs up a few times, and is able to focus on objects in his room as well as people. Still baby steps but headed in the right direction.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FORM

If you are interested in entering a team in the basketball tournament benefit on December 10th please contact me, Ashley and I will e-mail you the registration form. We will then make an appointment for you to turn in your team's entry fee and form. This should be completed and turned in by Wednesday, December 7th.

Contact: Ashley McGinty
E-mail: a_mcginty927@hotmail.com
Phone: 713-876-6051

Monday, November 21

Richard is doing well today. The doctors are happy with how good he is doing so he has been moved to a private room in the intermediate care unit. Room 221. He has gained about 17 pounds since last week! He is up to 128 lbs now! His tube feeding is really doing him good.The nurse noticed a little infection around the medi port that was inserted two weeks ago. The doctor doesn't like the idea of keeping it in since it is not healing normally. They will be removing that soon and inserting a pick line instead.
He seems to be more alert every day. Opening, closing, blinking both eyes now (still favoring the right eye though). He has been spending some time everyday in his neuro chair to allow him to sit up.He seems content, and happy. Molly has been teasing him with jellybeans... His favorite thing in the world. Trying anything to get him to wake up... Haha

Visitors are welcome any day! He has been pretty popular since he has been back in Houston. There are lots of people who love him <3

Benefit Flyer

Please share this event information with your friends. We welcome everyone to come out and support Richard!!

A Perfect Example...

Wanted to share this with all of you as an example of the wonderful people we have encountered through all of this. Sidney, Richard's mother got a call today from Carnival Cruise lines asking if she was interested in a discounted cruise in the near future. She politey declined and breifly explained her situation with Richard's incedent. Shortly after she received this e-mail from the Carnival Customer Service team...

Such a small gesture from a COMPLETE stranger. He did not have to take the time to send this message, but he did, and it means the world to all of us.

God is Good, and so are his people.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 @ 6PM: 90.1 FM RADIO

HOUSTON FRIENDS!!!

Please tune into 90.1 FM at 6pm tonight.

Jay Dooling will be on air with updates for Irish Aires listeners and friends about Richard's condition and progress. He will also be playing some of Richard's favorite irish tunes dedicated to him, our family and our amazing supporters ♥

NON-HOUSTONIAN FRIENDS!!!

please visit http://kpft.org/ and click the "Listen Live" link at the very top of the webpage!

 

http://irishairescurrentevents.blogspot.com/2011/11/update-on-richard-mcgintys-status.html

BENEFIT FOR RICHARD'S RECOVERY

Hello friends! This is Richard's middle daughter, Ashley. We are organizing a benefit for my father's recovery with the help of some wonderful friends and would like to invite you all to enjoy the day with us and help support our family in these trying times.

On Saturday, December 10th beginning at 9AM we will be hosting a Basketball Tournament to raise money and awareness of Richard McGinty's recovery progress. This benefit will be held at South Main Baptist Church at ** 4300 E Sam Houston Pkwy S Pasadena, TX 77505** southmain.org I am so appreciative and thankful to say that a friend and staff member at South Main Baptist has generously agreed to open their doors to us and help organize this basketball tournament. (Special THANKS to Kevin Richard!) Anyone and everyone is welcome and encouraged to form a team and sign up for this event! The tournament will be teams of 5 on 5. Entry fee is $100 per team, no matter how many members are on the team. We would like to get up to 16 teams signed up to make this fun for everyone involved! The 1st place team will receive Academy Gift Cards! If you are interested in signing up please contact me as soon as possible by email at a_mcginty927@hotmail.com We would like to have everyone signed up by December 3rd. 

 >> Also, Richard's incredible friends and brothers of The Knights of Columbus council 803 will be selling BBQ plates in the parking lot of the church at the basketball benefit on December 10th. So come hungry!  

Along with the basketball tournament we are collecting any donations and gift baskets for a silent auction. Baskets will be on display at Its About Hair salon where Richard's daughter, Stacey works.

**11530 Space Center Boulevard, Houston, TX 77059** (281) 487-3637

The silent auction will begin Monday, November 21st and go until the day of the basketball benefit, December 10th where we will finish the silent auction at the church. If you are interested in donating a basket or bidding on a basket feel free to contact me again at, a_mcginty927@hotmail.com If you are donating items you can drop them off at the salon at the above address or contact me and I will arrange a time to pick them up from you.

I just want to reiterate how grateful we all are. It is an absolute shock to see and receive such powerful support from friends and strangers alike. It is completely heart warming to know how many people have read our story and are keeping up with my father's progress. We are forever in debt to you all for your time, thoughts, prayers, and actions. We could not have been blessed with more wonderful people in our lives. It has really made this whole process easier to cope with.

♥ GOD BLESS YOU ALL ♥

Thursday, November 17

RICHARD HAS ARRIVED TO HOUSTON!

Hello friends! Richard is officially settled in at Kindred Hospital in the Houston Medical Center. For those of you who would like to visit him, he is in ICU room 5. All of his new doctors have been to see and assess  him. He is doing well, but we have no updates to share at this time..



Tuesday, November 15

UPDATE!

Sorry for the delay but we have not had much to update on Richard's recovery. The past few days have been pretty slow for him. For those of you who have not heard, Richard has been accepted into Kindred Hospital (Medical Center) in Houston! Paper work has been done by both hospitals and we are just waiting for a bed to open up for him. He will either be in their ICU, Intensive Care Unit or their IMU, Intermediate Care Unit. He is still "resting" but continues to heal. 

Whatever you ask for in Prayer with faith you will receive.
Matthew 21:22
 

Wednesday, November 9

We have only good things to report today! Richard's surgery went very well yesterday. He went into surgery at 4:45pm and they finished up around 7:15. They successfully replaced the bone flap. For some reason they weren't able to do the medi port at that time so they rescheduled that for this afternoon. They have already completed that and it well! Also, it turns out his ear wasn't actually detached like they thought. There was just a good sized cut on it. He is definitely a trooper- still hanging in there and not giving up anytime soon!

We are strong, because he is strong.

Tuesday, November 8

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BRODY HUDSON!!!

 

It's a big day for Brody and his Pawpaw. Richard will go in for surgery at 3pm today. The doctors plan to replace the bone flap (the piece of his skull that was removed on Monday, October 24), reattach the top part of his right ear and insert a medi port. "A medi port is a small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical needle stick." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)

Prayers appreciated for a successful procedure! Will update post-surgery.

Monday, November 7

No new updates on Richard. He had a slow weekend. Had lots of visitors and opened his right eye quite a bit. Surgery still tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday November 8. Prayers appreciated for a successful surgery. He is fortunate to have amazing doctors. We know he is in good hands!

PRAYERS FOR A FRIEND

All, a co-worker and friend of Lisa McGinty (Richard's sister) is in need of your prayers as well.

Mr. Smith's 14 month old son Camilo Smith was at nursery school this week and had a hard fall. He suffered from a stroke and is in critical condition. Please add Camilo and his family to your prayers today!

Thursday, November 3

LOTS OF BABY STEPS FOR RICHARD!!!

The neurologist is giving him a good prognosis at this point. But still, anything can happen. Richard is breathing on his OWN! They have attached a trach collar  to his tracheotomy today. The trach collar is just a tube connected to O2 flow. He will no longer have a vent just O2 going to his tracheotomy. Great news for us all! Also, yesterday they took his stitches out from the forehead laceration and where they repaired the facial bones. Richard is beginning to look more and more like himself every day. 

Next Tuesday the doctor plans to replace his bone flap that they removed last Monday to allow room for the brain swelling. They also plan to reattach his his right ear. He may have to be put back on the ventilator after surgery, but usually that is used as a precaution.

I know the prayers are pouring in and they are definitely working. I am positive that we will get that miracle we have been waiting for. One day at a time...

Gulf Coast Tool and Rental

  Please visit and "LIKE" the

 Gulf Coast Tool and Rental

 Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/twsco?v=app_4949752878&ref=sgm#!/ggctr

This is an incredible company who is doing something amazing!! They campaign to raise money for families who are in need. They will match all $10 donations they receive. Richard will be their next campaign. Please Like their page and be on the look out for Richard's story! Donate if you can. 

We really appreciate all the help and support we are receiving.
We will be forever in debt to you all.

Tuesday, November 1

Some great news today!! The Doctor did another CT scan and a small portion of the left frontal lobe is all that seems to be damaged. They say that he should be able to function with that. However, the eye movement that I noted a few days ago may not be such a good thing afterall. They are going to do an EEG to check and see if he is having seizures. The Doctor thinks that is what the eye movement may actually be caused by. Will keep you all posted as we recieve more updates...

The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
-Psalm 41:3

Monday, October 31

Happy Halloween Ghouls and Boo's!

Richard had a good day today. The Doctor's performed a Tracheotomy so he no longer has to be on the ventilator. Molly says he looks so much better now, more like himself. They also removed the JP drain. This was draining the blood and fluid in and around his brain. The fluids have all gone down and Richard no longer needs the drain. Doctor's also found that Richard grimaces when they stick him for the ABG's which means he feels the pain. He still isn't reacting normally to the pain, but he does feel it! Keep the Prayers coming!

Sunday, October 30

Today was a rough day for Richard. They had to give him blood and potassium today as his hemoglobin and potassium levels were low. His fever was back up to 101 degrees so they put him back on the cooling blanket to bring his fever down. He did not have as much movement as he had in the past days. No progression today. The waiting continues...

Richard's parents, wife, siblings, and two younger daughters went to mass today at The Sacred Heart in Nacogdoches. Monsignor Young is the priest at this church and is also the priest who has often been visiting with Richard and praying with him. The service was very moving.

By the time they got back to the hospital Richard had lots of visitors awaiting him.
His oldest daughter, Stacey and his grandson and Aunt Sandra came back up to visit with him, best and long time friends Robbie and Keely Standley, and close family friends Judy and Gary Daniels. We all enjoyed our time with them as much as Richard enjoyed their company, I'm sure.

Do not abandon me, Lord. My God, do not go away from me! Hurry to help me, Lord, my Savior.

-Psalm 38:22-23

A Father's Prayer for his Injured Son: Written by Richard E. McGinty

Heavenly Father I commend unto you my Son.

That your will be done with him.

He is so very young in life.

He has four children and a wife,

a Grandson too.

There is so much he should do.

At my age I would gladly trade

the burden he now bears

for what years I have left to spare

through this earthly veil.

His Mother too, I know would gladly go

into your kingdom just for him.

We have shared so many things,

We'd both gladly do this for him.

Yet, I know that the purpose you have in mind

is not for she nor I to divine but just carry on

this life we have taking care of those that need the salve

of our Love.

Therefore Lord this I pray,

Make him whole and well again when you may.

Either in heaven or this earthly play of life.

Deliver him from his pain, his strife with our love.

We will dedicate ourselves to those that he and you Love.

Saturday, October 29

Hello all! We have wonderful news for the day. Mid afternoon seems to be Richard's best time of the day when he is the most active. Today we all noticed he had some very slight but very apparent eye movement in both eyes. They are not moving in the same direction or even at the same time... but they are moving a little! Ashley made a shadow box with a collage of the family, his rosary that hung in his truck, and some prayer tokens that Megan bought him (one for healing, one for family, and one his guardian angel). Ashley was showing him today and telling him about it. As she moved the memory box in a downward motion his right eye slowly followed it. It was absolutely incredible. Such a proud moment for us all.

Last night Molly, Richard's wife got a call from the Doctor after his daily assessment of Richard. In the assessment they will pinch or poke certain sensitive points on the body to see if he shows any kind of reaction. Last night they noted that when they would pinch or poke Richard's chest area he would move his right arm toward the direction of the pain. He is beginning to localize the pain! What a great sign :) However when they poked his feet he moved his feet into the needle. This tells us that he recognizes that he has pain but isn't sure where it is coming from or how to react to it. Baby steps... but steps nonetheless. And they're steps in the right direction!

**Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. ~Søren Kierkegaard

We are all heading to mass in the morning where Monsignor James E. Young preaches. He is the priest who has been visiting Richard and praying with him. He is so great! Looking forward to a beautiful Sunday with loving family. Thank you all for keeping up with Richard's progress. Time to rest for now. We have a long day ahead of us... Brody is coming to visit!!

Friday, October 28

Hello everyone... no real updates today. Richard has not shown any progression. All of his vitals are looking good though. Heart rate, blood pressure, etc.

This afternoon while Richard's wife, Molly and middle daughter, Ashley were visiting with him he was moving his hands and feet around quite a bit. Ashley was holding his hand asking him if he could squueze her hand. He had some slight movement in his fingers but didn't actually clench his fingers down. After she let go of his hand he moved his hand across the blanket that his arm was resting on and clenched his fingers around the corner. He bagan pulling the blanket in an upward motion three or so times. It was quite a milestone in Molly and Ashley's minds. However the nurse informed them that it may just be natural reflexes... we will continue to believe what we want ;) We are all so proud of him for holding on and trying so hard.

God Bless! Keep the praryers coming---

"Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer." E. M. Bounds

Welcome to Richard's Road to Recovery

In an effort to keep everyone informed without forgetting anyone and without spending hours making phone calls we thought we would start blogging "Richards Journey."

For those of you who may not know the details I will start from the beginning....

______________________________________________________________

THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT: Nacogdoches, Tx

On Monday, October 24th- Richard was working, driving from one inspection location to another. Sometime between 2 and 3 pm he was heading up Hwy 59 South through Nacogdoches heading to his next job in Magnolia. Half a mile south of the weigh station in Nacogdoches the wreck occured. Witnesses said the truck veered into the median, fish tailed and flipped multiple times, landing on the Northbound lanes of the highway. Paramedics had to pull him out through the back window of his truck since the majority of the truck was so damaged. He was then rushed to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and the family was contacted with the horrible news.

The wonderful team at the hospital quickly intubated him, started fluids, and gave him blood. After a CT scan revealed that he had bleeding in his brain, multiple fractures of his face, fractured left hand, two fractures in his neck (c2 and c4), a deep laceration on his forehead, and his right ear was partially detached... he was rushed into surgery where they evaccuated some of the blood from his brain. They also removed a portion of his skull to releive pressure and allow room for swelling, preformed a maxillofacial surgery to repair the fractures in his face, repaired the laceration of his forehead and ear, and dressed the fractured hand. While in surgery the anesthesiologist came out to update Richards wife, Molly and mother, Sidney who had been anxiously awaiting some news. She informed them that it did not look good because he had sever head trauma and had possibly had no blood circulation to his brain for an extended amout of time. If he recovered he may not be the same. The heartbreak began. Sidney notified Richard's children, siblings, and father of his status and asked for the family to come be with him in this trying time. After surgery was succesfully completed Richard was wheeled into what would become his new home for a questionable length of time. ICU, room #9 is where his recovery begins.

After reaching his room they inserted an IVC filter to prevent emboli from moving to his brain. Once the doctors were able to stabelize Richard, his wife and mother were brought back to see him for the first time. They received the shock of the severity of his injuries. Richard was in critical condition and was a coma and nonresponsive. If he survived, his healing would be a very long journey.

** Meanwhile, back home in Houston Richard's family comforted one another as they passed along the news and prepared for their travel to Nacogdoches. Richard's brother, David and sister, Lisa bravely stepped up for his children, Stacey, Ashley, Megan, and Jonathan. Everyone was ready to go except for the missing link... Grandpa/ Richard the Elder/Richard's father. Grandpa was attending a United Nations Day celebration dinner and did not have his cell phone on him. Thankfully his smart, beautiful, talented granddaughter, Megan listened to him (for once... just kidding Megan!!) and knew the name of the place he was at. We found the number and were able to notify the security guard of our family emergency. He asked Megan to describe her grandfather for him which she responded "He's a short, white haired, fat old man... probably like everyone else in that room. Just ask around for Richard (the Elder)Someone will know him." Thankfully for us the security guard was pretty smart and had a good sense of humor and was able to track him down and send him home to us. The group loaded down the cars and went to be with Richard for what could have possibly been his last hours. That was the longest, darkest ride any of them have ever endoured. Finally arriving safely in Nacogdoches the tears began to flow as we came together in the waiting room outside of the ICU. We were all very scared of what news might soon follow. Two at a time we were permitted to visit Richard. Seeing him for the first time was heart wrenching as he looked so helpless and so much in pain. We continued to rotate visitation throughout the night into the early morning, resting every two hours when visitation was restricted. We made it through the first night and checked into a hotel as we planned to extend our stay.

_____________________________________________________________

TUESDAY- OCTOBER 25

No progress overnight with Richard.

Richard's father contacted the insurance company early this morning to notify them of the accident. They requested that we remove any personal belongings from the vehicle so that it could be release to them. After their first visitation of the morning was over Richard Sr, the two younger daughters Ashley and Megan, David, and best friend Brian headed to the USA RV storage and body shop in Nacogdoches where the totalled truck sat. The wrecker driver pulled the tarp away uncovering the horrifying sight of Richard's truck. Airbags undeployed. All windows shattered. Roof completely caved in. All of his belongings thrown throught the cab and bed of the truck. Megan bravely climbed in the cab while Ashley climbed in the bed of the vehicle. They began to search for any important belongings. The girls picked through the trash, rubble, tools, blood covered clothing, his shattered windshield, etc to retrieve anything of importance or value to Richard. Some of the most important things recovered were Richard's wedding and Army rings, (both of which the girls now wear around their necks). His belongings were loaded up and the papers were signed releasing the vehicle to the insurance company. The staff was so encouraging and caring as we completed such a difficult task.

_____________________________________________________________

THURSDAY- OCTOBER 27

In the ICU his earth angels/nurses are carefully watching over him and tending to his every need. We are all so blessed and thankful to have such wonderful people taking care of him.

Richard's injuries have not progressed much since his surguries although his bruises, swelling and lacerations are begining to heal very well. On Wednesday October 26 he began to show movement, or posturing in his extrimities. The movement happens more often with the touch of his loved ones but also sometimes on his own. We are all pleased with this although it is not necessarily a sign of progression. His nurses keep a close eye on his IV fluids and medication to ensure that his heart rate, blood pressure, and temperture stay as close to normal as possible. Today the doctors placed a PEG (feeding tube) and preformed a bronchoscopy to clean out his lungs. They discovered a bleeding stomach ulcer which they are now treating with a protonic drip. Once healed they will begin feeding Richard through the PEG tube. Anyone who knows Richard, knows how much he loves his food. He will be happy!

This is as much news as we know today. Please continue to follow our blog for updates as he heals. Also--- We would like to personally thank every single person family, friends, and strangers who have given your full support through prayer and condolences. If not for all of you we may not be able to stand so strong beside Richard in this difficult time. God has a plan, we just have to wait for it to be revealed. Please do not stop praying for Richard and for our family until he is home and fully recovered. WE NEED OUR MIRACLE. Much love and thanks...