Prayers Requested

[2K2BIRD]

Rick's latest MRI showed some improvement.
He has a temporary feeding tube and had a temporary tracheotomy placed today. These will help Rick move forward with his therapy as he won't be hooked up to machines all the time. However, after the tracheotomy his oxygen levels dropped so the ventilator is still being used via that route until he can be weaned of of it. He is responding well. The doctor's think it is time for physical therapy to begin to regain his strength and eventually remove those temporary tubes. After 4 weeks it looks like he'll be getting out of ICU and moved to the rehab unit soon.

God's time table has been a little slower than we would like, but surely he has heard all of us praying for Rick. Thanks so much for them and for some of you taking time to call to check on him. It means more than you know to the family.

[Tbear]

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear that he is headed in the right direction.

[wcoates]

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear that he is headed in the right direction.

Still praying for him. Glad things are looking up!

How are you Tbear? RetroGeorge? BlackBeauty ? Gene? Anyone else?

[Tbear]

Still praying for him. Glad things are looking up!

How are you Tbear? RetroGeorge? BlackBeauty ? Gene? Anyone else?

Bill, doing OK. Not running any foot races, but hanging in there. Saw the doc yesterday and it was a good visit.

[15AGAIN]

Glad to hear that Rick is improving, will continue with him on the prayer list.
Dave, glad to hear that you are getting along ok also, keep us informed.

[longbill]

Sounds like good news all around!

[TBIRDLUV]

Thankful for the good progress for Rick and for Dave ! We’ll continue prayers for healing and for strength for the rest of the family.

[2K2BIRD]

Rick is now in a rehab hospital in Broken Arrow, OK (suburb of Tulsa). Kathy is staying with him. We went up to visit them this afternoon. Rick receives physical therapy every day in the bed while he is on the ventilator. It's slow, but after a month of being bed ridden, you have to start small. Rick is still somewhat groggy much of the time, but you can tell he understands what you say to him. The pain meds were lowered at the rehab hospital. The hospital is relatively new and is very nice. The staff appears to be very caring in their job.

It's too soon to measure much progress, but when I told Rick he needed to get well soon, so he could chase the nurses around he got a big grin on his face. It was pretty clear he understood what I was talking about. A good sign for sure.

If you would like to send him and Kathy a get well card or note of encouragement, here's the address to use:

Richard Vichich
% Cornerstone Hospital of Oklahoma - Broken Arrow
1000 West Boise Circle, Room 308
Broken Arrow, OK 74012

[02-T-Bird]

Glad to hear there's progress in the positive direction. My prayers and positive thoughts are headed their way.

Take care.

Ted

[15AGAIN]

Great to hear that is is improving, am sure the move helped him also.
Will keep on the prayer List!

[jim heath]

So glad that things have turned around for Rick. We'll keep him, Kathy and all of the family in our thoughts and prayers.

[AZTB]

Rick is now in a rehab hospital in Broken Arrow, OK (suburb of Tulsa). ...

We've been to Broken Arrow several times...it's a beautiful community. Glad he's making progress...answered prayer!

[Lakebum]

Rick is in our thoughts and prayers Paul. We have been there and know that prayers and family being there is a very large plus!! All our best, John and Yo.

[Tbear]

More good news for sure. He is still on the prayer list.

[2K2BIRD]

Time for some good news!

Rick's trach was removed yesterday. He is talking and began feeding himself day before yesterday, so it should only be a matter of time before the feeding tube is out.

The therapists have him more active. Today he used his arms to move himself down the hall and back in a wheelchair. He stood on his own for a short time, also. He must build more strength to sit up more, stand longer and eventually take steps on his own.

Rosetta and I were by today to visit with him, Kathy and his daughter who is in from Florida. We had a good visit and were so encouraged by the progress he has made since we were there just last Thursday. I told him how much support you guys have shown through prayers and checking on him through here, calls and text messages. He said to tell everyone how much he appreciated it. When I told him Ron was up to 12 retros, his response was just like the rest of us, "Really? Wow."

It's still going to be a long row to hoe for full recovery, but at least he's getting closer to being able to use the hoe on his own.

Thank you for the continued prayers ....