Zac would love to get a text from you. His new number is

1-682-235-3518

December 27 - 30

Since therapy was closed on Monday my schedule this week was Tuesday-Friday except Thursday. Each day I had PT, OT & Speech (swallowing). PT focused on walking and being able to unlock my knees followed by a slow sit instead of a fast one. A slow sit is hard because it takes a lot of leg strength, which I don't yet have. OT worked on strengthening my shoulder blades mainly. Speech is out of Lemon Swabs there are more she worked with me on my cognitive speech, since I only get that therapy on the 4 day therapy weeks. Tuesday she said I could have another swallow study next week. Friday I ate a sugar cookie with her observing. She was leery to release me to eat them until she saw how it went. When seeing how easy it was for me she said I could eat them whenever I wanted.

December 19 - 25

On Saturday I was at my mom's house because my dad was still feeling sick from a stomach bug he'd had since Wednesday morning. Therapy was closed until Tuesday. Saturday at noon we drove to my aunt's house for Christmas Eve (which I was going to anyway). My mom, younger sister, step-dad, aunt, cousin and several close friends were there. We ate a huge Christmas lunch which I cheerfully indulged in until I was beyond full...but I still took leftovers home. There were great deserts of course, but nobody had room for them until several hours later. We watched the Dallas Cowboys lose a football game, talked and did the Christmas Eve traditions. After we drove home I somehow had room to eat some leftovers for dinner. Christmas morning we opened presents at my mom's house, then my dad picked me up at 11:30. He, my younger brother and I went to his house to eat lunch and hangout. That evening we joined his friend and their family for Christmas dinner since they wanted us over., On Monday, my older sister, nephew, niece, her husband along with my great niece came to my dad's house in time for another Christmas lunch, as if I hadn't already eaten too many extravagant meals, After we ate, presents were opened. My niece and her husband needed to leave but my great niece stayed with my sister. After a while my brother and nephew rode dirt bikes behind our house while the rest of us watched a movie.

December 12 - 18

I had the same schedule as last week including four weekdays, not including Thursday. Monday-Wednesday went pretty normal with Michelle driving me to therapy then back home. Monday was the third day since the Disport injections in my calves. I started to notice a difference because in PT when I walked I didn't get any clonus until the end. The clonus stayed about the same the rest of the week but the doctor informed me that it takes up to three weeks to receive the full effect.On Tuesday, Speech therapy allowed me to change a full mechanical soft foods diet, and it's been AWESOME! Praise God!! A mechanical soft food takes some chewing but not a lot. Wednesday I only had two hours of therapy with (cognitive) speech, which focuses on my audible speaking and OT. Thursday was a day of therapy at my house but I had a doctors appointment in Ft. Worth where I had a CT scan of my kidneys. Coming back into town we stopped at a store to buy my hunting license. During the weekend we were going deer hunting. A friend of ours has a reserve that accommodates handicaps. We ended up calling the hunt off since I was trying to get a cold. Then a haircut and on back home. Friday morning before therapy I had a checkup appointment with my family doctor. She wanted me to come in one week after my antibiotic stopped. Then Michelle drove me to therapy.

December 3 - 9

My schedule for therapy this week was every weekday except for Thursday including three doctor appointments. Before therapy on Monday I had a appointment with my ENT in Dallas at UT Southwestern. The appointment was at 9:15 so it required us to wake up at 5:45. I met her for help with the clonus in my vocal cords. The determination was more intensive swallowing therapy for now. Since the appointment was so early I made it to therapy on time. Tuesday I had an appointment with another doctor in Arlington, a Nuero-Urologist. He took blood, a urine specimen, set me up for a kidney CT on the 15th and then back to his office on Dec 29th. Again I made it to therapy on time but only had OT and Speech. Wednesday was just a day of therapy with PT, OT & Speech. Thursday I had no therapy but my schedule for the day was already made, I had my last doctor appointment for the week in Dallas also at UT Southwestern. This was for injection shots into my calves to help the clonus problem I was having. Dr. Nguyen was injecting a medicine called Disport which is the same as Botox and just weakens the muscle. He said I would notice the medicine start to kick in 2-3 days. Friday while walking in PT I didn't notice any difference in my clonus, but it was only the first day.

November 28 - December 2

This week I had therapy 3 days; Monday, Tuesday & Friday. Monday started with PT.By the end of the session I had to go to the restroom. Even though I went 1 hour before I felt I was about to pop. My bladder kept acting odd throughout the day. With those symptoms I couldn't do OT or Speech. I asked my dad to take me home. On the drive back he called my familydoctor telling her what was happening. The company that made my bladder medicine had stopped making the 2.5mg pills I took 4 times a day. They now made a 5mg pill that we had to cut in half. As we did apparently the medicine wasn't spread evenly through the pill & I hadn't got all my medicine. Now I take the full 5mg pill only twice a day. Tuesday went good, I even walked 115ft in PT to the stair-step machine to exercises on it. Wednesdayand Thursday I was going to work on therapy exercises at home. By 3 Wednesday afternoon I was shivering even though it was 72 degrees in the houseand I was wearing a hoodie. My temperature was 103! My familydoctor said to go to the E.R.and ask for an Urine Analysis, suspecting it was an UTI. It was very difficult to start an IV on me since my veins are smaller & have a lot of scar tissue being poked so many times throughout this journey. Being dehydrated didn't help either. An IVand blood cultures were necessary though. It took 4 people to tryand 9 sticks before a successful one was done. I felt like a human pin cushion. Once they had my blood sample back from the lab it showed my white blood cell count was 24,000where it's supposed to be 6,000-8,000. So they knew I had an infection but not sure where. I had a chest x-raywhich was clear, no pneumonia. Blood work was clear, no kidney problems, etc. Urine sample was mostly clear, Dr. said it was nothing that could cause this much problem. I was put on the antibiotic Levaquin through my IV. By Thursday morning my temperature had went down to 99and my white count to only 21,000. But it was progress. That night the IV was pulled outand I took the antibiotic by pill in preparation to hopefully go home Friday. Friday morning my temperature was 97.9and my white count 9,000! Praise God! I left the hospital before lunchand surely enjoyed it. They determined I was there because of an UTI after all! Friday the Dr. told me to stay home & rest.

Zac's ramp for the garage being built

November 14-18

Monday I decided to stay home to not push my body too hard. I felt weak and sluggish but not sure why. It couldn't have been from the weekend since I got plenty of sleep. Tuesday dad drove me to therapy so Michelle and her daughter could put the daughter's car in the shop. She was able to drive me home that day though and transport me the rest of the week. As for therapy every Tuesday and Thursday I also get Speech therapy that is solely focusing on my talking. The therapist and I can tell my speech is way better and it's easier to understand me. But I seem to revert some back to my old ways in between sessions; I'm working on bettering that. Then I get Speech therapy with another therapist everyday that is focused just on swallowing. In order to stay at 5 days a week of therapy and not be put back to 4 days a week I have to show I'm making progress. Boy am I! OT, PT & Speech have 'goals' for me in certain exercises to see if I'm making that progress. In OT I not only met the goals but I surpassed them! They have now reset those goals to a harder level. The goals in OT are mainly focused on my grip strength, hand-eye coordination & finger dexterity. We also work on my shoulder strength which is pretty bad currently & my range of motion. PT has been working a lot on my hip strength which controls a lot of your balance. I had to push to walk every day, but it's now kicking in. After I walk about 150 feet clonus in my legs start & my legs start to bounce. December 8th I have an appointment with my PMR doctor in Dallas to put Botox injections in my calves to help with this problem. With Speech my gains come more slowly because of the clonus in my vocal cords. I will have a swallow study next week to see if the Lemon swabs we've been doing in therapy and the exercises I've been doing on my own have made an improvement.

November 12-13

Saturday at 11AM Dadand I left the house to leave for east Texas. On our way out of town we swung by a friends house who wanted to come with us. We also loaded a bed of theirs to take to their cousin's house that was near our destination. We were headed to the little town of Edom which is near Canton. Saturday night in Edom was the CMRA's (racing organization) awards banquet. Dad needed to go since he is the track chaplain, I wanted to go since everyone there is like my family since I grew up racing in itand our friend wanted to go being recently drawn to it. Saturday afternoon we went to our motel in Canton first to unload & get into our dress clothes. At 4:30 we left for Edom. We left the banquet at 10 for the motel. The next day on our drive back we stopped in the town of Grand Saline which is an hour closer to home to drop the bed off at our friends cousin's house. Grand Saline is also the hometown of Chris Tomlin! We arrived back in town in time to go to the evening service at church.

November 7-11

From now on as far as I know every Tuesday & Thursday I get 2 Speech therapies. The Speech therapy I get every day is focusing mainly on my swallowing since the clonus in my vocal cords has gotten worse in the past few months. But as I said every Tuesday & Thursday I also have another Speech therapist work with me on my talking. Before therapy on Wednesday I met with an Urologist in town that my Primary Care Doctor recommended. I already had an Urologist but he is almost 2 hours away near Pate Rehab & I wanted to switch to a good one that is closer. He was very sharp & handled a lot of things on his own instead of pawning it off on his nurses, I was happy with switching to him. Only for this Friday dad drove me to therapy.

October 31-November 4

Now that I've moved home I have less time to type updates for the website than I did at Pate. That's why now I've started typing the updates mostly by a whole week combined. This week our new helper started named Michelle. She's actually the mother of a friend. I've known this friend for several years but never her mother. Michelle drives me to therapy & back home mainly, she also helps at our house some. She drives to therapy Tue-Fri, just can't on Monday. Dad drove to therapy & back home on Monday. Wednesday before I went to therapy I went to the hospital in Weatherford to replace my feeding tube. It hangs out my abdomen & goes into my stomach. Through it I get my medicines, some liquid food & my daily water to keep me hydrated. To replace it does not requiresurgery. There's a balloon inside my stomach on the end of the tube filled with saline to hold the tube in place & not let it slide out. They take the saline out of the blloon, pull the tube out, put a new tube in & refill the balloon with saline. Your awake & alert for this. This was done early enough in the day that I was still able to make therapy that day, but boy I was tired at the end of the day from waking up so early for the procedure. Tuesday-Friday Michelle took care of driving me to & from therapy as she will every week.

October 22-23

On Friday, Dadand I traveled to College Station for the last regional road race of the year at Texas World Speedway. He's the track chaplainand I was there as a living testimony/spectator/riding coach/seeing the people I grew up around. I'm a multi-tasker you see. This was also a special weekend because another racer that hadcrashedandsustained a brain injury came to the race. This was his first race to attend since his accident. His occured just undera month after mine at a track in Texas.

I now have a dune buggy that was given to me. I can practice driving again in that instead of a vehicle. I have ridden as a passenger in it several times but had never driven it myself. This track is a big open area with nothing close (that I might hit) for me to try this. So for the first time I drove the dune buggy! By the way, I hit nothing. Since I had to miss therapy that Thursday, I was scheduled for therapy Monday without being asked. I chose not to go since we arrived home late Sunday night. It was a stellar weekend!

October 18-21

This week I started using transport from my house to therapy. Medicaid pays for this. The idea is to get to therapy, do it and get home by myself so my dad can work. Tuesday & Wednesday he wanted to ride with me to make sure it all went smooth. Good thing he did because it didn't go smoothly. Tuesday & Wednesday the transport van arrived at the house to pick me up early & dropped me off after therapy at the house late. Then said I was required to have an attendant since I was in a wheelchair. Thursday & Friday dad took me & picked me up. In Speech therapy I had a swallow study, not looking for advances but for her to become familiar with what she needs to work on. The PT gym is much larger than the one at Pate. I told my therapist I could walk the entire perimeter of the gym easily the wrong way (by leaning forward & putting weight through my arms on the walker). But I wanted to practice it the right way (keeping proper posture & putting no weight through the walker) which does tire me out faster, so I walk roughly 200ft. We would also stretch & do exercises to strengthen my torso. There's an OT room where I did tasks to improve my range of motion in my shoulders & arms. I got to do some of these standing up!

October 10-13

Today - Thursday were my first days of out-patient therapy at Harris. So far so good. I like each of my therapists. I do wish I was able to have more hours. I was used to my schedule at Pate where I worked9-3:30. Now it's just 1 hour with each therapists, so rehab lasts 1-4. I requested Mon-Frilast week yet was only givenTue-Fri.They make me feel like I've accomplished something each day though because I am working a lotand feeling a bit worn out.

October 8

I had a Welcome Home get together today at the house! I spent Friday night with my momand she drove me out to my dad's house today around noon. As we pulled in the driveway there were lots of cars parked on our land (it's in the country) plus the yardand porch were decorated. Familyand friends came out, several on motorcycles. When I was at a race across the country for a week or two I would think how nice it will feel to be back home. When that stay away from home is over 2 years the feeling is amplified a bit. It was a great day!

October 6

An Amerigroup (who Medicaid has now contracted to handle most of their work) evaluator came to the house today to decide how many hours a week of help at the house I qualify for. This will beone person that they pay to come out that will help me get ready in the morning plus get ready for bed at night. I won't want or require help for much longer, as I keep progressing. She saw our mods at homeand asked questions as to how much I can currently do. When she was finished she said I qualified for 45 hours a week of help. I just don't know when that starts.

October 4-5

Now that I've moved home I'm doing outpatient therapy at Harris Hospital in Ft. Worth, 40 minutes from my house. I will be picked up from my house by a transport driver to take me therethen back home when my therapy day is done. Starting Tuesday the 11th I'll do therapy Tuesday-Friday 1-4. Before I start therapy I have evaluations with my therapistsand other people there. Through these they learn more of what I canand can't already do plus my cognitive state. Tuesday I went to Harriswhere Imet my new nurse. She just needed to know all my medicines, surgeriesand current health. Next was my Physical Therapist. I just showed her that I can walk, have fairly good balance, can rolland position on a mat myself plus can do hamstring kicks to my rear while laying on my stomach. Then I met my Speech therapist, who I've actually met before! When I was in Ft. Worth over a year agoand got pneumonia I went to Harris hospital. Since I was eating a bit at the time a speech therapist came to see if it was safe for me to continue, which was her! I told her what type of food I'm allowed to eat on my ownand what I'm allowed to eat in therapy. I think speech will give me another swallow study, not positive. Wednesday I went backand did the same thing with my Occupational Therapists. She had me do task I do in therapy to find out where I'm at. As always I used both arms to work but I warned her to take caution since my right side is less coordinatedand doesn't always do what I want it to! Some objects were projectile. When she was done I met with my Case Manager there. She explained her role which I already knew, having so many before. They act as your liaison and answer questions you have. She deals a lot with my insurance, Medicaid & finds services that will help me. She also happens to be the person there to make every patients schedule. It was odd to meet all new people for these roles that weren't mine that I knew so well from Pate.

September 30

Sorry for the late update, but things have been non-stop since therapy on Friday because I moved back home!!! I've been waiting for this for over 2 years andGod knows when to let something happen. Because my time for this was long ago but He knew that was too soonand it needed to wait. It was a bitter-sweet departure for me though. I had been there over a yearand had become close to all the employeesand patients. It wasn't easy for them either. One of my going away presents was 24 cupcakes the techs made! I ate 1, my dad had 1 & the 22 others I passed around to other patients. They liked that. The therapists had a poster board folded in half like a big card with pics of me racing & others glued to it. They had all written in itas well assome of the patients. My OT therapist even gave me a cardand wrote in it.

September 28

I got to pureed my own food in Speech. I used my Magic Bullet to pureed peanut butter crackers. It looked like sawdust so I added a bit of butter & milk. She had me do this to make sure I had it down right before I leave. After doing this I got to eat it, mmm

September 27

Last night was eventful! At 7:30pm I was sitting on my shower chair (which I sit in to shower) for a tech to rub a medicine on my neck and shoulders. She didn't have the medicine with her so she went down the hall to the medicine office to get it. While she was gone my shirt lying on my knee fell to my feet. I bent over to pick it up; like I've done every day for a year in the shower to scrub my feet and the chair completely fell forward. So I fell in the floor, my knees, feet and shoulder took most of the impact, but my head also hit the floor. The policy here is an immediate trip to the hospital for any fall. I got a CT scan that was clear. By the time I was back and in bed it was 3AM. I didn't go to therapy until 11:40 so I could sleep in.

September 24-25

My mom and dad were present at my discharge conference. My dad had to leave after to finish organizing & cleaning the house for my homecoming. Momand I hung out at Pate. She had to leave Saturday at 7PM. OnSunday morning my dad picked me up at Pateand we went to the road races. The track they raced at is only an hour a day. God spared us all from the horrid heat, I believe the high was 90 or below. Very nice!

September 23

I had my last conference today which was mostly a discharge conference since I'm leaving here Friday the 30th. Every patient has a discharge conference before they leave. My case manager here & clinical supervisor just make sure that my outpatient therapyand all the help I will need when I leave are setup. My therapists say my outpatient therapists can email or call them with any questions. Leaving here will be bitter-sweet. Throughout this journey I haven't stayed at a facility this long orbeen this close to the employeesand patients. But it will be so nice to live at home again! At lunchand dinner I didn't need any tube feedings afterwards, eating it all by mouth! So after breakfast I ate meals as normal!

September 22

On land I walked from the back corner of the gym to the back door of the building & returned. I haven't walked that far since before my last hospital stay. I did that much faster today though & with almost no help. Then in the pool I walked on the treadmill more minutes than I ever have. As if that wasn't cool enough my tube feedings changed. Now if I eat 50 percent of the food by mouth they only tube feed me half of the normal amount.

September 20

After therapy today I changed into dress clothes & we went to the visitation of some friends' daughter. Their daughter passed away a few days ago. The visitation was this evening & the funeral is tomorrow at noon. Since I can't go to the funeral tomorrow I went tonight. While there it felt bizarre, if God hadn't healed me I would've had a funeral

September 17-18

I stayed at Pate this weekend so my dad could focus on prepping the final touches on the house for me to come home. Saturday & Sunday morning I missed breakfast since I slept in but had great lunch & dinner meals both days. Eating meals isn't a big deal to most but when you haven't ate by mouth for 2 years it is. Saturday for dinner the cook had planned on serving beef tips, which sounded great to me, but the oven broke. Instead they ordered Mr. Jim's pizza, my favorite!

September 15

Today was filled with greatness. In Speech I ate ravioli which was a treat. At the end, my therapist told me I could eat and drink at each meal! It has to be pureed or mechanical soft food and honey thick drinks. The cook will know what foods I can eat and the same for the drinks. My plate will be handed to me ready to go. After therapy, Priscilla from the Wal-Mart Vision Center brought my prescription sunglasses and within a few days the replacement lenses for my glasses, now that my prescription has changed.

September 13

I'm not sure why but the therapy horse was here today when he normally is brought out on Fridays. I unbuckled & re-buckled several buckles on his saddle while free-standing & even got to put his halter on today. That was my 1st OT, from there I went straight to the Bodysolid weight machine. Then time for my 1st PT. I usually walk in the morning, we only made it 50 feet away & had to turn back since my legs were so tired. Since there was time left over I sat on the wobble board on a mat & tried to balance it in the center. In Speech I had a bit of a variety to eat. I had banana, peaches & Dr. Pepper. For my last PT I stepped over 1 inch blocks in the parallel bars to the end & back then did the same side-stepping.

September 10

Saturday morning my dad picked me up from Pate at 11 to take me to my birthday party at the Weatherford CiCi's. We arrived there after we picked up a friend of mine. The manager of that CiCi's is a friend & goes to the same church as us. He had a whole section of the place saved just for me. It was great to see the people that I don't get to see very often. The cake was awesome. My friends girlfriend works at a bakery & made the cake herself. It was a marble cake so it was chocolate & vanilla all throughout. She knew my race bikes' paint job in 2007 & 2008 so the bike on the cake looked the same. My gifts were objects to furnish my room or money for me to do so. I knew God would provide for my need, just like he always has.

September 7

I could tell today was my birthday since I got to eat a Popsicle in Speech! I haven't had one in years, it was fantastic. Everyone knew it was my birthday so there was no escaping embarrassment or random birthday songs. The last therapy I have is my 2nd PT from 3-3:30 but my therapist said to roll down the hall, which made me suspicious. There was all my therapists with several other people & a cake in the cafeteria! Since my Speech therapist was there I got to eat my cake! My last 2 birthdays I haven't eaten cake. Then up at the house after patients were done eating dinner there was another cake! It was a great birthday, especially since I wasn't supposed to have a 22nd birthday but God's healing power changed that!

September 3-5

Friday night my mom came to Pate so she could spend the night & we could leave Saturday morning. We arrived at her house about 11 am that morning. While she got ready I got to hang out with my younger sis & their dogs. Around 2 pm my mom, sis & I headed to Main Event for a birthday party. It was really cool because I haven't been there in so long but I could only play air hockey. We arrived back at her house & I looked at every part of the house for needs to remodel to accommodate me. My dad picked me up at her house at 6:30 to take me home so I could see a few things before I had to go to sleep. Sunday we went to church, stayed so long talking to people we went straight home. Once home we worked on arranging & consolidating things for my move back home. Luckily the temperature was favorable since we did that till late Sunday night & Monday till I came back to Pate.

September 2

I had Cotton Candy today in Speech! I hadn't eaten it in so many years that I couldn't remember what happened to it once in your mouth. I had to ask my Speech therapist before putting it in my mouth. Since it would stick in my mouth she would even place a wad in a hard to reach spot to work my tongue & cheeks more. Both horses were brought out today! With the heat they haven't been here in several weeks. I just worked with 1 horse, Hank. As always I got to feed him treats even though he didn't bring me any.

September 1

Today was a good day in my book! For PT I walked to the very end of the hall & back. That's about 200 feet & I did it in under 20 minutes, my pace is getting faster. Afternoon I was stretched. In Speech I had a Nutri-Grain bar, Jello & Gatorade. It was a good variation. I just had 1 OT session today since I had pool therapy. I free-stood at the counter & even put a 6 inch step under my left foot to put most of my weight on my right leg. During pool therapy I walked on the treadmill for 15-20 minutes then walked around the edge of the pool & ended it with side-stepping from one end of the pool to another.

August 31

I walked about 200 feet in PT & it only took me 20 minutes which is good pace for me now. Then to better my balance I sat on the wobble board. In Speech I ate a Nutri-Grain bar. With the amount of time I have in Speech I was able to eat half. For OT I free stood by the counter & turned flash cards over. Being flat on the counter & not dragging them to the edge they hard to flip over.

August 29

In Speech today I ate Jello & graham crackers! I've been asking for Jello for months but wasn't allowed to have it since a slight bit of chewing is involved. I haven't had a graham cracker since I can't remember when but it tasted awesome also. It's funny how excited I was to have such simple foods, but I guess when you haven't eaten in 2 years anything taste good.

August 27-29

My dad took me home Friday night & it was time for bed once we got there. This weekend were the road races in Cresson. Since my dad is the track chaplain at these races he has to be there there early in the morning for the service. He would leave the house Saturday & Sunday at 5:45am to do the service at 7:20am. Saturday morning my friend stayed at the house while my dad was gone in case I needed help. Sunday a friend from church stayed with me. When my dad drove back, I would get ready & we'd head back to the racetrack. Once again I felt like a rockstar, everyone wanted to see me! I always enjoy race weekends, even though it was extremely hot. Sunday was my dad's birthday so Saturday night we ate at the restaurant less than a mile from the track. He invited some close friends, 12 I think. His surprise though was my older sister met us there. I had been trying to coordinate that all week. She also brought my niece, nephew & great niece. My dad had no idea, that was the best part!

August 24

Today in Speech I ate ice cream! This is the 1st time in over 2 years that I've had it. The texture was just the same as I remember & tasted awesome. When people don't eat food for a long time, some foods don't taste the same. I'm blessed not to have that. I'm glad God kept my taste buds safe. I also walked all way down the hall to the back door & walked back to my wheelchair. That's about 300 feet. Before I went to the hospital I walked there every day. This was my 1st day to make it that far. My last day here is September 28th & I'm excited

August 20-21

Friday after therapy my dad picked me up to take me home. We dropped by the dentist office for him to grind down my molars so my teeth would all touch. After he pulled my wisdom teeth my molars still wouldn't allow my teeth to fully shut. Saturday we slept in a bit to rest & saw what else I need before before I go home. We spent every bit of money on the bathroom & bedroom remodeling so we have no more money but I know I'll be blessed as always before. We wanted to head into town around noon, didn't happen. I was going to get a haircut, then we'd head to Walmart. It was 4 when we left the house. No time for haircut, that's fine, I'll get one Sunday. Walmart trip was fun...not. That night while we were getting ready for bed & my dad pulled my day shorts down. My tube was wound up in the shorts. As the shorts went down my feeding tube came out. It's runs into my stomach & the hole can close in a couple hours if no tube is in the hole. My dad called an ambulance that took me to the hospital where they put a new one in. By the time we got to sleep at our house it was 3:45am. We went to church Sunday at the noon service. That worked out well, some close friends went to that service. We all ate lunch. We had to go by the house before we came back to Pate to load up my stuff. My best friend & his girlfriend stopped by for a couple hours to visit.

August 19

I didn't have a lot of therapy today because I went bowling. Every patient at Pate has a room & a desk so in down time or lunch break we have place to go & do desk work. That's where they can use work to test our cognitive levels. I'm in the YAP room which stands for Young Adult Program. Today we went bowling. I was in Speech from 9-9:45am. There wasn't time for eating so I did exercises on my mouth & tongue. We left Pate to go bowl at 9:45 & got back at 1. That allowed me to make my last PT & OT. For OT I laid stomach & pulled both feet up to my rear which worked my hamstrings. That exercise is very hard due to how weak my hamstrings are. Since I only had 1 PT session today I walked out of the gym, down the hall & back. It was harder for me to walk last, everything I did today had my legs worn out.

August 18

Today I had pool therapy so I decided to walk in my 1st PT. My 2nd PT is right after the pool & my legs are too worn out. I walked about 150 feet & had enough time left over to (do) 15 squats using the parallel bars. For those I used the bar to hold while I would squat & pushed back up to stand. This strengthened my legs & worked on me keeping my knees slightly bent when standing. My main struggle when standing or walking is my knees want to go straightt & lock out. I only had 1 OT session today because my pool therapy runs over the time of the last 1. In it I free-stood by the counter to again strengthen my legs. In Speech I ate strawberries. I knew how to make them purre'd texture but not mechanical soft. With puree's you just put them in a blender. For this she cut them into slices & mashed them some with a fork. That way it required some chewwing but not a lot. I got to work out on the Bodysolid weight machine. I walked at least 20 minutes on the underwater treadmill in pool therapy then worked on balance which included standing with nothing around me. I stretched in my last PT.

August 16

With Speech I have now changed therapists as they are trying to even the work load due to more patients. I had puree'd banana. It was cold from being in the refrigerator. For OT I free-stood at the counter & for the 1st time since I've been back from the hospital I took both hands off the counter. I had a time cut on my PT because I was leaving for another swallow study. I walked only 150 feet & then it was time to leave. The study was in Dallas & my dad drove me there. I upgraded from nectar liquid to regular liquid. But regular only in therapy. I can have nectar now on my own! I went from puree'd food to mechanical soft. I can only have mechaincal soft in therapy. I can have puree's on my own!

August 9

I sat on the wobble board on a mat & picked up objects on both sides of me to lay them on a stool in front of me in my 1st PT. This worked on my balance since I tried to keep the board from touching the mat while I moved the objects. It also strengthened my core. I free-stood at the counter in the gym for my 1st OT. I stood longer than I ever have! I got to use the Bodysolid weight machine. No Speech therapy today because my therapist was in a meeting. At lunch I left for an appointment with my urologist.

August 6-7

I went to roadraces in Decatur this weekend. It was great to see the people I used to be around so much. I love going to the roadraces, it feels like my utopia. Saturday morning my dad & brother picked me up at Pate to take me to the track. It's only 1 hour 20 minutes away so Saturday night I came back to Pate to shower & sleep. Then Sunday morning I went back to the track. After the racing was over Sunday afternoon I came back to Pate. Great weekend in my book.

August 4

For my 1st PT I sat on a wobble board on a mat. A wobble board is round & has a ball in the center. It move every direction & works your balance. I only had 1 OT session since my pool therapy runs over my 2nd OT. In it I free-stood at the counter in the gym. My legs are getting stronger again after my long hospital stay. I ate strawberries in Speech. I used the Bodysolid weight machine & did pool therapy.

August 3

I walked a little farther today in PT than I have been. My legs are getting the strength back in them. In my 1st OT time I free-stood at the counter in the gym, while helping finish a cross-word puzzle again. I had Gatorade in Speech. For my 2nd OT time I sat on a wedge on a mat again. It requires me to use my legs to stay up on it & causes me to have perfect posture. I got to use the Bodysolid weight machine today. My family conference was today, my mom called in as always & my dad did also. Usually my dad is here in person but had to go to Ft. Worth today. I was told this was my last conference till my departure conference.

August 1

I walked 150 feet in my 1st PT & had some time left to do 5 sit-to-stands. That's when I'm sitting in my wheelchair & I stand up to my walker & sit back down. For my 1st OT I free stood at the counter in the gym, when I rested I helped her finish a crossword puzzle. Not very therapy related but fun. In Speech I had pink lemonade to drink. I had pool therapy today for the 1st time since I've come back from the hospital. I didn't have another OT session because the pool time runs over it.

July 30-31

My brother's football for the school starts on Monday so he can't have plans or leave town. My dad wanted to do something with him before this started. So they went to Galveston & I stayed at Pate. My mom came up at 11am & we completed a lot. Sunday we went to see the movie Zookeepers.

July 28

My legs are bouncing bad today, probably from fatigue being in hospital. So in my 1st PT I was stretched thinking that might help fight it. I stood at the counter in the gym & put clothes pins on a yardstick in my 1st OT. I worked out on the Bodysolid weight machine. I got to drink Gatorade in Speech, mmm. Walked 150 feet in my 2nd PT. My last OT session I sat on a wedge on a mat & reached for cones.

July 27

I side-stepped & raised each foot up on a board a lot in the parallel during my 1st PT. For OT I free stood by the countertop in the gym. Then I did the Bodysolid weight machine. In Speech I ate Banana Cream Pie pudding. It was refrigerated, the way I like. 2nd OT I sat on a mat with a wedge under my bottom, this sit gave me great posture. Last PT I stayed on a mat and did leg exercises.

July 26

In my 1st PT I walked about 100ft. That was farther than I thought I would walk after being in the hospital for over 2 weeks. I knew my legs were weaker, I didn't know if I would make it more than 10 ft. For the 1st OT I free stood at the counter in gym. Being the 1st day back in therapy after pneumonia Speech went a little slow. My lungs weren't ready for that much work yet. I had a few bites of a banana then had to stop early. Stretching was my 2nd PT since I haven't stretched for 2 weeks.

July 19-22

Tuesday & Wednesday(were taken up)mainly byx-rays, blood cultures & keeping watch on my bladder & kidneys to make sure they were going. On Thursday I was supposed to have a procedure where a camera looks inside my bladder to make sure there were no blood clots or stones before they pulled the catheter out. I was feeling bad that day though. When they laid me flat on the exam table I threw up. The procedure was aborted after that. The catheter was left in & I left the hospital on Friday with it.

July 11-18

In my 1st PT session I stretched on a mat because I was to tired and my balance was off because of what I thought was tiredness. I missed my 1st OT session due to my wheel chair backrest being broke and needing to be fixed. The Mandarin oranges i had in speech sure did taste good tho'.a I skipped my pool therapy today since I was so weak and off balance. So they laid me on a mat to take a nap till my 2nd PT session.
When they tried to wake me up they couldn't, I was unresponsive so an ambulance was called and I was taken to the hospital ER. I found out that i had an enlarged bladder that was causing my kidneys to fail. After several test that even I am not familiar with I was admitted to a room around 12:30 maw
On Tuesday the urologist was called in and informed me that the ultrasound showed that my bladder was three times larger then it should be and he had to foley catheterized me. Since my bladder was extended so large it caused bleeding in my urine and severe spasms in my bladder an caused my creatinine level to be twice as high as it should be. Because the spasms where so bad I was put on morphine.
On Wednesday is when my real troubles started when my dad learned they did not know how to tube feed me nor pull my residuals before giving me anything in my stomach tube, So wednesday night when my dad was gone to pick up Jake they fed me without pulling my residuals and I threw up and aspirated feeding into my left lung. So on Thursday I found out that I now had acquired aspiration pneumonia and they had to put me on some big gun antibiotics. I was constantly given nurses that I couldn't communicate with and made it difficult for me while I was very sick and Dad was still gone with Jake.
Thursday and Friday morning i did nothing but lay around wondering what was going to happen next. Finally Dad was able to meet with the Director Of Nursing and they moved me over to the Traumatic Brain Injury unit where I should have been the whole week. He was able to get a cardiologist, infectious disease Dr., kidney specialist and some better nurses. After running CT scans, ultrasounds, blood cultures and urine cultures we found out that ever thing else was working well. So the weekend was just pretty boring laying around being on antibiotics and morphine.
On Monday Dad an Jake got back up here an started getting the ball rolling again and trying to find out when I can get out of here. At 2:30 my kidney specialist came by and said my creatinine level was back to normal and as soon as my pneumonia clears up I can go home as far as he was concerned. Around 6 PM my urologist came by and said that my bladder was looking better and he is going to stop by tomorrow a around lunch and if everything is good I would be ready to go back to Pate after the antibiotics but he does want me to come in as soon as possible to have a urodynamics ( Bladder pressure ) test. So it's a hurry up an wait game.
I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to keep the updates current because of the holiday and all that's going on but I will do my best to get back on track with my daily updates and keep y'all informed. Thank you for all your prayers and support and all the "Hi Zac"s I got after The CMRA Races @ Hallet Okla.

July 11

I sat on a dyna disk, which is a green unsteady circle usually used for standing balance, on the edge of a mat & reached for cones in my 1st PT. 1st OT I stood at the counter in the gym. I did the Bodysolid weight machine. I missed the 2nd OT because I had pool therapy. In my 2nd PT I side-stepped in the parallel bars & did toe taps on a wooden bat.

July 8

Today I had my wisdom teeth pulled out. I left Pate at noon today to go to Plano to see my dentist. I had time before I left to eat a cold cup of fruit that had been put through a blender. It had grapes, peaches & cranberries in it but was mostly pineapples mmm. Then with PT I worked with the horse. While standing I undid & re-did several buckles on his saddle.

July 2-4

Saturday at 11:30am my dad & brother picked me up from Pate. On our way back we stopped at a Pro Cuts in Ft. Worth. All 3 of us had our hair cut. For them it was normal but for me the petty haircut was special. It was the 1st haircut I've had in a LONG time that wasn't necessary for a surgery. Afterward they ate lunch at Fuzzy Tacos. We then went to Wal-Mart & home. Sunday we went to church & out to eat lunch. At 6:30 that evening we went to a friends wedding, it was spectacular. Since Monday was a holiday I was able to stay out due to no therapy. That morning my brother left for church camp. My dad dropped me off at my mom's house & we went to my aunts.

To be blessed means: Uncanny innate ability to succeed over adversity. That definition does not imply blessed people don't have adversity

July 1

I went to see Hank the horse today in my 1st PT. I stood beside him for 20 minutes not holding on to my walker & rubbed a leather ointment into the saddle. I fed him some treats before I left of course. My OT therapist is on vacation starting today through next week so a fill in therapist worked with me. In Speech I had lemonade. Nobody was available to work with me for the 2nd OT session. I was stretched in my last PT time.


Can you take what you need & take less than you give? Could you hold your head any higher when no one knows your name?

June 29

In my 1st PT time today I had the fill in therapist again, her name is Inbar. I sat on a big therapy ball & reached for cones. I've done each separately, which is difficult, but never together. I stood at the counter in the gym during my first OT. Peach Crystal Light I drank in Speech. Walking was my 2nd PT. I did exercises laying on the edge of a mat to strengthen & stretch my right arm with a 2lb ankle weight on my arm in the next OT.

June 28

My PT is on vacation this week so another one is filling in for her. She wore me out in the 1st session! I was just sitting on the side of a mat reaching for cones, sounded easy. The right side of my body is weaker than my left side from the accident, so when reaching with my right arm they usually have the cones closer. She wasn't showing me that mercy. I stood at the counter in the gym for my 1st OT time. I haven't used the harness system in a couple of weeks. For Speech I got to eat Peach yogurt. 2nd OT I was timed taking both shoes/socks off & putting them back on. I did it in 1 minute 54 seconds, each time I get faster. Stretching was my 2nd PT session.

June 25-26

Saturday at 5pm my dad & brother picked me up from Pate so we could hurry to Ft. Worth. We were to meet my older sister for dinner since her birthday was Wednesday. The only problem was she is sick. So we met my niece & her daughter which was still awesome. When back to Weatherford we stayed at a hotel because the a/c at our house wasn't working & being worked on. Sunday we went to church & ate lunch at On the Border with some family friends. Then ran home to pick up some stuff & back to Pate. Great weekend.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -

Galatians 2:20

June 24

Hank the therapy horse came today so I went to see him in my 1st PT session today. It is not just pet him & leave, therapy is involved. I stood beside him with my walker & did several buckles & straps on his saddle. We get along very well & I was raised around horses anyways. He comes out every Friday so that's always a good way to end my week. I'm the only patient allowed to feed him treats before I leave. For my 1st OT session I stood at the counter in the gym which works my leg strength & my balance. In speech I did the e-stem & lemon swabs then I had a few bites of banana. It had been kept in the fridge which was great, I always ate cold bananas. In my 2nd OT I sat on the edge of a mat she raised very high without hands to support me & had to balance while she pushed on me trying to tip me over. During my last PT I did leg exercises on a mat.


Bad things happen, but you can still LIVE

June 23

I had several straw-fulls of pink lemonade in Speech today. For PT I walked & did 30 wheelchair pushups. During my first OT I stood by the counter in the gym. Now I can stand with the slight bend in my knees that everybody has, before my knees went all the way straight(locked). This works on my leg strength but mainly my balance. When I start leaning a certain way I can correct it. My OT therapist does a lot of standing exercises with me because I quickly master the OT exercises she has me do. Aquatic therapy was today where I walked on the underwater treadmill for about 20 minutes. Several things followed but side-stepping was very hard. I do a lot of that of them in the parallel bars so figured they'd be easier in the pool with buoyancy but they actually harder. The drag of my leg through water & the buoyancy made it more difficult. On the days I have aquatic therapy I miss my 2nd OT session. For my last PT session they just stretched me, knowing I was tired.

June 21

Today was my 1st day in Speech able to eat & drink. My therapist had a patient who had a family conference so she wasn't able to see me, I was bummed. But she was able to see me later in the day! With the lack of time it was yogurt. I was happy though, since it was tasty (strawberry) & cold (refrigerated).

I don't do works to be saved, I do works because I'm saved

June 20

Today I have greater than the great news I always do. I had enough time this morning to do some lemon swabs (which gets my mouth moist & me swallowing more) with my Speech therapist before we left for my swallow study in Dallas. In a swallow study you eat barium that is different consistencies with a 3ft by 3ft x-ray beside your neck. This way the barium is able to be watched as you swallow it so they can see if it goes to your stomach or lungs. I passed it! So I am currently allowed to eat pureed food & nectar thick liquids. The liquid is made thick by a powder named 'Thick It' added to it it that makes it thicker. I got back to Pate in time to be stretched in PT then therapy was done.

June 13

Happy fathers day to all fathers. For my dad I coordinated my brother, sister & I to meet at church without my dad knowing, she also brought her son Travis(13). My mom visited me Saturday & drove me to church Sunday morning. That was my gift to him, to have all 3 of his children plus my nephew there. I knew that's what he'd want most.

June 11-12

This is my first race report in 22 months. I typed a report of how each race trip went to send to all my sponsors. This weekend I was at the road races. Friday night my friend Karl picked me up from Pate & took me to the racetrack a couple of hours away in the town of Cresson. My dad & brother were already there with our race trailer. It has 2 queen beds in it, a microwaver & a refrigerator in it so I got to stay at the track friday & saturday. I got to watch the racing both day & be around the people & in the sport I grew up in. I can't race anymore but I was able to help people with the knowledge that I have. It was beyond an awesome weekend. Also Saturday evening we went back to Weatherford for a surprise birthday party being thrown for my dad's best friend.

June 8

I walked in my first PT session about 200 feet without my right AFO on again. In my first OT time I sat on the edge of a mat & hit a balloon back & forth with my therapist standing several feet away. This worked with my hand eye coordination & my sitting balance, since I was not allowed to hold to on to anything. In my second PT session I sat on the edge of a mat & reached side to side for cones to pick up which helps strengthen my torso so I'm not wobbly when I walk. I laid stomach down & brought my heals to my rear in my second OT time, the left leg was much easier than the right. My PT & OT both agreed that I should sleep without the night boots I wear at night for tonight to see how that goes, another positive step.

June 6

My PT has a new student starting today, I got to walk about 200ft. with neither AFO on! In my 1st OT time I put both of my shoes on & tied the laces in half the time I did last week. For Speech I did the e-stem & lemon swabs as usual but today she started letting me have water outside of therapy! It's called free-water protocol. When I get thirsty or dry mouth I can use a straw & dip in a cup of water, close the opening, it is then holding water & I can drain it into my mouth. This sounds like nothing but just to be able to have water by mouth is a huge step for me. I missed my last OT session since I got in the pool today. I was stretched in my last PT time.

June 4

Today was the benefit for Zac Chapman raffle pick day at Family Powersports in Weatherford for a new motorcycle. My mom picked me up at Pate to take me to the shop, we arrived there about 11:00. A lot of people were there. The shop had great sales, free food & drinks, free tire mounting & I was drawing the winning ticket to the motorcycle. At 1:00 I drew the winning ticket. The winner was not present. People from all over the nation had entered the raffle. The shop just wanted to sell enough tickets to cover the cost of the bike & any more sold would benefit me. We were able to raise a good amount to help me.

June 2

My therapist switched it up today in PT. I walked in the morning time & did reaching exercises sitting on a mat in the afternoon. Speech was normal but I think my congestion is going away, which makes it easier sallow. In my 1st OT session I free-stood by the gym counter & raised each leg several times. Every Monday & Thursday now I have pool therapy. I got do it today, pretty stinkin awesome.


'Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!'

June 1

The 1st PT session I missed since I was getting ready to leave for the appointment I had at Hanger (AFO company) at 1:00. I did make my 1st OT though where I laid on a mat to stretch & strengthen my right shoulder. Speech was same old as usual, but my case worker is trying to schedule another swallow study. I missed my 2nd OT time because of my appointment. Made it back from Hanger in time to catch my last PT session where I got to walk.

May 28-30

First weekend to be out overnight for me! Since it was a holiday weekend I also was able to stay out Sunday night & Monday since there was no therapy. With no therapy & being far away it was like vacation, where you forget reality. At 10:00 Saturday morning my mom picked me up at rehab, i stayed at her house until 4:30. My dad & brother picked me up & I stayed at his house that night. Sunday we went to church in the morning, ate lunch & met a man at the house to see how the bathroom will be redone. He's going to tile the entire bathroom for us FREE. No charge on labor, we just have to purchase tile. After that we headed to lake Grandbury. My cousin recently bought a lake house. There he has a boat & 2 jet skis. Sunday we got to relax there & Monday also. There was more family & it was great to see them also.

May 26

Since I had to leave before my 2nd PT session I walked in the 1st session. I walked down to the back door in the hall. That's over 200ft. I went all day without my left AFO's & I suspect I will everyday nom. I free-stood by the counter with the harness on to pick up each leg again in OT. Speech was usual with e-stem & lemon swabs. Today was my first time in the pool in the gym. There's a therapist trained just for aquatics therapy. It has a treadmill on the bottom & she different exercise equipment. From now on I will have it every Monday & Thursday. My Dr. appointment was for a facial nerve graft. Since the nerves aren't working on the right side of my face they can take a nerve from my thigh & put in my face to compensate for my facial nerves not working.

May 24

For the 1st half of PT I sat on a mat & did 20 sit-ups. After that I stretched both arms out, which was hard enough. Then leaned to each side several times, which worked my side muscles & my sitting balance. In my 1st OT I free-stood by the counter in the gym. Nothing out of the norm in speech. Just e-stem & the lemon swabs. During my 2nd OT time I straddled the ledge on the therapy building's patio. While I was there I sanded a couple feet of a piece of wooden board. It's hard enough to sit on the ledge, which works on my sitting balance. Plus sanding that board(which sounds easy) every time I looked down at it my whole body wanted to fall forward. I got to walk in PT & my therapist said it was great. I went all day without my left AFO & can tomorrow.

May 23

I was stretched in my first PT session today. In my first OT time I free-stood & picked-up each leg several times by the counter again. I requested my swallow study that is scheduled for tomorrow be moved for a week or two. I asked for that because some of my medicines are being changed & have side-effects that I that I didn't feels comfortable to take the swallow study. So for Speech I wore the e-stem while my therapist used the lemon swabs. After that I got to drink water. I walked without my left AFO in my last PT. She was so pleased that I don't have.

May 20

In morning PT I sat on the side of a mat, reached out each side & leaned. I did this for 30 minutes & was worn out. It worked on my balance & strength. For the afternoon I walked again with no left AFO. My therapist says I do so well without it that I will go Monday half a day without it. I missed my 1st OT time. During Speech I had the e-stem with the lemonswabs as usual. I got to drink water again. My therapist told me I have a swallow study Tuesday @ 10:30. So everyone join me in prayer that I pass! I'm beyond ready to eat some sort of food. I used the Bodysolid weight machine for my last OT.

May 19

I walked again without my left AFO again! Not to brag but very well. My schedule has changed at my request. I have 30 minutes of PT in the mooring & 30 in the afternoon, instead of the full hour in the morning. In the morning 1 I did some side-stepping in the parallel bars. In my 1st OT session I free-stood by the counter in the gym with a device above me that had a harness that wrapped around me. The harness didn't hold me up, but was there to hold me if i did fall. While I was there I stood & also picked up each leg several times! Not holding on to anything! I told my therapist dragging a knee racing is natural to me, going 190 mph I don't think twice about, but the thought of walking with nothing to hold on to terrifies me. We are working toward that! For Speech I did the e-stem with lemonswabs. I also drank some water. During my last OT time I used the Bodysolid weight machine.

May 17

I got to walk without my left AFO(foot brace) today in PT! I did so well my therapist asked if I would like to go the rest of the day without it. I opted not to do that because my shoes with them are half a size larger. So I would have had 1 black shoe & 1 gray shoe on, a little funky. For my 1st OT today I sat on a mat, without using my arms I stood up & then sat back down several times. In Speech I had e-stem & lemon swabs as normal but I did drink some water. I used the Bodysolid weight machine for my 2nd OT.

Everyone faces the world with different abilities and disabilities. But everyone has at least one goal in common, to break through their own barriers.

May 16

I walked super good in PT today. I think it will be an everyday occurrence. Since it was Monday I was stretched the first 30 minutes. In my 1st OT I laid on a mat to stretch & strengthen my right shoulder. Speech went normal with e-stem & the lemon swabs. For my 2nd OT session I straddled the ledge of the patio of the therapy building & took apart some PVC fittings that were put together. This worked on my sitting balance & my strength to pull them apart.

May 13

Time to brag! Today in PT I started by stretchingand doing 20 sit-ups. Then I walked about 220 feet very quickly! My therapist was only holding on to me for safety, she wasn't doing anything! She said I did very welland had good posture. Sweetnessand a half! Then in my first OT session I put my shoeand AFO (foot brace I wear) on myself. I've been taking them off myself for a few weeks now, but never put them on. The most difficult part is tying my shoe since I don't have much feeling in my right hand. For Speech everything went normal with the e-stemand lemon swabs. In my second OT session I got to do the Bodysolid weight machine.

May 12

I started PT off today in the parallel bars. I was putting each foot on a wood boardand back on the ground. Then I did some sidesteps in the bars also. My left leg was bending just fine at the knee but my right leg was being difficult. When we walked it was working just fine though. I walked about 200 feet very quickly. In my first OT session I laid on a mat to stretchthen strengthen my right shoulder. In Speech I had the e-stem on my throat for an hour. While that was going she did some Lemon swabs in my mouth to cause me to have more of the "good" saliva. When she was done with that she did some e-stem on my face to work the muscles that aren't working due to my nerve damage. For my second OT time I used the Bodysolid weight machine. I went up 10lbs on it.

May 7-8

Happy mother's day! This weekend was pretty mellow for me. I stayed at Pateand my mom came here noon on Saturday until 3 pm on Sunday. We hung outand watched a movie she had brought Saturday. Sunday was so beautifuland warm that we stayed outside for awhile. Then she opened the card I had for her, but was more thrilled at the handwriting I had done on the inside, she had not seen my writing before.

God prepares great men for great tasks through great trials

May 4

PT started with 20 sit-ups on a mat and my therapist showed my dad some leg exercises I could do in my recliner while in my room to strengthen my legs. After that I walked from the gym to my desk, which is about 130 feet. I'm happy about how fast I made it there. I only had 15 minutes to walk after all we did before. I've never stood next to my desk which was awesome! For the 1st OT session I laid on a mat to stretchand strengthen my right shoulder. My Speech therapist doesn't feel comfortable letting me eat pudding after just having pneumonia & she won't use the e-stem on me until my plastic surgeon gives us clearance. We still did the Lemon swabsand I practiced on my speech. A lot of people have commented that I'm much clearer as I talk to them. In my last OT session I FREE stood! My therapistand I went outside on the patio that's between thetherapy buildings. While she was by me in case of an accident I stood holding on to nothing!

Whatever comes our way we always have choices, they define who we are

May 3

I haven't typed updates recently because it's been pretty hectic. I was back in rehab for a week after my surgery when I went back to the hospital with aspiration pneumonia & stayed there for 6 days. A few days later I went to a Dr. appointment & vomited as we were leaving, so we opted to go back to the hospital before I got pneumonia again. This time I stayed for 2 days. I got back to rehab this last Thursday & didn't resume therapy until Monday.

April 13

From Fred Chapman:

Just want to let everyone know that I just got my phone charged back up. Zac was admitted to the hospital late last night with pneumonia and a urinary tract infection. His temperature got up to 102.8 and he was dehydrated. They had to run 2 CT scans to make sure he didn't have an abcess/infection in his surgery site. He's sleeping well now and I really appreciate ALL your prayers. Please continue to pray. I didn't get back to Pate tonight (no ride) to anything so I don't know how long the battery will last.

March 30

With my surgery 4:30 this evening, where the surgeons will put implants in the indentions in my head. I had to be at the hospital at 2:30. I was stretched first in PT since they had only 1 last chance to do it before I left. Then I walked about 100ft but had to sit as we ran out of time. For the 1st OT session I laid on a mat to do my shoulder strengthening & stretches. In Speech I enjoyed my last day of pudding for a few days after the Lemon swabs & e-stem. The last OT time I missed since I had to leave for surgery. I was still excited about the surgery because I had been waiting for it a long time. I just checked in at UT Southwestern Hospital , they were ready for me & I was admitted right away. I went into a waiting room & got ready for the surgery. There the surgeons & anesthesiologists came in. I was wheeled into surgery on time at 4:30. It took 3 hours. There was such little bleeding that I didn't require a drain tube coming out of my head. I was supposed to be in the hospital 3 days but only had to stay 1 night. The outcome look of my head was beyond my expectations. Everything went better than I'd prayed!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

!

March 30

I didn't get much PT today since I had to get ready to leave for my pre-op for the surgery tomorrow. We knew we were short on time so I got straight to walking. I walked about 60 ft. before I had to sit due to no more time. It wasn't far but it was better than nothing. I missed both OT sessions because of my pre-op appointment. For Speech I ate a full container of Lemon flavored pudding.

March 29

Leg exercises came first in PT. Then I walked about 100 ftand had to sit due to no more time. I asked my PT if my walking had gotten worse since I was walking less distance. She said it was better than it use to be. The reason the distance was less was due to me being more tired because I have better posture nowand she's not doing anything. That was a relief. In my first OT session we changed it up a bit. Instead of laying on a mat to stretch my shoulder I put my hands as high up a wall as I couldand brought them back down. I did this several times.Next I used a countertop to stretch italso doing some free standing while she held my belt for safety. With Speech I got to drink water again. I ate a full container of pudding again. She said that she feels confident to give me a swallow study, but wants to wait until I'm back to where I'm at now after my surgery. It is this Thursday. For my second OT time I got to use the Bodysolid weight machine. I weighed 168.3lbs today, last week I weighed 167.7lbs. Hopefully the difference is muscle, plus last week I was wearing shortswith a T-shirt, today I wearing jeansandtwo shirts.

"It's how you deal with failure that determines how you achieve achieve success"

March 24

I'm writing this a day late so I don't remember exactly what I did in therapy but other things happened that I want to tell y'all about. I did get to use the Bodysolid weight machine in my last OT session before I left at 2:30 for adoctors appointment. Everything went greatand by the time Dad & I got back to Pate the wheelchair company had their worker Patrick out here. Patrick, Dadand I swapped wheels on my chair to another set that are lighter. The new wheel spokes are carbon graphite & there are way fewer. My old wheels had a lot of steel spokes. We also put new leg rest on the chair that spread my feet more. That took us about 2 hours. It was cool for me because I sat in a regular chair while we worked on my wheelchairand it was the first time I've spun wrenches to work on anything!

March 23

I was side-stepping in the parallel bars firstand when I walked I got to do so outside in the sunlight, so nice. In my first OT time I stretchedand strengthened my right shoulder on a mat. I think that will be an everyday occurrence until my right one catches up with my left. Ididn't haveSpeech since she was gone. My nueropsych test I finished today so I missed my second OT time. After that I was scheduled to see thedoctor here today. He just discontinued some of my medicineand that was about it. Some patients went back to the gym for disabled people at 3. I was supposed to go but was in with thedoctor when they left.

March 22

I did leg exercises in PT on a mat first. After that my legs were tired but I walked about 120 ft. For my first OT time I laid on a mat to do exercises that strengthenand stretch my right shoulder. For Speech I tried a spoonful of water again. This time I drank all of it with no problem, no choking or coughing! I've never done that. After the water I ate a container of Lemon pudding. I weighed 167.7lbs today, same as last week. No second OT time for me because a lady came for me to finish my neuropsych test. (Testsmy cognitive skills.)

March 21

With the nice weekend over it was back to work. In PT I stretched first, they like to do that every Monday & Friday. I walked about 160 ft. The distance isn't getting longer but I'm doing everything now. I didn't have my 1st 30 minutes of OT because she was sick today but another therapist filled in for my 2nd one. I showed her how I lay on the edge of the mat to stretchand strengthen my right shoulder. For Speech I ate a container of Banana Cream Pie pudding wearing the e-stem.

March 19-20

Saturday until about 3PM I hung out with my mom. At 3 our house had a cookout, about 15 of us patients were there. It was nice hanging with them outside in the sun. Sunday morning I rode in mom's new 4runner through the country here. It's new to her, it's an '07. We watched the first Moto-GP race of the year, which is the World Championship of roadracing. She left around 4pm.

March 17

Today in PT I did some side-stepping on the parallel bars. In my wheelchair I would stand up to my walkerand sit back down. I practiced that a few times then I walked about 150 ft. In my 1st OT session I laid on a matand did some exercises to strengthenand stretch my right shoulder. It's coming along well. For Speech I ate lemon-flavored pudding. I used the Bodysolid weight machine in my 2nd OT session. The surgery to put implants in the indentions in my head is March 31st, so please be in prayer about that.

March 16

3 of us patients left with 2 therapists today at 3:00. We went to a gym for disabled people. It has machines that you don't have to get out of your wheelchair to use. We got back to Pate at 8:00.

March 15

My foot braces were spread wider around my calf today. Then I walked about 150 ft pretty quickly. In my 1st OT session I laid on a mat to exerciseand stretch my shoulder, this time with a weight strapped on my arm. For Speech I tried a spoonful of water before my pudding. I swallowed most but coughed a little back up. I used the Bodysolid weight machine in my 2nd OT session. I weighed 167.7lbs today.

March 12-13

Friday evening my mom came up & we chatted. Saturday she stayed till 2pm. My friend Karl rode his motorcycle up here at noon.We watchedthe Daytona 200 started which kicked off the 2011 roadrace season. It ended at 2:30and we just caught up till 2 more friends showed up at 3. They left around 4and Karl at 5. My dad came that evening. Sunday he drove me to our churchand then we ate lunch with some friends. That's 2 weeks in a row I've been to Weatherford now!

March 10

In PT today I sat on the edge of a matand picked up wooden blocks that were on both sides of me. We haven't walked much this week due to dealing with the Bioness, so after that I walked about 120 ft. For my first OT session I laid on a mat to stretchand exercise my right shoulder. My Speech therapist wasn't here in the morning so no Speech today. My Family Conference was today where my therapists update my parents on how I'm doing, pretty much just brag on me. They did tell me that tomorrow will be the last day my insurance pays for me to stay here. From then a government funded organization called DARS will cover me for 90 daysand then will approve me month by month if I still need to stay here. With them I get to stay gone overnight 3 times a week. I got to use the Bodysolid weight machine in my last OT session. We're on our way back from the Apple store right now. I had to replace my phone.

"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up" ~ Babe Ruth

March 8

In PT we experimented with the leg e-stems some more. We just did the left leg today. Since I walk with more weight on the ball of my foot than my heel we moved the sensor forward. About half-way through we put my foot brace back onand I walked about 150 ft. For the first OT session I laid on a mat & did some exercises to help stretch my right shoulder (since it seems to be the problem child). I didn't have Speech today since she was gone this morning. I used the Bodysolid weight machine in my 2nd OT session.

All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

March 7

I spent my PT time today testing out a new unit they have that replaces foot braces. It's an e-stem unit that contracts the shin muscles to lift the foot up. There's a sensor that they place under the sole of your shoe. It let's the e-stem contract when your foot is up, but when there's weight on your heel it releases, pretty cool stuff. In my 1st OT session I sat on the edge of a mat and worked on several things. I twisted side to side while keeping perfect posture to stretch my back. I lifted my arms as high as I could in front of me to strengthen my shoulders. Speech went as normal, ate a complete container of pudding again. For my 2nd OT session I sat on the edge of a mat again. I started out putting my arms behind me, feet on the ground & raising my rear off the mat. This worked on my back to help it bend, my arm strengthand my leg strength. Then I did that with 1 arm each sideand then with 1 leg each side.

March 1

Today in PT before I walked I sat on a matand picked cones off it that were beside me. This is harder than reaching to the ground to pick them up. Then I walked in my first OT session I used the Bodysolid weight machine. I didn't have Speech since she was in training on the grounds. I did weigh 165lbs today. For my afternoon OT session I got to work outside in this awesome weather. I sat on the ledge on the patioand handed heavy ball to my therapist from one side to another. Each day on my Facebook I post a quote or scriptureand I'd like to put that on her for those of you that don't do Facebook.

"I'm not a Christian because I'm strong and have it all together. I'm a Christian because I'm weak and admit I need a Savior."

Another is "Believe you canand you're half-way there."

February 28

The weekend was a nice break but I was ready for therapy! Surprisingly my Monday legs didn't kick in. First half of PT I was stretched on a mat. They like to stretch me on Mondays since I've had the weekend off. For the second half I was walking from the gym to the room I stay in during lunch break (about 120 ft.). I was almost there but had to go the rest of the wayin my wheelchair due to no more time. In my first OT session I stood at the counter in the gymand sidestepped to the end, then around the cornerand back. During Speech I had some lemon swabs first, with cinnamon-roll flavored puddingand e-stem next. For my second OT session I balanced on a ball while I bounced, moved my hips side-to-sideand forwards to back. This sounds easy but was very hard!

February 24

Today I had a doctors appointment with my dermatologist in McKinney, only 30 minutes away. It was just a checkupand everything was fine. On our way back we stopped at a vision store. We had my new prescription that has my prisms in the lenses. We were going to let them put new lenses in my frames, they'll be ready March 3rd. While there we found out they can put my prescription in my sunglasses! By the time we got back therapy was over.

February 23

For PT I did some side-stepping till I could do no more. Then I walked outside again very well! In my 1st OT session I laid on the edge of the mat so I could hang my right arm off it (since it's my weak link) to exercise itand stretch my shoulder. During Speech I ate a full container of pudding again. For my second OT session I sat on a mat to work on my sitting balance while I took my shoesand foot braces off. Then I put my shoes back onthen walked a bit without the braces.

February 22

I was worked by another therapist for the first 30 minutes of PT where I picked wood blocks off the floor from the matand cones from each side, in front of meas well asabove me. Then with my therapist, I got to walk outside in this beautiful weather. For my first OT session I worked out on the Bodysolid weight machineandwent up 10lbs on my exercises. In Speech I ate a whole tub of pudding again.At mylast OT session I got to work outside again practicing putting my leg bracesand shoes on. I weighed 166 lbs today!

February 19

Today a friend of mine, Chase Ramsey,and his dad cameand stayed til about 2PM. Chase is also a Brain Injury patient that is 26 years old. His dad had to drive here because Chase isn't able to driveuntil his last eye surgery in a few weeks. (God permitting it will be his last surgery)

Other than that he's normal, considering. His accident happened in 2008 so he's had some time. Another of God's many miracles. I haven't seen him insix months, although we talk daily, so that was nice. After they left my momand I played Hangman, sat outside in the beautiful weatherand watched the dirt bike races on TV.

February 18

Last nightand tonight I took my braces & shoes off myself before my shower! I also put my socks on this morning! That's the first time I've done that in over 1.5 years. In PT today my therapist was gone but her student was here. Another therapist stretched me, then heand the PT student walked. For my first OT session I folded towels while sitting on the mat. With no support against my backand (with)my hands folding towels it worked on my sitting balanceand hand coordination. During Speech I ate a whole container of pudding. That was a first too! I got to work out on the Bodysolid weight machine in my second OT session. The weekend will be a nice break.

February 17

Today in PT I walked for the first 30 minutes. I walked about 200 ft. I could've walked farther but time limited us. As my PT evaluated a new patient I worked with another PT. I did some standing in the parallel bars without holding the bars. Then I turned sideways holding on toone barand sidestepped about 60 ft. In my first OT session I took my shoesand leg braces off by myself, put my shoes back on & stood at the counter in the gym. For Speech I had e-stem on my face & throat. I started out with the lemon swabsand ended with lemon pudding. In my second OT session I worked out on the Bodysolid weight machine.

February 16

Today I had a doctors appointment in Dallas to make sure the molds they made for my head surgery fit. Good thing we did because they weren't perfect. Transport for Pate took me while my dad followed in his vehicle, because he had a doctors appointment in Weatherfordand had to leave partway through mine (as planned). The appointment was scheduled for 11:30AM. We were in the waiting room by 11:15, butwe weren't called in until 12:30. By 11:45 Dad had to leave. The man fitting the molds wasn't even in the building. He came in by 1PMand since the molds didn't fit perfectly he had to cut them to fit right. When we got back it was almost 3 o'clock so no more therapy.

February 15

Today went like yesterday but I got rid of my "Monday legs!" They were strongerand more sturdy then yesterday. I walked better than yesterday but only got to go as far due to us running out of time. I used the Bodysolid weight machine in my 2nd OT session. No Speech for me today.

February 14

In PT today I was stretched on a mat by another therapist while mine worked with another patient for the first 30 minutes. The 2nd 30 minutes I walked with my therapistand she now has a student to work with her for 12 weeks. I didn't walk to the end of the hall. I walked to the bathroomsand back to the gym. Which is about 180 ft. I know I didn't walk as far but I know it was because it was Monday, first day back in therapyand because I was walking with someone new. For my first OT session I took my own leg braces & shoes off. That took me 20 minutessand was exhausting but I got it. That was my first time! During SpeechI had the e-stem on my throat while I ate Blueberry Muffin pudding. I had 4 or 5 bites, I wanted more but we ran out of time. The 2nd OT session I got on my hands & knees on a mat to a hold myself up so I could focus on strengthening my shoulders. Last year on this day is my first memory after my accident!

February 8

I guess yesterday was me getting back in the groove of therapy after the bad weather. I don't feel my legs were very strong yesterday. In PT today another therapist worked with me the first 30 minutes while mine worked with a new patient. I picked blocks up off the floorand cones beside me. This sounds easy, but very difficult for me. The second 30 minutes I walked to the end of the halland back to the gym. This is a long walk for me, about 200 feet. For Speech I had some Blueberry Muffin pudding again along with the Lemon swabs & e-stem. For the second OT session I used the Bodysolid weight machine. After we quit the overnight feeding machine I still weighed 162.9lbs, which is what I weighed last week! They were afraid I'd loose weight off the overnight feed. God kept me from loosing weight.

BOOYA!

February 7

First day back to a full day of normal therapy for me after the bad weather. For first day back to PT I walked well, just not as far. I didn't walk all the way to the end of the halland back, but close. To the bathroomsand back. I walked back to a matand did 10 sit-ups. For the first OT 30 minute session I practiced rolling over on a mat. In Speech I had some Lemon Swabs with the e-stem on. Then I had 3 bites of pudding, I didn't have many bites because I'm stopped up. In my second OT session I laid belly down on a mat & pulled my heels up to my bottom as a leg exercise.

February 3

I slept in till 8:30 today assuming it would be a mellow day with the therapists coming up to the house. But while getting ready my OT came in my room & said we were doing therapy as normal in the therapy building. After I was there my OTand I did some sit to stands about 5 times. Then Chris, a PT stretched me on the mat so we could walk. I walked to the bathrooms from the gym. ThenI had to sit in my wheelchair because we were holding up traffic. After lunch I worked out on the Bodysolid weight machine.

January 31

Today in PT my therapists said I walked very well. I walked all the way down the hall, to the back doorthen back to the gym. After walking I laid on the mat & did leg excercises. I didn't have a first OT session because she was at thedoctor's office with her daughter. She was back for the second session where I laid on a matand did some excercises to strengthen my shoulders plus stretch them. In Speech I got to feed myself banana cream pie pudding while e-stem was on my face. We have some crazy weather forecasted tomorrow so we'll see how it goes!

January 28

In my hour of PT I was stretched on the mat. I walked down the hall, to the bathrooms & back to the gym. Then I did some sit-ups to strengthen my abs. In my first OT session I did some shoulder exercises while laying on the mat. Man, is my right shoulder weak! Speech went the same as yesterday, I just ate a different flavor. Banana Cream Pie. Mmm. For my second OT session I used the Bodysolid weight machine.

January 26

First off, I weighed in today at 162.9lbs. Praise God! In my hour of PT I walked down the hall to the back doorand back to the gym. Then I showed her how well i can transfer without my leg braces on, so now I don't have to wear them in my room while transferring. For my first session of OT my therapist was gone but she had another one filling in for her, but she could only do the second one. During my second OT session I worked on my shoulder strength by raising my armsand doing different movements with my hands. In Speech I had the pudding that was Cinnamon Roll flavored. This time I ate 6 big bites just fineand 5 I fed myself. I had the e-stem on while I did this.

January 21

For my hour of PT today I walked past the bathrooms to the quiet zone & back really well with another walker they had. I didn't bring mine because I assumed I wouldn't be back in time for PT. Then picked blocks up off the ground while I sat on the mat. In my afternoon OT session I used the Bodysolid weight machine. I didn't pass the swallow study, but I was real close. I did well enough with pudding that I get to have some with the Speech therapist in therapy though.

January 20

January 19

January 14

January 13

January 11

January 10

January 3