Ronny recovery

Getting back to the blog!!!

2009-12-06T22:47:00.000-08:00

I had not realized it has been several weeks since the last blog, but there just seemsto be so much to get done and I just have not done it.

We are still working on the house, it is going to be great when it is finsihed and we cannot wait to get it done. It has taken a little longer than we thought, but some changes to the floor had to be done to support the tile and of course me and the shower chair.

Physical Therpy is going very well. I stand up for the first time the other day, with a lot of help, but both legs kicked in and did some of the work. I think the possiblity of me walking somewhat is going to happen, and that is pretty exciting. I don't know that normal is a word I would use but doing some walking with a walker or a cane is a possiblity. I have a long ways to go, but I will get there.

Returning to work? I will not return to work until after school is out probably when my new contract starts on July 1st of 2010.

There have been several set backs as far as the money end goes. With all the great fundrasing that occured we did not have enough to get the house finished, so I had to cash out several retirement funds to get that finished.

Working with DVR has been tough. Without transportation I am not sure how my job will go, I have to be able to supervise games on the road and attend meetings around the league. I have done everything I can with DVR and they say that my retun to work date is still to far away for them to do anything about transportation, but they will not committ on getting a vechile at any point. Having dealt with them we know exactly what I need as far as a van will go, but what I need costs somewhere between $55,000 to $70,000. They have not said that they will not buy a van yet, but not sure what their decision will be.

More info to come. I will be around at games mostly on the road, the district has policy about me being at home games while on sick leave.

Thanks for all the support - GO LIONS!!!!!

Making things work

2009-11-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

Over the last couple of days, lots of work has been done:

1. House is coming along, costs for this project have gotten to be more than we expected, but most projects work out that way. going to be great when it is done. Still have a ways to go.

2. Working with Dept. of Voc. Rehab. they are working with me in getting a van to drive. We are getting all of our ducks in a row before going to the state director to see if they will purchase a van to be converted into something I can drive. Due to my size I have very limited choices as to what the van can be. I am working with a local outift and one in Moses Lake. I have met with Legacy Ford about a van, and several of dealers to see if we can work out a deal on a van. DVR will convert a van that you have much easier than them buying a van and then converting it. Of course this is a must for being an AD, without transportation it makes my job very difficult. Will keep meeting with them and filling out paperwork. Hopefully it will work out.

3. Phyical Therapy has also been a very difficult thing to get done. I do have appiontment with Tri-City Court Club on Monday they are the only ones that have a 400 lb. lift in their pool. We will see what they say.

May come by school this next week. I need to measure my desk and see how to rearrange my office. I do not really want to do it, but I think I have to cut my desk down so that I have more room in my office.

Thanks for reading!!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Nice to be home - Lots of work

2009-11-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

Been home a few days now, and it is a lot of work being home. Where are all those nurses, and PT people. Doing all of this on your own is very difficult. Linda has been doing a great job, I certainly could not do it without her.

Being 7 foot tall and 400 pounds has had many issues over the years, but when dealing with my current situation it has really compounded the whole thing.

We will continue to keep working at the procedures that need to be done. Still in the hunt for transportation, which has the biggest effect on returning to work, but we will make it work some how.

Thanks for the continued support of the community and Kennewick, Pasco, and Chiawana High schools.

Thanks again.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Going home!!!

2009-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

We have gathered up all the cholthes, the meds, the wheelchair, showerchair, and all the other equipment loaded it all in the U-Haul and we are on the way back to the Tri-Cities. Looking forward to being home. I will be out and about at games and the like, hopeto see you all there rooting on those Lions.

The Big Kat is coming home!!!!

Thanks to everyone on Friday night!!!

2009-10-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the booster club for all their efforts on Friday night. Tailgate party was great, the t-shirts were way cool, the whole thing was just a first class deal.

Congratulations to Ron King for getting through Homecoming week, great job all week, and the game went off without a hitch.

Well they made it official this morning, I will be coming home on Oct. 28th. They feel they just cannot keep me here any longer. They are going to let their little Ronny go out into the big world, and see what he can do. Our house is under construction and I think that when it is finished it will really suit our needs very well.

Transportation is the issue at the moment. I called Tri-City Taxi, they have the ability to haul a wheelchair. Kaytlyn is playing in Richland Thursday night, but to ride in the wheelchair taxi is $36 each way from my house to Richland High School. I have ordered a carrier for our car but it will not be here until next weeek. Looks like I will be home until the carrier gets here. I just cannot justify $72 for a trip to Richland. Dail-a-ride only runs until 6:00 pm.

Thank you to the entire community of the Tri-Cities. The support that my family has had over the last 3 months has been out of this world. I owe all of you a big Coleman hug.

Thanks again!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Just keep rolling along!

2009-10-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

My overnight pass was approved, so I will be home this weekend. Will need to do some work at the house, not everything is finished, but we will make do. Good chance to see what needs to happen and then come back to Spokane and ask a lot of questions.

Also they are going to deliver my new wheelchair tomorrow so I will get to bring it home and try it out. Pretty excited about that.

My exit date has been moved up again to Oct. 28. They seem to think I have done pretty well this last week and I am ready for the challege of coming home. Will have out patient rehab for a while at Kadlec, and talking about having another procedure done to help with the muscle spams that I am having. It is pump and that is inserted into the stomach with a tube that leads directly to the spine.

Things looking up, not sure when I will return to work. From the sounds of it I might be out of a job with the great way that Ron King is handling everything. Sounds like I have some shoes to fill.

Again I would like to thank everyone for the cards, letters and prayers. It is so great to hear from everyone.

Maybe see some of you this weekend and after I come home. Working on transportation for me, and once that is done watchout, I will be good as new. Like i said before I will just get to view the world from a different angle, and just keep on doing what I do.

Thanks again!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Just worked today.

2009-10-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Did some lifting, people still are amazed what I can do in the weightroom, I keep telling them I grow up in the weightroom. Lots of what we call Mat Work, siting up, rolling over, lying on my stomach to stretch my hips out, not much fun but one of those things that needs to be done.

Worked with a pressure pattern machine today to see where all the pressure points on my behind are when sitting in my wheelchair. Interesting little machine, found out more pressure on my left leg, than on the right. Right has more muscle mass and pushes more pressure onto the left. We fixed the seat to even out the pressure.

Getting set up for coming home on a one night pass this weekend. I know I have lots of work to do on the house, but will give a try and see how many issues we will have to deal with. It will be good to get home, to be with Linda, and see Bob, really looking forward to it.

Thanks for reading!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!

Did not realize it had been this long since bloging!!!

2009-10-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

Things have been very busy here the last fews days. The doc up'ed my discharge date to Oct. 31, which is about 10 days sooner than before. My new wheelchair should be here on Oct. 26 which will give me several days to get it all fine tuned. It will be much better than the one they are letting me use right now. I have bent the arms on this onE so many time they do not know what to do next. Does not have a very good seat on it so that has giving me a few issues also, so looking forward to that new chair.

They have been having me do lots of testing and practicing things, which for the most part I have doen very well.

1. Had to crawl 35 feet on the floor and then reach up 3 feet to grab a telephone, just in case I fall out of my chair. I am not sure who I would call on that phone to come help me get back into my chair, I guess either Lampson Crane or Bill Templeton and have him bring the football team out.

2. Had to get from the ground back into my chair. that did not go very well at all. Trying to lift that 400 lbs back up proved to be a little more than I could do. One of the other guys that is here, it only took him 1 minute and 32 seconds to get back into his chair, but he is 5'5" and weighs 142. I just told him I was way better looking than him and drove my chair away. Not being able to get back in my chair is probably why I had to do #1.

3. Many different types of transfers, different heights, to the right, to the left, from toliet to the chair, from the chair to the toliet, using a transfer board, you name it I have sat on in the last couple of days.

4. I have had four different woman (OT's) watch me take a shower over the last fews days, I think that speaks for itself!!!!

5. Two different woman had to watch me get dressed, they must have talked to the shower women.

All of this is just testing for me to be indepentant on a daily basis. They really do a great job, and are very good at helping with situations that come up and helping making life much easier down the road. Just could not be in a better place with this type of injury.

Which brings us to the pooping thing. This has been one aspect of the rehab that I have sturggled with, not pooping itself, it is getting it regulated. They call it a bowel program. They would like to have a person very regulated as in time of day. You can train your body to go at the same time of day which helps with daily things when you are in a wheel chair. I always thought when those two burritos were ready they just came out, but according to the bowel program you can allow those type of things to come out on time. Myself, I have never been a very consistant pooper, so this has been a very big challenge for me. I told you how they allow you to go pee, but I really will not go into much detail as to how they allow you to go poop. Let's just says lots of rubber gloves and clear lube is used and I will let you paint the rest of the picture.

I will keep you updated even on the whole bowel program. Things are going very well, and I may even get to come home for a practice night in my own house on Oct. 23rd. Should find out tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Things they consider important - never occured to me!

2009-10-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

I have been doing great with rehab, getting stronger everyday, transfering from chair to chair, bed to chair, car to chair, working with the wheel chair, doing independant things, all of this adds up to doing a great job, and like I said making great progress. But I have never been to a place that is so concerned with pooping and peeing. Now not everyone may want to read on but I had no idea what I was getting into with those two things before I got here.

Now much of this comes from the opinion that I am a just a little bit bigger than the average person, and I think most of you would agree with that statement. So lets start with peeing. The doctor has a program that I need to adhere to. Ok doc, your in charge what do I need to do, well first we have to cut down your fluid intake, so we start talking about this, normally I drink about 6 to 8 - 32oz bottles of Crystal Lite, maybe 4 to 6 - 20oz diet cokes, and adleast another 8 to 10 - 32oz bottles of water. Now lets add that up Crystal Lite 256oz, Diet Coke 120oz, and 320oz of water, for a total consumption of 696oz per day. The doc says we need to cut that down to 2000 cc's perday. Alright, when I hear that 2000 cc's that sounds like a amount that I can live with. Now this whole thing is so that my pee outgo is cut way down so that I do not damage my bladder. Because I do not have feeling in my bladder, we do not want to get too much fluid in there and stretch my bladder out and then not have it work correctly when I gain the feeling back. So the doc program says that I have to pee every four hours and I cannot go over 500 cc's of pee at any one time or I will have to pee more often like every three hours.

I am taking all this in and thinking no problem cut back a little on the intake pee a few times and be right on track. Day one drink this and that cutting back greatly for me, and here comes the first time I have to pee. Peeing is a whole new thing now because not only do I not have the feeling of when I have to pee, but the muscles that allow the pee to come out do not work either, so I have to self-cath every four hours to get the pee out. Which in turn means sticking, at the time what appeared to be a garden hose down your who-knows-whats-its and then letting the pee run out the tube. Here we go, tube goes down, pee starts running into this plastic urinal, no problem until I filled up the first urinal and start on the second and proceded to fill it all the way to the top. Now it have been known in Coleman circles that I am a lendendary pee-er, and for me I did not really think anything about how much I had just pee-ed, I really did not think that it was that big of a deal. Well the doc totally flipped a lid. I had pee-ed 2400cc at one time, remember I cannot pee over 500 cc's. Houston we have a problem!!!

So I went back and did some math. That 696oz per day that I was drinking, come to find out there are 30 cc's in one once. Who knew??? I was consuming 20,880 cc's per-day. The doc say I can only have 2000. I get out my cup that I drink out of everyday and it is 800 cc's all by itself. The doc and I have been going around and around about how much a normal person drinks and pee's compared to what a Coleman drinks and pee's. I am still working on her on this one, and I have gotten better, but I need all those prayers out there to really focus on the drinking and peeing end of things over the next few weeks.

Oh yeah, the garden hose is much smaller now and I do not have any problem with that. Wish me luck, I will be back better than ever, and a classic example of doing the math before taking on a task.

Next lesson - pooping - stay tuned!!!!!

I have said this before but I can not thank Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and Kamiakin High schools enough for all there support over the last week they rasied over $3000 dollars with there combined efforts. I just cannot believe that people would step up like that to help me out. Says a lot for those communities. Kennewick High has been off the charts with support for me and all the activities that they have had going on at school. Thank you all so much for your support during this time.

Drink less, pee less and get out of here on time!!!!

Thanks again!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

Got out for a whole day!

2009-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I was giving a Pass Day and got to go see my daughter Kaytlyn play in a volleyball tournament here in Spokane. A rec. asst. went with us and she was a former volleyball coach so she had a great time also. Felt good to get outside, and get a small taste of what life is like in a wheel chair. We used the trip as a learning experience, crubs, ramps, access doors, handicapped bathrooms, van lifts these were all news things to me. It all went very well and again learned a lot.

Special thanks to both Wenatchee and Moses Lake High schools for putting on a tailgate fundrasier in my honor. Thanks so much for your support.

Kamiakin High put on a fundrasier dealing with a teaching a new workout program. It is great to live in such a supportive community.

The outpouring of support is truly unbelieveable. Thanks for all the support of a Lion in need!

Thanks again, Ronny Coleman

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Keep making progress!!!

2009-10-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

Have been pretty busy at night the last few days with phone calls. They also changed my meds around at night so that they can help control the leg spasms. Transfers are getting better, from the mat to the wheel chair, and wheel chair to shower chair. I even transfered into my moms car, so now I have a ride home when they let me out of here. Getting stronger, and gaining more ability to do more things on the mat. Going from a lying position to a sitting position with my legs striaght out in front of me. I never could do that when I had good legs. The reason for being able to do that is for getting dressed and putting on my shoes and socks. I keep telling them that I have a wonderful wife that is more than willing to help me, but you know the whole totally independant thing.

Love the pool, but it is not deep enough to do some of the things we need to, but it has been a big help in moving my legs within the water. My right leg is coming around real well. Don't get me wrong it is going to be a while before I will be walking on but one day I will. Left leg showing signs of coming around, not as much as the right but again making progress.

Can't thank everyone enough for all the cards and letters. Great to hear from people. Thanks for all the prayers every thing helps.

Linda and Mom have been great help in this whole process. The paper trail in dealing with all of this is worse than getting a travel reimbrustment from the district. Hope Mr. Bond does not see that. Anyway mom has handled a lot of that and we are hoping that it pays off down the road. My Linda has been such a trooper, and working to get everything ready for when I come home. She is just very good at loving on me and I really appreiate that. The Kennewick School District has been great to work with, helpful in every way, and Ron King has just done a great job filling in.

Thank you everyone for all the help.

I will keep the blog more updated just kind of got ran over with paperwork the last couple of days. I hope the blog is helpful and people are reading it. If anyone has any questions please do not be afraid to ask.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!

Had very good workouts today!

2009-10-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

I seem to be progressing along very well. Two different PT people said today that when I got here they did not have much hope that I would be able to do some of these things. Now pulling them off without any trouble. Everyone very impressed, they did not understand who they were dealing with. The Big Lion will always get the job done. LOL!

Surgery site pretty much healed at this point. No more staples, no butterfly strips, looks very good. I think I am going to get a big zipper tattoo around it. Thats really kind of what it looks like anyway, so I think that would be really cool. Have to talk with Linda about that one, but please no one tell my mom!!!!

Got some pictures of the new ramp that was built at the house looks great. A huge "THANK YOU" goes out to Le Weatherall and Don Pratt Contruction for stepping up and builing the ramp and donating the materials. Also Sherman-Williams Paint for the all weather covering for the ramp. Ron Koester (that's my dad) for overseeing the project. Many more things to do, but everything seems to be moving along.

Everyone have a great weekend. I think it is going to be kind of slow around here for me, they are getting six new patients this weekend, so they are the number one pirority this weekend. Just six new people to meet and get around to say hello.

Tell next time!

Thanks everyone for all the cards, letters, and prayers. Love to hear from everyone.

Thanks, Ronny

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!

Had fun - Hard work

2009-09-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

Got to go to the pool today. Great little lift to put you into the pool, water nice and warm, lowered me easliy into the water, and then I went right to the bottom. Cannot float worth a dam. I always thought a could, but I guess the muscles in my legs had something to do with that, because I did not float today. So after coughing up about two gallons of water, and then intently listening to the instructor, which I failed to do before. I got my little floaties, and then did much better. I swam around, and then use some parael bars, to try to stand up in the water to straighten out my legs and use them just like I was walking. My right leg did very well, but not much happening with the left leg. So again making progress, but lots of work to do. I really did enjoy the pool, and you can get a lot more done in the pool in a much shorter period of time. Looking forward to continuing that everyday.

I wanted again to the thank the community for the support, Tri-Cities just a great place to be part of.
Mom, Shirley Coleman, has just been outstanding in help with all the paperwork, and the like.

Wife, Linda Coleman, just does such a great job of just loving on me. Taking care of me, the house and our dog, BOB. I truly love her very much and just feel so greatful that she is part of my life, what a wonderful person, and being so supportive of the situation that we are going through. Love ya Babe!! Happy Birthday!!!!!

Ron and Ronda Koester, this is my dad and his wife. they have been very helpful, and have assumed the role of project managaer of all the construction going on at my house. Great people that have been very help throughout this whole situation.

Again I wanted to thank all the people from the commiunites of Kennewick and Pasco High schools, lots of cards, letters, and emails. Many activities going on at both schools in support of me, this is just amazing.

Getting better everyday, and learning a lot. Like I said before it will not be long before the Big Lion will be Good to Go, mainly with the help of all the above mentioned people. Thank you all very much!!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!!

Lots done today!

2009-09-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

Had a good weights workout this morning. It is kind of funny they really do not have too many guys come through here that have as much weightroom experience as I have, so they are pretty amazed at a guy who can bench the whole rack of weights and depression shoulder left 250 lbs. If you can get me under it I can usually lift it. Doing much better on the transfering from place to place. Today did some up hill transfer meaning from where I am sitting transfering to something that is higher than I am, it takes some practice, but I getting much better.

Tomorrow get to look at the car they have for training drivers to use hand controls, of course, I do not even come close to fitting in the car, but I will at least get to see how they work and maybe find something that I can use at some point.

Got out the 46 staples in my back and now they are going to let me get into the pool, can't wait. I will give you an update tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone for all the support! Mom says she can't get through the grocery store without people wanting an updated.

Thanks a bunch!!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!!

Turn for the BETTER!

2009-09-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon temp. finally went away, and i started to feel much better. Ate something real, took a shower, and got a start up workout in. Everything went very well, except that I was asleep by 6:00, which was fine. Monday today went well also, and got some confrimation on my wheel chair and shower chair, and they are ready to be processed and possibly ordered. Just have to find funds.

Some very good news about my right leg, I have regained some motor control. Meaning that I can send a message from my brian and make my right leg flex, extend, and roll to the right and left. Not very controled, and I still have no feeling in that leg but some control over it. Progress is being made. I have a doctor assigned to the medical end that does all the testing and everything and then a whole team of people that are getting me ready for life as a person without the use of his legs. Progress being made on both ends, again hoping that all the education is just for the progress of greater know-how, and I just stand up and walk out of here in a couple more weeks.

Again I just cannot thank all of you enough for the cards and letters, and all the prayers. It is very helpful in this tough situation. It is great to hear from people anytime. Thanks again!

There has been an account setup "Ronny Coleman Rehabilitation Fund" at any Bank of the West branch.

Thanks again, Ronny

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Nothing Wrong with me???? Just running a 102 temp!!!!

2009-09-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

The last three days I have been very sick, and they have ran every test known to man. All I get is nothing! We will let it run it's course and maybe you'll be better tomorrow. Granted I do feel a little better today, and tomorrow (Sunday) I have got to go back to work no matter what, I just cannot waste anymore time. I can't stay in here I got stuff to do!!! LOL

With some help from serveral Mighty Lions I got to see my son's wedding. Boy that was hard not to be there. I thought I would be OK, but cried right away when the whole thing started, but dad pulled it together, it was a very nice cermony, went off without a hitch. Everybody looked great, the cake was very pretty, and I am sure the good stuff is flowing at this point. So congratulations to Marcus & Kristen!!!!

Again thanks for all the notes, cards and prayers. Love to hear from all of you. How about those Lions going up to Davis and getting a W!

Thanks again, Ronny

Small set back

2009-09-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon started feeling bad. Headache, joint pain, 102 temp, so I took the day off today. Not feeling much better today, will have to step it up tomorrow, because I do not want to wate any days in rehab. Insurance will only cover 30 days, and I am going to be here for about 60. We are working every angle we can on that to get enough days to cover it.

Thanks to all the people that stepped up to help with my son's wedding. I think we got it covered.

Thanks for all the phone calLs, cards and prayers. It is great to hear from all of you.
Thanks for all the activities going on to help rasie money to cover costs. I am so thankful for that, it will make the transition from rehab to home much better. Again my family and I truly thank you!!!

I will keep you updated , hope that I am feeling better tomorrow. Had to go to the hospital to get a cold, who knew!!!!

Thanks, Ronny

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Things moving along!!!

2009-09-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Good things happing here. I have gotten strong enough to be release from them having to use a lift machine to get me from bed to the wheel chair. They are letting me transfer on my own with just a nurse present. I am not sure what a 110 lbs nurse is going to do if I needed help, but you gotta play by the rules. Anyway that is progress.

Had a meeting with the wheelchair people and because I have made such good progress and have gained a bunch of torso strength the requirements for my chair are not going to be quite as big time. It is still going to be a big time chair, big but not quite as custom as we had thought. The biggest part of that is that it will not take as long to get the chair and maybe could have it here before I leave.

Had some contractor people at my house, going to have to build a ramp, and change out the back door slider. Already have people stepping up to do this for me.

Other projects include changing out the bedroom door, and completely redoing the bathroom to accommodate a different toilet and a roll-in shower. So lots of things in the works and the costs are really adding up.

I will also be in need of a toilet/shower chair big enough to hold me, and a manual wheel chair to use as a back-up and around the house. You can see all the things that I am learning about since coming to St. Luke’s.

Hey, I will find a way and make it work. I will be “Good to Go” in no time.

Still working on a release date from St. Luke’s and a return to work date, still in process.

All you Lions out there really need to give Ron King a hug next time you see him. He has really stepped up in a tough situation and done a great job. I do not know where I would be without him. Also stop by and give Betty a hug to because she has had to deal with Ron all fall! LOL

Again thanks for all the help, cards and prayers. All of you need to watch out for my Kaytlyn and make sure she is getting the job done. She seems to be doing fine and was up here last weekend; it was really good to have her here.

Thanks again – Ronny

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!

Calling out for a little help

2009-09-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well the Big Lion is in need of a favor. I have done everything in my power to try and get the rehab people to give me a release for this Saturday, because my son Marcus is getting married. They just simple will not let me out for that long of period. So I am going to miss the wedding on Saturday.

So I'm asking anyone that might have the ability to video tape the wedding part and maybe get some shots of the reception so that I could at least see some of it.

Also the hospital may have the ability to set up some type of web cast type situation. They have the equipment, and I think I could get the equipment to Tri-Cities by Saturday. They are working hard on this trying to make it work. If anyone would like to tackle that part on the Tri-city end that would be great. Then I could actually be there sort of and see it live. I know that is a lot to ask, but if someone would be willing that would be great.

If you would be willing to help please email me at rcoleman5x@rock.com and I could give you the details.

It will be this Saturday, at the rose garden by the library on Union Street; the reception will also be at the same location.

As far as rehab goes, getting better at transitions from one chair to the other, still have lots to learn. Working on getting my legs up on the bed, I had no idea that my legs were that heavy, I guess that scale at home was not lying. Like I said making lots of progress, just have a long way to go.

The people here at St. Luke’s are great, they really know their stuff, doctors are very good, PT people are fun to work with and take a great amount of pride in what they do. For me it has been a great experience, granted one that I wish I did not have to participate in, but have a much greater respect for people with disabilities.

So let me know about the video thing, and I will keep you updated. Still having computer problems, so I sweet talked on of the secretaries into letting me use her computer, do I have skills or what!!! LOL.

Hey keep in touch, and thanks for all the letters, cards and prayers.

The Big Lion will be back better than ever!!!!!

Computer issues, Sorry about no updates

2009-09-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

Lots of issues with my computer, hope to get it all fixed on Monday. Making lots of progress here in reh

How things are going???

2009-09-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Well I have been learning a lot in rehab. Picking up my butt without the use of my legs has proven to be quite a challenge. Who knew that by butt was that heavy?? No comments! So I have been learning how to transfer from one seat to another. I am struggling very much with just the ability to sit up and keep my balance. I have no feeling or control from just below my bellybutton.
Another is issue is that I get very light headed when I sit up very long. The blood pools in my legs and without the muscle action it my legs the blood wants to stay there, thus the creating of the light headedness. When this comes on they have to put me back into bed and raise the feet to get the blood to come back into my head. Over time this will improve, and my body will adjust to it, but right now it is a problem.
Equipment is another issue with a person my size. Wheel chair big enough to hold the weight and long enough to handle the long torso has been a problem. It is not that they cannot create one, but they are not sure what all my needs will be in a month from now and do not want to start building on something that my not be needed. Custom wheel chair that they are talking about cost about $30,000, our insurance has only $10,000 for all equipment needs, transfer benches, special bed, house conversion and some type of transportation all add up to well over the $10,000 that insurance covers.
Finally, the surgical area itself is healing very well, but I have issues with lying on my back and trying to do certain rehab exercises, very, very painful. They going to try and use some different type of pain meds, and see if that will allow for me to get more done during the rehab time.
Again I have learned a bunch and making some slow but steady progress. My plan of course is in three weeks is just stand up and walk out of here, I am doing everything in my power to make that happen.
Thanks everyone for the prayers, and good wishes. Everyone please say a little for Bill Templeton and the football team to get that Big W on Thursday night.

Thanks for helping out a Lion in need!!!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

How I got to this point!

2009-09-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

On Aug. 20 I had a cold, and stayed home from work. At 4:00 I laid down to take a nap, and Linda woke me up at about 6:15. When getting up from the nap my back was hurting, so I did my normal thing. Took some Advil laid down on the floor with my knees up and started waiting it out. Over the next hour the back pain got much worse and we decided to go to the ER. The pain at this point was so bad that I could not even walk. So we called the ambulance, while waiting for them to get to my home my left leg became very numb, and by the time I got into the ambulance, and arrived at the hospital both legs were very numb. Some discussion took place with the doctor, they decided to perform surgery to try and relieve the pressure on the spinal cord. They removed bone from seven vertebras, T-10 to L-3. The surgery took about 7 hours, and a lot of bleeding occurred during the process. After the surgery I had some ability to move both legs, not very controlled, but did have some movement.

After several days of recovery and assessment, we started in with Physical Therapy. During this therapy I had some very high levels of pain. Looking at the situation again the doctors decided to have a second surgery, during this surgery they took out more bone at the T-9 level, and cleaned out some blood clot issues. After that surgery, I had no movement in either leg.
Two options have been discussed at this point:
The spine had a stroke. We knew that I had some spinal narrowing from the excess growth that I had many years ago. The blood supply was cut off at the T-10 level and damaged the spine at that point.
The cold that I had may have caused some swelling of the spine, and with the narrowing of the spine the swelling had no where to go and caused the damage that we are having now.
That is where we are now. I have no feeling in either leg, and do not have the ability to move either leg. With some more testing it was discovered that I have some feeling in my bowels and rectum, which are very good signs. You do not want to know how they do that testing, but I can explain that later. People that pass that test have 50% greater chance of getting back some or all of the nerve function. So there is some hope for right now.

It looks like I may be here for up to eight weeks depending upon how my insurance holds out.

Looking at the real possibility of being in a wheel chair there are some issues with that. A few modification will need to be done to my house, mainly bedroom door and reconfiguring the master bathroom, a ramp is already been made with materials that I had in my shop that will work for now, but a more permanent structure will be needed in the future. Also have started to look at transportation issues and what that will take.

As you all know in dealing with me nothing is ever normal and we can just qadd this to the list of medical wonders that I have experienced. I am getting great care and rehab here at St. Lukes. But there are issues of a bigger wheel chair, bigger transfer seat for the bathroom at home, bigger van needed for transportation. These are all things that Linda, my mom Shirley and I are trying to overcome.

Thanks to everyone for all the great cards, books, movies, prayers and the totally awesome blanket that was made, it is way cool and my feet do not stick out in the cold any more.

If you know of any resources that I should contact and deal with that would be great. If you could just email that information to me or contact my mom, Shirley Coleman, 509-528-8526 she is handling most of the paperwork end, and Linda does a great job of just loving on me. We are all working very hard toward a full recovery.

Again thanks everyone for all your support, and thanks to the Kennewick High Family, the Richland High Family and the Pasco & Chiawana High Family for supporting a Lion in need! Whenever any of you get a chance give Ron King a hug for me, he stepped into a very tough situation and has done a great job!

My contact info is
Ronny Coleman – 509-521-2377 feel free to call any time, ronny.coleman@ksd.org, rcoleman5x@rock.com

I will update the blog as often as a can, and please ask any question that you would like. Love to hear from people. My schedule here is pretty much a full time job; I am usually done about 5:00pm.

Thanks again every one!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!!