Randy's post brought back some memories of Saul's recovery. Saul also had to be strapped down. At first it was a belt around his waist to keep him in bed. They had to add arm/hand restraints after he pulled the breathing tube out way before it was ready to come out, They put the tube back in and quickly noticed Saul reaching for the tube with his foot, so they had to strap them down. After the tube came out, Saul stayed on a strap at night for another month or longer. He hated it and let us know…
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Added by Jim Raisin on October 23, 2009 at 3:26pm —
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First, I would NEVER trivialize TBIs. As a survivor, I understand all too well the challenges of living with such an injury.
That said, I had to share a story with you all about my recovery.
Recently, my wife and I were talking about my hospital stay and the days immediately following my accident. I have very limited memory of the events but I do have some vivid memories. One thing that I did remember was that my wife stayed with me at the hospital for several days. What I did not know was tha…
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Added by Randy on October 18, 2009 at 5:24pm —
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As contrary as this sounds, I feel best after a hard workout. I was always an early riser and did most of my training before my day started. I would be on the bike or in the gym (if the gym opened this early) at 4 AM. I got away from this routine during my recovery. Now I am back at it. And I will never guve it up!
I did a good hard effort this morning at 4 AM in cooler temps and fog and I loved it! Last year at this time, I was prohibited from riding due to my TBI and even wondered if I would…
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Added by Randy on October 18, 2009 at 1:18pm —
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After suffering brain injury as a kid (see my prevoious blog post), I escaped from another big desaster last saturday. In the Dutch cycling race 'Groeistad klassieker' I hit a refuge at more than 55 km/h (about 35 m/h). My bike was completely trashed. I broke the frame, handlebar and front wheel. Beside the bike, I also broke my helmet on 9(!) places. Miraculously I didn't suffer any severe injuries, but without the helmet I think I wouldn't have survived this crash.
This is another proof of th…
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Added by Tom Gakes on September 29, 2009 at 6:17am —
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In April, I put in for the London Marathon ballot, and I should hear in the next week or two. But then I thought my second possible marathon will maybe fill up with other London rejects, before I could get in. So, stuff it, last night I signed up for the Brighton marathon. If I do get a London place, I'll decide then which one to go for. London normally lets you carry over your place, to run the next year instead. So then I'd run a marathon two years running. Gosh! (My mad husband is doing two I…
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Added by Pam on September 27, 2009 at 2:46am —
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It's been a little over 3 months since Dave's accident. He's been home from rehab for about a month. It's been a long arduous journey for Dave and for all of us that are supporting him along the way. His progress continues to improve week by week. I'm not around to see his daily progress, but now that I'm back down for another visit, it's really amazing to see how far he's come. He's walking without a walker now. He's pretty shaky, but he's doing it. He's turned the corner from his depression, a…
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Added by Peter Lavoie on September 5, 2009 at 11:58am —
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"Perhaps it is not after all so difficult for a man to part with his possessions, but it is certainly most difficult for him to part with himself. To renounce what one has is a minor thing; but to renounce what one is, that is asking a lot" (St. Gregory, Homilies on the Gospels).
This "Labor Day" Holiday - belongs to you. May God Bless you each day with strength and grace to leave behind the limitations of yesterday, to exceed the expectations you set for yourself today, and for uncompromising…
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Added by Annie & Chris Santos on September 3, 2009 at 7:08pm —
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I can not remember a busier summer in cycling as it has been this year in Colorado. Collegiate National Road Racing in May(My room mate's gig) Colorado Soldier Ride (My gig), Volunteering with Adaptive Adventures, the Muddy Mayhem. Have to admit the Muddy Mayhem's One-off and 4-Cross is FUN and addictive for all concerned.
This past week a young cyclist, one of the Binder Twins of CA, stayed with us for mountain training. Thanks to him I was able to attend the
Raisin Hope Criterium and n…
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Added by Peggy Sue Meininger on August 16, 2009 at 2:31pm —
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I am not sure if I am imagining seeing improvements, or if they are real, and telling other people about them will stop them happening (paranoid? Me?)...
I
think I am seeing some improvements.
My balance is definitely getting better. I insist on standing up while I put my trousers and socks on. Daft, I know, but 6 months after the accident it was
impossible, and I am still quite proud that I can do it (standing one-legged, dealing with my sock, without falling over). But I am
d…
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Added by Pam on July 18, 2009 at 9:16am —
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Dave is progressing well. As I see him day be day, it seems like the progress is slow but sure. However, he is actually progressing better than expected. Things are going really will for him at the Casa Colina rehab facility in Pomona. It's clear that all the various kinds of therapy are paying off. He's now able to sit up in his bed (with his legs off to the side), and hold himself up for maybe 10 or 20 minutes at a time. His legs are a bit slow to recover. His daily physical therapy includes p…
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Added by Peter Lavoie on July 17, 2009 at 7:30am —
4 Comments
Update from Peter on my brother Dave's progress. I'm sorry I've been remiss in posting an update in the past week.
Dave continues to show signs of improvement. Slow, but sure. He's off the respirator entirely and breathing very well on his own. Yesterday was a particularly good day. He's starting to talk a bit more. He responded to Darlene saying "I love you Dave", by mumbling "I love you too". Last night his nurse called me very excited to tell me that when asked, "Can you tell me your name?",…
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Added by Peter Lavoie on July 16, 2009 at 7:00am —
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Feeling grateful I have my Raisin Hope Family. Thank you.
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Added by Gaylialynn on July 15, 2009 at 8:53pm —
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Peter: Thanks for finding the Raisin Hope Foundation site and for including me and others in on this. Since our brother, Dave, was seriously injured May 31, 2009, all of his family, friends and colleagues have been wanting to hear more about him. This site seems like a good outlet in which to share our stories, concerns and hopes.
Lisa Harlow (Dave Lavoie's sister)
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Added by Lisa Harlow on July 5, 2009 at 1:20pm —
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I don't have the time to write about current events, but let me tell you Dave's improvement is accelerating a lot right now (definitely higher on the Rancho scale). I'll post more in the next day or so.
Wow! A lot has happened in the last week since my last posting about Dave's progress. Yesterday, he was moved from San Francisco General hospital to Casa Colina acute rehab facility in Pomona (in Southern California, about 60 miles from his home in Simi Valley). With his medical issues resolved n…
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Added by Peter Lavoie on July 2, 2009 at 7:30am —
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"If your heart feels heavy today, your step not as light and the air not as fresh its because the world lost a truly great man this morning. Bruce C. Giunta, aged 69, beloved father, husband, brother and friend passed away . He is in the glory of Heaven and surrounded by His love. He will always be missed."
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Added by Thomas Hefner on June 26, 2009 at 8:35am —
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Registration is now *CLOSED* for the 2009 Raisin Hope Ride (we had to cancel due to lack of interest/signups):
https://www.edgereg.com/custom/raisinhope/index.php
The third annual Raisin Hope Foundation Ride will start at Prater’s Mill, 500 Prater Mill Road NE, Dalton, GA 30721, Saturday Sept 5 at 8:00 AM. The distance options offered are: a metric century (62 miles), 39 miles, 15 miles, or 6 miles. All riders wi…
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Added by Raisin Hope on June 26, 2009 at 12:00am —
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This weekend I did my first race in nearly a year. In all, it went pretty well. The course was one of the more technical ones that I have raced, and at an elevation of 7,000 feet. We did seven laps and should have done more but I had some vision issues. I have a set of Oakley sunglasses that have intgerchangeable lenses: one in medium gray and the other in yellow. These lenses were specially modified by neuro-opthalmologist to reduce double-vision. I only had the gray lenses.
The course had sev…
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Added by Randy on June 23, 2009 at 2:44pm —
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Dave's condition continues to improve--slow but sure. He was moved from ICU to a 'step down unit' this week. Yesterday they started physical therapy with him. Although he didn't do so well at responding to the demands of the PTs, it was good to see him trying to sit up and move around a bit more. The PTs say that they will have a better idea in about a week when he might be able to go to an acute rehab facility. There's a chance that they may even allow him to be moved closer to his home in Simi…
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Added by Peter Lavoie on June 19, 2009 at 7:00am —
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Injured? Who me? Well, yes, I was injured and, yes, I had a TBI. A pretty good one, too. At least that is what I'm told. You see, I do not remember the early days of my injury immediately following the crash very well. But I do remember the day that it happened. In detail. And I can recall many things about my recovery and convalescence. Really recall things. Not just remember thoughts that were "suggested".
It is coming up on the one-year mark since I went down. Regrets? Heck no! No looking ba…
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Added by Randy on June 17, 2009 at 7:30pm —
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Sorry, I have not been keeping readers of this sight abreast of the current situation. The latest, as of Tuesday evening, 6/16/09, is that:
"...Bruce is aware of what's going on, though to what extent is anyone's guess, so it's important to stay positive in his presence. But the Old Dog is hanging in there and gives every indication that he is doing his damndest to get back to us. You can just see the immense effort it takes him just to smile and focus on us, how this all tires him pretty quickl…
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Added by Thomas Hefner on June 17, 2009 at 5:38pm —
2 Comments
A parents view
The lighter side...
The helmet saved my life
I'll DEFINITELY be doing a marathon in April :-)
Dave's planning on going back to work at month end
A Day of Labor every day
Colorado Cycling...whooo eeee Are we there yet???
Grateful
Glad you found this site
Rider News
Raisin Hope Ride Details + Reg
