I got a feeling....

Luke with his best buddies...D and T shootin' guns!

Santa came...yeah!

Luke loves his lil sis!

Luke going snow tubing all by himself...he held on, put his feet up, and leaned back!

I got a feeling 2010 is gonna be a great great year!!!! So today is the day we say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in 2010!!!!! I told Mike I have BIG HOPES for this year. In fact, my mantra is...drum roll please....Luke will walk and talk again in 2010!!!! It is going to take A LOT of prayers and a A LOT of hard work to make this happen, but we have all ready seen that with God ALL things are possible. It never hurts to dream big right?? I am so thankful for all of the amazing things we have seen in 2009. I just hope we can carry this positive momentum into the new year. We start the new year off with a bang next week with lots of appointments. Luke will go to therapy M, W, F and in addition to that he has an appt with the Neuro-Chiro, his eye dr, the evaluator from the NACD, and also an evaluation for possibly getting an augmentative communication device...whew, makes me tired just thinking about all of that. For 2010, our goal is to keep up with Luke going to the neuro-institute for 3-4 hours a day three days a week, plus his usual home based ST, OT, and PT twice a week. Then I would like to take Luke back to Napa Center three times, most likely in March, July, and October. Finally our goal is for Luke to go back to school in July, this is going to be a huge decision and I pray the school will have an open mind and really be able to see all that Luke is capable of before jumping into where they think he should be placed...the very thought of this whole process makes me sick to my stomach! So we will most likely start the evaluation process in Feb or March so all is in place for when school starts again in July. My prayer is that Luke will have the stamina, perseverance, and drive to make this happen! The thing is I KNOW he can do it, and I can want it all I want, but he has to want it, and he is getting there. He gets a smile on his face every morning I tell him he gets to go see his therapists Tom and Jim. I think he knows it works. So to Luke...I say (from a song)...

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

So, here is to a great 2010...the same as last year, may we all have more faith and less fear, more gratitude and less greed, more love and less hate, more joy and less sadness, more giving and less wanting, more peace and less stress, more enjoying and less complaining. May God Bless each of you in 2010!

Merry Christmas!

Wow! I can not believe that Christmas is already here. Where has this year gone?? We are so thankful for the progress Luke continues to make as he moves this mountain of a brain injury. We are so thankful for all of you that continue to follow and support us on this journey. We would never want to walk this road alone, so thank you, thank you!! I can tell Luke is more aware and engaging this year over last. Last night we had Christmas with my mom's family. After dinner and dessert, I said, "Who is ready to open presents?" Luke was the first to respond with a loud yell and his hand going right up in the air. Love that kid!! Another thing we have found out about Luke this season is....he loves egg nog!! I think him and Mike have already gone thru 4 bottles this year! He can drink it really well with a straw too. He will continue with his therapies twice a week. I truly think he enjoys the work he does here, and I think he can tell it is helping him. In fact, as I am typing this, one of his therapists just came over and told me, "He is really impressing me today."

I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas spent with family and friends.

Remember...it really is all about a baby that was born to save....“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”- Luke 2:6-7
So...go tell it on the mountain...Jesus Christ is born!!

What Faith Can Do..

Just got back from picking up Lynsey and I heard a new song I just LOVE!! Here are the lyrics....my favorite line...Impossible is not a word, it is just a reason for someone not to try.


What Faith Can Do

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Proof of what faith can do:

Take you from this....





To this...

Today Show!!

I heard about this segment from the Today show from many people today. It is very interesting...I have a call into the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to see if Luke qualifies for the Locomat research they are doing. On their web site he does meet all of the qualifications. Pray this can help him:) He really needs exactly what it says this machine does! I hope the link works:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34255416#34255416

Well Mr. Luke has been a busy boy! Last week at therapy they started constraint therapy with him. Basically they restrain his right arm and hand forcing him to use his left hand. A week later, he is doing great! I will admit though, the kid is quite a houdini and will find a way to get his right hand out to use. Pray he gets full use out of his left hand over time!

Luke eating lunch with left hand.

A picture he colored with left hand, the therapist helped him write his name.

We also took Luke to see a new Neuro-Chiropractor this week. He gave us some exercises we can do with Luke to try and get his eyes working better, as well as the left side of his face hopefully getting some movement. Pray these exercises work also!!

Here is a great quote they have posted at Luke's therapy place, "The quality and number of gains obtained during a person's rehabilitation after a life altering injury is in direct proportion to their committment to excellence and determination to succeed despite any odds." By the grace of God, Luke is getting the drive to succeed and works so very hard day in and day out. We could not be more proud of his determination. Thank you for your continued prayers. Believe!

His trademark Thumbs up sign!

We went to cut down our Christmas tree this weekend in the freezing snow. Luke liked this Christmas tree!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! We have so much to be thankful for this year! So this Thanksgiving we give thanks to God who continues to pour out blessings of healing and progress on Luke (although I will admit sometimes I wish they were pouring out just a little faster.) We are thankful for Luke who works so hard day in and day out. We are thankful to all of our family and friends who help us out with SO MANY things...taking Luke to therapy, watching the girls, words of encouragement at just the right time, the list goes on and on. Please know how much we appreciate everything you do...I know Luke would not be where he is at without all of you! So I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Our greatest blessings!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

ER

Well last night I had to make a trip to the ER with Luke! Three stitches later...all is well! Not exactly sure what happened, as I was right there. He was sitting on the carpet looking thru his backpack when his head hit the coffee table. He didn't fall, so my best guess is he went to sneeze and slammed the table. It looked a lot worse than it was, as it was bleeding pretty bad (in fact my first thought was 911.) The doc said he got it right in the spot where his skin is pretty thin. So, now he is sporting three stitches in his left eyebrow. I gotta say that kid is a trooper once again. They were able to do the stitches without sedation and overall we were in and out of the ER in less than three hours:)

Now for an interesting article on stem cell research happening right here in AZ...in fact at the very hospital I took Luke to last night:

Gilbert Stem Cell Research Programs are Making Healthcare History

At a Town Hall meeting on October 6th, 2009, residents of Gilbert Arizona listened to medical advances being made in the area of adult stem cells for heart failure. Stem cell pioneer Dr. Nabil Dib, Director of Cardiovascular Research at the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center has been one of the first physicians in the United States to use a type of stem cell called myoblasts, for treatment of patients with heart failure. Since those early studies which began in Phoenix Arizona in 2000, thousands of patients have been treated with their own stem cells for heart failure.

Dr. Dib explained how after a heart attack the injured heart muscle produces chemical signals that attract stem cells from the bone marrow, as well as activate stem cells that are resident within the heart but usually not active. Unfortunately, the repair response after a heart attack is usually not very strong, and as a result, after a heart attack the heart continually loses function until heart failure can occur.

One of the techniques being performed at Mercy Gilbert is administration of stem cells within several days after the heart attack. When the stem cells are administered in the blood, they can "sense" that there is something wrong with the heart and try to repair it.

At the meeting Dr. Dib received many commendations for his excellent work. "Dr. Dib's work for Mercy Gilbert rivals that found primarily in university and research hospitals, so we are proud and honored to have him working here in Gilbert at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center," Councilmember Joan Krueger said. The Mayor of Gilbert stated "History is being made in our town of Gilbert at Mercy Gilbert Hospital."

In addition to the advances in the use of myoblast and bone marrow stem cells, Dr. Dib explained how the hospital is opening up a public cord blood bank. Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells that have several unique properties because they come from tissue that is not mature. Traditionally, cord blood has been used for transplantation of patients with leukemias because the cord blood is capable of making a new blood system when given to patients who have been previously treated with very high doses of radiation and chemotherapy. The use of cord blood without radiation and chemotherapy was reported in many situations but until recently has not been used in the United States.

Researchers at University of Florida and Duke have started using cord blood for Type I Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy as part of clinical trials. The creation of a public cord blood bank at Gilbert will allow for researchers to conduct similar clinical trials.

Ode To Luke!

This post is a poem that our wonderful neighbors The Riggs Family wrote to Luke. He loved it and so do I...you all will too:) Thanks to the Riggs Family!!


Ode to Luke

Luke, Luke, grand high duke!
Ode to your masterful way
You try and you try
And you aim so high
Each and every day.

You have come so far
We're so very impressed
You teach us so much.
Be strong, happy, and such.
Even when you're stressed:)

You're amazing and smart.
We admire and love you!
You're a hero for sure
For all you endure
So to you we give ode to!

His famous Thumbs up sign!

Here Luke is trying to make his smile work for the pictures!

Loves his little sis!

Thanks to Tami Proffitt for the great pictures she took of our family....Loved the moments she captured! (www.tamiproffitt.com)

Check this kid out!

Here is what Luke's therapy consisted of today, and this is not supposed to be the hard part of the day! I have to say...he always loved the monkey bars. Looks like Mike needs to get the welder out! Luke has been so pleasant the last three days (knocking on wood as I write this.) He has been very smiley, laughing, and joking...Love it!! Let's pray he keeps up with this good mood!

Yeah...I did it!

This is what Luke does when he wants to tune out the ladies yapping!

Finally!

So sorry for the lack of updates! We made it thru our first week at Napa Center and Luke is doing AWESOME!!!!! It is always good for me to get the opinions of other people who haven't seen him in awhile as to how he is doing, as we see him everyday. So things they have noticed since the last time: his left hand is a lot looser and more functional, his posture is better, his reaction time is faster, and he seems more aware. Baby steps,,,but steps forward indeed! This session we are only here for two weeks so we added an extra hour onto the day, so Luke goes 8-3:30. I must say he is working like a champ....never complaining at all. Yesterday his therapists all said it was his hardest working day yet. I think he understands all this work is paying off and can see his body getting stronger and he can do more. We flew home this weekend, and had landed back in LA on Sunday. We were waiting for everyone else to get off the plane,and I look over at Luke and he was grabbing onto the seat in front of him bringing himself up to a standing position. Guess he was sick of sitting down....gonna have to watch him a little closer now I think!

In other exciting news, I have been following the blog of a little girl from Show Low who suffered a brain injury after being accidentally run over a year ago. She is similar to Luke in that her entire left side of her face is paralyzed due to nerve damage. The doctors will tell you after six months, it can no longer be repaired. Well....obviously in Luke's case the doctors have been wrong WAY too many times! So I check this girls blog this weekend and back in October she started seeing a Chiropractor Neurologist (in Gilbert no less) for nerve stimulation. She is now moving her left side slightly including eye movement she did not have before, all this after just one treatment. I called the office the next day. They were very nice, want to see all of Luke's medical records, they even have a research grant for the work they are doing! The thing that makes me mad is there is a test called a nerve conduction test that has NEVER been done on Luke or even recommended for that matter to see where the problem is for sure. Who knows maybe they will do this test and find out the nerve is severed, in which case it can not be repaired, but better to know for sure instead of just speculate right? So we have that appointment for Nov. 30th. I am very anxious about it...pray these people can help wake up his left side. The thing is Luke knows it does not work right. We had family pictures a few weeks ago and kept telling Luke to smile (even if it is only a half smile.) He was getting frustrated and finally put his hand to his mouth to form a smile. The best part is...she got it on film, I will post it when I get the pics back. Smart kid he is I tell you. Now here are some pics of the hard work he has been doing. Thanks for all your prayers....and a huge thanks to our great neighbors, the Riggs, Luke LOVED his special delivery...made his day after a hard day of work on Monday!

Working barefoot on walking

Playtime in the balls after a hard day's work

Weight lifting time

Crawling Practice

In the Spider Cage.

Sorry!

Sorry for not updating sooner...and this one will be short. Maybe a longer with pics tonight. Therapy is going great and Luke is working SO HARD!!! Thanks for all of your emails and messages!

Happy Halloween!!

Just wanted to say...Happy Halloween!!! We are leaving tomorrow to take Luke to two weeks of therapy at the Napa Center! I will post updates while there and also an update coming soon about the great family conference we had yesterday with his therapists at the Neuro Institute. It is always great to hear, "amazing progress," and "bright kid," when they are referring to Luke!!! Have a great time trick or treating tonight!

Luke as Optimus Prime!

Our Super Hero for sure!

Busy Boy!!

Luke has been one busy boy lately. We are finally getting him into a set therapy schedule, just in time to leave for Napa for two weeks, but we will resume therapy here once we get back. So here is what he does each week:
Monday-3 hours at neuro institute
Tuesday-PT, OT, and starting when we get back ST at home each week with home bound therapists
Wed-3 hours at neuro institute
Thursday-horse therapy, OT, and ST
Friday-3 hours at neuro institute

So...he will be getting 3 hours of therapy each and every day...Go Luke!!

Here is the cute story of the week: On Monday Luke had a new speech therapist come out and do an evaluation on him. I am showing her different ways we communicate with him. So I say, "Luke show Ms. Erica how you tell us no." (I expect him to put up his hand in a stop sign.) Instead the little stinker says, "No," plain as day with his mouth 4 times. I think she was as shocked as I was. He has not been wanting to talk at all lately. I am excited for Ms. Erica to work with Luke. She seems like she is going to be great.

Now for the heart warming story of the week: I was ordering lunch at Paradise Bakery earlier this week when the couple in front of me asks how Luke is doing. Now, I did not have Luke with me, so I was sort of shocked. I said he is doing good, and they asked about our trip to Disneyland. Then the guy proceeds to tell me he was there the night Luke was hurt (on the second truck that arrived.) He told me he was certainly surprised by the progress Luke is making. Just another reminder that God is good and answering our prayers everyday! Now, I did not get his name, but it certainly touched me that he is still following Luke to this day. I know him and his wife read this so thanks again for continuing to follow Luke's progress and for the part you played in saving his life that night.

Disneyland!

Well we had a great trip to Disneyland. Luke's favorite ride was the new Toy Story Midway Mania ride and of course Buzz Astro Blasters...he loves anything you can shoot! He also won a large prize at the fishing game...another highlight for him. Here are some pics from our trip:

Our group at the entrance.

Luke gets to hold his little sis for a bit.

This little boy made Luke's day! He indulged in Luke's many knuckle givings throughout the parade. It warmed my heart to see another kid actually interact with him instead of just stare at or ignore him. We ran into his family the next day at CA Adventure. His dad told me he was glad he ran into us again because he wanted to let me know they were praying for Luke. I made sure to tell him how happy his son made Luke and I. The world needs more folks like that:)

Standing time with mom.

Dressed in our costumes for trick or treating at the park. Luke is Optimus Prime Transformer this year.

When we got back Friday night, I sat Luke down for dinner and he did the most amazing thing....started eating his food with his LEFT hand. Good old lefty has been very SLOW to wake up. The amazing thing about this is, I never told him to do it (not that he would listen anyway:) I just looked over and he using lefty. Not sure what made him do it...but we will take it! Go Luke, way to persevere through once again!

Therapy...

Luke continues to work super hard in therapy...have I mentioned lately how much this kid amazes me!! He did great everyday this week at therapy at the Neuro-Institute. They have been working on walking with a walker, walking up stairs, drawing, using lefty, riding a bike and a scooter, and many other things! Next week Luke will be rewarded with a trip to Disneyland! I think he is excited about that. Then therapy here for 2 weeks...then onto the Napa Center in California for two weeks. Then, when we get back the therapists at the Neuro Institute wants to try constraint therapy with Luke to get him using his left hand more. I can't believe this year is almost over...where has time gone? Anyway here are a few pics of Luke in action this week...thanks for continuing to follow him on this journey....

Practicing his crawling while pushing a dump truck.

At home playing his Sponge Bob Video game.

Let them do their job....

We made it home safe and sound...now let those stem cells do their job and make their way into the damaged areas in Luke's brain. All went well with the IV infusion of the cells. Luke is such a trooper and did not even make a peep when they stuck him with the needle various times to get the IV started. He was very curious as to what the nurse was doing and did not take his eyes off her while she was sticking him. So, now we wait and see what those cells will do. Pray we see AMAZING things.

Dr. Ramirez injecting Luke with the stem cells.

Stem Cells

Tomorrow is the big day we leave for Stem Cell therapy!! Luke gets his injection of umbilical cord stem cells via IV on Thursday! Please pray for safe travels, and GREAT, AMAZING results from these cells. Thanks for your prayers...they are greatly appreciated! Will update after his injection on Thursday.

Happy Fall!

Happy first day of Fall...although here in AZ it sure doesn't feel like fall yet! Luke continues to do good in his therapies. Yesterday one of his therapists at the Neuro Institute made the bold prediction that Luke would be walking with a walker by Christmas. Now, I have had myself disappointed way too many times by predictions, but this kid has been working Hard....so you never know.

This post is mainly to ask for prayers next Thursday, October 1st. We are taking Luke for his third round of stem cells. Pray for great results from this treatment! Thanks for sticking with us on this journey and for spreading the word for lots of prayers on the 1st!

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

Psalm 17:6 NLT

East Valley Sol!

Last year at this time, East Valley Sol, had a fundraiser for Luke to raise money for Stem Cell Therapy. We are SO thankful for them!!! This year is Fiesta Del Sol IV! It is a SUPER FUN night put on by a GREAT group of people! I promise you will not be disappointed! It really is a blast. Here is the info and if you can not attend but would like to donate something for a giveaway you can contact Shawna at shawna@shawnareeves.com. You can also go to the web site at:

www.eastvalleysol.org