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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
November 8, 2007
Debbie never had pressure sores or skin break down in 4 years and 3 months.
As Debbie got better, she re-learned to use her muscles all over again. In
January, I even got her a Lite Gate with treadmill. It has been 4 months since
Debbie passed away and I am finally ready to sell all of her rehab equipment.
It is difficult to try to find someone who is able to use this equipment. If you live
within 8 hours of Charlotte, NC, I would be happy to work something out to
deliver any equipment you would find useful. I paid shipping from all over the
United States and found it to become very expensive. I have included a list of
most the big items, and I will not take any money for the smaller objects.
We want to improve someone else’s life from Debbie’s equipment. It has taken
me sometime before I could deal with all of this. Anyone with a coma or spinal
patient can use these things to improve quality of life. I found out insurance
does not want to pay for many rehab equipment things and had no choice but to
buy them. All of this equipment can be used together.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
We have found the best way to advertise is by word of mouth. If anyone is
interested in any items, the best way to contact us is by e-mail. Our e-mail
address is:
lightofhope@debbierich.com
Please address the subject as “Attention: Rehab Equipment”. We will quickly
respond to anyone interested.
We also wanted to thank everyone for their support over the years. The
friendships we have made will last a lifetime. We hope someone's life was
helped by this website. Remember, "Live everyday to the fullest because we are
not guaranteed tomorrow."
- The Rich Family
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Thursday, November 29. 2007
Jerrall-
When we got to the doctors they had a problem with the computer. And
we had no appointment. The front desk told me they would call by 9 am
tomorrow and let me know the new appointment time. We were all looking to this
appointment for weeks. I am so tired today I can not even think.
So we went to my primary care doctor and said what do we do I have not
slept in weeks and having troubles functioning this week. I have gained all of my
weight back now I am 195 lbs. This primary care doctor gave me a month worth
of Ativan to take at bed time until we can see the other doctor.
What a day!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Jerrall-
This morning did not start until noon, no sleep last night and so tired it is so
hard to function. I went to several appointments and closed one the spot. Today
like so many days for the past few weeks it has come to the point of some thing
has to give. No dreams at night but no sleep more than two hours at one time.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Jerrall-
As the days pass by since Thanksgiving more of my feeling are flooding all
at the same time and I am not sure which way to turn. I do not want to be to
close to people or my kids but more with drawn with end my self. The doctor has
me on one med until I can get to the main doctor on Thursday. But the last two
weeks I have noticed myself taking double doses trying to make my self tired but
the med is not that type of med. Today driving down the road I had two songs on
the radio and it brought up feeling I though were behind me. It is OK at work but
when I come home to an empty house the sadness begins.
This afternoon Eunice from church came over and helped unpack all of the
boxes in storage and repack them. I found so many things I needed and had to
look at all of Debbie’s things one more time. Things went OK but it took several
hours. Friends like this do not come a long very often.
-To Peace Within
Monday, November 26, 2007
Jerrall-
Tonight I was looking over June 2007 notes and could not believe what I
read. Some of that time will never leave me some is good and some I will have to
live with for the rest of my life. I have no regrets and Debbie is no longer in any
pain. I am no different than any one else I just did what had to be done at that
time in our journey. Thanksgiving went well. But for the last week I have been
having that withdrawn feeling. I have note been postings, not sleeping at night
and did not even go to church Sunday. This week has been the worst yet today I
did not want to face this day so I stayed in bed until 2 pm. Thursday I meet an
old doctor I new 12 years ago and I pray he can get my sleep pattern back. I
want to thank every one for there support and I will get through this.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Jerrall-
This morning I did not want to get out of bed and start this day. So I took a
flexural and went back to sleep until noon. So that means I missed church. Last
night and the last few nights I have only been sleeping for only an hour at a time
and hoping I am so tired because of the lack of sleep. For lunch I went to the
couple from church Eunice and Andy’s. I had one meeting at 2:30 pm and was
back home by 4:30 pm. I laid down and woke up at 7 pm. I started my laundry
and have six loads to do. Then I was folding cloths and a song came on TV and I
noticed a tear coming from my eye. So may be the tiredness may be due to
sadness.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Jerrall-
Today was that day when life has to get back to normal. Krystal had to get
back home and I have to relearn to be alone again. As long as I stay busy every
thing should be fine. Now I have been working on this Christmas tree for two
days but I love it. Debbie had hand tied ribbons on the decorations and
Christmas was one of her favorite time of year.
I want to share and also remember:
Life is not about the amount of breaths you take, but about the moments
that take your breath away.
When I think this deep it brings chills over my body.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Jerrall-
WOW!!! What a day. Krystal and I were at the convention center at 11 am
with around 200 volunteers from a grocery chain. We got our orders and they
were expected to feed 6,000 people. Every thing was fine until 11:55 am and the
people were to be there at noon. This room was as large as 3 to 4 football fields.
With a 5 minute count down the live band started playing and a man on stilts
was juggling and walking around. Then it hit me goose bumps and chills came
over my whole body. When the people started coming in and saw 8 lines of food
24’ long each there eyes got so large. Krystal and my job was to meet the
people in the lines and escort them through the lines an any where they wanted
to set. There were people with wheelchairs, walkers, stroller and they were
carrying babies. By 1:30 pm in just an hour and a half we had fed 4,300 people.
The lines lasted until 3:30 pm when we ran out of food. Today we received a
blessing that money can not buy. Krystal has learned a lot through actions in
such a short time. We can back to my house and laid down we were so tired and
both of us slept 2 hours. When we got up we went to dinner and came back
home and watched a DVD Hitch. It is midnight again and time to go to bed
again.
-To Peace
Thanksgiving, November 22, 2007
Jerrall-
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and all is well. This is such a
great time of year. Krystal and I had two Thanksgiving meals, one at noon and
one at 7 pm. We had a good day except for two times. At the noon blessing, (our
window salesman son shoot him self in the head a month after Debbie died) at
the end said some thing about the people that could not be there and broke
down and could not finish. Krystal and I did well but we had 5 years to get ready
for today and the salesman did not have any time to get ready. Then Krystal's
boy friend Ray lost his mother three months before Debbie died and had a bad
day and his father had a bad day and he told Krystal he just wanted to be alone.
Krystal took that well. What is wrong with Krystal and I being at peace knowing
that Debbie is free and at peace. Then every one else is so unhappy. Does this
make us less of a caring person?
Tonight Krystal and I even put up the Christmas tree like we always did and this
was my first time in 5 years.
-To Peace
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Jerrall-
Not count sleep any more but just a note when I went to sleep. Last night it
was midnight. Today was the day of days. The couple that told me they would
meet me at the church door Eunice and Andy have become more than friends.
Eunice saw the storage with 3000 square foot of my life and she said I could
never sale any thing you could not see like that. So today Max and I took all of
Debbie’s rehab equipment to Andy’s garage and now any one can see what
there is. Now there is a huge hole in the front of the storage and I can put
shelves so I can get every thing sorted for my next move. I do not know what is
wrong with me I was not sad or happy just glad to make progress. Is this normal
to feel this way? I did what I did with Debbie so I would not have regrets is that
the difference? The only thing that made me feel attached to was Debbie’s
custom wheelchair. Debbie is still in my heart and I feel lucky to have had the
time I had. Debbie is free now and there is no pain any more. Tonight Krystal is
coming over for dinner and then tomorrow we will eat lunch at noon with Gerald
and at 7 pm we will eat dinner with Amber.
I took my driving test today and failed. I have not taken the test for over 30
years but that is no excuse. Tonight after dinner we went shopping for Ray’s
birthday that is Sunday. Also I got clear packing boxes so I can get the storage
together and sorted. Then to my surprise I wanted to eat again so we stopped
and ate one more time on the way home.
-To Changes
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Jerrall-
Last night I could not go to sleep until 4 am. I am not counting hours no
more just when I go to sleep. Today I was tired most of the day but at 3:30 pm I
could not hold my eyes open but I was in a store and had to keep going. Today
Eunice Helped me set up a real bed and took me to the store and I got all new
bed linens and pillows for both beds. No more sleeping in that sleeping bag that
I have been in for 5 years. All so with Krystal home for the holidays she will have
her own bed and bedroom. True friends are there if you look hard enough.
Tonight I had dinner with Eunice and Andy and then came home and made all of
the beds.
-To Good Friends
No More Sleeping Bag!!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Jerrall-
I sleep from midnight to 3 am straight and then up and down the rest of the
night. Even with no sleeping pills I have felt so sedated for almost a week now.
May be being tired for so long is catching up with me. Me be it is not a bad thing
to sleep when ever I get tired. Amber came over today and we went thru a lot of
work things. After this week Amber will not be working with me no longer. If we
have a father daughter relationship may be things can get better between us.
This afternoon I only had 1 appointment and then I met Kristal for dinner. On the
way home I could not help but think about how hard it is to live a lone. Now I am
at home I have so much paper work to do I can always stay busy? But to hide in
work is not the answer.
-To A Long Day
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Jerrall-
What a great day today was. Not many days are as good as today has
been. When Debbie’s obituary was in the news paper a couple from church
invited me to there church and they told me they would meet me at the front
door if I wanted to come visit. So I went and have been going back ever since. I
have a special family with in the church and would not change any thing about
the way things are. This morning’s service was so touching see the youth sing it
brought bumps to your skin. After service several people help set up the chairs
and 17 tables. I even met a man I have known for 20 years it is a small world. I
came home and took a power nap. At 4 pm I was back at church setting up food
tables. Every one was working together. The dinner was great and the whole
day was a once in a life time type of day. I got home about 10 pm. Even though I
was tired today it was a day you do not have very often.
-To More Good Days
Saturday, November 17, 2006
Jerrall-
Last night I slept 4 hours straight woke up at 4 am. Krystal said I was up and
down all night long. Today we went to the church and put up the Christmas lights
on all the sets. We did not finish until 8:30 pm and then 3 other people went to
dinner. We did not get home until 11:00 pm. Krystal showed me how to post on
Debbie’s web site and how to use my phone. I was in bed by 11:30 pm and
Krystal went home to sleep in her own bed. This was a great day.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Jerrall-
Last night with out drugs I slept from 11 pm until 5 am straight. My sleep
pattern is changing for the better. I went to work this morning for a have day and
then to church to help paint the sets for Christmas. Around 3 pm I met Krystal all
we went to the female doctor and got her a Luepron shoot. This will stop her
cycle for three months until she can have surgery. On the way back to the
church Krystal said dad do you still miss mom. I almost ran off the road, I said my
would you ask me that. Krystal never would say. I replied I will always miss
Debbie and no matter how hard I try that will never change.
When we got to the church Krystal started putting the letters on the sets while I
painted. There were about 8 friends there and Krystal talks to every one. At one
point Krystal said doesn’t one lady remind you of mom? Krystal had a great time
I could tell. Krystal spent the night at my house we went to bed at midnight.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Jerrall-
Last night I slept from 2 am until 7 am 5 hours straight. I have still been tired
all day to day. I guest for a while I will still have sad days this must be normal.
When I am down I can tell I get tired quicker. Max my foreman was at my door at
10 am I did not hear the phone. We had a meeting for an hour and then they
were set for another week of work. Tonight I drove down to Krystal’s house and
took her out to dinner. Then we went to Linens and things and got her a drying
rack. Then we went to home depot and got Krystal a heater. Her roommates
only set the heater on 70 degrees. When I got home I forgot to call so Krystal
called me. Every thing is OK but I am going to lay down tomorrow starts early.
To Health
Jerrall
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Jerrall-
Last night for some unknown reason I was so tired I went to sleep at 10 pm
and got up at 4 am. This is such a better time hope it last. Today was a lot of
running around. Talked to my sister in Texas and tomorrow hopefully she will
have home health online to help. Also what the doctor says about a feeding
tube. It has been a hard year with every one getting older.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Jerrall-
Last night was a hard one. I did not go to sleep until 4 am and was up at 6
am. Today I have been very tired. This morning I worked with my sister about a
DNR for my aunt that lives with her. Then I worked on getting the shot for Krystal
to shut down her ovaries before surgery. At lunch I met a friend from bible study
and we went shopping and know I have all new cloths for 10 days. Sweaters,
vests, shirts, slacks, and every thing is enter changeable. New cloths make me
feel so much fresher. I was so tired after that I came home and lay down and
slept for 4 hours straight.
Amber came over today while I was gone and washed a load of work cloths and
dropped off bills form the old house. Today we talked on the phone but not
about work. I invited my self to dinner last week but Amber never responded.
This week I invited Amber to a lunch and she never responded. I will just keep
trying some day I hope to have my oldest girl back.
Today I got a new phone that is a laptop in my pocket this will help with work and
to post and do e-mails during dinner and not have to take buddy that large
laptop in.
Today I went grocery shopping for the first time since Debbie died. This is a
huge step now I am starting to think a head. Also I got a grill the one at the last
house was hard piped and had to leave it. Tonight I went to Gerald and Helen’s
house for dinner and spent the night.
To Peace
Jerrall
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Jerrall-
Last night I slept 5 hours straight the longest yet and did not wake up at all. I
was late for church this morning by an hour. A couple saw Debbie’s website
when Debbie had her funeral and asked me if I came to there church they would
meet me at the door. So I went and meet a whole new family. To day I went back
for the first time in 4 weeks and remembered some faces and some names but
to night I know every ones name. In the morning at the service it was like it was
made just for me. It was about friendship and really hit home. I really had a good
time. This afternoon three of us got food together and we had lunch together.
To night we had a dinner and bible study with 14 people and had a great time. I
got home around 9 pm. This new group of family I have met have made such an
impact on my life I can not explain. I feel like I have always belonged. This next
week I am working on getting my aunt in Houston checked out at the hospital 95
lbs and 2 bed sores. Getting Krystal shoot for female issues and appoint with
specialist. Wednesday going with friend Betty to surgeon to remove 8 cc cancer
in one breast and limp nodes. What a week this will be.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Jerrall-
It is so good to hear from everyone once again and now I know how I got
though the past 5 years. I have been told not to write any more and not help on
my town with brain injury any more that I have to let Debbie go. I have no
regrets, that is my I stayed with Debbie so she would never be a lone and have
the best chance at recovery. My reward was to have peace when this was over
and be able to live with my self and still have Debbie in my life. Debbie does not
make me sad and I do not blame anyone but people do not understand that.
With so many wanting to know what is going on post I am going to start posting
again. I went to our old Brain Injury Support meeting last week and it helped me
so much. I could not live one way for five years then just stop and give up on the
most important that had been in my life for so long. The doctor and [people that
new me before would say I looked tired and sad. I took such good care of
Debbie but could not tell what I needed. I let the doctors put me on sleeping pill
plus the Ambien I had taken for 5 years so I could sleep when I had nursing
even during the day and go 2 or 3 nights without sleep. Also I had taken pain
pills and muscles relaxers for my back for 5 years since I carried Debbie a round
for so many years. Then they put me on Cymbalta for depression. The sleeping
pills caused amnesia and after 3 months I knew my phone # and SS # but not
where I lived or when I had what meds last, what day it was even hit some thing
with my truck and do not remember what. This is impossible for me to believe
and when on for 3 months. The Cymbals I was allergic to and over three months
took my vision to where I could not see my laptop or focus and still did not know
there was any thing wrong. If I had died every one would of though the wrong
thing. October 17th Amber’s birthday Krystal and I were at the Outer Banks of
North Carolina at Cape Hatteras lighthouse spreading Debbie ashes and setting
her free. I was in my right mind for a few hours I remember that but not how I got
there or home. At least I did not lose that moment of my life that could not be
replaced. When I got in the truck I gave Krystal all my meds and said no more
Debbie is a peace and Debbie would not approve all of these meds and for
what. The next four days I was at my house a lone with no food, blind and
suffering from drug withdrawal. I did not want any one to see me or left the girls
know. Krystal came over at midnight Sunday night and made me eat and put me
in hot water several times. Krystal had to go to school Monday so she left at 4:
30 am. At 11:30 am Monday Amber took me to the ER and I was shaking and
jumping. I could not tell if I had my shoes. My head was pouring out water that
made 5 days with little food. When they did than EEG the chest spasms were so
bad it took forever. Labs and all the test came back good and they said take me
home and follow up with my other doctors that week. What I had done will not kill
me but that I would not stop meds like that again without supervision. They were
right. Now I had to stay with Krystal for a week and try only one med and not
able to drive. That med the first closed my air way and I had an allergic action
and had bad dreams all night. The next day my primary care doctor of 15 years
put me on just one med for 2 weeks that I had taken years before. Today I am
med feel except for this med until 11/29/07 and then we will see where to go. I
only sleep from 3 am until 6 am now and will have to relearn to sleep again. I am
eating every day and no more dreams at night. Things are getting better but if I
had not quit the meds on my own I would not be alive today and no one would
know why. What I would like to write about is what worked and did not work for
Debbie. All brain injuries are different but being immobile is the main issue. Also
now I can say how the system works and not worry about it affecting Debbie’s
care. Thanks again for your support and know with out all of you I could not
have made this journey. After 5 years Amber my 28 year old girl does not want
to talk to me and there are no friends left. Every one is so busy in there own life.
I have been back to work for a week for the first time in five years. My company
is still there and I have great people that have been there some for 16 years
and could not have made it with out them. I am so lucky in so many ways. I have
met a new church and they are great. I take my laptop every where and I have
named it Buddy. We would love to hear from the out side world if any one has
extra time in this busy world.