| Updates |
April
29, 2009, 1:01pm PDT - A Few Thoughts... (From Dina)
OK....I
guess I just had a few things on my mind and wanted to share....
This past weekend marked the one year anniversary
of the day I walked into Henderson Home Health to visit
a lady that I knew basically from riding around in the warm
pen at Marshall chit chatting. Never in a million years
did I ever think she would become a very close friend of
mine. It's odd how this past weekend brought back so many
memories....on Saturday (last year) I went to listen to
Randy Bird then went to visit Bess. This year, we loaded
her up and she went with us! On Sunday last year, I walked
into her room since I was down the road at a team roping
and she said those words that have FOREVER stuck in my head!
"Dina, I need you! I need friends that know God and
I need you!" WOOOOOW! How strong those words were!
This year, on Sunday, I went to see her again only we were
loading her up and taking her to church! Last year, she
was flying through the rafters, hanging on the curtains,
eyes closed, mouth clenched REALLLLLY letting me have it
(as well as anyone else that came through her room!).
I look back now and realize how much has
changed in this last year! From having to lift her and put
her from bed to chair, chair to truck....even the ability
to get her to go anywhere...to a $45,000 electric wheelchair
that she drives by herself and before the ramp on the van
is even down good, SHE IS GONE! She started going to church,
going out in front of people--which was a major step--her
attitude is so positive and uplifting.....we've managed
to survive through 3 months of therapy, after managing to
even GET therapy...we've had her on horseback (which I would
like to do again)...had an overflow of people helping with
her....we were fortunate to get her into a brand new NICE
facility that takes pretty good care of her....Watched her
go from not moving anything what so ever to flickering wrists,
pushing/pulling arms, raising knuckle...OH MY GOSH! Every
little step has been positive and I can't wait to see what
the future holds!
WOW! WE HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN BLESSED!! And
I know God is going to continue to bless her each and every
day! I know He blessed me by allowing me to grow closer
to Him, Bess and also introducing me to some of the best
friends I could ever have!!! Bess and The Quinn's!!!! What
a team!!
To the board and all the barrel racing family--THANK
YOU SO MUCH from Bess, the Quinn's and I for all your outpouring
of love and prayers for this woman! She is definitely set
on getting better for everyone that's for sure! Hoping one
day to give you guys the opportunity to meet her!
Until next time....happy trails and God
Bless!!
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April
25, 2009, 9:26pm PDT - The Day with Randy Bird (From Dina)
Well, after a VERY long day, I got Bess back
to her room. She thoroughly enjoyed Randy Bird and I was able
to take some cute pics of him visiting with her today before
the service started. I will try to get those downloaded in
the next day.....That was my main goal was to get her there,
let him give her a little piece of inspiration from someone
that has "been there, done that." It was really
cool! One little awesome thing they did....Mr. Charlie, Mark
Norman (the guy that owns the place where the roping was)
and a few other close friends gathered around Bess before
the service and prayed over her! Mark and Dee Norman are great
people and very spiritual. So, it was really a great experience
today to see the people coming over to her visiting, praying
and wishing her well!! I told as many people as I could about
our upcoming phone calls and all, asking for many many prayers!
I
got her back to the room about 8:15 or so and she was give
slap out!! But she enjoyed the day that's for sure!!! I
will make sure I post the pictures and share with you all.....I
just got a few but they are definitely cute! KEEP
THE PRAYERS COMING!!
Love
you guys for keeping her in your thoughts....it means sooooo
much to her I can promise you that!!!
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April
24, 2009, 7:40am PDT - MRI's & X-rays Are On Their Way
(From Dina)
Well, now it's time for some major prayers!
We have completed Dr L's request for current x-rays and MRI's
and they are now enroute to Beverly Hills, CA! The next call
we receive from him is that he CANNNNNN do something, even
if it's minor, to help her out! Guys--I
think the Quinn's and I need just as much prayer and strength
because I'm telling you, if we don't get good news on this
deal, it's going to be a hard thing to swallow! But I know
we will make it through regardless! We aren't thinking negative
though---Bess has shown too many little signs that we just
know there are great things in store for her in the future!
I am
going to pick her up early in the morning and driving to
Mount Alba where Randy Bird, along with Branded Duo, will
be speaking at He Rose Fellowship Team Roping. I think it
will be an excellent time for her to see and visit with
Randy! For those that don't know who he is--he was the typical
team roper, party guy that had a bad wreck one night and
hit a tree. He was paralyzed from neck down but later regained
use of his upper body. He is now serving God and ministering
all over and STILLLLL team ropes! So he's pretty inspirational
in the fact that nothing slows him down!
I will
update everyone as soon as we hear from the doctor! I'm
sure if it's all good news, I won't have to type for you
guys to hear me! I'll be screaming so loud with joy!!!!!
JUST
KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING FOR HER!!!!! |
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April
14, 2009, 9:42am PDT - Update Regarding Appointments Scheduled
(From Dina)
We have a slight change in dates....the appt
for this week was for the xrays only....told them we couldn't
do that because we needed it alllll at once! So, the earliest
we could get in (at a decent time) was Tuesday, April 21st.
Which isn't too bad. We could have gone Friday for the xrays
and mri's but Mrs. Barbara and Charles would have had to BE
THERE at ETMC at 6am! Didn't want to do that to them because
that's too hard and also, Bess is a complete grouch in the
mornings! She's NOOOOOT a morning person! hahahaha
Anyway....Tuesday, April 21st we will have xrays/mris done
and the orders were for us to leave with the films. The
next day they will be sent overnight to Dr. L in Beverly
Hills! WHOOOO HOOOOOO!!!
I can't freaking wait!!!!!! I don't even think negative
thoughts but I'm telling you, if he tells us something isn't
possible, ya'll be ready because you'll have to pick me
up! But I just know, he's going to have SOME kind of good
news for us!
I'm telling you guys....if we have to go to Beverly Hills,
we are REALLY going to need support!!! Barbara/Charles or
I one will be going with her...and depending on what he
tells us, that will determine how long we stay, if Bess
has to stay and all that! I know....I'm thinking ahead but
those are things we must take in consideration! Again, nothing
we can't handle or deal with! Our biggest hurdle will be
keeping Bess chilled....when we encounter new things, she
gets REALLY nervous, blood pressure changes, etc.....but
it'll all work! God hasn't gotten us this far to drop us
on our head!
Oh....the other night, she was pulling her arms from her
shoulders (which is something she's been doing) and her
arm actually came up on the outside of the arm rest! Barbara
and I just kind of looked at each other like, "Did
you see that too????" It's sooooo funny to watch our
reactions!
OK...enough rambling.....I will keep you guys updated as
always!! Keep the prayers rolling!!!!!
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April
13, 2009, 4:41pm PDT - Appointments Are Scheduled! (From Dina)
Well, keep your fingers, toes and everything
else crossed!! We have the appointments scheduled to get Bess's
xrays/mri's done at ETMC! Everything has been incredible thus
far!!! I
watched a movie last night that I think really helped me
with all this deal! FACING THE GIANTS! And if you've never
seen it, GET IT!!!!!! We are facing a giant but I know through
God all things are possible and Dr. L WILL call us and tell
us after he gets these xrays that he will be able to do
something! I just know this is going to be tooooooo good!!!
We have encountered sooo many obstacles since Bess's accident
and each step became easier and easier! So, with that being
said, I know God and all the angels are walking with her,
for her and beside her and one day He will give her the
hands to reach up and hug everyone and even type her very
own thank you letter to each of you on the board!!!
Oh my
gosh! I AM PUMPED!!!!!! I
can't wait until I get to type the message to everyone that
reads: "BESS CHANEY HAS MOVED!!!! |
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April
9, 2009, 4:11pm PDT - One More Obstacle Crossed! (From Dina)
OK....I just got off the phone with Bess's
doctor in Tyler...They have ordered the current set of MRI's/X-Rays
that the doctor in Beverly Hills has requested!! THANKKKKKKKK
GODDDDDDDDDD!! I told his nurse to hug his neck for me! Because
now, it can be sent through her Medicaid..... I
tell ya! God keeps answering the prayers daily!! Now, we
can pray Dr. L will call and give us a good report and will
expect us to fly her out there!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR
WHAT HE SAYS!!!!!
Bess
is excited!!!! |
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April
9, 2009, 10:44pm PDT - Thank you! Yes, We Do Have Angels Among
Us! (From Dina)
JANET WHEELER--THANK YOU!!!! I wanted
to jump up and down on the phone but I had to be reserved
because my boss would think I'm crazy!!!! I
will let you share all the details if you wish because we
know it's only in the makings.....however, bored, it does
pertain to Bess and it could be some good stuff if all goes
well!
I've
been blessed to share so much good news with Bess to you
guys that I will let Janet share this, if she chooses to!
I will
say I don't know where we would be on Bess if I didn't have
such awesome people working with me, finding help in every
wild imagineable place possible! THANK YOU!!!
The
Quinn's -- what can I say....GOD'S ANGELS! a blessing to
Bess and I both! They are now my adopted family and I just
can't say enough good things about them! The people from
Bar None--Tina Cooper, Matt/Donna Fowler, and so many others
that help do the little things! Stop to say hello, cut Bess's
hair, you name it!
I know
there are too many people to list but a HUGE HEARTFELT THANK
YOU for all those involved with helping Bess! From her friends
in California, Texas and everywhere in between!
And
of course, we couldn't make it without the many prayers
rolling along throughout the barrel racing world!
I tell
Bess a lot.....I know it's been at her expense, but it's
amazing at how many real friends I have created among everyone
just by reaching out and helping her.....she has helped
me sooooo much and she constantly asks me "how do I
help? I'm just laying here!" She doesn't even want
me to start! hahaha
But
seriously, THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!! I just wish each
of you could be so blessed to meet Bess.....and maybe one
day I can arrange a meet and greet dinner! She would love
that!!!!
Mrs.
Janet.....feel free to let share if you want! LOVE YA GIRL!
Give the wild child a hug from me too!
From
Janet: "Well I called my Good friend in
Longview that knows Nell McCoy and sent her Dina's letter.
So, my friend is contacting his Mother-In-Law, who is in charge
of the Angel Foundation. So just keep your fingers crossed,
that the foundation will help Bess. I don't know what they
will do, but my Mom always told me if you don't ask for help
you will never know what people can do for you. So just keep
this in your prayers for Bess. Dina I will give the Wild Child
a hug we are headed to the D & G in Abilene. Thanks for
all you and the Quinns do for Bess. - Janet |
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| April
1, 2009, 10:44pm PDT - Pictures of Bess (From Dina)
 1st
pic--Bess was griping at me because I was actually taking
a picture of her from the door of the van while she was
waiting on me to park!
 2nd
pic--she was working her little joystick to get her chair
in gear.
 3rd
pic--she was definitely in gear and leaving me!! I was still
parking the van!! CRAZY WOMAN! She may have lost movement
in her arms and legs, but I PROMISE YOU!!! HER MOUTH STILL
WORKS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA
 Lastly,
a picture of me for those of you that want to put a face
to the name.
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| April
1, 2009, 9:39am PDT - Update (From Dina)
OK...here is where we stand as of now...I
have received the orders from Dr. L in Beverly Hills, CA
on all that he needs. I have called ETMC and we are looking
to have an appointment set up on or around the 8th of next
week....this is my half day off and me and the Quinn's can
all be there...from that point, we will take pictures in
hand, overnight them to Dr. L then follow up with another
conference call once he's had a chance to look at them.
On a
good note....and I know people think we are crazy....INCLUDING
BESS...but Sunday after church, Barbara and I were massaging
her arms, stretching and all that. She was pulling her arms
towards her and all like we always make her do. When she
started that, her right arm started coming up off the chair
some....now granted, it wasn't much but it WAS more than
it has been doing! I guess the best way I could describe
it.....place your arms down like she has hers on the arm
rest....pull them to you...and the arm from the elbow down
turn sideways up off the chair some. MORE THAN IT EVER HAS
IN THE PAST!!
She
continues to get stronger in her arms, shoulders and neck...we
were checking her for feeling...used to she could feel about
half way between her elbow and shoulders. Now, she can feel
almost down to her elbow. She could tell us exactly where
we were poking and pressing around....everything!!! And
we made her close her eyes and face the opposite direction
so she didn't try to outsmart us and peek! 
God
love her! She just doesn't know how determined we are for
her to move something!!!!! I have a letter
I have typed up that I will post that I am in the process
of figuring out how to get to entertainment stars that are
involved in horses....as they will understand the love and
passion a person has for them and the sport of rodeo! George
Strait, Reba McEntire, Terry Bradshaw, Clay Walker (who
also battles MS), Dolly Parton and others.....I know it's
COMPLETELY off the wall and something may never become of
my letter....but one will never know if you don't try!!
What will they do? Tell me no?? HAHAHAHAHAHA
I am
also fixing to work on setting up another barrel race I
think...but it will have to be after my team ropings are
over. I have way too many irons in the fire! But if anyone
has any opinions/suggestions on what they would like to
see or help do, please by all means, feel free to send me
a PM! I'm thinking I will probably check into the Henderson
Expo since it is indoors and the church, the Quinn's, Tina
Cooper and others that help daily are right there as well.
It's all just an idea though. I want to go where ever it
will draw the biggest crowd of supporters for Bess!!!! I've
even got access to possibly doing a benefit team roping....of
course, ALL IDEAS AT THIS POINT!
JUST
KEEP THE CARDS, LETTERS, EMAILS AND PRAYERS COMING TO BESS!!!
SHE ADORES EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF THEM!!! I have some
pics I took on my phone one day after she unloaded off the
van. She is starting to just leave us now when she gets
out of the van! She is sooo funny!!! I'll try to post some
for all to see....they may be a little blurry since I took
them with my phone....
GOD
BLESS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY! |
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