Thank you to the students and families from St. Mark’s 2nd Grade Class. Granny is a 2nd grade teacher and they sent a gift basket for me. While the Cowboys aren’t my favorite team (Go Browns) I will think of the class when I wear the shirt and jersey. Thank you for all the wonderful gift cards you gave me. I look forward to using them sometime soon. 
Archive for February, 2008
St. Mark’s 2nd Grade
Sunday, February 24th, 2008We made the Dallas Morning News!
Sunday, February 24th, 2008Read this article about how each one of you has helped Eric! Thank you to Mikki Kirby, DMN contributor, and to all who have read and posted here!
Read it here: Dallas Morning News article about this blog
Giving Back
Thursday, February 21st, 2008THE Eric Rice, here!
Thank you for supporting me through this operation. It really lifted my spirits and still does. Therefore, I am asking you to donate in thanks to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Without the great care I received, I wouldn’t have undergone a successful operation and recovery. So as thanks, I am trying to get donations to help patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital feel more at home. The wonderful patients need donations such as DVDs for teenagers, music CDs, video games for Wii, XBOX, XBOX360 and Play Station 2. ESPN on their TVs, wireless internet service and laptop computers would also help! Thank you!
Aunt Ann, here. It is nothing short of amazing that not even a month after surgery Eric is wanting to “give back” to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital! Eric has some big ideas on how he can help the patients of the hospital and I will work with him to accomplish his goals – whatever it takes! For now, we are asking that donations be made directly to the hospital. I have personally contacted the hospital to insure that all donations in Eric’s honor are allocated to the Child Life Department and specifically to Eric’s ideas, as he mentioned above. Eric will also receive a letter from the hospital letting him know of the donations made in his honor.
I think it is important to point out that your continued comments left for Eric on this blog are more than sufficient at helping him through his long recovery. We do not wish to turn this blog into a “begging for money” – so please do not feel obligated to donate financially to Scottish Rite Hospital!
“Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children provides exceptional care to thousands of Texas children every year without charge to patient families. TSRHC is not a United Way agency, does not receive state or federal funding and does not bill private insurance. The hospital relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to continue its mission.”
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Development Department – In honor of Eric Rice
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, TX 75219-3993
Financial donations may be made directly to the hospital: http://www.tsrhc.org/default.asp?contentID=26
Simply click on the “Donate Now” button, enter your information, and if you wish, donate in “Honor of Eric Rice.” The site accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
Popcorn, M&Ms, Deal or No Deal
Monday, February 18th, 2008
Eric and I are watching Deal or No Deal. As you can see, he is enjoying his favorite junk foods-popcorn and m&m’s. If you had ever seen Eric before his surgery you will notice the difference in the way he is sitting. His body is facing forward and his torso is straight and not twisted to the side! Eric looks like a million bucks and hopefully the contestant will win a million on the gameshow!
Mom
NASCAR?
Sunday, February 17th, 2008Well, I think Eric was away from sports TV for too long in the hospital. I saw him watching the Daytona 500 today! I didn’t think NASCAR was a sport.
Eric had a good time at the mall yesterday with Carmen. He bought Scene It for the XBOX 360. The whole family played together last night. Dad won twice in a row. Only because I shared the answers that he didn’t know. It was nice to play together as a family.
We’ve been moving Eric around out of his wheelchair, on the couch, and on the recliner. His back gets sore from staying in the same position too long. He’s also getting those little “jolts” where the nerves are repairing themselves. We ordered a new seat for his electric wheelchair before he left the hospital. The only problem with that is all the parts are custom ordered and take a few months before they arrive.
Here’s a couple of pictures from Eric’s Birthday on January 11. One is to show how crooked he used to sit. I’ll take a new picture tomorrow to show you the after.
Good night and stay warm, Mom
A Day at the Mall :]
Saturday, February 16th, 2008Hey all!
Carmen here [eric's cousin, aunt ann's daughter]
What a day. I went with Eric to see the movie Jumper and to spend some of that money he got!!! While the movie was just okay (it could have been way better), we did go to Game Stop and get Scene It for the xbox! It was nice to get away from the parents and little sisters for a bit, and just spend some time without them. From getting soaked by the rain, to waiting for people to move in the store, to running over aunt ann’s foot (!), Eric and I had quite an adventure today. These past few weeks have been pretty tough, but I have to say, it definately seems worth it. Hanging out with Eric today was so much fun I can’t wait to do it again!
Oh my goodness!
Thursday, February 14th, 2008Mom here. It’s past time for a post from home, so I’m going to give it a try.
This has been a time of transition for Eric. I find myself trying to imagine what it would be like to go to sleep and wake up 4 inches taller in a different body. That is what Eric is going through. It wasn’t like a growth spurt. It was more like a magic wand! He’s having to adapt both physically and mentally to his new body. I’m sure it will take some time to get used to.
Eric has also been receiving support through snail mail. He enjoys opening the cards and letters. Thank you to Aunt Janet & Uncle Dennis, Cousin Maureen, Gram S. (aka Aunt Coletta), and Cousin Diane (and family) for the gifts. Granny and Pa brought over a Honey Baked Ham dinner right after everyone got home from the hospital. Thank you Christen for the delicious Chicken Pasta! Gracias to Mrs. Beltran (Aunt Ann’s mother-in-law) for the tamales! And hugs to Ms. Karen for surprising the family with Carrabba’s for Valentine’s dinner. To quote Eric: Oh my goodness! I have never tasted anything this good in my life! That was said after his first bite of sirloin marsala. It seems like Saltgrass might have some competition as Eric’s favorite restaurant for steak!
Eric and I were both pleasantly surprised today. The department where I work gave me a card for Eric before I left for home today. As you can see from the smile on Eric’s face he was happily surprised too.
Both Chris and I are fortunate to work with understanding and compassionate people. It has enabled both of us to focus on Eric and Megan for the past three weeks.
I have it on good authority that Eric is healing fantastically well. (Thanks Patty!) He had steri-strips covering both incisions. They are falling off and driving Eric crazy with itching!
I’m going to try to watch “LOST” on the Tivo. Thanks for staying tuned in!
First Weekend Home
Sunday, February 10th, 2008Aunt Ann here. I stopped by to see how Eric was doing today. He was relaxing in the recliner watching his friend, Bruce play a video game. Chris gave me a tour of Eric’s room – wow what a difference! Eric has more room and new “stuff” on his walls. Thanks to the Cleveland Indians (baseball team) and Cavaliers (basketball team) for sending Eric “well wishes” packages!
I encouraged Chris to have the Rice family write a post here on the blog. The entire family is so exhausted, I think they need some more time. The entire family is very appreciative for that the meals that have been provided for them! Being relieved of planning and cooking dinner helps Donna especially!
Have a good week, and we’ll keep you updated on Eric & the rest of the family!
Resting at home
Thursday, February 7th, 2008Donna sent me pictures of Eric resting at home and of Dr. Sucato & Eric before Eric came home from the hospital.
The amazing Dr. Sucato
Eric resting at home
Donna is still exhausted, as she gets up to turn Eric several times a night. The hospital bed should be arriving either Friday or Monday. The new bed should make Eric more comfortable at home.
Megan is happy to have the family reunited again. Megan has been a trooper while Eric was in the hospital. Donna and Megan had the opportunity to speak to Megan’s Girl Scout Troop about having a sibling with special needs. What perfect timing for Megan to express her experiences with others in addition to raising awareness to her peers! We are proud of you Megan!
I’m going out on a limb here – without speaking to Donna first . . . . If friends of the Rice’s would like to bring them dinner (or even gift cards so pick up dinner to go), please feel free as the entire household is exhausted. If enough people are interested, I don’t mind setting up a schedule through email. As always, please don’t feel obligated; I know there are times when we want to help and aren’t sure how. Also, I’m positive that Eric will be getting stir crazy, so any friends (particularly teens) of Eric please call him or make arrangements to visit and play a video game or two 
Thanks again for all of your love & support!
Aunt Ann
