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Aunt 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!

Donna 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

I received a call from Eric this evening . . . he was going home! The hospital bed will not arrive at Eric’s house until Friday or possibly Monday, but the doctor’s decided to go ahead and release him to go home!!!!

I’m waiting for Donna to email me a picture of the surgeon and Eric so I can post it for you all to see. For those of you who have/had scoliosis or are familiar with the condition, Dr. Sucato confirmed that Eric’s curvature pre-surgery was 125 degrees! I’m waiting to see how much taller Eric is after the surgery than before. Eric has also gained almost 5 pounds post surgery – that is awesome!

I’m hoping that Eric is able to get a good night’s sleep without interruptions from nurses or any other medical staff. I know that Donna will be up often to shift Eric from side to side.

Good night for now.

We want to thank Derek Castillo (D/FW NBC Channel 5 Sports Anchor) for checking on Eric and updating his own blog with Eric’s progress (and sympathizing with Eric’s ESPN withdrawal).

I am sharing some pictures of recent visitors:

The Carr family (& Granny) and Charles & Archer.

Good news! It sounds like Eric will be heading home this week! I don’t think that Eric could have been expected to progress any better than he already has. I think Eric will be more comfortable in his own home. The medical staff have nothing but compliments for Donna & Chris and the way the care for Eric, so I know he couldn’t be in better care.

I’ll continue to keep you updated as developments occur. Hopefully Eric will be up to posting for himself soon. I know he has a lot to say!

Eric is the champ of all champions along with the Super Bowl winning New York Giants! Eric thanks his friends Charles, Archer, Tony, CW, Sydney, Carmen and his parents for joining his party tonight.  Eric is in need of a good night’s sleep before he sees the doctors in the morning.

Please keep CW in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. CW was on Eric’s bowling team and they have been in school together for many years. He is having surgery in the morning on his hip & leg. It was a pleasant surprise to see CW as a patient at the same hospital as Eric.  Good luck CW!

Today was another big day for Eric. His epidural and chest tube were both removed. Eric sat in a chair twice today, for about 1-2 hours each time. Sitting upright helps to reduce the swelling throughout his body. Jennifer, Eric’s nurse today has been a tremendous help. She talked Donna & Chris through moving Eric from the bed to the chair and made sure Eric was as comfortable as possible. Thank you Jennifer!

Nurse Jennifer

In addition to sitting, Eric also had some close family friends visit today. I’m sure it is nice to see and hear from people other than your parents and medical staff! Eric is still at a critical stage of healing and can not afford to risk getting sick. Please speak with a family member is you would like to visit Eric.

Larry, Bruce, & Cindy with Eric

The Colony High School Cheerleaders stopped by to see Eric earlier today.

Chris, Donna, Megan & Eric: The first family photo post surgery. Megan was excited to see Eric and her parents today. Megan has been wonderful throughout Eric’s hospital stay. During the week Megan is staying with a school friend, and we get to have her on the weekends. Megan is a delightful child, and is adjusting well to being away from her home and family. Megan has more understanding and compassion than any other 10 year old I’ve met. She is content being on the sidelines cheering Eric on as he most recently is in the spotlight as the quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Eric is rooting for the Giants tomorrow. Eric is determined to keep his eyes open and see the Giants to victory Sunday night!

The epidural continues to keep Eric pain free. The nurses are moving Eric from side to side which helps keep Eric comfortable, as he does not usually sleep on his back. Saturday is a day full of big expectations. Depending on his chest x-rays, there is a possibility that the chest tubes will be removed. The doctors also want Eric to sit in a chair for the first time since the surgery. We also expect the epidural will be removed and Eric will then receive his pain medication through his G-tube.
Eric is able to verbalize his frustration that he is suffering from ESPN withdrawal! The hospital TV does not carry ESPN, and the ESPN radio signal does not come through his i-pod. I think this withdrawal has given Eric some serious motivation to heal quickly!

Please continue to cheer Eric on as Super Bowl Sunday is approaching quickly! I am quite certain that there will be some type of party on Sunday in Eric’s room. This is a big weekend for Eric, deserving a celebration as big as the Super Bowl!

Aunt Ann

I am happy to report that Eric is resting in his room at Scottish Rite Hospital tonight. It was a very long day! The surgeons reported that the surgery went very well. As you can see from the picture below, the surgeons had a lot to do today! They made two incisions: one along his left side where they bolted his hips and along his back, where you can see the rods and many screws. They took their time and from the x-ray it appears that they did a great job!

BEFORE                     &                                 AFTER

Eric is hooked up to many monitors and machines. When I left the hospital he was resting. The nurses will rotate him every couple of hours through the night. It will be a long and hard recovery, but Eric is on his way. The next few days will be challenging as Eric’s epidural is removed and his pain is treated with medication through his G-Tube.

I know Eric will have the strength to work through the long recovery he faces thanks to the world wide support he receives on this blog everyday. I will continue to keep you posted, hopefully with good news everyday!

Lots of love,

Aunt Ann

It’s 2:45 p.m. here in Dallas.  Eric headed down to the surgery floor around 6:30 a.m. this morning.  The first report we received from the operating room was at 8:30 a.m., shortly after surgery began.  We have been kept up to date from the OR about every 90 minutes or so.  All reports have been positive, and things are going as expected. 

Eric will be in a new room after surgery (it’s similar to a mini ICU).  Donna & I have already decorated the room so Eric will feel right at home

I will keep you posted; I am anticipating the next post will report that Eric is resting well!

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. 

Ann