Sept 6

By Bud | September 6, 2008

Oh Boy it has been one very exciting week. It started with our return to Overland Park, KS and continued therapy at Quest to Walk and ended with a Broken Arrow football victory over arch rival Union after 22 consecutive losses dating back to 1989.

This week the therapist at Quest to Walk really put Peter through a tough regiment. He continued the standing at the pipe bars and this week they had him crawling with some assistance and also had him doing some very excruciating exercises while sitting up against a wall. The wall is very tough doing some upper body exercises and some ab work. Again while standing they felt his quads and glutes flexing. The crawling was very tough and he did get some motion of his hips and legs in the crawl that went across the floor for about 30 feet. We now have a dvd and book that explains the proper technique and purpose for each exercise. Our plan is to find a local trainer here in Tulsa that is willing to work with Peter a couple hours per day to continue this important lower and upper body therapy. We are very excited about this therapy and know it will help us reach our ultimate goal. The coming week will take us back to OU Med center and work on the LoKoMat and local therapy.

Thursday evening we visited our good friends in Kansas City, Mickey and Linda Vena and their daughter and son-in-law, Keri and Cody Ptacek. Mickey and Linda are originally from Pittsburg, KS and lived in Tulsa a few years before moving to Kansas City. Going to the Vena’s is always an experience and this time was not any different. Mickey grilled us some steaks and when I say grilled, I do mean grilled. The fire kind of got away from him and when Cody mention the huge amount of smoke on the patio Mick’s words were “That’s not good.” The steaks were very well done, in fact I guess you could say they were blacken. But when you are in the company of the Vena’s it does not matter how burnt the steaks are. Peter and I discussed on the way back to the hotel how those were the best steaks we have had in a long time because of the fellowship and friendship of the Vena’s. They are great.

We came back to Tulsa Friday and on the doorstep was a special present from Sean Hyland, a soccer teammate of Peter’s. In the package was an autographed shirt from OU coach Bob Stoops. The shirt said “OU Extra Strong” and Coach Stoops signed ” To Peter, Stay Strong & Go Sooners, Bob Stoops.” Can’t be a more important message than to stay strong and he is staying strong. To Peter’s delight the Sooners were strong today with a victory over Cincinnati. Thanks to Sean and his mom Cheryl.

Then we went to the “Friday Night Lights” at Broken Arrow and the big game against Union. BA played a great game and came away with the victory 24-9. Number 39, Carl Salazar, came through for us being perfect on extra points and sealed the win with a 38 yard field goal. The fans rushed the field, unfortunately there was 21 seconds left in the game and after clearing the field and a delay of game penalty, the last snap and final 21 seconds were finally surpassed and the fans, having already rehearsed, made an orderly rush onto the field. Peter and I were out there with them and when the team gathered around Coach Lancaster for his post game speech, Peter was there in the middle with Coach Lancaster. Instead of there being a cheer for the victory, the team began chanting “PETEY, PETEY, PETEY, PETEY…..” This was special and the many players, including the quarterback Cale Fulps, coming up to Peter and saying, “this one was for you,” meant so much to him. This is the one victory that Peter always wanted so bad during his playing days at BA. He finally got that win because the team has kept him on their team. Thanks to Vinnie’s Pizzeria for furnishing everyone with free pizza after the game and creating an atmosphere, for one shining evening, that this town of 100,000 made us feel like we were in small town USA, like the one I grew up in, back in Columbus, KS, population 3,500.

On the way home Peter made the comment, “See dad miracles do happen.” Many people have told me that they are praying for a miracle for Peter. After last night I have thought about that statement and I told Peter that a miracle is something that happens when it is suppose to be impossible for it to happen. Broken Arrow beating Union has never been impossible, just like Peter walking again is not impossible. They are both something that has happen and will happen from, perseverance, hard work, a positive attitude and great parent and fan support. When you keep going with all of these attributes, success will come and God will reward those that believe and have faith. God is healing Peter and He healed the BA football program last night.

We ask for your prayers to give us guidance in finding a trainer for Peter. We ask you to keep Katie, Jeff and Nathan, still patients in Denver in your prayers. We ask for special prayers for a friend of mine family here in Tulsa. Neal Sweeney was murdered at his office Thursday morning. This tragedy is unbelievable. Neal was one of the nicest individuals I have ever known. He always had a smile and would go out of his way to say hello to you and he always was concerned about how you were doing. Please pray for Janis, Neal’s wife, and his three daughters. We ask God to assist the police in finding the one responsible for this senseless act.

Progress is happening if it is ever so slight and Peter’s attitude is stronger than ever and with your prayers and Peter’s hard work……………………

He will walk again
Bud

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Sept 2 Update

By Bud | September 2, 2008

We are back in Overland Park, KS at Quest to Walk. Today Peter worked on his abs, squats on the Total Gym, standing at a pipe bar supporting his weight on his own, riding  a bike with help moving his legs by the therapist, and some ab and leg work on an abductor machine. All of this is done in a two hour workout and he is exhausted when finished. Today his trainer was impressed on his ability to stand at the pipe bar. This exercise involves him pulling himself up to the bar from a sitting position to a standing position while the trainer is holding his knees until Peter locks the knees. He will stand three to four minutes, sit and then repeat the process four times. Again the ab work is not only strengthening his abs but he is feeling the soreness below the belly button. We really feel that the exercises they are having him work on are helping his strength and will work us toward his ultimate goal.

Last Friday night we attended the Broken Arrow football scrimmage and the booster club had another fund raiser for Peter. We want to thank Barbara Moses for all her work to organize and all the volunteers that manned the booth. We are eternally grateful. The main thing that is coming out of these events are the words of encouragement from everyone that comes up to Peter to encourage him and let him know that they are praying and cheering for him, especially his former teammates J.D Wood, Ryan Thompson, Taylor Estes and his former holder Taylor York. Also is the support of the football team and coaches. Being on Peter’s team is a big moral boost.

Last Sunday we attended New Creation Church with Pastor Doc Blevins. Doc gave an inspiring sermon on healing and how God works healing his children. We believe that God will heal Peter and with all your prayers, God will answer those prayers. Next Sunday we will be attending Evergreen Baptist Church. One of my agents, Mike Pinion, attends Evergreen and many of the ladies of the church provided food for us when we returned from Denver. This was very helpful and of course delicious to us, especially after 10 weeks of hospital food.

Today was a good day at therapy and Pete’s spirits are high. We ask for your continued prayers for Peter’s strength and courage to defeat his enemy. Through God and your prayers…………………

He will walk again
Bud

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August 28th Update

By Bud | August 28, 2008

As you know we have been at Quest to Walk in Overland Park, KS this week. We arrived at 2 pm Monday and they did not waste any time putting Peter through the riggers of their methods. One of the things they started on were his abs. They had him doing sit ups with their help and Monday night he was sore. The good news is that he was sore about 3-4 inches below the belly button. This is the first time he has had any sensation below the belly button and he can now feel a soft touch in that area. Another item they started him on immediately is standing under his own weight and putting weight on his legs. He has stood more in the last four days than he stood in two months at Craig. Wednesday he was standing on his own, holding on to a rail and the trainers were not holding on to him. They even held their hands back and told Peter, look no help. Today, Thursday, he was doing squats on the Total Gym with the help of a trainer and his tendons behind the knees were firing. Many good signs have appeared this week and I am convinced that working on the total body and not just the upper body to live in a wheel chair is the answer to total recovery.

Since Jimmie Tramel’s article in the Tulsa World, I have received one email and one phone call from two other young men that this has happen to them. Somehow they received the article. One is from St Augustine, FL and his incident also happen at age 19 in FL and after three years he is back to 85%. He warned me that it is a slow process but to never give up. He was a three year football letterman in high school and a weight lifter. He had actually surfed a few times before his injury. Another young man in St. Louis, and get this, had this happen to him at Waikiki on May 20th, three days before Peter’s. We were actually in the hospital in Hawaii at the same time only he was at Straub and we were at Queens. Two in three days on the same beach and there was not even a news story on these occurrences. He started recovering quickly and is walking again at almost 100%. He is the lucky one. The reason I tell you all this is it is obvious to me that this happens more than the surfing industry wants you to know and this frustrates me more every day. We must stop this senseless affliction.

Friday night the Broken Arrow football booster club will be asking for donations at the scrimmage. We can not thank them enough for their support of Peter in his time of need. Thanks to everyone there and Barbara Moses for her dedication not only to Peter but the whole football program.

There is the old joke of the man that was stranded on a deserted island and three different times he was given opportunities that would help him get off the island. He kept turning the opportunities down saying that God was going to take care of him and rescue him. The man still on the island prayed to God why he had not rescued him and God replied that he had given him three different opportunities to be rescued and did not take advantage of them. Something like that. I feel that God keeps giving us opportunities to help Peter toward recovery and we are going to take advantage of everything he sends our way. The latest is the Quest to Walk program. I feel it is working on Peter’s total body and that will be the answer to his recovery. We are seeing too many signs in this first week to think that improvement is not possible.

We will be at New Creation Church this Sunday with Doc Blevins. Hope we will see many of you there. Prayers have been answered for Tim Malloy of St. Louis. The surgery he had at Duke revealed that he did not have anymore cancer in the brain. We ask you to pray for Peter to continue to show signs of improvement and for him to regain 100%. Continue your prayers for all those at Craig and especially Jeff and Katy.

He will walk again
Bud

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Aug 23 Update

By Bud | August 23, 2008

This week has been a great week for Peter. Very good PT and ended with a fantastic night at the BA football scrimmage on Friday night.

This week in therapy showed some more signs of muscles reacting according to Professor Shirley James at the OU Med Center. Wednesday they hooked up the E-stem to Peter and were getting good response on his quad muscles. He was on the LoKoMat for 25 minutes. During this time Peter’s job is to visualize walking and trying to fire up those muscles. Thursday he returned to therapy at St. Johns with Janet Day and she reported that his legs were moving the best she has seen since she started working with him. Friday we returned to OU and Professor James said they were getting some reaction from his glut muscles. For you that failed anatomy, the quads are the thigh muscles and the gluts are the butt muscles. Don’t worry about your knowledge of anatomy, movement and flexing is good. Just remember that.

Friday night the Broken Arrow football booster club sponsored a fund raiser at the football scrimmage. It was a special night for Peter. The love and support was demonstrated by everyone there. The coaches and football team were a site for sore eyes to Peter. He was presented with an autographed ball and honored by Carl Salazar, this years BA star kicker, by Carl winning the kicking contest. Some of Peter’s former teachers were there to cheer for him. One was Mrs. Joan Kelly, Peter’s English teacher. She had sent Peter a Staples , “That was Easy Button” while we were at Craig Hospital. We had it with us Friday night and we informed Mrs. Kelly that the button was one of the most inspirational presents we received. Every time Peter would do anything, whether it was doing stretches or walking in the pool, we would always press the button and hear “That was Easy.” We can not thank the BA community enough for their support. Friday night was a very important part of Peter’s recovery and I want everyone in BA to know they are an important part of his recovery. Special thanks to Barbara Moses for her hard work to organize the event.

In today’s, Sunday, Tulsa World, Jimmie Trammel wrote a fantastic article about Peter. You can go online and read. www.tulsaworld.com. Thank you Jimmie.

Today we attended St. Bernard Catholic Church. This is our dear friend, Mosignor Patrick Gaalas, church. He has been our neighbor and friend for many years and paid several visits to us while we were at Craig Hospital. He is one of the finest human beings I have ever known and St. Bernards should feel very fortunate to have this very caring man. We love him very much.

Our next stop Sunday will be New Creation Church in BA, Pastored by Doc Blevins. Doc has been sending us inspirational messages everyday since May 23rd. His work with the youth in the community has helped many in our community. We just ask that since Doc is a big supporter of Union athletics, that while in Peter’s presence, he does not pray for a Union victory against BA.

This week we head for Overland Park, KS to begin rehab at a private facility called Quest to Walk. They specialize in spinal cord injury rehab. They will evaluate Peter and then create a program for us where the main goal is our Quest to Walk. We will be in their program for two weeks and then we will return to Tulsa to continue the therapy program that they have outlined for us.

There have been so many answered prayers and we ask that you continue the vigil of prayers for us and all the other victims of spinal cord injuries. God is working in our lives and he will work in your life if you just ask Him to be with you everyday. We ask you to pray for those we were with at Craig and those we left behind. I ask you to say special prayers for Katy and Jeff, both are still at Craig and need your daily prayers. I also ask you to say a special prayer for my friend Scott Roy’s family. Scott is the gentleman from the Miami Project that came to Denver to film a short documentary on Peter. Scott and his wife had a baby and there have been some complications. Please remember them in your prayers. Another dear friend of mine, Tim Malloy from St. Louis, is at Duke under going brain surgery to remove some lesions. Tim has been valiantly fighting brain cancer for the last four to five years. We have seen some healing in Peter and we know that God does heal. We ask God to come into their bodies and rid them of their afflictions.

Miracles are happening everyday and the one miracle that happens everyday is Peter’s attitude. Those that have seen and talked to Peter are in awe of his fantastic spirit. His determination will pay big dividends in the future and all his friends, supporters and Peter know that someday…………………

He will walk again.
Bud

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Aug 18 Update

By Bud | August 18, 2008

We are starting to get in a routine regarding Peter’s care and therapy. Having a routine helps the mental attitude and morale. This past weekend Peter had visitors of Easton Woods, Wes Moody, Carl Salazar and Shelby Chapman. Carl and Peter even took an outing to Carl’s house for a few hours. This really helps Peter get out of the house and return to a normal routine. We also had our good friends Susan King and Valerie Morris come by for a visit. Susan was bearing a gift from her husband Ed. Two K-State t-shirts that he wants us to wear when we go to the OU/ K-State game with Ashley. I don’t think so Ed.

Today we made another trip down the turnpike to OU Medical School for another session on the Lokomat. One of the physical therapy students is Zack Burrow a 2005 graduate and former football player for Broken Arrow. Even though this is a therapy sessions, they have lively discussions about past football games that only they can remember. It seems as though Zack has a vested interest in Peter’s therapy, as in returning a fellow BA Alum to walking again. I’ve attached a photo of Peter on the Lokomat. The photo really does not do the equipment any justice, because there is a lot more to the machine than the camera can capture. But at the command of Professor Shirley James and her students, the Lokomat is simply miraculous. God is answering a prayer by furnishing this fine machine, facility and personnel.

Sunday started our tour of the churches that have supported us since Peter’s injury in Hawaii. Sunday we attended Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, We received a very warm welcome from Pastor Bob Green and his congregation. Pastor Green and his wife were the first visitors we received while in Honolulu. Their support and the support of their congregation is one of the many blessings that God has provided. With their prayers at Arrow Heights we know that he will walk again.

Our next stop will be to visit Monsignor Gaalaas at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Tulsa. Even though Monsignor Gaalaas was visiting his sister in Denver he came by Craig Hospital every couple of days to visit with Peter. Our relationship with him goes back several years as we were past neighbors while we lived in Broken Arrow.

This Friday night, Broken Arrow football will be using their scrimmage as a fund raiser to help us pay for additional therapy for Peter that is not covered by insurance. The scrimmage will feature BA, Sapulpa and Coweta. Peter will be introduced at 6 pm before a kicking contest that will feature Peters good friend Carl Salazar. I invite everyone to come out and fill the stands to cheer for Carl to win this competition. Go Carl.

God has answered many prayers. We ask that you continue to pray for Peter and all those we left behind at Craig. Victims of spinal cord injuries struggle day in and day out with changes they can not control in their bodies. We are now becoming aware of the struggles they face to continue their therapy for recovery. It can be very frustrating and many just give up and therefore their recovery stagnates. Usually their insurance has limited days for therapy and they are not capable of continuing. You can not compare a knee replacement, hip replacement or broken leg to a spinal cord injury, yet insurance usually allows the same number of rehab days as a spinal cord injury. I know I’m in the insurance business and until you are faced with these situations, you really never understand the consequences of an injury. Fortunately, I have never had a client that has had a spinal cord injury. That is why it is so important to pray for all these victims to give them courage and strength to continue their fight.

Hope to see many of you Friday so…………..
He will walk again
Bud

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Janet’s Aug 15 Update

By Janet | August 18, 2008

Friends,

Sometimes Bud forgets some of the good things!  Saturday Peter had visitors of first Easton Woods and then Carl Salazar later in the afternoon.  This was a huge boost to Peter’s spirits as he has been juggling what to do with his time.  Thank goodness we have the Olympics to take up part of the time right now.

I was upstairs unpacking some boxes and came down stairs to ask Bud if Carl had left.  He nonchalantly said “Yes, and Peter went with him.”  I hope I didn’t yell, but I probably did… “WENT WHERE?”  Bud explained to me that Peter and Carl wanted to go over to Carl’s house so they loaded up Peter in Carl’s truck and threw the wheel chair in the back and off they went.  I’m glad those two guys are really smart because they figured out everything….. packed up Peter’s stuff and were able to navigate the in/out of the truck and house. (I’m glad I survived Peter’s first outing.  It was worse than his first solo drive at 16!)  Thank God Carl realized that Peter needed to take the initial leap! As you know, Bud and I have been worried about Peter resuming normal life.

Also, a special thanks to my friend Darla Knight for showing up Saturday morning to jump start my unpacking. With her direction we were able to get a lot accomplished. (I had to stay focused just to keep up with her.  Exactly what I needed!) Then Sunday evening we ran into the Frederick’s (Randy, Debra and Cooper) at Red Robin.  This was our first outing as a family since returning to Tulsa, and they made everything seem so normal!

I’m sure Bud will write about Sunday later.  You will have to wait.

Janet

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Aug. 15 University of Oklahoma Health and Science Services Center visit

By Bud | August 15, 2008

Today we went to the OU Medical school and did a trial run on their LoKoMat machine. This is a state of the art machine that simulates walking and is computerized to determine if the patient is able to show any walking function. The therapist in charge determined that Peter was showing very good flexing of the left quad and a slight flex of the right quad. She then told Peter that the computer would be able to detect if he was able to push any motion on his own. On her command she told him to try of which he did and the graph on the computer monitor showed a spike. They were very excited with the results and wanted to schedule us three times next week of which we gladly obliged. Needless to say, Peter, Janet and I were very excited. You can view the type of machine we will be using at www.lokomat.com.

The first four days at home were extremely tough. Since then we have been extremely blessed. The number of people that are determined to help has been miraculous. Herb Rhea, Director of Sports Medicine at Jenks High School, offering their therapy pool to Peter will be a big benefit. We had to sign a privacy document that we would not spy on their football team while in their facility.:-) Anything that happens inside those walls, stays in those walls. Peter wearing a Broken Arrow soccer shirt during our visit was probably not the smartest thing to do. Tulsa Youth Hockey association fund raiser will help make aggressive therapy available to Peter. The moral support from so many others has kept pouring in since we have been home. Meals being provided by Evergreen Baptist Church has been a life saver. God continues to bless us and give us signs that he is working on healing Peter.

Starting Sunday we will be attending a rotation of churches that have been supporting us during our time of need. The first one will be Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow. Pastor Bob Green was one of the first visitors we had in Hawaii so he will be the first stop on our tour. We have learned from the support we have received that there are not hundreds of churches or different denominations in the metro area, there is only one church and it is God’s church and all of you have been loyal representatives of that church. Thank you because without all of you, this occurrence would be unbearable.

Tonight as I watch Michael Phelps win his seventh gold medal, I look over at Peter cheering him on and realize that Peter is winning a goal medal every day.

He will walk again
Bud

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Football Fundraiser

By Eric | July 18, 2008

The Broken Arrow High School football team is hosting a scrimmage with Coweta and Sapulpa on Friday August 22nd.  The scrimmage will be held at the BA High School Memorial Stadium.  Admission will be by donation with all proceeds going to Peter.  Additional fund raising opportunities will be made available that night.  More information about the scrimmage will be made available here and at the Broken Arrow Football Booster Club website, www.batigerfootball.org.

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July 11 Prayer

By Janet | July 11, 2008

Received this morning the email below from Robert Giles. Please everyone, pray for Peter tonight at 6:00 PM Central Standard Time

WHO HERE DOES NOT KNOW THAT PRAYER REALLY WORKS? SO I CHALLENGE EVERYONE TO PRAY AT 6:00 PM CENTRAL TIME TONIGHT FOR PETER.

Robert W. Giles
Attorney at Law

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Benefit Hockey Tournament

By Eric | July 10, 2008

The Oilers Ice Center will be holding a benefit hockey tournament to help offset the medical expenses that Peter has incurred since his injury. The tournament is scheduled for July 25th and 26th. There will be high school and adult divisions. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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How You Can Help

By Eric | July 9, 2008

The following account has been set up for Peter to help offset the substantial expenses that will be involved in his recovery. I hope each of you will generously donate. I know it will be greatly appreciated by Bud and Janet. It is:

Peter Jessee Trust

Bank address is:
Arvest Bank
6560 E. 71st St
Tulsa, OK 74133

I challenge my friends to donate $100, $500, or even $1,000. (I am donating $500, but would have done more if my insurance premiums hadn’t gone up so much last year.)

Please forward to any other acquaintances of Bud and Janet, but please refrain from any former coaches, referees, school officials, or anybody else Bud has offended over the years.

Thanks.

Best Regards,
Richard Alexander

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