On my heart today...........

[Nicole Cisco]

Today I received news that one of my dearest friends and cooworkers while on her DREAM vacation in Australia was in a severe motorcycle accident receiving severe head trauma - needless to say it is not good.

In light of this and also the injury of our dear friend Mustafa this has really brought to me a sense of living each and every second to the absolute fullest. When we leave for work every day - we may never see home, our kids, or anyone again - sad to think of - but really. I see the squabbling around on the boards one vs the other and in the grand scheme of things - who the hell cares. WE are all here to arm wrestle and have FUN. When the fun is removed what do we have - nothing but a few plastic achievements that will collect dust.

Everyone please - live each day like it is your very last - love like you have never loved before - if your going to be a friend - be the best friend - love your family and enjoy your time with them.

I know that when I wake up each day I thank my gracious and loving heavenly father for allowing me to see my children another day - thank him for granting me the ability to do the things that make me - well, ME! When I leave this world I don't want to in that final moment regret anything I might have said or done and be overcome with woulda, coulda, shoulda -- I want to leave this world, leaving a mark - that said I made a difference and I enjoyed every second of every day to the absolute best of my abilities.

Ok - I am off my soap box --

I am asking for prayers for my friend - her name is Charlene Towers - and from what we are being told by the Drs in Australia - that is all she has right now.

Thanks,
Nicole

[Andy Souliere]

Nicely said. From my family to yours - our prayers. I lost my only grandson almost two years ago, with my nephew 4 weeks later. I never hang up the phone or walk away from my family without saying I love you. You just never know.
Take care.

Andy

[Chris Ratchford]

She will be on our prayers !!

[Mike West]

Very well said Nicole, we will keep her in our prayers

Mike & Chris

[Ron Bath]

Nicole, AMEN for that soap box. We will be praying for your freind

[Harold "Rattlesnake" Ryden]

Nicole,
I am very sorry to hear this bad news. I will be praying for her, her family and her friends.

[Christopher Myers]

Amen

[Bill Maenza]

She will be in all of our prayers

[TK]

I understand....she'll be in our prayers.

TK

[Michael Griffin]

Nicole, I understand exactly where you are coming from. Life is short....Enjoy it!
I will keep your friend Charlene and family in my prayers. God bless you all, my Armwrestling Family!!
Michael "Animal" Griffin

ps...I missed you at Get a Grip this year Nicole.

[Nicole Cisco]

WOW -- The power of prayer!!!!!!!

Update and Blessings all the way around thank you for your prayers...

Charlene continued her recovery today. The
process is controlled to provide a gradual awakening that produces the least amount of physical and mental stress as they bring her from her coma.

She is moving quite a bit now and in addition to simply moving her arms and legs
she is also rotating her shoulders, slightly lifting her knees, turning her head
and moving her head up and down. Try to imagine someone who is slightly
uncomfortable trying to find a good position. While this may not seem like much
consider that it repesents the ability to move (as they say in Australia)
all her "bits"! The most significant improvement today is that she responded
to touch as well as responding a couple of times to voice command to squeeze
her boyfriends hand.

Based on what we know now she will most likely be med evac'd on a special aircraft when she is released from the ICU home back to the states.

For those who don't know - if you want to get in an accident I am finding that Australia is the place to do it. All medical expences are paid by the govenment - NO out of pocket expense!!!!! She is getting tremendously GREAT care. WOW!!!!!

Thanks to you my armwrestling family... We have been on pins and needles here waiting on news to come and on any improvement - I truly thank and appreciate your prayers as does her family.

Nicole