riding the waves

When things are bad.
When she doesn't want to be cheered up...

I don't just give in to Kathy's mood.
Instead I try to say or do something that tickles her, slightly, unexpectedly.
The corners of her mouth turn up and she raises her eyes to mine.
It's a little victory.
That is, until Kathy notices me noticing, then the mood that doesn't want to go away comes back,
and still I smile inside.

If this was an attitude without cause, an ignorant anger,
I would be less tolerant.

If I didn't care to make things better.
If this was another case of someone being wrong in their behavior.
At my best I can regard the shortcomings of others with polite incredulity.

This thing with Kathy is different.
Any doubts that you may have, would be erased if you saw the fact finding mission she undertook to see where her pain level is at without the pain meds masking it.
I'll tell you what, this is one tough girl.
To endure this, to know it is not over, the uncertainty of what the future will bring...

I saw this thing happen to the girl of my dreams.
I am seeing the ripples, from the boulder that splashed our lives, continue to disturb our tranquility.
Big enough to prevent a smooth finish,
but not big enough to surf on.

determined to keep the sun

Depression is easier to cure than endure.

This is why I'm doing everything I can think of to show Kathy that this isn't going to define her.
It definitely isn't going to last forever!
Not like this.
Not on my watch.
I must admit though, that some days it feels like all the kings men are either lazy or union members.

Taking too many breaks.
Taking too long to put the pieces back together again.
The cost of waiting is too high some days and it is all we can do to distract Kathy until all is well.

While she waits, I am a robot.
Working to show Kathy that the plan was always to give her the option of staying home if she wants.
Jobs are flying through me like an assembly line, the inspiration for my focus is to prove to Kathy that things will be okay.
Better than okay, things will be great!
My customers have been loyal and are being rewarded for it.
I am setting things up to accomodate my eldest son, who is trained to be a service technician and returning from Afghanistan in February.
As I hire good qualified people, I will be able to spend more time at home with Kathy (or more time in the Bahamas with Kathy!).
One of my favorite things about Kathy is the way she experiences new things, like a child, full of trust and wonder. 
When you get straight to the heart of the matter,
that is why I work so hard,
to be with Kathy and have the means to keep the wonder in her eyes.

a planless plan

It's already Christmas!
The house is asleep, but I'm still up waiting for the paint to dry.
Really, I really AM waiting for the paint to dry.
I should've been working on this two weeks ago!
I am finishing the refinishing touches on an antique safe I got for Kathy.
I'm making an eighty year old safe rust free and look more girly.
Cary, Buffalo NY, the company that made this safe was in business from 1878-1929.
It's not easy to make a block the size of a dishwasher that weighs 850 pounds (no joke) look cute.

Especially with the little time I've had available to work on it.
I had a different safe in mind originally, but wanted a safe that no one else has (like everyone has a safe!).
This one is a cartoon safe - like what gets dropped on Wile E. Coyote!
Except it's not black or rusty anymore.
So, while I'm staying up waiting to put a clear coat on, I thought I'd keep this blog from dying.

Speaking of dying, I already got my Christmas present when Kathy lived through that crash in October.

Has it only/already been 70 days since the accident?

So why a safe?
I like to keep Kathy guessing, but I hope she connects a bunch of symbolism when she sees it.
Your ridiculously corny alarm should be going off about now!!!
It's a place to keep things that are valuable to her - like my heart.
She's safe and protected.
Even though things are surprisingly heavy sometimes, we're solid - like 850 lbs of solid!
It's remarkable & impressive - like the girl who's getting it!
Besides, nobody else has a safe like this one!
I don't think Kathy can hate it, because it's such an unusual gift.
Alright, she CAN hate it, but I don't think she will.
Is that paint dry?
I'm rambling.
Gotta go.
Merry Christmas!

Don't touch that dial

Only a few days until Christmas!
Just wanted to let you know Kathy is still alive and getting stronger every day!
Super busy right now, but will catch you all up as soon as we get a minute.
Haven't set a deadline for walking yet.
I'm told we shouldn't try that until she can stand on both legs first.
Maybe a New Years Resolution?
Since we used all our bad luck up this year, next year is going to be AWESOME!

send whiskey and fresh horses

It doesn't help that,
during this painful and ongoing process,
I am gone so much,
having to work.
Kathy is extremely bummed at me for being gone all the time.
She's right you know.
I haven't spent a full day just hanging with My Girl since I brought her home!
During the month after the accident I missed three weeks of getting jobs completed.
As soon as we came home the cold weather hit.
I was already buried at work from missing so much time away.
The heating/cooling business is not one to make people wait on you.
There are too many HVAC shops in this valley to expect people to wrap up a week or two until you get done with personal stuff.
That's a good way to lose customers!
So, here I am working like I never have in my life.
That's a good way to lose my wife!
I'm trying to grow this new business AND take care of My Girl!
Except, the most important part of taking care of Kathy is being here with her.
I can't win in either area without sacrificing the other.
Can't win completely anyway.
I keep asking for patience from Kathy in this, like she hasn't been so patient already, like days don't turn into weeks and months.
Her friends are tremendous in all the help they give me, but in Kathy's words, they can't babysit all the time.
It's not fair to ask.
It's also not fair that an Angel like Kathy is grounded (temporarily).
AND it's not fair that the success of my business competes directly with the success of my relationship.
I keep going back to what I've always told my boys growing up -
 "Whoever told you life was fair, lied to you."
I am well aware of this and have never complained about it or quit making it better.
I won't start now.
This is no time to be still.

cuz it's what Tiggers do best!

The ups and downs of Kathy's new life situation are taxing to be sure, however I'm not sure that there isn't a full recovery in this.
Try as she might, Kathy can't seem to convince me otherwise.
The helplessness, of waiting for time to heal, plays on Kathy's resolve.
It is counter intuitive for a person of action.
You'd think being in the medical field and knowing that time heals would make it easier for her to wait.

I think Kathy is like a rabbit.

Not just because she is cute and cuddly, but because a rabbit gets eaten by the big bad wolf if it stops running.
If she can't stop AND she can't run, what's a rabbit to do?
Kathy waits day in and day out, for her ability to run to return.
Watching her muscles fade as she hides out, feeling the big bad wolf creep closer and closer.
It must be a maddening kind of crazy.
Friendly faces can distract and make noises that drive the big bad wolf away, but friendly faces can't always be here.
Some days it's like tuning into a National Geographic show, where you can't bear to watch as the predator nears its weak and helpless prey.
So far those days keep surprising me with unexpected victories.
Like when a crocodile has a baby antelope in it's grasp, and suddenly it gets free and runs away to the safety of it's herd.

It is definitely a reflection of Kathy's inner strength.
The way she keeps rebounding. Keeps bouncing back from the abyss.
It will startle a few when Kathy bounces from where she is at and runs full speed to safety.
It will startle a few, maybe even herself, but not me.
I am still convinced she will.

sticky sweet, like molasses

Yeah.
The things I say to Kathy are pretty corny (as in corn syrup), but if you've been around us long, you know I don't stop, it isn't for show and it IS from my heart.
What can I say?
She keeps me inspired. It's not hard to be imaginative when I'm always trying to impress her.
Even if it didn't get her attention, I would still tell Kathy sweet things because I know it SHOULD get her attention!
Oh and that's not ALL I do to show her what she means to me.
I send her texts whenever she is at work, hide the occasional card, give her rub downs, call whe... HEY! If it has a chance of impressing her, I'M DOING IT!

I don't think this should get my Man Card pulled.

In my defense, what you should also know (Guys listen up), is that Kathy impresses ME all the time too!
She is so damn Cute and Sexy!
She shares my new adventures, I get my own rub downs, she makes great food, is classy without pretence, smart, empathetic, tough... I can go on and on!
Let me just say, I get LOTS and LOTS of jellybeans!
I don't think I'll ever get the gushing over this girl out of my system.

I hope I never do.

Guys, when you meet someone who makes YOU feel like Kathy makes ME feel,
you better not take any chances of her getting away!
Sweep her off her feet and don't ever stop getting her attention.

Unless it's Kathy and you should just move along.
Cuz she's MINE... and forever is a long time to wait!

WOW!

THANK YOU!
That's a gigantic "Thank You!" to so many of you who showed up last night!
It was more than we expected in so many ways!
I keep telling Kathy that this story of her life is just beginning.
You all are helping me prove that to her.
What a great way to recharge her damaged psyche, by stuffing Roscoe's full of people who love her!
Kathy was really nervous as we drove to Phoenix.
I tried to downplay expectations, as it was a Thursday night and only ten days before Christmas.
Seeing that there was no close parking available was the first surprise.

The shoulder to shoulder people, packed inside like sardines, who clapped and cheered as Kathy was wheeled in, made for such an overwhelming moment that my heart swelled for her!
It couldn't have been better! Everything about it exceeded expectations.
It was so so good for Kathy to see how many support her.

I feel like I should list everyone who was there and did so much, but this post would be a long and tedious read if I did.
I'll wait and do a separate post for that.
Mostly I want to say that we BOTH can't thank all of you enough, for the words of encouragement and love, the generosity, the great company and time out of your busy schedules.
Nobody wants to be forgotten.
You all showed Kathy that THAT will never happen!
THANK YOU!

truth or dare

Time for a secret.
We are all gullible in one way or another. (No, that isn't the secret).
It doesn't matter how educated we are, there is something that each one of us thinks that isn't the accepted norm.
Kathy is no exception to this.
She thinks some funny stuff!
Not just since, but even before the accident.
One of my favorites is that Kathy swears we hit HUMMING BIRDS when we drive!
It cracks me up!
She says they are so small and fast that we don't see them, but every now and then she hears one hit the windshield!
It stands to reason that we can't find them when we stop because, being so small, they would be flung far and would be hard to see in the grass.
Being a man, I thought it would be fun to tease Kathy about this idea.
One day I found a little bitty bird skeleton (probably a baby pigeon), stuck it in my truck grill, and pretended surprise as I "found" it!
Kathy couldn't believe it!
She was vindicated!
Here at last was proof!
Proof that we DO hit humming birds when we drive!
I had to act fast to keep Kathy from calling her friends (so my prank didn't last long).

Hey! I didn't make this up!
I wasn't mean about it!

Maybe I took advantage of her trust in me.
 If so, I figure I would fall for any trick she pulls on me.

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days...

I wonder...
How many of us would be happy to have reached our dream even if we couldn't hang on to it?
World champions in sports almost always come back to defend their title until they lose it for good.
Mountain climbers look for higher mountains until the highest is climbed.
Then what? Are they satisfied to have "been there done that"?
Or...
Do they feel a hollow place where their dream used to sit?

I tell Kathy that my dream is fulfilled, that SHE IS MY DREAM!
If ALL she was was JUST my dream, I could stop trying, my happiness assured.
(Cuz you can't take it away from me or pretend it never happened. Nyah nyah!)

Except my dream wasn't just to HAVE Kathy, it was, and still is,
to make her happy for the rest of her life.

Ouch. This dream just got complicated.

It's really hard to make someone happy if they don't want to be.
When you can't go back in time or take their pain away,
even Angels can only smile through tears for so long.
I have an imagination that never stops and a heart so full of my dream,
that it will never feel so hollow that my dream dies.

That means;
Kathy better hold on tight because HAPPY DAYS ARE COMING AGAIN!
(stating your objective is the first step in planning your dream)

You have one unheard message...

I must admit to feeling uninspired lately.
Partly it is the same thing that affects Kathy (the slow grind of healing can't be watched with pleasure), partly it is my fatigue, but mostly it is a falling off of that feeling of desperation for others to know just what Kathy is going through.
I suffer from the same thing we all do -
The intense shock felt when Kathy was first hurt, fades over time.
The adrenaline that energizes action wears out.

This is the time when I should be pushing harder than ever!
I am doing everything I can to keep stress from Kathy's life.
The rub, for me, is that the more I work to relieve financial stress, the less time I have to be home with Kathy. She is stuck at home and, while Kathy is getting more able to manuver herself, she can not stand, can not leave the house, drive to town, get dishes from the upper cabinets, shower herself, etc.

Even knowing this, for most who know Kathy, the sense of urgency is ending.
We all have lives too!
With Christmas only a couple weeks away, kids to look after, weddings, jobs, cold weather, and everything else, someone else will make time to check up on Kathy.
Besides, she has a great husband who adores her, HE should be the one taking care of her!
Believe me, I'm trying my best to.

In looking out for Kathy, I want to remind you of the "Love to Walk" Concert Benefit at Roscoe's this next Thursday 6:00-9:00!
The Rogue Suspects are playing! Kathy loves those guys!
There will be some cool silent auction items, a pledge drive, a 50/50 raffle and more!
(Roscoe's BBQ 117 S. Main, Phoenix, OR)

I have to tell you,
the help will be nice, but more important to me is just showing your support for Kathy.
I see the strength she gets from her friends.
I'm afraid we haven't got the word out well and this is a busy season for all.
Kathy has been floored by the love sent to her in so many ways.
Even if you just come out for a great time, I hope to see you at Roscoe's Thursday!

Cute on one side

Kathy has always been the cute one!

No matter where she is, what job she is at, what she is doing, Kathy always catches eyes.
She pulls off awkward moments and embarrassing situations
(without a "Do Not Go To Jail" card!).
It's not just her great smile and beautiful eyes, Kathy projects without pretence.
It's not common and it is definitely attractive.
She has a nonthreatening newness in the way she approaches things.
Girls don't feel insecure around her until they notice their guys paying too much attention.
Even then, they know it's understandable, I mean, seriously, who can resist her personality?
Add her eye candy looks and she becomes impossibly irresistible!
I suspect you are starting to roll your eyes as I am so obviously biased.
Okay, so...

The same lack of pretence can be turned over.
The brightness of the moon also has a dark side that noone ever sees.
If a match stops burning, it leaves only black carbon.
The good energy required to maintain that glow, can be taxing if the source is compromised.
(I wonder if that is why commedians are often moody when not on stage performing)
You suspect I will betray a weakness? In me? In Kathy, yes?
No, she truly is the strongest woman I have ever met.
We all cope with things differently and I doubt most could go through this as well as Kathy has.
Sometimes, it seems like things are so easy for certain people.
Aren't we all surprised when those people come crashing down?
It's easy to think they don't need help like regular people. They have it all, remember?
Only those closest to them see how hard it is for them to hold on to who they are.
This affects everyone around Kathy.
The closer you are, the more you are affected.
Understanding, what it is taking from Kathy to heal, is the secret.
Teaching that understanding to all who care about her, is my goal.

Been away to that place

It's been a few days since I've posted.
By the time I get a chance to post, I am way too tired.
Lately, I feel like I'm surrounded by fires, slapping at each of them, but not putting any of them out.
At least I can blame it on being behind on too many things and a lack of focus on each of them. Eventually they will all be behind me.
I wish Kathy could see that eventually this will be behind her too.
Some days are a challenge for her to get through.
Some days are a challenge for all of us to get through (note to self; to prevent the impression of over-dramatization, avoid graphic descriptions of actual events in this, use vague cliches instead).
There has been so much to write about.
Kathy's friends are still incredible!
We put a mattress on the pool table so she can be moved out of the same four walls - one of Kathy's best days was when six of her friends came over in one day. Some made food, some climbed on the pool table with her and watched movies, some brought flowers, some just cared for her.
It gave me a chance to check out and veg for a day.
It also came at a perfect time for Kathy. She was slipping fast into a destructive depression.
Thank you girls!!!
My Aunts and Uncles have made trips out. Our motorcycle buddy has been here when everyone else is too busy.
I'm avoiding names this posting because, honestly, I don't remember everyone who has helped this last couple weeks that I have been so slammed at work! I have way too many distractions to keep track of it all, so I'm not naming anyone. You know who you are. You know how grateful we are for your consideration.
Kathy has a steep hill to climb and that realization has sunk in. It's demoralizing. Having friends around distracts her from dwelling on it, keeps her from that place.
Hope to see you soon!

mirror mirror on the wall

The danger with writing alot is; you risk diluting the message.
The same can be said for the way time dulls the intensity of reactions to shocking news.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Do you think that's true?
If I asked you again, would you think the same thing you just thought?

As Kathy adjusts to life in the REALLY slow lane, she has time to change the first impression that people get, to move ahead of where she was.
This is encouraging to those of us who have been with her since the accident.
It's a little misleading though, to anyone who missed where she came from.
It's easy to look at Kathy and see that, other than a cast on her right foot/leg and a left leg that won't quite work right, she is as beautiful as she always was!
What's the big deal, right? She's going to be fiiiine.
I hope you're right.
I tell Kathy that she needs to be patient, that she will recover, that I'm not full of s***, naively spouting optimistic encouragements.
It's like watching a puppy grow; If you see that puppy every day, it doesn't seem like it's changing much, but if you didn't see it for a week or two...

Kathy doesn't see her improvement the way you will when you see her.
You will leave with the impression that Ted is one lucky man,
and you will be right!

a different point of view

Ted here. Just read my last posting.
I had a much bigger idea in mind when I started writing it, then rushed it short and posted without checking how it flowed.
Basically, I was trying to write something cool about miracles and Kathy.
It sounds like a bit of an exaggeration to use "miracle", when much bigger "miracles", more deserving of the name, have occurred in history past.
I was then admitting how if nothing else improved in Kathy's condition, it's alright by me.
I'm just happy to have her back home!
Still, for Kathy, it sure will be nice if she can get back enough to do what she's always done.
LIVE LIFE BIG!!!

Sometimes, what seems to be a little thing for one person - can be HUGE for someone else
(Not sure walking is a little thing for anyone though)!

Alright, let me catch you up -
In the last few days both Michelle's have visited, along with Ian, Theresa, Daniel, Uncle Mike & Aunt Traci, My sister and her family, Jessica, Jerome, Kristie, Julie (my daughter-in-law) and Gage was in town too. Kathy has really enjoyed the company!
Kathy is getting more "able" everyday!
Usually pays for it later, but she is doing things better and faster!
She wheels herself around (slowly on carpet) to see all the things she USED to do, that are not done so well now.
It creates a crazy frustration level for Kathy to have to let go of some of the little things (see above).
The girls are a big help in this area.

Example; I couldn't seem to get the counter wiped good enough.
Then I looked at it from wheelchair level. Oops! She's right! I DID miss spots!
The "mottled mix" appearance of the counter hides crumbs from a top view.

This is going to take some getting used to for all of us.
I think a different perspective is going to be the norm for awhile.

In the realm of miracles

Cool heading, huh?
I'm practicing epic descriptions in this post - to better prepare myself for the day Kathy dances again.
I don't want to be caught offguard, without an idea of how to express the full impact of the moment.

Empires rise and fall, but knowledge of their history is dependent on the stories the bards tell.
What do you think of the Romans? The Greeks? The British? How about the Mayans?
I think these Dynasties fell because their foundation crumbled.
It's not as simple as just that, but in a weird way, it is.
Look at how they lost the focus to stay true to what made them great! (Is this still a Kathy blog?)

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about (in truth, I wasn't there then), but in Kathy's case, I do not care what comes after the fall.
I care only that the fall does not happen at all!
Her legs are NOT her foundation.
Kathy's foundation is built on fearless compassion and adventure, on a trust that she won't get hurt (by people or life).
When Kathy's trust IS disappointed and she's hurt, it doesn't make her jaded to life (or those left in hers). THAT is the part that can't die.
Because her foundation does not crumble, her legs can be destroyed, but the strength of who she is still holds up.

She deserves to walk again.
Not for me, I don't need it for her to be My Forever, but for Kathy, I pray she dances again.

It is not an impossible request.
Sooner or later, everyone prays,.. for themselves, for someone else, for deliverance, for a cure... for a miracle.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ted here.

Thanksgiving wasn't so strange after all!
As they so often do, plans changed.
Oh, I could've done the lazy male thing when plans at my Aunt Tracy's wouldn't work, then the get together at our house fell through, and I could've ordered Chinese. Kathy always has someone to back me up in cases like this though, as Shasta City Michelle brought over plates of turkey food and fixings!
Not to worry, I, Ted, had things under control.
That's right, I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner!
We didn't have turkey, but ham is a good substitute if you aren't going to have turkey, right? Ham, with a bit of mashed potatoes, corn, salad, cottage cheese with peaches, cranberry sauce and a fruit salad! Yum! Except Kathy only nibbles these days (maybe it was the bone marrow soup she ate just before dinner). Still, it had a Thanksgivingy feel to it, so I'm putting a star sticker by my name!
My sister and her family came late and are staying the night.
Thanks to all who called Kathy today. Hope your day went well!

look me in the eye

Only the best.
When they lose, only the best know how to win again.
There are only so many ways to respond to pain.
The physical kind; you beat it, you bear it or you give up.
(Heartbreak, not so easy. There is no cure for that, but time.)
Some people have been hurt enough in life already. Sometimes, there is no predicting when bad things will happen.
That's why I tell My Boys that whoever told you life was fair, lied to you!

It makes you wonder how some people keep starting over.
How they find that happy place again. That's a skill that deserves admiration.
The kind of person who knows that things will never be the same, who loved how things were, yet still moves on to the next thing without losing who they are. The disappointment of the loss is still there, but they don't stay beaten.

I like the story that tells of someone getting on the wrong plane heading for Holland, when they thought they were heading for Paris. They could be stuck wishing for what they don't have, or they can check out the new place they are in and see that  Holland can be amazing too!
Sometimes we get on the wrong plane without realizing it. It doesn't mean where we end up, isn't going to be a wonderful place!

Not de Boss No Mo'

This whole "Kathy Meets the Wall" thing has brought the family closer together.

My Boys have been great with her!
Kathy has to rely on people for so many ordinary things we all take for granted, that she has to give up control.
THAT'S RIGHT, THE INMATES ARE RUNNING THE ASYLUM!!!
Can't check if the chores are being done if you can't get around to it!
Is the upstairs bathroom clean? Teenage boy clean, or Kathy clean? Just have to trust that My Boys listened & learned from before. (when Kathy was able to inspect).
Are the plants watered? The right way? Then why are the leaves drooping? Will someone check it again to make sure it wasn't missed? (Ooh, it must make her SO mad that she has to ask nicely!).

Ted, could you put the laundry from the washer to the dryer? Please listen for the buzzer so the clothes can be folded before the wrinkles set. (See what I mean?).
This is like that moment when everyone realizes that cars can't run over you because it's against the law & you can SUE them if they do! We can run in the streets! Unimpeded Daring Delight!

That's right, WE'RE IN CHARGE NOW!
This is a house run by males! Pizza every night! Crumbs on the counter! We don't have to wash our hands anymore! Or FLUSH!
Kathy can barely maneuver herself into her wheel chair! If I don't oil the wheels, she can't even sneak up on us!
If we turn the TV up in the other room, we won't have to be bothered if she hollers!

Except,.. My Boys wouldn't go for it...
This mutiny was over before it even started.
(Temporary immobilization for Kathy does not equal temporary insanity for My Boys).

Don't let the headline fool you, Kathy is still Queen.
Just the way we like it.

Thanks for listening

Monday mornings.

Traditionally bad.

The padding in Kathy's open cast has shifted and worn.
A couple times now, she has woke to excruciating pain from pressure points while she slept. It was the outside of the foot where the pinky toe joins it, now it is the back of the heel. Some redesigning is in order. Time to upgrade the padding!
I'm thinking Memory Foam (U.S. Patent #948,744,213, All rights reserved, To be used only with the exclusive permission of Memory Foam, Inc.).

Let's see what have we done so far? -
Woke up, helped Kathy to the toity, brought her into the kitchen in her wheel chair, made coffee and "Eggs-in-a-Hole" for us both (yes, I washed my hands first), gave Kathy her medicine, made a lunch for me, scheduled two more service calls, put her foot back into the "Boot" that she hates so much (because it forces her foot into the 90 degree position), another trip to the toity (the coffee is so good for that), situated Kathy back into bed in her sanctuary, made sure she has fresh water, remote controls, laptop, meds, phone, checked the mail, rubbed Kathy's head until she falls back to sleep (Okay, I didn't really do the rubbing her head thing, but I wish I had time to, does that count?). I have to get to work!
You see why I'm glad so many of you like her too? It's very time consuming to see to the needs of someone who can't put weight on either leg!

Jessica is incredible in so many ways through this with Kathy. I can't describe the sacrifice to her own life that she has given. Not to lessen everyone else's help (Kathy loves the Mount Shasta water and spray that Michelle brought, Cindy checks in regularly, Kristi also, many more throughout the day when I'm at work, Scuba Rick brought flowers and smiles, Mona, Thane, Parrish, and on and on). I do have to throw special props to Jess though, she has really gone above and beyond since the day this happened!

Michael would be a Shaman in another life. Nutritionist, Acupuncturist, Electrical Impulsinist, Body Art Puncturist, Free-Form-Emoting-Forward-Shadowground-Healing-Physiologist (can you tell I have no clue, what to call what he does? It does seem to work though!) Yep, Shaman Michael, you are a strange, but valuable addition to the Tribe.

Mikayla is coming over for a "Twilight" Marathon today. Kathy has never watched any of them and Mikayla is a big fan!

Looks like monday might not be so bad after all!  

put a fork in it

Another busy day down for Kathy.
Great visits from my aunt Tracy & uncle Mike, Jerome, Tim & Cindy, Jessica & Jaden!
Take today off the agenda.
Waking this morning, like every morning since the accident, I hoped to be here tonight.
In the first few days after Kathy's crash, I just hoped she would make it to the next day.
Then it became wanting Kathy to make it through the pain of mending herself each day, to a place where the pain fades.
At present, the pain comes in waves in the evening, but is bearable most of the day (easy for me to say, huh?).
I used to wish for slow days before she wrecked. There was never enough Kathy and I would turn in for the night wanting more time.
Now I check off the days, knowing that each day is one day closer to Kathy's next step...literally.

When Kathy's asleep

It's late.
Normally I would cuddle close and whisper in her ear, hoping she is still awake.
What I'm about to tell her is almost always a mystery to me until I say it.
Sometimes I just repeat tried and true like "I love you", or "Have good dreams, put me in them"
sometimes I say the first thing that I think of (which can surprise me by being a gem, or flop and bring an embarrassing unintended laugh),
sometimes I start to whisper... then stop, not wanting to wake her.

It's all an excuse to get close to her.

Since the accident it's no different.
No different, other than the frequency that I decide to not wake her.
These days, sleep is so precious.
Sometimes, when I think she's awake and I whisper in her ear, I know she doesn't hear what I said, but she reaches over or slides up next to me, and I smile.
She may have missed hearing a gem, but I didn't miss getting closer.

Right now she's sleeping.
I don't have the heart to wake her.
If I did, I would whisper something simple like, "My Beautiful Angel"
or the first thing I think of right now like, "I can barely hear you breathing, will you snore or something?"

fight or flight

Thanks to Jerome for hanging out all day with Kathy!

Kathy & I aren't watching my favorite TV shows until she is better.
"Walking Dead", "Game of Thrones", "Dexter" and such.
I'm sure they're your favorites too, right?
Well, we're not watching them because Michael said Kathy needs to stay away from scary or disturbing stuff. He has my confidence in his credibility so far, as his "Grounding" techniques and Eastern medicine seem to help. (Do I say this like I know what I'm talking about?) I need to call Michael and ask him what the things in Kathy's ears are.
I figure anything is okay if it makes this time of healing better!
Very much appreciation to all who give up their time and skills to help!

It makes sense that negative energy should be avoided, I guess...

People who stear clear of uncomfortable situations are afraid of being brought down, I suppose...

Except, when the energy is good and positive you WANT it, so I would not question the wisdom of avoiding stink vibes. It could be bad for someone who is wounded & weak.
The rest of us though, should be strong enough to tackle a bad scene once in a while, right?
Though she was remarkably capable in tough times, Kathy will get even stronger from this and be someone we can turn to in our own time of pain.

If you are paying attention, you too can learn what I am from this...
Kathy will be a Beautiful Inspiration.

a mirage of a foot

There was a time when Kathy's left leg hogged all my anger because of the way it blocked any chance of comfort for her.
Now the left leg is still in the spotlight, more for what it WON'T do than what it does. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't let up on being a comfort block, the leg still produces alot of that "P" word that I told myself not to write in this post (in case the left leg is reading this & derives some sort of satisfaction from it).
No, the thing that is most concerning is Kathy's inability to move her left foot. We need to ramp up her foot flexing excercises because her foot is trying to drop and tighten up. When Kathy tries to move her foot, all she gets is a vague elusiveness that enfuriates.

Like the foot of a rainbow, her foot always feels "somewhere else".

Wish I could describe how much it helps Kathy to have someone here. Little things like picking up a hand towel that is on the floor, making coffee, cleaning up a sick cat's mess next to the only toilet in the house that Kathy can use (that really happened this morning. good thing I didn't leave her alone. she would've had to push her foot in it!), putting that cat outside & locking the cat door, etc.

Good timing. Jerome just showed up. That means I get to go to work (oh Joy!).

Groundhog Day

You know what I'm talking about -
Like when you first wake up and you think you're normal, then quickly realize you're not. Every day you wake to the same thing. It gets so, if the leg hasn't started in yet, you don't move, so you can pretend, for a few minutes, there isn't a problem.
The frustration of being unable.

I feel for anyone who can't do what they have always done. It makes me less tolerant for people who can do, but don't.

Michelle from Mt. Shasta City stayed with Kathy today!
It's late now. I'm trying to keep a record in this blog to look back on, as well as letting you know of her progress. It's late though and I'm tired, so more tomorrow! Here's to All of us waking up tomorrow thinking we're normal (might be a first for some of us)!

Feast or Famine

Quick note from Ted (is there such a thing?)

So cool that so many came by to see Kathy yesterday!

I have to go to work, but kept delaying because this morning was rough. It started out when Kathy woke to her right foot killing her! After unwrapping it, we found the padding had shifted and allowed a bump in the cast to press into her foot all night! At the outside edge where your pinky toe joins your foot. It was a totally flat spot the size of a quarter and bright red OUCH! I took a Dremel to it so THAT won't happen again! (the cast, not her foot).

Right about the time I was going to start rescheduling jobs, Cindy showed up!

I'm way behind, but couldn't leave Kathy by herself. She has had a bit of time to let her situation sink in. Darkness creeps in when she starts to list the things she won't ever do again. It's the alone times that scare me most. How do you fight off depression by yourself?

Kathy had alot of visitors around the same time yesterday.
Cindy saved the day this morning (or I was staying home).
Please don't hesitate to call or stop by to visit.
Let's keep that dark dog at bay.

Great day at the Love-Baumer house!!

I was waiting all day for time to set it's self aside so I could write an update..........but, funny how time waits for no man!

Good day tho!  Kathy had a rough night with a lot of pain and today looked tired to me, but she was up and making calls and trying to get on top of things!  She spends a decent amount of time being frustrated with her "temporary life"I so relate to how she feels...I honestly think it's a Capricorn thing! (Any Capricorn or anyone who's lived with a Capricorn will know what I mean:)!)  Capricorns are strong, hard working goats who posses a certain know how and sureness of will.  I'm grateful Kathy has this on her side and also completely aware(as a Capricorn myself) of what a struggle Kathy is going thru relinquishing control of her life!

Regardless of how scary I may find what she's insisting on doing, (getting out of her (very high)bed & transferring from her wheelchair to a toilet on her own) I try to encourage her independent streaks.  This may be because I relate to the iron will and may be because I feel like...She's gonna have a heck of a hard road to hoe, why hold her back from the struggle when it will only make her stronger!  And, I know it will!!!

Kathy spent most of the day on the phone;  she transferred to her wheel chair and came out o join me as I made Shepard's pie and spaghetti sauce.  We talked in the kitchen in between phone calls and if you blurred your vision you'd think it was "old times".  Kathy had so much love today.  In between medical, insurance and financial calls she talked to:  Cindi, Michelle Lopez, Danielle, Mona, Michelle Tramblie, Kristi & Nicole...She had texts from various other friends and around 4:00 the visitors started flowing in!

Mona
Katie
Jerome
Tabitha
Brooke(Who brought INSANE amounts of casseroles to freeze and serve when needed...AMAZING!)
Parish
(a neighbor who's name starts with an A & brought enchiladas and other goodies...so sweet!)
Kristi

With dinner in the oven, I left about 5:30 knowing she was in fantastic company and hands!  Kathy LOVES company!!  Please do NOT hesitate to visit! She is a people person in the extreme and I think the visiting distracts her from the pain and helps fast forward time a little.

Kathy is such a sweet trooper!!  I am in love with her as ever and am truly grateful for this time!  I know it may sound strange, but how often really do we get to demonstrate just how far we would go for someone we love!  Kathy went through SOOO much in her early life and I believe in life giving us balance!  The lessons and strength she will gain from this "speed-bump" will push her to an un-human realm.............I will be here to absorb and transfer my own lessons!  All things happen for a reason, right?  I heard that once and time made it true!

Love, light and blessings,
Jess

Calling ALL Kathy Love Benefit helpers!

The date of the fundraiser has been set!

December15th, 2011 7:00pm. at Roscoe's in Phoenix OR;  This is going to be a concert event with The Rogue Suspects.

We will be meeting 7:00 pm, this Wen. the 16th at Roscoes.  Please come join our small, but energetic benefit team to aid in the further planning of Kathys Benefit efforts!

Any questions, comments, ideas, money to donate(heehee) please come on down...if you're unable to attend, feel free to call or email me!

Love, light and blessings,
Jessica
541-941-2156
lilijade.creations@gmail.com

If it takes two hands

I like to say, "Don't carry a grudge. It's heavy and it doesn't have handles."

Carrying a grudge is different than just writing someone out of your life. Some people shouldn't be in your life and I've always thought that that's okay.
Some should be in your life, but aren't.

This whole thing with Kathy has me thinking about how cool people can be...
and on the opposite side, how petty.

Imagine if you and a friend had a falling out. Then add an accident. Would water under the bridge keep you from being friends again? Too deep to attempt? Dangerous undercurrents?

(I also like to say, "Not everyone waves their arms when they're drowning... There might not even be a drop of water in sight.")

I guess with all the people in the world, there isn't a strong argument for tolerating flaws. It's so easy to go from being willing to throw yourself in front of a train for your friend, to holding an eternal grudge.

If it slowed you down, if it gave you pause to think of those people, if you wondered what it would be like if they were still in your world... what would give then?

Friendships lost. Resentment. Would a good reason be stubbornness? Yours or theirs? Fear? Of what? Protecting someone? Who? Why? Would it be worth it?

Whoa! I'm off on a tangent. Let me regroup.

I think of the possible consequences if Kathy didn't have such great friends. It's the only way I let myself leave her when I go to work.
Right now she doesn't have time to curse the sky because she is never alone!
(I'm pretty sure if I had an accident, I would have time to rail in isolation).

I think I'm going to make a list of all my friends and make up to the ones I haven't been talking to...

chemical cocktails & crisp

Three different meds to take at nine. Add two others to that mix at five. Pain meds every four hours. Three of one kind, one of another at bed timetime. Vitamins, Calcium, DHEA, fish oil, some of Jessica's pear crisp and, twice a day, another shot of Fragmin (this latest one in the hip area).

If you know Kathy, you know she is very headstrong, so it won't surprise you to hear that
as I write this on Kathy's laptop, she is taking some of her own stitches out! We wouldn't let her do it yesterday. With all the people she knows in the medical community, you would think Kathy would just have one of her friends do it for her, but nooOOOoo! She won't wait.
Patience is at the bottom of her strong traits.

Kathy's attitude is good.  The house is quiet.  Kathy's cats missed her.  The boys are out.  Visitors are coming by later.  I have a job scheduled for this afternoon.  This is our time!  Right now!  Stop the stitches removal!  Stop blogging!  Exit, stage left!

the spice of life

Little variations can make all the difference in the world.

Kathy has to move her leg every few minutes or it starts to ache. It ALWAYS hurts, but when the bone pain that ice can't touch flares up, changing her leg position even a little bit can help.

I try to do what I can, and Kathy is gracious, but it is a better kind of different when one of her girls show up. I'm not offended by this, because it makes it easier on both of us.

Besides, just because I like peanut butter & banana sandwiches best, it doesn't necessarily mean Kathy does too! So when Michelle shows up and gives her peanut butter & honey sandwiches, it doesn't bother me if Kathy seems to enjoy them more than mine. Or really, when Jessica makes her PB & J's with strawberry jam, I don't mind that either. It's just a little bit different anyway. It all has peanut butter, right?

Julie stopped by today & brought drinks from my son Chris in Afghanistan. Michelle cooked the casserole that Jess made. Kathy has too much pain for me to to say she's spoiled, but I'M feeling pretty spoiled!

Michelle asked me to not mention the cornbread, so I won't 

If this isn't making any sense to you, don't worry, I'm making it up as I write it.

I'm full of adrenaline.
I just gave Kathy her shot of Fragmin (a blood thinner she has to take until the Kumadin takes hold, so her vein repairs heal & her blood clots don't kill her). Belly shot or butt shot? Call me a weinie if you want to, it is NOT easy to give someone a shot!
Jess did it for me NO PROBLEM when she was here!
Michelle will sterilize the spot, but wants ME to do the dirty work!
(The differences between bananas, honey and strawberry jam).
Michelle watched "Horrible Bosses" with Kathy. I watched the Ducks beat Stanford!
See what I mean about little variations? Thought it might be getting to me deep down inside, didn't you?
Nope! It's nice!

Kathy is determined to figure out a system to be independent around the house.
The way I see it, she was independent BEFORE the accident, now it's time to try dependence for a little while. It's different!

Kinda like peanut butter & avocado sandwiches.

What do YOU think the odds are?

In times like this, people naturally look for the positive.

Nobody wants to be the Fuddy Duddy,
saying things to bring Kathy down, pointing out difficulties as impossible or spreading hopeless predictions to the people who love her.

Nobody wants to be the bearer of bad news.
With this in mind, It would be easy to be unrealistically optimistic.
Easy to make a big deal out of little things in an attempt to avoid being that person we don't want to be thought of as.

I have to tell you, there is no avoidance going on here.
Sure, there is the chance that Kathy may not walk right again, but I REALLY think she will!
I'm not saying that it will be easy for her to keep her spirits up, but from what I've seen of her friends so far, it will be alot harder to bring her spirits down!

From the cards and gifts and calls, to helping to take care of her, clean the house and making dinner (so I can get back to work), the positive energy from Kathy's friends is overwhelming!

I have thanked people in this blog who have stepped up for Kathy. I have neglected to thank so many who have sent cards, flowers and phone calls that have been a light in her world. A world that could've easily been dark without you.
So, I'm not exaggerating my appreciation.
I'm not faking my optimism.

I say life will be as great as it was. Greater even!
Kathy says I'm a Dreamer.
I say she's My Dream.
Odds are you will all get to share in this dream becoming a reality.

creepy visual

This is Ted.

So, Kathy said to me this morning that she is going to get callouses on her elbows and forearms from dragging herself around the house, legs trailing behind her.

My first thought was the boys...

Imagine getting a bowl of ice cream in the kitchen at night and without warning, Kathy comes crawling around the corner! Freak out!!!

What if she gets really fast at it?!? What if she thinks it's funny to chase us all over the house?!?

After telling my buddy Eric about my concerns, he gifted Kathy some knee pads & elbow pads (along with flowers). He's looking out for me. Callouses make scritchy scratchy sounds on sheets that would keep me from sleeping. Nice guy that Eric.

The other option is for Kathy to just use her wheel chair. I hope she chooses that one.

It is strange to think about doing the OPPOSITE of child-proofing the lower shelves. I'll have to put things down low so Kathy CAN reach them!

It is so great to have her home!..even if she freaks the boys out!

Home Sweet Home!!

What a great trip, really!  With my van transformed into some sort of princess & the pea love wagon, we transported the Love bird home safe and sound.

We were much later leaving than we has wished and, oh boy, was Kathy ever raring to go!!  There were phone calls at Grants Pass, Sutherlin and nearing Beaverton.  When we arrived she was all but waiting at the curb! :)  Room packed, meds taken,wheelchair ready,  cart ready...LET'S BLOW THIS POPCICLE STAND!!   Everyone was seriously sad to see her leave.  Kathy, even amid the worst days, was a delight and because of her strong, cheerful spirit; she gained a solid Emanuel Legacy fan base.  I'm sure she will stay in touch!

Kathy slept part of the way and Ted and I talked for 8 of the 10 hours...For how much time we've spent together, it's amazing how little we know about the other.(Nothing builds a bond quite like a 10 hour road trip...He shared with me his angst for Big Brother and radical politics and I spoke about the natural birthing process, breaking the cycle of passing on learned behaviors and the difference between working to live and living to work!  lol)

Kathy and I talked the last hour as Ted slept and it was reminiscent of the multitudes of car rides we've shared(Minus the princess& the pea love wagon...which I feel should stay! )  It's always a great feeling driving back into our beautiful Rogue Valley & this trip was frosted in butter cream.  How blessed we are that Kathy is coming home; so soon and, at all.

Leaving the Hospital and thinking back to those scary touch and go days...Ted & Kathys home in Eagle Point may as well be the Emerald City.  It is beautiful!!  Ted lifted Kathy into her wheelchair and after a wheelie or two, she rested in the entry and was greeted by the Boys handmade "Welcome Home" signs.  Surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, smells, and the love of her three cats; Kathy took a tour of her own home and was happy it was still clean. ;)

Kathy wasted no time putting her things in order; wheeling herself to and fro(difficult on carpet) making sure her hospital items found an adequate home!  She is resting now and I'm expecting a full nights sleep out of her...we are all pretty beat!

Kathy has a Dr. appt on Mon and a trip back to Portland on the 23rd...will be filling in tomorrow and putting together that promised calendar for future visitors, helpers and nurses.  

Hip, Hip, HOORAY!!  Three cheers for Kathy and a big fat, "welcome home Sister"!!!

Love, light and blessings!
Jes

one day soon

Ted here.
Here, not there with Kathy, yet.
Thought I would pop in before we leave & let everyone know that this blog will continue after Kathy is home. There is still so much to do. So far to go to get where she is going to be.
I can't wait to report Kathy's progress. Hopefully one day in the not so distant future I will be able to write that My Girl walks again! Not yet, but one day...
We're bringing her home!!! Time to go!!!

Wait till you hear this!!

Hello all! Suzanne Here.
First of all I must say that Kathy & myself slept really good last night. I was so happy to see Kathys beautiful PAINLESS face. What a difference a day makes, for sure. I felt comfortable enough to leave her for a few ours, to partake in a lunch date with my daughter, Sharon. BIG MISTAKE! Upon my return, I heard the funniest story. The staff asked Kathy if she felt well enough, to take an independent spin in the wheelchair. She was sooooo excited, and responded with a "HELL YES"! She was having a grand old time, enjoying her freedom, having a nice little chat on her phone. Well....she leaned over to fix her sock, and tipped over in her wheel chair!! She didn't hurt herself physically, but was so freaking humiliated. You see, for convenience of going pee, she has been going comando downstairs, if you know what I mean. As she tipped her blanket came off, and HELLO KITTY!! The first thing I thought is, CRAP! I wasn't there to protect my girl. The next thing I thought was, CRAP, Ted is going to be so mad and disappointed in me. Thank goodness for the nice gentlemen that hoisted her butt back to her wheelchair. I'm so greatfull for she didn't injure herself, however, I laughed my ass off, when she filled me in on her little spill.
Any way,  Kathy has all her IV's out, and preparing for her exit, from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. What an amazing Hospital, and staff. As you can imagine, she will be soarly missed by all the Tracu team.
Keep your fingers crossed, that she has a painfree night, for her last time.
As this time draws near, I will be saying good-bye for now, to my beautiful friend. I hope that my stay was helpfull, in some way. I know it was for me! I love you my friend, and know that NO ONE CAN CLIP YOUR WINGS.
I love you............Suzanne

Kathy coming home??? (Jess updating from Medford)

Yes!  They are releasing the love-bird and returning her to her natural habitat!  They were shooting for tomorrow, but it's looking like it will most likely be Friday.  I was in utter dis-belief of this news and chalked it up to "drowsy-drug talk":)  I am still uneasy & don't understand HOW they are going to send her home in two days when she is still on IV meds and pain-killers..........??  It is VERY difficult for me to not be there to see what's going on for myself!

Regardless of the questions and concerns about her release; I do believe home is where she will heal best...surrounded with her things, her germs, her cats, her family and her FRIENDS!!  We will need to be putting together a "Care-Calendar"  for her.  Ted needs to be working as much of these future days as possible and Kathy will need help on a daily basis!  I will buy a special calendar for the house and as we get nurse volunteers, we will fill in the slots!  Please be thinking about your future visits and casseroles!:)

Ted and I will be carpooling up on Thursday in my van; It's no life-flight, but decked out with an air mattress and all the pillows and lavender oil we can get our hands on, it will bring her safely and hopefully, comfortably, home!

I am still recovering from dropping my life for that first week and am struggling to get my end of Kathys fundraiser off the ground(My home computer crash was NOT helpful).   Naobi has made a facebook page for her benefit and we will be getting the word out there VERY soon!!  I've had multiple offers from volunteers and I promise you, I will be finding jobs for ALL of you!:)  

I've not talked to Kathy yet today...yesterday was no ray of sunshine;  I pray this new day graces her with a positive, joyful and grateful spirit!

Love, light and blessings for us ALL!!
Jessica

Having a tough day

Hi all! Suzanne here. Sure was tough seeing Danielle & Janelle off at the airport. We have really enjoyed helping our Kathy! I can't take too much credit for the comedy act, as Danielle & Janelle are really quite the crack up. It was great to see Kathy smile and laugh.
As Danielle said, we have been really having fun being together as friends. Hope it took Kathy's mind off her pain. We also enjoyed spending time with Ted. I hope having us here has taken a little bit of . strain off of him. His phone was ringing off the hook yesterday, with all kinds of work to be had!
Any way, I will be here till Sunday. We are hoping that our gal can come home on Thursday (fingers crossed)!
What an amazing friend we all have in Kathy, and I for one, will thank the good lord above, for keeping her with us. I look forward to the day that her & Ted can have the "Happily ever after", that they deserve.
I will say that Kathy is in an amazing amount of pain today, so if she doesn't respond to phone calls or texts, she is trying to get some much needed rest.
Till tomorrow all....
Suzanne

Plan B

Kathy just said, "It could have been far worse." A great realization for her to have. Hard to believe after everything she has been through. Ted gave us the photo tour last night starting with the scene of the accident...amazing, and YES, it could have been far worse. She is lucky to be alive! We are lucky she is alive. I cannot stop seeing her strength in every move she makes and every conversation she has with the nurses, OT's, Dr.'s and so on.
Her pain level is still getting up there. They tried to give her a block to make her comfortable for 24 hours but it really didn't work completely.
She just got back from x-rays and is feeling tired. I tried to put her down for a nap but she needs to update Jessica first. So sweet. Then hopefully she will sleep for awhile. Deep down I know she won't because she has been acting like a child that fights sleep in fear of missing something. Her thirst for life? Maybe it's the hostess in her wanting to entertain her "out-of-town" friends.
This is my last blog as it has been a quick weekend and time to go back to Colorado early in the morning. I don't feel comfotable leaving her right now. I wish I had the flexibility and means to stay for 6 months to get her on her feet again. I know she is in great hands with Ted and all of her girlfriends but still so sad to leave her.
I have never had so much fun in a hospital before. I feel so much better knowing we helped her in some small way or anyway at all. The shower was most gratifying. I have never seen anyone enjoy running water in their hair so much.
I hope she has an easy transition at home. First obsticle will be the toilets. A wheelchair won't fit as they are enclosed. They need to find a wheelchair, shower chair, toilet chair, etc. Oh the things we take for granted. There will be more obsticles, however, nothing Ted and Kathy can't face together. Their love is beautiful, undying and productive. It is truely inspiring.
Jeanelle found the perfect plaque for Kathy "Life is all about how you handle Plan B." I know she will make the best of Plan B.
We love you Kathy, more today than ever before. You are an inspiration to all of us. Your Colorado girls "Team Pain Relief" is always here for you so call on us anytime!
Till we dance again,
Danielle, Jeanelle and Suzanne

We have alot of preparation to do

Danielle, Suzanne & Jeanelle are doing their best to keep Kathy laughing.
That's not easy to do when that old familiar foe "PAIN" won't get the hint and give us all a break! Sheesh! Enough with the bully boy tactics already!

The nerve block in her right leg is supposed to be keeping her ankle pain tolerable until tomorrow, but doesn't meet expectations.

Right ankle update; grafted tendons on the inside of the ankle. Slight infection prevented the outside tendon work at this time. This means a follow up surgery will be necessary down the road.

The surgeon explained that it means Kathy will have a weakness to rolling her ankle to the inside.
Then he added something none of us knew - Her left ankle also has damage to the outside ligaments!?!
Now she can't roll either ankle without serious damage potential!! How hard will it be to learn how to walk again, with unstable tendons in both feet, a bum left knee and a left foot you can barely move or feel except for the tingling burning acid sensation?!?

It's a bigger chore to maneuver Kathy into position for stuff (wheelchair, potty...), now that she can't put weight/stress on her right ankle or left knee to help shift her body around.

We looked through the pictures taken step by step through this ordeal. It felt wrong to take the first few at the scene after the EMT's arrived, but I'm glad we did. Kathy didn't remember all of it, so it is interesting to see her reaction at some of the pics. I hope to download a chronology of  "accident to recovery" so all her friends can see how far she has come!

Well, it's been fun. I would rather be here on Kathy's worst day than anywhere else without her. It's getting late though. I'm heading back. Falling behind too much on work. I can't wait to bring her home. Hopefully this week! Better get the house ready. Brought new shirts and shorts. Kathy says, "At least we don't have to worry about shoes!"

It would be alot harder to leave tonight if Kathy didn't have such a great bunch of friends here with her.

optimistic pessimism

Still in surgery.

Kathy is most afraid of CRPS (I think it means Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome).
It's where your body has inappropriate response to stimuli
(Like the burning acid feeling Kathy gets when someone lightly touches her foot).
Her surgeon said it's too soon to make that diagnosis.
She had a traumatic injury to her leg that included her nerves and he has seen in other patients the same pain reaction she is getting.

We are also concerned with the ligaments in Kathy's left knee.
Same surgeon said her knee will be very stiff for a long time as the cartilage was damaged, the knee repair and muscle injury will require extensive therapy to regain enough mobility to walk, but her knee should be stable and he is not overly concerned about her ligaments.
I'm still a bit worried though.
It seems like he's saying, "Since we've stopped the headwound from bleeding, I'm not concerned about whether she can hear on that side.".
Boy I probably really confused people with that one! Kathy does NOT have a head injury.
I was just making an example.
The surgeon probably isn't overly concerned about her smile either, but I'm concerned about it ALL!

Cadaver ligaments. That's so cool! Proud to say I'm an organ doner. It will be great to let someone else use my parts when I'm done with them!

Do you have time for another one? Surgery that is.

The return. No, Kathy's not returning home yet - Ted's back.

Today is a super exciting day because Kathy's left leg will be closed up completely!
Almost time for her surgery at 10:45.
The same surgery is also going to finally address her right ankle! The plan is to graft cadaver tendons/ligaments (what's the difference between a tendon & a ligament?) to help support the ankle bones.

Right now Kathy has a machine on her left leg that flex's the knee about 20 degrees (think raising your knee enough to place a softball under it).

Every surgery she wears a "bear paw", which is a gown that circulates hot air through it to regulate her body temperature.

Kathy is getting some feeling in her left foot, which would be brilliant except, she says it feels like burning acid!! All the time tingling pain like when your foot falls asleep unless you touch it and WOW THAT HURTS!! Still it's a good thing. Better than no feeling at all. It's just hard to convince Kathy that it's a good thing.

Gotta go! It's time for surgery again!

Therapy this, therapy that!

Physical therapy is here attaching a CPM (continuous passive motion) on her left leg. It automatically bends the knee for range of motion. Sheepskin and straps. Jeanelle is taking alot of pictures. She should do 2 degrees twice a day for 1 hour each time. Now IV therapy has arrived but very anticlimatic. She only need to change caps on Kath's IV in her shoulder.
We kept Kathy up all day yesterday. She went on a wheel chair ride to have lunch with us, so cool. This was the first day she has not taken a nap. We were so busy doing nothing. And it was great, just like old times.
Suzanne took the night shift and slept in Kathy's room. She is on babysitting duty at her daughter's house for the day so Kathy is stuck with The Jeanelle and Danielle show. Hopefully we won't do any damage as our beautiful Kathy is so fragile but seemingly stronger everyday.
Kathy is missing the "H" key on her computer keyboard which really makes it ard to type er name and gender so frequently so I am going to get back to er now and start te sow.
The things we do for LOVE!
Danielle

At last!

Howdy Y'All! Danielle from Colorado here.
I sit here with Kath sipping tea like nothing has ever happened and it feels sooooooooooooooo good!  Oh but something HAS happened...alot has happened. Thanks to her amazing husband, fantastic girlfriends and YOUR overwhelming support she is almost like herself again in spirit! What at truely amazing person she is. Don't get me wrong, she has huge challenges everyday. Sitting on her butt all day everyday is one of them. She has a trapeze hanging above her so she can change positions...bed sore management...she told Ted she was going to talk me into giving her a butt massage later...uuuummmmmm....mmmmmmmhhhhhhhh...I'm still thinking about it...haha. I am definately going to do it and you can see video on u-tube but you will have to pay to see it or maybe we will auction it off in a fundraising effort to help Kath out. Yes! The things we do for LOVE! Kathy LOVE that is.
Very nice Dr.'s and Nurses coming thru now so I will keep you all posted or one of us Crested Butties will.
Kathy loves you all and can't stop thanking you for all of your support. She said she could never make it through this without you.
TX Update: Surgery on Monday and a minimum of 8 weeks off of the right leg and off of the left leg for much longer due to all of the damage.  Good news...could be going home next week....lets pray for that!
Visitor Update: Suzanne Bouchard and I showed up last night.  I am with Kath till Tuesday along with Jeanelle Walters who comes in this morning.  Thankfully Suzanne will be here all week.
Be good to eachother!-Danielle

Day of Transfers

Ronda here again.
Kathy looks very pretty today with her hair freshly shampooed and braided, makes me smile to see little pieces of Kathy Love come back everyday. She is now off with Occupational Therapy to learn how to transfer into the bathtub when she gets home. She will be non weight bearing on the right leg for another 8 weeks minimum after her surgery on Monday. She will be off the left leg for much longer. The upside is her arms will be very buffed!! 

The really good news is that she may be back in Medford as early as 3 weeks from now, of course depending on how the next few surgeries go. She really needs her peeps around her......

She is in better spirits today. She is always happy to get out of this room.

Love and hugs to all who read this blog :):)

Hands up! You are being highjacked!

Okay. Ted here.

This sight was intended to be a place where people could go to find out how Kathy is doing.

I am not in Portland with Kathy right now. I wish I was.
I can't stop thinking about how she is doing. I like to think she needs me there.
If that is true, it makes me crazy wondering how she is doing without me.

I have discovered a need to escape into the therapy of unloading on this blogsight.
Knowing that Kathy hasn't read any of these posts yet, I write things that I want her to see when she does.
Some of it may seem off the wall to you. Some of it is pretty sappy.
All of it is how I feel.
Kathy is used to this from me in our normal lives.
I'm always telling her how Beautiful she is, telling her stupid little stories (where she inevitably winds up in my arms) and expressing my opinion (much to her exasperation).
The force that drives these posts has morphed from providing information to Kathy's friends, to wanting Kathy to see how much she is loved.
It's a version of standing in the town square and yelling at the top of my lungs that I love this girl!
You're probably thinking, "DUH! Ted, you're married to her!".

Please excuse me if you logged on to get first hand news on how Kathy is doing today.
I don't know.
Other than what she tells me on the phone, and knowing Kathy, she will say she is fine so I don't worry.
I hope that, if you talk to Kathy, you tell her her I'm crazy about her!
It's alright if you don't.
She'll see it when she reads this blog.

My Beautiful Angel

I miss you.

I would slay dragons for you

Seriously, don't you hate when you are watching a movie and so much bad stuff happens that you can't take much more? Instead of going straight to "Happily Ever After" there is the filler of wrapping up loose ends. So much time left - there is bound to be more bad stuff! Like when the monster is dead, but the camera keeps panning back to it, so you KNOW it isn't over! This is the part of the story where you want the happy ending to hurry up and get here before something else bad happens!...

Setting the scene;
The Hero commoner is gone (I get to be the Hero commoner, because I'm writing this).
The Princess is recovering from her ordeal (still Beautiful, as always).
In some ways the rescue didn't go as planned, but the dragon is dead and the Princess is still adored by all (no surprise here).
The Princess will forever be indebted to the Hero commoner (which is kind of cool, because they were already secretly in Love).
The Hero commoner rests uneasy, for he can not stop thinking, "Was the dragon really dead?".
(You see, he knew he had run it through, but neglected to cut off it's head!)
...and just like in the movies that would come long after his time, his attention keeps going back to the monster.
In his minds eye he's looking for a twitch of an eyelid, a shallow breath ...not trusting this apparent victory.
So now the Hero commoner is gone. He can not stay with his Princess if the dragon still lives.
He can not take a chance of any more harm coming to her...

This is the part of the movie where everyone wishes the dragon dead, but you just don't know for sure.
This is the part of the story where you go, "I KNEW IT! I knew there was more! NO WAY it would be THAT easy!", (Forgetting how hard it really was).
This is where I slay dragons for Kathy while she recovers... FOR REAL.

I might need help.

Better Days.....

This is Ronda,  I got here this morning to see Kathy's lovely spirit and positive attitude. Amber and Michelle just showed up, she absolutely loves it when people show up for a visit. Oh ya, Mark was here too...

Jess called and wants to remind everyone that the benefit meeting for Kathy is  at 7pm tonight at the Havana Club , across the street from Four Daughters.....

Kathy's swelling has gone down significantly, it's amazing to watch her progress, even in a day!!
On Friday, Danielle, Janelle and Suzanne, will be here,. I think it will be a mad house. Kathy cant wait. Sorry I missed you last weekend Kristi, but happy you were here for K.
Well, I never really did too well  in "creative writing" so time for me to sign off before we lose readers :)

TTYL.....

Here's an update from today:
Hope you don't mind Ronda - I checked on the blog, hoping you wrote, and when Kathy told me you thought you accidentally deleted the message you wrote, I figured it probably saved to Drafts, so I published it!

Update from Medford

Hi Friends,  Jessica here.

Ronda was able to be with Kathy today, but had some trouble with the blog...She will be sending a Kathy update this evening:)

I talked to Kathy for a short time this morning and was so happy to hear the spit-fire returning to her voice!  Her stubborn determination is one of my favorite of her qualities...haha!!

One of the things I shared with her today was this observation:  Kathy's accident has affected and re-arranged the priorities of SO MANY people...It's truly amazing to hear about and to watch;  It's like we've all gotten a second chance too!  A second chance to take advantage of what a gift and a blessing our lives are...It has reminded us how lucky we are to have amazing humans like Kathy in our day to day and how easily we tend to take our friends and family for granted!  This priceless lesson is coming at quite a cost to her...
  
I invite ALL who are available to come to our fundraiser brainstorming session tonight(7:00pm @Havana Republic:  123 W. Main St. Medford)  I know that Kathy has an abundance of friends, all talented in different ways.   Looking forward to meeting and getting to know you ALL!

Love, light and blessings!!

carry on without me

Out of surgery.   In good spirits.   Still has wound vacs on both sides of her left calf.   Thought one side would be closed up after this surgery.   Staples removed from right thigh (where the veins were harvested for left knee).   Steri-strips in place instead.   Serious stretching of calf muscles while Kathy was out.   I have to leave.   Did not go outside today.   Waited for surgery.   Starving.   Hasn't eaten for 24 hours.   Nurses love her.   I have to leave.   She can maneuver herself over the edge to the potty.   How will she get the potty next to the bed?   Sometimes the nurses take so long to answer.   Ordered food.   The next two days will be lonely for Kathy.   Put a layer of pillows under her sheet.   I have to leave.   Hasn't read these blog posts yet.   Said she can't post on drugs.   May not be updates until someone visits.   Sad.   Because...   I have to leave.    

I am reminded of bumblebees

Watching the people in Kathy's life go into crises mode to help, is remarkable!

Practically mixing a gumbo with all the planned activity!
Literally bumping into each other organizing different ideas!
Inspiring in their enthusiasm!

...and a little a little embarrassing.

 As I write this it seems we have so much.
Sure, Kathy gives of herself and this is really all about her, but the part of this that is embarrassing, that I'm kicking myself for, is not having health insurance on her.
It adds a stupid aspect to this whole thing that is inexcusable. I'm fighting Geico Insurance right now, because Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance apparantly covers everything EXCEPT MEDICAL FOR THE ONE PAYING THE POLICY!?! If you aren't sure you better check your policies.
 I don't know where this is going to end up, but it's the last thing I want Kathy to worry about. If I have to work the rest of my life paying medical bills (kicking the bucket at 95 while on the job). To have Kathy here, it will be worth it!

She's in surgery again.

I'm glad Kathy has friends who are helping. Honey Makers!
Busy friends, excited to be the kind of friend Kathy is to them.
Lotsa sweetness flowin 'round heah!
Kathy won't forget what you are doing for her... I know I sure won't ever forget it either!

what if it was you?

Is it better to have a life left unlived, when something bad happens, or to have lived life fully?

Kathy always says, "There is a million ways to live your life!"

I'm pretty sure waiting for ANOTHER surgery wasn't one of the ways she considered.

A big part of why she is so cool is that Kathy loves new experiences and doesn't judge people.
The adventurous side of her has taken her all over the world.
Even so, the things that she really loves aren't the big spectacle attractions, but getting off the beaten path, living like the locals.
I tell her she is too trusting. She has more faith in humanity than I do.
It doesn't hurt that she is so cute.
She talks to everybody the same, with a respect unearned, given freely.
Not pretentious, she finds the good in everyone she meets.
As a result, she has people who love her from all over!

More than most of the people I know, Kathy lives life fully!
When you climb higher you have a farther distance to fall.
If she lived life for just herself the loss of ability is hers alone,
but she lives it in a way that adds to the lives of those around her.
It will be a loss to us all if we let her lose her great spirit for life.

There may be a million ways to live your life, but Kathy chose to live a life with all of us in hers.

Isn't your life better for it?    

Seems to be the pattern

Right on cue, after a busy first part of the day, here comes the pain!
Nerve pain. The worst. Left leg.
I don't think I've ever had nerve pain. If I did, I think I would know it.
Writhing. Panicky. Sweating. Unbearable.

Increased the nerontin. Kathy is worried about so many things. Chronic nerve pain... Addiction to pain meds... Money... Being a burden...

After two and a half hours, she's getting sleepy.

Gotta say, Sam sent a funny card that made Kathy laugh. Monkey crafted smiles ARE worth something! - very original. Just goes to prove what I've been saying, she has a way with everyone who meets her. I don't even think her ex's have bad thoughts about her!

Not sleepy enough to sleep through her leg talking so loudly.
Damn inconsiderate of that left leg if you ask me.

Halloween. Stuck in a hospital. No dressing up. No scaring the kids. No candy... wait, Mona sent Kathy a bag of candy! Where is it? Aha! Chocolate! Yes!!! This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

Too much pain to enjoy chocolate?!? I've never heard of such a thing!?! "Left Leg! You are acting like another body part! Stop the madness!!!"

This day of waiting has been nice. Knocking down the upcoming surgeries will be nicer. Tomorrow the left leg gets worked on some more. "Take THAT Left Leg!!!"

Benefit Concert: Recruiting volunteers

Hi!  Jess here, bloggin in from Medford.

We are in the beginning stages of planning a fundraiser to help with Kathy's recovery costs .  A benefit concert is tentatively scheduled for December 8th.  Time is not on our side here, so friends...This is a recruit blog!!  If you have any desire, interest, ability,time, motivation, etc... to extend toward these fundraising efforts, PLEASE get in touch with  me (541-941-2156  lilijade.creations@gmail.com).

We have proof of how many lives Kathy has touched...It is mind blowing the love she has put out into the world!  This is our opportunity to show our appreciation by putting our talent and resources in  one pot and giving back to this sweet heart of a lady!

PLEASE step up if you are able, we will be meeting this Wen. 11/2 at 7:00 pm
Havana Republic
123 W. Main Street
Medford

Love, light and blessings to you all!

Don't look now!

I don't know half of Kathy's friends!
There seems to be so MANY, that I wonder if there is some kind of band wagon effect going on here!
I am struck by the contrast of what I imagine MY stay in a hospital would be like.
(Caution; based on this experience with Kathy, you should NOT be hospitalized until you have at least one fourth of the amount of her friends!)

This has been a day of waiting. I want to design a tattoo to help cover the scarring that she will have. Something pretty with vines that turn to flowers whose blooms become butterflies.
(If it was MY legs I think I would tattoo the scars as the SAME scars. That way you could still see them if the real scars faded over time! I'd be strutting PROOF of the horrific sh*t I survived!!!)

I have not acknowledged them in this blog yet, but My Boys, Parrish, Gage and Thane have been great through this. They are alone at home when I am up here. Kathy's Girls (friends not daughters) have helped my boys at the house (Thank you). Kathy has been touched by how the boys have checked on her, sent her cards and texts. (And she has yet to see her facebook page!) Destiny and Kennady have been dolls during visits! My oldest, Christopher, is in Afghanistan, but his wife, Julie, has kept in touch through this. My sister and her husband... Don't look now Baby, but I THINK YOU HAVE A FAMILY! 

This is the real update

Kathy is shifting herself from bed to the porta toity! Also to a wheel chair with leg extentions! Though any miscalculation brings agony.
The lower left leg isn't responding as we wish and the pain response is inappropriate to the stimuli. A soft touch feels like burning acid. Small leg movements send sharp shooting nerve pain. It's better than no feeling at all, but when it isn't hurting it is just numb.
Still not able to move the toes on the left foot.

Surgery tomorrow. At this point it's just the left leg. She's getting a little bit of a fever. Worried about infection...

Kathy is obviously a rookie wheelchair operator.

She doesn't corner well.
At least these corners are being handled at a slower speed than the last one she didn't do well. Ouch! Did I really just write that?!? I hear "boo"s and hisses" from the gallery. Oh C'mon! I thought it! I wrote it!

I'm going to have her practice wheeling to the cafe, so I can get some lunch.
It's hard work watching her heal! Hurry and catch up Baby, I'm hungry!!!

you want the truth?

Ted - (Bear with me here)
I use this blog as a way of shouting to the world about my crazy love for this girl!
I will write a real update soon, but for now I have something to say about Kathy.
Since she hasn't read any of these posts yet (she is waiting until things slow down and her head is clearer), it will be uplifting for her to look back on details she won't remember later.

Absence DOES make the heart grow fonder. Chalk it up to the great care the girls have been giving Kathy or the body's mind-boggling ability to heal, but even drugged up and in a hospital bed, this girl is Sexy Beautiful!!!

The way I figure it, there are really only two tragedies in life;
One is to not get your heart's desire, The other is to lose it. 

I think about how close we came to losing Kathy.
It's easy to forget about how much blood she had lost.
When things were so critical right after the accident, it didn't matter to me if she lost her foot & leg,
I just didn't want to lose HER.
Now that I see such remarkably encouraging results, I get greedy for her,
unrealistically perhaps, wanting so much.

The room that Kathy is in, these posts and the mood of all who visit are reflections of her great personality. It's impossible to be less than optimistic around her! We do everything we can when the pain is really bad to get the girl we love back on track.

I don't mean to lessen what has happened, or make it appear that Kathy doesn't have a long hard road to a place she may not think is where she should be, but it could have been worse.

She might not have known how many people's lives she has touched.
Things left unsaid would remain that way forever.
Her injuries could have prevented any real enjoyment of life.
We could be planning a funeral instead of a different future.

Kathy was lucky.
We all got lucky.
 I am the luckiest guy I know!

I have avoided both tragedies in life.

2 weeks today

Michelle and Kristie here~
She has a new nurse today (Cari), she is very on top of her wants and needs and has a very upbeat refreshing spirit that carries over into her care.  This morning has started off with some great news! The PA, the attending, has assessed her as well as Ortho this morning, and every one is amazed with her rapid progression. Kathy has dorsal and plantar extension in her left foot, unable to still move her toes or feel her foot..but this is great progress! Excellent news! They also reiterated that surgery is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon to close the fasciotomies. Her daily routine of a.m. rituals went smoothly, and breakfast has arrived. Kathy has not lost her ferocious appetite; however the pro-biotic milk they serve to keep her gut healthy is less to be desired. Kathy just received a few visitors that came yesterday and has been busy this morning on the phone with Ted, Mona, and Janelle catching up.  She is starting to fade and hopefully will give into the sandman.  We are waiting for Physical Therapy to approve an egg crate for her bed to soften the pressure off her bum.  That being said the airflow mattress was denied by the head doctor (general contactor) he likes to call him self, because of Kathy’s ability to move her upper body with the trapeze hanging overhead. We are now looking at the unwrapped right leg, and are being reminded of how fast muscle wasting occurs. We are reassuring her of what an amazing memory muscle has to; she is in shock on the appearance of her right lower leg.  We have taken pictures to remind her later down the road at the progress she has made. We are all in awe of the ability for her to move and feel her right foot, when it was just hanging by a thread. She currently is enjoying a deep, moisturizing, massage of her right leg and PT just came into work with her, so we need to get on out of here and give him some room.  Ted will be here later, as Michelle and I have to leave back to Medford. Peace and love!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road~

Michelle and Kristie Here :)
WOW! What a great day Kathy had! Where do I start? It's all-good!~
After a fitful night of trying to control the pain, our girl was finally able to sleep in the wee hours of the morning. Kristie had first dibbs to cuddle in bed, then we switched places & Kathy & I slept hard for a few hours. Morning brought our "little ray of sunshine" bright eyes & a bushy tail!:) It's a great sight to see Kathy when she is rested-up and is in bright spirits. :) I wish I could capture the feeling we have when we are here together & send it all your way.
Kathy had a surprise visit from her friend Lori & her hubby Rick from Medford this afternoon. Ronda also stopped bye to visit. We had a great evening of reminiscing about good times and the bonds we have built as friends. A little fresh air was welcomed when we bundled Kathy up in a wheelchair and took her out to the children's garden. Kathy lit-up when she saw the brick path around the garden is yellow & there is an actual tin man holding onto ruby-red slippers and still beautiful flowers for almost November. We stopped for a moment to let Kathy smell the flowers, which brought a huge smile to her sweet face. We then took a tour down the West Wing hall to read the stories of former patients who overcame similar catastrophic accidents. Seeing the pictures and hearing the stories helped Kathy focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. We headed back to her room and the activities of the day started to kick-in and pain relief couldn't come soon enough! After nightly routine, shift change, and a healthy appetite, Kathy is now resting comfortably for the time being.

So Grateful!~

From Kathy-
 She really wants to tell everyone hello, and how much she appreciates everyone’s thoughts, prayers, and well wishes! She is so grateful for those of you who follow her progress, and those of us who can make it to see her. She and the nursing staff welcome any who wants to visit. She extends her love to those who are taking time out of their lives to make time for her, especially wants to thank those who are being there for her in this time of trials and tribulations. All of you are wonderful, and I am Grateful! Got to go........ another rough night has begun; the pain is getting to her after a very full day from visitors and activity. Will share more later.

Doctors Saturday Morning Rounding

Kristie here-
Saturday morning, Kathy is in great spirits, some of her cheerleaders have arrived!
 She has nibbled on some turkey bacon, poppy seed scone, and eaten all her eggs. Ortho came in (Adam), he informed us that Kathy’s next surgery is scheduled for Tuesday to try and close up her  fasciotomies, may actually take two more surgeries to accomplish this goal. You know Kathy she is staying very optimistic and hoping for only one more round.  She still have 1-2 more Rt. ankle clean outs before they attempt to do an allow graft to reattach all the tendons in her ankle that were blown out. Neurosurgeon made his rounds while I was out getting coffee and pastries for the staff that is taking care of K-love. I guess he has a pretty rotten attitude, and was abrasive...real bummer. However I had asked nurse to order an air mattress to help prevent further skin breakdown, and to up the Nerontin dosage to help with the nerve pain. Mission accomplished! 
Kathy is now getting a babywipe,sponge bath from our special friend Michelle, then hopefully some much needed rest, after a long night of miserable and intolerable pain.
Sara, the day shift RN for Kathy, just came in and said everyone just loved and devoured the pastries...lol! Nurses love their sweets!

First fresh air since the accident

Ronda showed up just in time to help with Kathy. Okay, she did it all. I would have done it. I've done it before. I don't mind doing it, but it was sure alright that Ronda showed up when she did. Really, I think Kathy was cool with me leaving for a few. Not so fresh air.

When I got back, hair & body washed, new sheets. good food, glowing face...

Physical Therapy team is here to see if we can get Kathy into a wheel chair I'll check back in a bit!

*Time lapse sequence here*

WHOOOoooeeee! Just toured the hospital in a wheelchair. I took Kathy back to ICU to see her old rooms. She didn't remember any of it from before!?! The medical people remembered her though! They took some time to let Kathy get to know them & fill in a part of this story that Kathy doesn't remember. Stopped in front of an open door just to let her smell the fresh outside air!
Foley is out! It's a trick to get her on the potty chair & wheelchair, more so to get her back in bed after.

*Time lapse sequence again*

The day was awesome! The night has Kathy paying for it in a big way. Lots of pain again. She gets so tired doing such little things. Kathy is frustrated at wanting to do the ordinary things that escape her right now. I can't seem to make her feel better. I hope today was worth this.

Kristie and Michelle just got here! Kathy's spirits are lifting already! Pray for good sleep for the girls. Tomorrow is going to be another busy fun day because Kathy wants to start living again & will overdo it, but tomorrow night before bed will be a trial to get through. Sleep medication has worked for increasing the span between waking.

I'm leaving her in good hands with these girls. Baby-step her better!

Now accepting applications for cheerleaders

Smiling faces are not required. CUZ U WON'T BE ABLE 2 STOP SMILING ONCE U GET HERE!

Just got a look at her right ankle and it looks so good! The sutures look great and it looks like over half of the ankle meat stayed together when her foot was pushed off the leg bone! That explains the super positive results when Kathy's foot was reconnected!

Hopefully Kathy will be able to be moved to one of those wheelchairs with the leg extentions soon, so we can get her out of this room for awhile! The invite to visiters is open. If you know Kathy, you know she is a people person. She is looking forward to the planned visits and it will make her a happy girl if you decide to surprise her!

If Kathy shows she can move around better, even with the help of a nurse or a friend, she can have her Foley removed (catheter to the bladder). When that happens we'll have one less tube to keep track of!

Starting to do movements to prevent "ankle drop" & muscle atrophy. Not fun, but she's a trooper & knows how necessary it is.

More like Dawn than Dusk

First night since the first night that it's just Kathy and I.

It's all good.

We slept more through the night than any time since being here.

Since I met her, Kathy has always been a soy milk drinker... until now!
She has been craving 2% milk! I wonder if it's her body telling her it needs calcium & nutrients to repair her bones?

I'm sure Kathy will have dark days ahead as she works to regain her mobility, but with all the incredible friends she has, I think it will be more like dawn than dusk. With dusk, the light is fading, with dawn, the light is coming back and will get stronger.
Hmmm...that's kinda poetic. If this was a Facebook page, I would click "Like" on that!

Kathy has not seen this blog or had a chance to look at her facebook page yet.
The room is set up so we sit behind her when we use the laptop. I think that if she continues to keep feeling better, you will soon be getting responses directly from Kathy!

Kathy asked me to let everybody know she can't wait to see all the messages and Thanks everyone for taking time out of their lives to send her well wishes. She is up for visiters and would love to see all who can make the trip up. She also understands that it's a long way to travel, so don't feel pressured.
Kathy has asked me if I kept track of who sent flowers and cards and balloons and packages so she can send Thank You's and I have to admit that that was the last thing on my mind at the time. Now I'm in trouble! Seriously, she's mad at me because she doesn't want to appear ungrateful. See? I told you she's feeling better!