This day was so cool! I'm glad I didn't miss it! Wish Jessica could have had a day like this with Kathy before she had to go.
Around 6:00 P.M. Kathy started feeling the effects of all her activity today. Lots of pain, couldn't get comfortable & so tired. She asked Michelle, who was exhausted also and fading fast, to share her bed. Very cute picture. For those who don't know her, Michelle has a way about her that is so calming. I found myself relaxing just listening to her talk Kathy asleep.
Unfortunately, dinner arrived about ten minutes after the girls fell asleep. Then shift change and poking and prodding to check up on Kathy's progress. It was a miserable hour of pain until sleep would return.
It was deceiving today. It's so easy to get excited when you see improvement, because you want it so bad. I have to remind myself to not celebrate early.
Monday is a big day. How the surgeries go will tell us alot about what we can expect.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Much, Much Love~
Michelle here~:)
It's been a busy but good day filled with a visit from Ted's Sister Pamela & her hubby Brad, Kathy's Doctors accessing her progress, a delivery of a (BIG!) bag of various chocolates, cards & the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I have ever seen! A few of Kathy's friends were totally blessed to be able to talk to her for a few minutes today. Kathy is so gracious and I'm sure the sweetest patient Legacy has ever had! (I'm just a little bit partial!) She makes a point to ask the nurses questions about their lives while they go about their routines with her care. Meanwhile, Kathy battles trying to find a comfortable position to rest in. Kathy's inner strength is truly remarkable! Trying to wrap my head around what she is going through physically as well as emotionally, blows my mind. Kathy is alert as I write this, speaking with her P.T. about her pain level and how she is feeling overall.
I'm so glad Ronda is here this weekend! Her expertise and skill as a nurse has been awesome to witness in action! She has been a huge help to the nurses in various ways which goes without saying! I LOVE the way Ronda "takes care of business" and gets things done for Kathy that need to be taken care of in a timely manner for her continued progress and healing.
Ted is truly an angel, so supportive and caring. His love and dedication to Kathy is expressed in so many beautiful ways. I am so glad these two extrodinary friends have each other to share their lives as one. LOVE is a beautiful thing.~
Seeing my good friend in this state has been heartbreaking, I won't deny that. However, I believe in the power of prayer, positive thoughts and know with the LOVE and support of so many friends and loved ones Kathy will eventually look back on all this and say "Wow man! I made it through probably one of the toughest times in my life~I can do anything I set my mind to do!"
Wishing you all much love and a good night. :)
Chat soon,
M
It's been a busy but good day filled with a visit from Ted's Sister Pamela & her hubby Brad, Kathy's Doctors accessing her progress, a delivery of a (BIG!) bag of various chocolates, cards & the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I have ever seen! A few of Kathy's friends were totally blessed to be able to talk to her for a few minutes today. Kathy is so gracious and I'm sure the sweetest patient Legacy has ever had! (I'm just a little bit partial!) She makes a point to ask the nurses questions about their lives while they go about their routines with her care. Meanwhile, Kathy battles trying to find a comfortable position to rest in. Kathy's inner strength is truly remarkable! Trying to wrap my head around what she is going through physically as well as emotionally, blows my mind. Kathy is alert as I write this, speaking with her P.T. about her pain level and how she is feeling overall.
I'm so glad Ronda is here this weekend! Her expertise and skill as a nurse has been awesome to witness in action! She has been a huge help to the nurses in various ways which goes without saying! I LOVE the way Ronda "takes care of business" and gets things done for Kathy that need to be taken care of in a timely manner for her continued progress and healing.
Ted is truly an angel, so supportive and caring. His love and dedication to Kathy is expressed in so many beautiful ways. I am so glad these two extrodinary friends have each other to share their lives as one. LOVE is a beautiful thing.~
Seeing my good friend in this state has been heartbreaking, I won't deny that. However, I believe in the power of prayer, positive thoughts and know with the LOVE and support of so many friends and loved ones Kathy will eventually look back on all this and say "Wow man! I made it through probably one of the toughest times in my life~I can do anything I set my mind to do!"
Wishing you all much love and a good night. :)
Chat soon,
M
It'll be nice to get one step ahead
Even the good days bring unwelcome surprises.
The impact damage to Kathy's lower back, in addition to fracturing the T12 vertebrate, has now developed open sores hidden in the bruising. When the girls did their wash job they discovered it. I figure the back injury was getting jealous of all the attention the legs were getting.
A trapese bar has been added to her bed to aid in position changes. The goal is to get Kathy on her sides more so her back can heal.
Were all trying to help take away her pain. I thought watching some college football would do the trick, but it doesn't seem to be helping.
The impact damage to Kathy's lower back, in addition to fracturing the T12 vertebrate, has now developed open sores hidden in the bruising. When the girls did their wash job they discovered it. I figure the back injury was getting jealous of all the attention the legs were getting.
A trapese bar has been added to her bed to aid in position changes. The goal is to get Kathy on her sides more so her back can heal.
Were all trying to help take away her pain. I thought watching some college football would do the trick, but it doesn't seem to be helping.
Happy to say there will be no sacrifice today
Kathy is really getting the treatment today. Lots of pampering. Hair washed. Sponge bath. All the "stickies" residue removed from her skin. Back scratched. Lotion. Good company. Great husband! (can you tell Ted is writing this post?).
This is the first day Kathy has been able to actually relax & get comfortable for more than a couple minutes. Surprising how much enjoyment you get from the simple things that seem so unimportant when you are in pain & can't breath.
I don't want to forget to thank all of you for all of your prayers. I have received alot of texts & obviously Kathy has received alot of blessing from all of your prayers. When she asks me if she is going to die, I tell Kathy that GOD wouldn't do that to me, he likes me too much! Thanks again for keeping her in your prayers!
This is the first day Kathy has been able to actually relax & get comfortable for more than a couple minutes. Surprising how much enjoyment you get from the simple things that seem so unimportant when you are in pain & can't breath.
I don't want to forget to thank all of you for all of your prayers. I have received alot of texts & obviously Kathy has received alot of blessing from all of your prayers. When she asks me if she is going to die, I tell Kathy that GOD wouldn't do that to me, he likes me too much! Thanks again for keeping her in your prayers!
little by little, day by day
Kathy is rocking a wave of improvement right about now! The 45 solid minutes of sleep she finally got and being able to breath again has her eating a bit more.
The swelling is much better - so much better that: a wire that was part of the initial frame pin set surgery is beginning to push it's way through the surface of her skin again.
(Good thing I was here the day after her first surgery to see them come in Kathy's ICU room & cut the wire off flush to her skin before the swelling became so bad, because the TRACU room medical staff didn't even know what it was!)
Kathy's skin on her left leg isn't so shiney tight anymore and her knee is getting tiny wrinkles so it actually looks like a knee again!
I know we will be right back to square one after her next surgery on monday. (Left knee bones & right ankle ligaments/bones if the infection is under control), but we'll take it while we can get it!
Super excited seeing Kathy's light coming back on!
The swelling is much better - so much better that: a wire that was part of the initial frame pin set surgery is beginning to push it's way through the surface of her skin again.
(Good thing I was here the day after her first surgery to see them come in Kathy's ICU room & cut the wire off flush to her skin before the swelling became so bad, because the TRACU room medical staff didn't even know what it was!)
Kathy's skin on her left leg isn't so shiney tight anymore and her knee is getting tiny wrinkles so it actually looks like a knee again!
I know we will be right back to square one after her next surgery on monday. (Left knee bones & right ankle ligaments/bones if the infection is under control), but we'll take it while we can get it!
Super excited seeing Kathy's light coming back on!
Nightcap~
Ronda & Michelle have the nightshift & oh yeah..the dayshift as well. :)
Kathy is sleeping now & it's good to see her rest. We are grateful for the time to be here with
Kathy, girl bonding & seeing her slowly come around to her lovely, sweet self. Ted returned tonight after a short trip home, to witness their love is truly amazing.
It's going to be a long road ahead but with the support, encouragement & love of everyone who has been touched by Kathy, we can bring her home sooner than the 3 Months the Docs are predicting she'll be here.
Kathy is sleeping now & it's good to see her rest. We are grateful for the time to be here with
Kathy, girl bonding & seeing her slowly come around to her lovely, sweet self. Ted returned tonight after a short trip home, to witness their love is truly amazing.
It's going to be a long road ahead but with the support, encouragement & love of everyone who has been touched by Kathy, we can bring her home sooner than the 3 Months the Docs are predicting she'll be here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)