Day 6, morning
Thank you, each and every one of you, for your prayers and words of love for Kathy. And your words of encouragement to me help beyond any measure I can express, not just for my well being but for Kathy especially, our beautiful Kathy who needs them most, because they really do make me stronger, and that strengthening supports me when I’m with her. Surely she doesn’t want to hear your flow of love through my faltering emotions.
Every sentiment helps tons. Our good friends Kevin and Candy visited Friday on their way back to Morro Bay from Oxnard. It was great to have their encouraging hugs and listen to familiar voices with reassuring words, especially since they have had a similar experience. Kevin had a stroke a few years back and even spent time at the Cottage Hospital Rehab center here in Santa Barbara where, hopefully, Kathy will become queen for a time. And last night my lovely niece Anna, one of Kathy and my favorite people in our world, drove up from San Clemente for an overnighter, a misty-eyed dinner, and the kind of heart-to-heart uplifting conversations that could only happen with someone who has been close to Kathy since Anna was a baby. Anna is now a Kathy whisperer. Abby and Paige, the most beautiful, loving daughters imaginable (don’t get me started) keep pressing me to come down from Berkeley and Seattle, but I’ve asked them to hold off until their mother is brought around to consciousness. My vision for Kathy is that when she first arises from her coma and opens her eyes to the world, she will see their adoring, adorable faces.
Yesterday’s Doppler reading was good, another day forestalling the (almost inevitable) onset of vaso spasms. The longer they stay at bay, the better. Also, so far here is no evidence of alarming pneumonia bacteria in Kathy’s lungs. That’s real big. The ICP (Intra Cranial Pressure) readings are fluctuating more than is within a comfort zone, but deeper sedation appears to be helping.
The excitement of the day was a malfunctioning bed that must have required a mega team of specialists to transfer Kathy to a new bed, working with the maze of wirestubeshosestubescablesdrainswiresmanifoldsmoretubesandwires. By the time Anna and I arrived shortly afterwards the general relief at the nurses’ station was palpable.
Her usual composed self, Kathy was totally unfazed.
Thank you again, and a thousand times over for your posts, emails, voice mails, texts, and projected thoughts of well-being and love. My expectation is that when I show Kathy a printout of all the caring messages we’ve received she will look at me condescendingly and lovingly as the clueless person she knows me sometimes to be, and ask me why I’m showing them to her, that she heard me whisper them to her in the hospital and they’ve been burned into her heart ever since.
12 Comments on Day 6, morningThank you, each and every one
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I hope you know how much your love and presence aid in the recovery of our angel. About a year or two ago, a book was written by a doctor (female) who specialized in stroke, who has by chance experienced stroke from the patient side. The overwhelming theme of the book was the fact that when she was “unresponsive” she was fully aware of the energy coming from those who entered the room. She could tell, though she couldn’t understand the words people were saying, the intent behind the words. She tells that the people who came in with a reassuring and loving air were there FOR her, and she could tell by the energy they brought into the room with them.
It is no doubt the same with Kathy. She was always sensitive to people’s intentions, a gifted talent from above, no doubt. This will pull her through, as you are the enduring light in her days , even in the darkest of moments.
Stay strong, Richard. Stay in the positive. Expect a Miracle at all times.
Love to you, in every hour.
Our love and heartfelt good wishes are with you both and the family. Your love and support is the best medicine Kathy could ever have.
Ed and Monica
Our thoughts and prayers are with you both for Kathy’s speedy recovery. I’m sending Reiki (healing energy) to you both. Stay strong Dick. Take good care of yourself. Know that we are here for you and support you.
Richard and Susan Burchiel
Sunday: Thinking of Kathy today and every day – thoughts, love, prayers.
Good Morning Richard and Kathy!! We are being lazy after a wild night dancing under a HUGE super moon in Paso Robles! We danced a few for you and hope that we can dance together SOON!( Finney wants to dance with Richard, really0 Tomorrow (monday) We are having Yoga in the Lavender at the ranch at 11 30.. we will be doing a yoga and prayer for Kathy and you!!!! Love, Stacy and Finney
And once again, Richard! Stay strong. I know Kathy is and with God’s help she will be our “Moro Bay Queen”.
Love to you both,
Torg!
Dearest Richard and Kathy – the cousins in Western New York have been made aware of Kathy’s condition and we are all keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the beautiful postings on Kathy’s condition – we eagerly read each one and are sending much love your way. Stay strong. Irene and Mike
Richard, Mitch and I walked the Humboldt flowery dunes and stormy beach today, watched the moving clouds against the blue blue sky, picked up a heart shaped green stone and added it to Kathy’s altar in our livingroom where we look frequently at fotos of you and Kathy and me in Trinidad, of the old gang on the beach at Tom’s 40th hat party (where for some reason Kathy is shaking her finger at Charlotte) and Matt is looking on, Kathy in one of her fun/wild Halloween costumes, KathyandSusanBurgoon resting heads together at the end of one of your wonderful parties, and finally, Kathy glowing sleepily in the early morning at our favorite campground in Big Sur. ALWAYS SMILING KATHY. Kisses to you both.
Dearest Richard, Gail and I, still living in Illinois for another month, have just learned about Kathy. We are deeply saddened by this news and have been feeling miserable about it, especially because we are so far away and all we want to do is hug you and be by your side for a while. We love you and Kathy and hope that she recovers quickly and completely. You and Kathy are a wonderful example of a loving relationship that is so special to witness. Our sweet thoughts of Kathy and you always grace our lives. May you find strength in your times of sorrow and uncertainty. Love, Gail and Ron
Richard,
Your BLOG was forwarded to me. I am so sorry to hear about Kathy, but hope that all the love and support you both receive will carry you through these trying times. I have been a party to several blogs and they are most helpful.It allows you to vocalize and helps the rest of us stay updated. We can pass positive thoughts and wishes on to you both. I worked with Kathy for about 2 years while I was a traveling nurse! I will follow your blog and if you need anything…we are all here for you both…Kathy is a unique and special person…with such grace and beauty…
Thank you for blogging…
Hang in there Richard . Kathy would like you to get lots of rest because when they let her out of that coma you are going to have your hands full. You know that so rest and eat because your shift is ribt around the corner. Keep strong . Penni
Hi Richard,
This is Nikki who stayed with you and Kathy in December whilst traveling with Roy’s son, Morgan. I was recently forwarded the blog and was so sorry to read the news about Kathy.
I was so lucky to spend time with you both in Morro Bay and witness the amount of love you have for one another. You truly have a beautiful relationship and hope it brings strength to you at this time. I’m wishing Kathy all the best for her recovery and my love and thoughts from down here.
Nikki Emmett
Sydney, Australia