Day 9, morning

Big day yesterday for Kathy. First, worried about fluid buildup in her lungs, the pulmonary and micrologist doctors decided they’d better go in there and draw fluid out, despite the risk of upping Kathy’s BP to an uncomfortable level. Kathy performed beautifully (“tolerated” is the SICU terminology, “beautiful” is my translation), and the procedure was a great success (retrieved a lot of fluid). Too much fluid in the lungs, I’m told, is really the number one danger Kathy faces (pneumonia), despite all the stuff that’s happening in her brain.

I thought, okay good, great day. Then Dr. Zaunter’s office called to say the morning’s TCPs showed some of the much awaited, unwelcome but not unexpected vaso spasm activity, and they decided to go straight to angiogram rather than do the medical approach first, and can I come right over and sign off on it? Five minutes later they are prepping Kathy for the trip to the angio room. Four hours in surgery later Dr. Tensor tells me Kathy responded beautifully (my term). They inserted condene into two of the four arteries that, typically, are where the spasms occur. The two affected are in the frontal lobes, where the aneurism erupted and where most of Kathy’s bleeding resides. They might need to keep after those two vessels tomorrow or the next day with further angio intervention, but they promise they have a good handle on it. Nothing is expected from the back two but of course, like everything else, they will be carefully monitored. The Drs. Zaunter and Tensor team never fails to astound.

I spent the day not in SICU 18, Kathy’s and my usual haunt, but in my new favorite Santa Barbara restaurant, the hospital cafeteria. We’ve tried plenty, from the excellent taquerias to the destination dining palaces, but to my mind the cafeteria now stands tallest among Santa Barbara dining establishments. The food is fine, but what I like best, and I think Kathy will too, is the ambiance (open, clean, clatter of dishes, food trays, din of Spanish and English conversation), the cafeteria staff (friendly, upbeat, bilingual, extra sensitive to the special physical and emotional needs of the patrons) and the eclectic clientele (multi-ethnic, multi-generational, grouped, solitary, happy, sad, lots of elderly sitting alone, just about everything you can imagine). You can really lose yourself in a place like that. It’s an environment Kathy has plenty of experience with.

It was an anxious four hours for me. My mantra, “Come on Kathy,” kept reverberating in my head, and sometimes just popped out of my mouth (that’s okay, I’m not the only one who talks to himself there).

And I devised a plan for Kathy. We’re coming back to SB February 11 for a concert. I want for us to dine at the cafeteria. Afterwards we’ll go up the elevator to the second floor, turn right, turn right again, then left to the SICU nurses’ station, where, beaming with pride, I’ll  show her off to Sarah, Danielle, Jessica, Jeff, Erica, Stephanie, Lynn…whoever’s on that night. I know they’ll fall all over her, and she will meet them once again.

I want to see her embrace them. With her eyes wide open.

 

 

26 Comments on Day 9, morningBig day yesterday for Kathy. First,

  1. Dick, these posts mean so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing the updates. We are all pulling for Kathy! COME ON KATHY! Out of nowhere this week, Avalon (who does not know anything about what is going on with Kathy) asked if I could make pancakes like Aunt Kathy. Please let Kathy know that I cannot wait to hug her, and get her famous pancake recipe. Avalon will be thrilled to dine on the feast, and hear all about her aunt’s adventures in Santa Barbara. Much love!

    • Anna, good luck with that pancake recipe. I have tried for years to get Kathy to give up two recipes. 1. Thai Peanut Chicken, and 2. Strange Taste Chicken (although, I think this might actually be Richard’s concoction, having something to do with a potted plant). We must insist that as part of her therapy Kathy recites these recipes as she prepares them. With us sitting nearby with pad and pen. Watching her, and hearing her voice, and wondering later….”what did I leave out????”. xo

    • Sorry I read today’s post on my phone I guess it replied! That’s disconcerting. Thank you Richard for your updates. Kathy is always on my mind and in my prayers.

  3. you have a great flow to your blog, Richard! The approach at which you share the information of what some would call mundane or stressful, transforms the information into an almost poetic flow.
    Im glad to hear that the much anticipated spasms have reared their ugly heads now rather than later, and hoping that means that the spasms are not likely to show again later…..getting over that speed bump means no more anticipated detours?
    I hope that when you are enjoying the cafeteria, that you get a chance to chat with some of those elderly who are sitting alone. You know that the best medicine for those waiting is sometimes (depending on whom you chat with) the company of another! And I’m more than sure that you will bring a smile to their face as you do with all those who know you!
    Maybe when Kathy returns to her graceful awake state, she will have tremendous stories of what she remembers. That would be a great blog! And no doubt, a much happier frame to support it in.
    All my love goes to you and Kathy (and your two wonderful girls).

  4. That a girl Kathy!! Like I said, you know exactly what has to be done and you will do it!! Richard is watching out for you, making friends in the cafeteria (no surprise there!: )), and keeping everyone informed. Keep building those steps till you’re in the clear! Roy and I would love to make plans to see you! Love – Leslie

  5. Rich, your post today brought tears to my eyes! You both are so courageous! You know that she can feel your love and optimism with every breath. Come on Kathy!! Prayers for your both.

  6. Yesterday, on our way to the airport, I read the latest blogs from you about Kathy to Joanie. I was taking her to the airport since she is on her way to Sierra Leone again. Its a short trip this time since she will only be gone for 10 days. But it is the hope of a long trip as well in the not so distant future. She is going with her parents to a well dedication, but she is also reconnecting with the women’s center where she worked for two years and I know will come home with a fire in her heart to return. And as I read your blog today, I think about the future and the hope of plans made. So I too am making a plan for you and Kathy. Its an odd one, but I am sure you are up to the challenge! Every year, in late spring and yearly summer, we have the most interesting little bird that comes to visit. I often see it on my way between Waterford and Oakdale, as I drive the country roads and pass fields of hay or dairies or open fields for cattle grazing. There are often these little creeks or old hand dug irrigation canals that run through them and so there are also these little areas of reeds with cat tails. This is the most likely place I see the birds, perching either on an old split rail fence post or bouncing in the wind on the edge of a cat tail. The bird is a small one, and 90% of it is a deep black. But there is this one part on the side of the body, near the juncture of the wing and the body, that is a very deep bright red. It is so striking, the contrast between the black and the red. I have no idea what kind of bird it is, but I am hoping you might. So next spring, lets plan for a trip this way, to see this little black bird with a red patch of surprise, then lets go to Yosemite for the day and ride bikes in the valley and have a picnic lunch. Please whisper love to Kathy from the two of us and lets dream about the spring.

    • La, it sounds like a redwinged blackbird. And I want to come on that trip with you, Joanie, Mitch, Richard, and of course, Queen Kathy.

  7. Richard, you too, are “performing beautifully”. Bless your heart and that of Kathy’s and all caregivers and anxious bystanders. xo

    • And I LOVE your plan for February 11. It’s on my calendar now as well. Manny and I will be there in spirit as you and Kathy take the RETURN right, then left, then left again to the elevator and OUT the hospital door to the brilliant sunlight. We will be happy and we will dance.

  8. Richard, I’m sorry to hear that the vaso-spasms occurred, but you said they were expected and it sounds as though the rapid intervention probably prevented damage. I’m just amazed at the wonderful progress that has been made in the treatment of strokes. My grandfather died of one when my Dad was only 12 and although that was many years ago, it is wonderful that we continue to benefit from modern techniques and brilliant neurosurgeons like the team you have there.
    Your plan for Feb. 11th was so vivid that I can visualize you and Kathy going through those doors and I hope you keep that incredible optimism and all of those who love her will do so also!
    Love,
    Laurel

  9. Encouraging news! Please tell Kathy that we love her and to keep up the good work.

    Love, Paul, Nancy, and Sally

  10. Dear Richard, I read your daily eloquent blogs with tears in my eyes. I am reminded of a source of inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien from “The Fellowship of the Ring”….
    “All that is gold does not glitter,
    Not all those who wander are lost;
    The old that is strong does not wither,
    Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

    From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
    A light from the shadows shall spring;
    Rnenewed shall be blade that was broken,
    The crownless again shall be king.”

    With love and hugs,
    Vicki

  11. So, Richard, what is the significance of Feb 11 (I assume 2014)? Some musician showing up that you both really dig? Someone’s birthday? Tarball cleanup at the beach?
    Happy that you are so pleased w/ the hospital staff & the environs. That’s so positive! So many people freak out when faced w/ a hospital stay, like they should be in a four poster bed w/ their favorite wallpaper or in a hammock on a beach beneath palm trees, & not surrounded by all those sick people. Yeh, those damn sickies all over the place, have they got no respect for our feelings? Jeez!
    Lynda sends her love & best wishes! Whisper some sweet somethings in Kathy’s ear for us & maybe hum a little tune or play some mellow music that she likes.
    Love,
    Lynda & Ted
    P.S.- I thought that I caught you misspelling a word, perfessor, but discovered that ambience & ambiance are both acceptable spellings. Drat! I thought that I had ya there.

  12. Tell Kathy I love her, remind her that I picked her to be the nurse at my granddaughters delivery!!

  13. Hi Richard,
    Brock and I had Cathy’s incredible homemade pie with your family at Thanksgiving dinner last year. Your home was so inviting and the hospitality even more so. (Brock is Lisa & Dave’s cousin) Cathy’s grace stayed with me, she is a strong and caring person who makes a mean lard crust, just like the true German/east coast tradition. Her physical strength and that grace will get her through this. I am honored to be able to read these entries, and Brock and I both are praying for you and her.
    with love,
    Stacey Hill Thomas

  14. Come on, Kathy

    and richard if you want a break from the cafeteria try the green chilli enchiladas at Pepe’s in Goleta. They’re not on the menu but they’ll make them for you if you ask..

  15. Richard – please whisper in Kathy’s ear that she is in my thoughts and prayers constantly and I am expecting her to dance and laugh and bring light to us all. Thank you for sharing bits of your days with us all. Donna Loper

  16. Richard – i can so easily see you hanging in the cafeteria with the folks. Strange, though, to think you and Kath are spending so much time in my old haunts. Cottage was my first nursing student experience and first nursey job (4North). I hear it’s quite the designer hospital now; hopefully it’s comfortable for you. And I know Kath’s in good hands. So, COME ON KATHY! Keep up the good work and come back to us soon. We love you so!

  17. Richard you have got a great little novel underway… You make us cry then you make us laugh because WE want to eat Hospital cafeteria food..with you now , and of course , in February!! I certainly hope to see you much sooner than that.. maybe i will bring some of “our” bread?? Love to you and Kathy.. stacy

  18. Dick,
    My Aunt Jan just forwarded your blog to me and I shared it with my mom . I am so sad to hear this news. It sounds like she is doing the best she could possibly be doing given the circumstances. You are a real trooper. It has to be so hard on you.
    I want you to know that Kathy and you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you strength to get you both through this even stronger!
    Hang in there! We will be in touch !
    Love and prayers are being sent above,
    Julie Morosa

  19. Dick & Kathy – Nora, Sam & I are pulling for you – you’re in our thoughts

  21. So glad to hear yesterday went so well! The nurses will LOVE seeing Kathy when you walk in there in the future with her big beautiful smile!!!
    HUGS to both of you, Dana

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