Day 24, morning

Today’s news about Kathy’s current condition will follow a few short comments about her face. Kathy has the most beautiful face I have ever seen. I first saw her 37 years ago at a party. As a friend and I were watching her from across the room, he said “That woman’s smile is like sunshine.” Over the years I’ve heard that same comparison made many times. To me, her smile does shine like sunbeams, and it also carries their warmth.  One of my main callings in life is to keep her smiling, so those times when she’s not smiling, and I don’t know what else to do, I just beg her to please smile. And sometimes that perturbs her, but I can’t help myself. Like when she’s brushing her teeth, for example (and then, if I keep at it, just to get me to stop she’ll actually smile, which is pretty funny.  But it makes me happy).

Sometimes in the morning, while she’s still asleep, I get to gaze upon her face without her knowing, which is a real nice way for me to start the day. And it’s very much like what I can do now, because:

They successfully performed Kathy’s tracheotomy, freeing up her lovely face from the ventilator mask apparatus that she has worn for the past three weeks.

So, okay, now for some outstanding news. There’s been quite a turnaround the past 36 hours:

  • Vaso spasms have been pronounced officially over
  • ICPs are under control – for the past 36 hours, nothing but improvement. Numbers never reaching 20, even with reduction in Mannitol from 100% to 80% and extended time of application from 4 hours to 6 hours. Plus, no further need for the 3% bolus. So, bottom line, brain swelling shows every sign of being under management
  • A PICC line was successfully inserted yesterday with no objectionable responses from Kathy
  • Tracheotomy successfully performed
  • Oxygen monitor tube in her cranium removed – no longer needed
  • First steps toward weaning Kathy off the sedatives and paralytics that have induced her coma – as of 7:00 am this morning the first of her sedatives to go, Propofol, has been retired

 

Kathy’s medical team – as skillful a bunch of professionals as you could hope for – has begun the first, albeit very tentative, steps toward waking her up. Kathy has always loved to sleep in, but this will be a marathon wake-up session. Having been deeply sedated for over three weeks, the projected timeline for her to gain consciousness is that again, and maybe more. It will be an ordeal unlike any she’s ever had to confront. But the first major hurdle toward recovery – clinging to life – appears to be well within reach.

Kathy’s strength of character, her love of life and will to live, her healthy habits, the good fortune of having recently built heliports at Sierra Vista and Cottage Hospital, the miracle of modern medicine, all have contributed mightily to this hopeful turn of events. And most of all, I am convinced, what has brought her through these perilous weeks has been the support of family, friendship, prayer, and the powerful energy of belief.

Thank you for your incredible wealth of support through this difficult ordeal. I could write a book of thank you’s and it would not be nearly enough. Your support has meant volumes.

And can’t you just wait to see her face again?

31 Comments on Day 24, morningToday’s news about Kathy’s current condition

  1. I’ve seen Kathy’s face in my mind and heart every day, in so many backdrops and stories. I cannot wait to kiss that face again! Bravo, Kathy!

  2. I am so pleased that the procedure went with out incident. Seeing the face of your beloved after such a long time, must be like Xmas, New Years and the Fourth of July wrapped up into one. I had no idea that the wake up time would be so long, however, slow and steady wins the race. It is good that Abby and Paige were there with you when things started to look a lot better, families should share the joys as well as the sorrows together. We are keeping positive thoughts going to Kathy and all of you for continued strength down the long road ahead.
    Allen K. McGann

  3. So thrilled to read todays news,we have looked at that smile on her face a number of times from the photo at Rotta we took.Love to you both.

  4. What wonderful news you have to share this morning! And of course, I love your shared information about your love. Over and over again, the most amazing individuals, couple, and family shine through life. Later this will be a distant speed bump in the overall story of your lives. She will make a full recovery, God willing, but she always was nothing short of spectacular! A true gift to myself, and I know to others.
    Continuing to pray for you all, and hoping to see you all soon.
    love, hugs, and prayer,
    Lauranne

  5. Such great and encouraging news! Keep it going, Kathy! Take as long as you need to wake up. Our thoughts, hopes, and prayers are with you. Thanks again, Dick, for the eloquent updates.

  6. Kiss that face!! Tears of joy again! Yesterday at work, Diane, Christine and I sat at the nurses station missing Kathy, holding hands praying and crying after a conversation about Mannitol, ICP ,Hypertonic solutions.. a language we learned long ago and are relearning now… Kisses and hugs to you Richard , you do not need to write a thank you, for the Blog is a Gift to all who read it!

  7. FABULOUS news! Thank you Lord for hearing all our prayers and thoughts and hopes! Sending love and prayers and energy. Yes Rich, can’t wait to see her lovely smile

  10. Wow, so excited. I will have to read this post at least 3 times today just to realize it is working. Sending all the positive energy I can.
    Love, Patty

  11. Dick, what great news! Keep loving…keep praying. Come on Kathy, let’s see that smile.

  12. JOY! JOY! JOY! I know she has a long road ahead, but our magical, beautiful Kathy will do it. We all know she will. We are with you in spirit every moment, and know that Kathy is coming back to be with you, Abby, and Paige. Come on, Kathy! Almost there… We love you!!!

  13. So happy for the news today! Kathy and I have always joked that we are the best sleepers ever, but now it is time to wake up Kathy!

  15. Thank you Richard for this wonderful news. Yes, I can’t wait to see Kathy’s face and hear her voice again. xox~ sherri

  16. Wonderful Wonderful news….your updates are a gift to us all. I remember the first time I met Kathy at yoga and I could not get over her beautiful skin…peaches and cream….I am continuing the prayers and positive thoughts and visualizing her smiling and awake and coming back to her wonderful husband and family. You can do this Kathy and we are all here with you. Patti(from yoga)

  18. It is so wonderful to hear such good news! I send all my positive energy to you and Kathy. Kathy’s smile often carried me through difficult cases…so beautiful!

  23. Richard, your words are like Kathy’s beauty-understated eloquence-talking about some good news today! Amen.

  24. now you’ve brought sunshine and smiles to all of us with this hopeful news. we will continue to send good thoughts and prayers to you both.

  25. Thanks Richard, for another ‘happy tear’ and hopeful smile. That evening nears, which finds you two reading through your blog-o-sphere together, reflecting on the influence you’ve both had on so many with your love and drive. Keep driving Richard. Come on Kathy! Continued prayers.

  26. Great news, very glad to read this! So happy for you both and all of your loved ones.

  27. Hallelujla! I have been on the river for a week and was not sure what could have happened while I was gone. Sounds great. Let’s keep going in this direction.

  28. Such good news. Thanks for keeping this blog. I think about her all the time. Won’t it be something to read this blog someday! Come On Kathy!

  30. Over the past weeks I have cried many times due to Kathy’s condition and your touching stories of her…… I can honestly say I am overwhelmed with tears of joy right now. I read this every day and think of Kathy, you, Paige and Abby throughout every single day.

  31. YES, overwhelmed with tears of gratitude and joy. Thank you so much Richard for this blog. My thoughts continue to be with you guys with positive energy and Love. I miss you Kathy, Wake up now.

Comments are closed.