Day 38

Once again I’ve been remiss in sharing information about Kathy’s status. In short, she is improving. Slowly, often uncertainly, often with emotion-crushing setbacks, but with a determination that only someone with Kathy’s immense reservoir of resolve could muster. I believe at last report she performed an act that, like no other in my life, sent ripples of thrill through my entire being – she smiled!

Since then, she has wiggled toes on her left foot, gently squeezed her left hand and raised her left forearm, nods for yes and shakes her head for no (“shakes” is too strong a word but we can see her intent), and sometimes attempts to mouth words.

In SICU good news doesn’t come free. A few nights ago Kathy contracted an ICU-type pneumonia, but one that, thanks to the ever vigilant team at Cottage, was identified and treated immediately. As of this morning the pulmonary doctor assured me she had pretty well knocked it out.

Big rounds happen Wednesday and Thursday mornings, so those are times I know that if I am there (and I never miss them) I’ll get the latest from the five or six doctors monitoring Kathy. It’s very hard knowing how and when to be at the hospital, both for catching the key medical team members (they’re always on the move) and for catching Kathy when she’s awake (she sleeps a lot, and I like to let her), or when she’s not being attended to by some aspect of her nursing care, or when she’s not being wheeled off for another of the seemingly endless procedure. (She was scheduled for one today – a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, aka PEG, which would have removed the last of countless tubes from her head, revealing once again the fullness of her face’s radiant beauty. Unfortunately, because the cranial flap embedded in her tummy was in the way, that procedure was aborted. Just another relatively small obstacle on the bumpy road).

So, for the big news of the day. At this morning’s rounds, all the doctors and nurses agreed that Kathy’s vital signs have normalized or are on their way there, so very soon now she will be put on the ventilator weaning trial, and with luck she will be leaving SICU for the Cottage Hospital ICU step-down floor (a misnomer if there ever was one given the step up the ladder of recovery it will mean to me and, I’m sure, to all of Kathy’s well-wishers.)

I apologize again for the hiatus in reporting Kathy’s condition. As it turns out, after 38 days Kathy’s stamina under the most arduous circumstances I can imagine has outlasted my ability to endure simply watching her. I am exhausted, yet Kathy continues to look fresh as the morning Santa Barbara air.

22 Comments on

  1. This is wonderful news Richard and Karhy. We’re so relieved to know there is progress despite the setbacks. With our love and well wishes, dani and bill

  2. I am so happy that my prayers are (with the addition of millions of other prayers) being answered. Now I’m working on prayers of total recovery. Hang in there Dick and Kathy. All my love to you.

  4. Richard.
    Have you watched the you tube videos from Jill Bolte? They are inspiring and speak to needing to sleep most of all…to heal…they are inspirational…keeping up with your wonderful blog and progress from Kathy and your family…wonderful…thinking of you all the time…
    kathy

  5. What wonderful news although still guarded in some respects. I still have my prayer warriors saying prayers for a full recovery but as I read your post I pray specifically for the small step that needs to be achieved at that time. COME ON KATHY (all the way from Texas) Keep smiling!

    Linda

  6. Thank you Richard for the update, I think of Kathy every day… As someone else said, “slow and steady wins the race”, it will be a long race with many hurdles but Kathy has it in her! I know she does! COME ON KATHY!

  7. thanks to you, Richard, for all your love and support. Kathy is so fortunate to have you in her life. her soul mate and best friend watching out for her at every step of the road. your ceaseless vigil, your unending faith and love. words cannot express how much they mean to all of us and most of all, to her. I am thankful every day for every step forward she takes with you by her side. Bless you, Richard. And, Come on, Kathy!, Come on! xoxo joanne richards

  8. It is so nice to hear Kathy can respond to questions and has begun to move her left side.These are the signs all of us have been waiting to hear.Come On Kathy.

  9. So so thankful for this wonderful update..thank you for allowing us into your life Richard. Still praying every day for you and Kathy and so happy that she “heard” all our Come Back Kathys….she is amazing and so are you. What a lucky woman to have such a good husband. Patti

  10. you never cease to amaze me the style and grace that you put into these blogs ,Richard! Thanks for the update! I was working with ‘The Girls on the Third Floor” last week and they where whining for a blog update, as only they can.. so I know they are jumping with joy at the latest progress . Wishing you love and hugs Kathy Dear.. I am hoping to visit briefly with the ridiculously huge Love Blankie !!! Stacy

  11. As I feel Kathy is doing the very best she can with each day, you too are doing the same. Thank you a million times over for the time it takes to keep us informed on this wonderful progress, and for those days that you can’t we are all sending that much move love and healing thoughts. Fondly, linda

  12. You have made us smile this morning–thank you. Take care of yourself Richard and give her a kiss from me

  13. I do not know Kathy but am a very good friend of Laura’s and I’m sure they are enough alike that I must love Kathy as I most assuredly love her sister. And based on these beautifully written, heartfelt blog entries, I’m pretty sure I love Richard and the girls, also!! To this wonderful family my prayers are for strength. Please know that the entire Lakeshore Bible Church in Tempe, Az is praying for all of you. Prayers for a bit more speed to this recovery process and no more set backs. C’mon Kathy – a lot of people you will never know are rooting for you and we know you can hear us!! Let’s go, Girl – Git ‘er done!! XXOO

  14. Hand squeezing and toe wiggling sound like very good signs to me. Come on Kathy! Please take good care of yourself, Dick
    love, Richard & Susan

  15. I was sure encouraged to get your report last evening, Richard! Hope you got some rest. We’re all with you. Come on Kathy!

  17. Kathy’s will is very strong. What she will have…she will have! And her loving Richard is her Knight in Shining Armour. Come on Kathy! Stay strong Sir Richard!

  19. Dear Richard and Kathy,
    I haven’t written until now but have been checking your blog multiple times daily and thinking of you both hourly.. Know that your friends in Colorado love you and are hopeful for Kathy’s recovery and an eventual resumption of your full lives together. I keep imagining that the next time I see you Kathy and I will be drinking a glass of wine in your kitchen while you are preparing another great meal. It will happen.
    Matt Lindenmeyer

  20. Awesome news Richard!! Come on Kathy you can do this! Still praying from the other side of the world! LORD, continue to hear all of our prayers! Thank you GOD for where you’ve brought Kathy thus far. We love Kathy and Richard too and the girls, please LORD wake her gently in your time and restore her body, give her inner strength as she’s awakening and help her come back to us all! Amen!! Come on Kathy! Love and Hugs, Arlene

  21. Something that stood out to me from Day 38: even more amazing to me that Kathy COULD smile when she heard you ask was that she WOULD. Such an amazing woman and an amazing love that you two share.

    My mother shared this with me and I thought it might offer some comfort and encouragement to you, dear Richard: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (from the book of Romans). It felt so encouraging to hear the words “be joyful in hope!”

    Praying fervently for you daily, Richard and Kathy, with much love and affection.

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