Day 55
To me, and to anyone with eyes to see beauty in its transcendent feminine form, Kathy has always been a stunning looker. Add to that the fact that she is supremely photogenic, plus a few cameras over the decades that we’ve been together, and you have a lengthy photographic record of a remarkably alluring woman.
But no picture of her has brought tears to my eyes and surges of joy to my heart so overwhelmingly as this one.
I wasn’t there when it was taken. Abby was, and captured that beautiful moment of her mom’s first time upright since her awakening from an unimaginable slumber.
I had taken the opportunity of Abby’s weekend visit to leave Kathy for an overnighter in Morro Bay to collect stuff we’d both need for the next phase of our adventure, which is this:
We’re going to Cottage Hospital Rehab! Kathy’s made such surprising progress over the past two weeks that the former plan to have her go through a preconditioning regime at a skilled nursing facility has been scrapped in favor of her diving straightaway into the real rehab pool.
Her flap’s back, her trach’s gone, her NG tube has somehow “disappeared,” and today on a fun wheelchair outing Kathy took in her first five minutes of sunlight in almost two months. Afterwards, she was treated to my personal highlights tour of Cottage Hospital’s exciting hot spots including cafeteria, front entrance (with welcoming desk), coffee kiosk, elevators, hallways, doorways leading somewhere or other – in short, an excursion so stimulating and energy intensive that before you knew it Kathy, poor thing, had to say “Please take me back to my room now.”
Unfortunately for her, because we may be going to the rehab facility tomorrow, she might not have an opportunity to see the surgery waiting room, and to learn all about the magazine reading materials I’ve had the opportunity to read (and re-read!) over the past 54 days.
Rehab. Kathy and I have been looking for a new adventure. With your help it found us. As it’s developing, I couldn’t be happier. Thank you, and thank you many times over, for the soft but strong breezes of prayer, love and hope that have carried us here.
Kathy heads up a new trail!

45 Comments on

  1. Such wonderful news, Richard. And so wonderful to see her photo, smiling, standing, walking. Our beautiful Kathy. Our love to you all.
    sherri and sam

  3. Yeah! Kathy,you go girl! We are all following your remarkable progress! Thanks for the update.

  4. A wonderful image, Dick — thanks for posting it, and pass along to Kathy how heartening it is to see her…

  5. This is the greatest news ever. Kathy standing on her own two feet. A real triumph. I cannot wait to hear more. She looks so happy standing there. Imagine the grin she is going to have when she starts to walk. Beautiful.

  8. Undoubtedly the most beautiful picture I have ever seen! Kathy, you are remarkable, and we are so happy for you, words fail us. Our prayers of petition will continue, as now we add prayers of thanksgiving. Love! Mike and Irene

  9. Wow….how wonderful..you have made my day! I believe in Miracles and she is truly a miracle…so so happy for this great news and will continue to pray for strength (physical and emotional)for you both….I love the picture….AWESOME!!!!!!! Patti

  10. Wow, wow and wow. Tom went to a rehab hospital setting and it was really rigorous. Amazing that she has improved enough to go straight there. There just aren’t words to describe how fast she has recovered since she started awakening. Love, Patty

  11. That is truly amazing! She looks wonderful… greatest news, I am so happy for all of you! Straight to rehab, she is one strong woman!

  12. Beautiful! The Atlantic is a bit saltier today, bolstered by a few more tears of joy.

  13. Kathy, you look wonderful. I see that spark in your eyes! You are amazing. So happy you can stay at Cottage for their fantastic rehab. There is no stopping you now. Hooray! Marilee

  14. My heart is pounding reading this. Kathy is nothing short of a miracle woman. Thought I already knew that, but I realize now how true it really is. Amazing!!

  15. I’m weeping as I read this – at work no less! Alan originally told a group of us that ran into him saturday afternoon at the local watering hole, we were all smiling and crying and thanking the good Lord! So fabulous, so fabulous. You both continue to be in my prayers………… xoxoxo Mike and Debbie

  16. Tears of joy and thanksgiving! Kathy, you are a strong warrior of a woman, and you will continue to show your strength in Rehab. And, Richard, you are a remarkable man – so glad your wish for a direct transfer to Cottage Rehab is being realized. You are an amazing duo: what a team for your daughters to love, appreciate, and admire!

  17. My face and my keyboard are flooded with tears of joy. Breathtaking beauty, indeed!

    Welcome back, lovely Kathy! Bravo, Richard! Praise Almighty God for such true miracles. Humble thanks to Kathy’s truly remarkable medical team.

  18. Kathy is a trailblazer. She has a pace of her own. The trail is long, but we all have good walking shoes. Let’s now try to keep up! Bravo Kathy! Bravo Richard!

  19. Hooray!!! What wonderful news, and an amazing photo! Kathy, you are an incredible woman – strong beyond words. Together with your family, you all are a force to be reckoned with! I’m so happy about the progress that you’re making, and so impressed with the love, faith, and devotion your husband has for you. Way to go Richard and Kathy! You two have a love for all time.

  20. Oh Kathy…. The last time I saw you, you had that beautiful smile. Oh how I love that smile and most of all loving you. Thank you for being so strong. Love, linda

  21. WOW!!!! Kathy you are AMAZING! Where are my Kleenex? That’s just the best news I am so impressed with your recovery and thank you so much for sharing that photo! The best news! Thanks Richard that’s just fantastic news that she has made SO much progress!

  25. Richard and Kathy (and Abby, and Paige), Im so overjoyed in this hurdle that has been defeated! You are an amazing example of the true spirit of the human existence. The persistence and patient steadfastness that you have managed to squeeze out even in the bleakest of moments proves over and over again that true love conquers all; And its not just the love between a husband and wife, or the love of your doting children, but the love of life itself in this amazing (and often challenging) world that awes me. It must be the most amazing and incredibly tiring feat. I am forever grateful that you continue to share with us the beautiful accomplishments that keep coming forward. I will continue to pray as often as I can through this recovery. I have no doubt that you will have the life most deserving of two people that can possibly be imagined. And I am so grateful to be a witness to it.
    Much love in the coming weeks! Keep posting the amazing glowing smile we so cherish!

    • And as an aside, Abby and Paige, I see in this picture the beauty and strength that your mom has blessed upon you two girls! Im never really good at seeing parents in their children, but this picture displays it so clearly to me. It must be a blessing to have that kind of beauty to share with you girls! Three gorgeous women to adore and to be adored by; Richard must be the happiest man!

  26. Oh, my sweet Kathy! Ever so beautiful. I have waited so long to see that smile of yours! In your weeks ahead, remember: “you never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.”
    Richard, thank you for sharing this picture. It means so much to see her smiling face. Love to you, too!

  27. thank you Richard, for the beautiful words, and the precious picture of Kathy. I cried when I saw her sweet smiling face standing there. You go, Kathy! You get up and get out of there and on to rehab! You are a fighter and a vixen and a strong-headed and strong hearted woman. I love you to the ends of the earth and back and send you all of my energy to get strong again. And Richard, I am sorry until this happened i have never truly appreciated what a loving, wonderful spiritual and incredible life partner and person you have been and are to Kathy. She is and we all are blessed that she has you in her life. Love and blessings to you both in your transition to your new temporary dwelling on your path back home to us. xoxoxo

  29. Thank you so much for giving us this wonderfully inspiring visual of our Kathy. It has made our day!!
    Kisses, Uma & Mitch

  30. Awesome! So good to see Kathy upright and holding on with BOTH hands (versus one side of her body being non-functional). Not only uplifting for everyone’s spiits but great for Kathy’s respiratory, cardiac, musculoskeletal, digestive systems and decreased risk of developing pressure sores. Be sure that Kathy gets adequate rest & “quiet time” now that she is becoming more active ! What a miraculous gift !!

  31. Sharing your tears of joy!!!!! We are all cheering here at the nurses’ station! Have a funny card I would love to send. Do you have an address for the rehab center?
    HUGS !!!! Dana

  32. Such a beautiful photo of Kathy. This is all such good, good news!!! Looking forward to hearing about Kathy’s amazing progress. Love to you both.

  33. the hero and the heroine going to rehab, yeah yeah yeah! Way to humble me with your inspiration!! love Michele Brooks

  34. Wow. Wow. WOW!!! Never had a doubt about her strength and determination, and yet this photo has me fighting tears. So so happy for you both that she’s proving to be at her very most “Kathy-est” and defying those who might have taken a “cautious” approach to her outlook. Congratulations to you both on these huge milestones!

  35. Words cannot express what seeing her smile has made me feel ! All I can say is YOU GO GIRL!!!, I’m thanking God for this miracle,for which it can be nothing less!

  38. Such great news and it has put a big smile on my face! Look at Santa Barbara Kathy’s up rocking and rolling! Beautiful as ever! Keep up the positive thoughts and let her know love is being sent her way from Bakersfield.

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