A bit more lucid

At about 10 last night, only Bob, Lauren and Eddie remained at the hospital. Though Kathie wouldn't keep her eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time, she seemed to be taking everything in, and her sense of humor remained. When we were teasing her about the fact we kept bugging her to wake up, Eddie made a comment to Kathie about punching Bob - she bobbed her head one way and then to the next... very Kathie... very funny.

Eddie turned in, heading to Lexington, and Bob stayed with Lauren a bit longer. Unfortunately for Eddie, Kathie woke up for a bit about 20 minutes after he left. She communicated with a few words here and there with them - and both Bob and Lauren had a chance to tell her they loved her while they were sure she could hear. Kathie made a few comments about hearing everyone all day in the hospital room - and let me tell you, there were a gaggle of us (part of the downside - or maybe the positive - to having 4 kids and a planet full of friends!). Bob left a little after 10:30 when Kathie had gone back to sleep - after some nausea and pain meds.

Lauren stayed overnight at the hospital. Ben drove in from Atlanta yesterday and stayed at the hospital with Lauren until after midnight. At 1:20 AM, Kathie started to try to pull herself up. Lauren asked her where she was trying to go and thought she heard that she "needed to get to the party" - but "party" actually translated to "potty." We were all thrilled that Kathie has gotten up to use the bathroom a couple times - meaning her kidneys haven't completely given up yet, and that it was good to see her up, even if she needed lots of assistance. She asked for a little more pain meds then, and again at 6:30 when she woke up and tried to sit up again.

We have been using increments of low doses of pain meds so that she has the opportunity to be a bit more lucid. It seemed to work, because she was awake this morning and said a few things here and there. The swallow test went well - Kathie drank almost a full thing of milk and ate some graham crackers and applesauce.

Ben went to the house in Lexington to hang out with Kait and Sophie so Christen and Glenda could come visit at the hospital. Lynette went with Lauren to the florist.

The gist of the rest of the day, is that Kathie was mostly out of it still - though occasionally said a few words, and she nods in response to most direct questions. Eddie has become the best at translating these nods, and she seems to respond the most when he asks her a serious question, or asks her to wake up for a bit. She has told all the kids that she loves them, though sometimes through a hand squeeze rather than words.

We have been regularly checking up on her pain levels since our number one goal is to keep that low.

A social worker came in to discuss hospice. I missed the first conversation, but they got their "choice" of hospice (one had an in-patient clinic available if necessary, the other one you'd have to check into a hospital... the Lexington hospital - Bob picked the first one). The hospice people were, as usual, wonderful. The program they have is incredible - and the people who are involved are just about the warmest people you'll ever meet, though the hospital staff at Wake has been pretty great too.

Kathie was moved back to the house by ambulance at about 6:40. She got to enjoy being in her own bed until about 10 when her hospital bed, oxygen, and table were set up by the hospice staff in the sunroom. While she was in her room, the kids and guests (her best friend from 6th grade, Cathy, her husband, Danny and another long-time family friend, Glenda) rotated through. Glenda and Lauren shared stories, trying to remind Kathie of some great times.

Needless to say, it has been an emotional day. The diet for everyone has gone to hell, as we decided pizza was definitely easier during this transition time (when at one point we had the electrical guy and the pest guy here at the same time, followed shortly later by Kathie getting here, followed shortly after by the hospice supply delivery). The house is pretty full. Eddie is sleeping on an air mattress next to Kathie for this evening - making sure the oxygen stays on and if she needs to go to the bathroom, someone is ready to help.

She is still able to swallow some pills (while we're waiting for some liquid ones to become available within the next couple of days or so).

Thanks for the notes and the prayers!

Posted by Lauren