Catch up

The last few days are what has started to feel "normal." One person sleeps on an air mattress in Kathie's room to help out if she starts coughing or needs help getting out of bed to go to the bathroom, and someone sleeps on the couch in the family room as a second helper if needed. At about 7 or 8, someone else comes and relieves the sleep deprived;) Kathie has actually been sleeping through most of the night. She usually has to use the restroom once and occasionally asks for some pain or nausea medication. Sometimes a burp and a sip of a drink meet in her pipes and a coughing fit ensues for a bit. We bump her oxygen up to 3 until she can catch her breath, and the rest of the time it stays at about 2. Kathie keeps an ice pack on her front left abdomen most of the time, and now sometimes one on the bottom right of her back.

She still naps most of the day, but is very alert when she wakes up and everyone has been having good chats with her. We've even gotten her up in a chair a few times. Two nights ago, she came out and watched Snow White with Kaitlyn and Sophie. While she was out in the chair, we also watched the video Christen made for her 50th surprise birthday party. She's still drinking quite a bit of water, tea and milk, and occasionally is being indulged with Root Beer, Coke and Ginger Ale. Kathie has been trying different foods here and there, but Dr. Aklilu told us not to force anything on her... so we just offer what's around and leave it up to her. The other day, Bob made some prototype of the centerpieces Lauren wants for the wedding, and Kathie approved/made suggestions for how to improve upon them. She also came out this morning and directed where to hang some of the pictures (all of Lauren's suggestions for the dining room got vetoed - man, she's a tough sell!)

Cathy and Danny left on Friday and Kathie's sisters, Carole and Eileen got into town Saturday evening. Today, her brother, Billy, and sister-in-law, Maureen stopped in for a short visit as well. Ben and Lauren braved taking the four kids to go see Horton Hears a Who, so the visitors could enjoy some more personal time with Kathie. Carole is a physical therapist (or physical "terrorist" as commonly said;) - so she's going to go ahead and play that role here, trying to get Kathie to move around some more.

If you saw Kathie on Sunday, and saw her today - you would barely think you were looking at the same person. She has an appointment on Thursday with Dr. Aklilu to go back over the information and to see if the blood tests look the same, or if the prognosis is at least slightly better than originally thought (when looking at her at her worst on Sunday). The reality though, is that the cancer in her lungs had metastasized further in just a week, so it is unlikely the situation is completely different, but rather, that we may be blessed with a little more time with her than originally expected.

(By the way... it was mentioned that Kathie had "lost a few days" - she lost Friday through Monday... and maybe part of Tuesday. She only lost the memory of it, as far as we're concerned - she seemed to be aware during the time of what she was asking for - when she was in pain, she expressed it, she got up to go the bathroom, etc... the serious note was written on Wednesday when she was fully aware of what was going on).

In other news, we are being well-fed. Some of Eddie's work friends arranged a bunch of meals for us - and they are delicious! Melissa has also prepared a few wonderful ones, and Lynette and Lauren tested their skill at making Kathie's fresh cream of broccoli soup. Kathie seemed to approve of it. Christen and Lynette have made some more of the vegan dishes, finishing up the enormous amount of fresh veggies and fruit laying around. Today, Melissa brought over a gift from the Wielands (Purdue friends of Eddie and Melissa who helped house some of the family when Kathie was down at MD Anderson) - Chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate chip cookies. Everyone staked a claim quickly to one - and we put two aside for Kathie (she requested white chocolate with dark chocolate on it). She took a couple of bites this afternoon and said, "delicious." Kathie also got a package from some of her old friends with some beautiful CDs, some movies and nice poem.

We keep going... thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers.

Posted by Lauren