UPDATE ON KAREN - Tuesday

[JeanetteSki]

Hello Everybuddy! I'm so happy to report that Karen is doing very well! She greeted me yesterday with a big smile and a wave (still can't talk). She's just doing so much better. Although, I don't think she thinks she's doing so well. Because she still can't talk, she tried to write a message to me to just let her die. To which I said "Oh, come on!" I wanted to say to her that she had her chance a couple of days ago and missed it!!! But I figured that would be just a little too much at this point!! (That was a sick joke, buddies, just didn't want anyone to think I was serious!) She's still very weak, can't hardly hold the pencil to write to me, which is why I'm hesitant to leave her down there by herself, among other reasons, of course. She has a tendency to get depressed (who can blame her in this situation), and she now knows that she's been there for 2 weeks and isn't much better, to her way of thinking. I wanted to tell her she should be partying right now instead of feeling depressed about it. She just doesn't know how far she's come yet, but she will.

So all in all, I think this is a good report and we can all start to breath easier for a while.

Thanks again to all who have been praying for her -- IT WORKS!!! :D :D

[ShrinkingMo,]

WONDERFUL NEWS!!! Oh Jeanette, I'm SO glad you posted. I come and check BCB every morning before I even check my email to see if you've given us an update.

This is great news. I know it will be a slow but Karen is still with us and she had better not give up. You may want to print some of the posts of encouragement and let her see them all and see how much we all care about her.

We will ALL continue praying for more improvement. God Bless you and your family, and especially Karena!!

[Raindancer1937]

Jeanette,

I wasn't aware that she couldn't talk. What happened? I am so sorry to hear that, however she is still with us. I will continue to pray and don't you let her even "think" about dying. I pray for you and Karena daily. Thanks for keeping us posted. I think Julie had a good idea about printing posts and reading them to her.

katy

[kap]

Jeanette thank you so much for taking the time to post on Karen's progress..Just hang in with her like you are and God will handle the rest..I know this for a fact and believe me I have been in the same place that Karen is right now..When I was going thru recovery from my transplant, I could not talk either and had to "try" to write notes..I was in the hospital weeks longer then the typical patient and could not understand it..but to make a story short, I came thru everything with flying colors..I still have all of my notes ..my daughter had given me a notebook to write in..I must say, alot of my notes are really quite funny now graemlins/crazy.gif She also wrote a couple of beautiful poems when she was sitting with me and those are priceless to me now..I just want you to understand that this time will pass for Karen..she has wonderful medical staff and our Lord to help her ...she has shown such magnifecent sp? progress ..She might not realize it yet but just wanted to let you know for your sake..Give Karen our love and hugs and very special HUG to you Jeanette...
God Bless you both...Kathy

[JACOB'S NANA]

Hello Jeanette...God Bless You!...you have the patience of Job, you know...you are a great sister to Karena..she is very lucky to have you. Good to hear that things are looking better for her...no, can't say that I blame her for feeling depressed, but I feel strongly that she will snap out of it. She has a long road ahead of her for recovering, but just as we say here, she will do it with time and baby steps...tell her hello and that we are still praying for all of you..
I am glad the suggestion was made again for you to print the posts of encouragement to read to her..I had suggested it in an earlier post, but didn't know if you had seen it or not...you are one busy lady about now....thanks Katy for bringing it up again, I thought it would be an excellent idea too... http://www.wtv-zone.com/sunshine/names/normans_1.gif

[CathyJ]

Thanks for posting, Jeanette. I'm glad Karen is doing so much better, but sorry she's discouraged. I can see how it would be depressing to feel so bad and to feel like you weren't progressing (even though she is!).

Sending love and light to you both,
Cathy

[Shican]

Jeanette; I also check here every morning for a update on your sister. She has come such a long ways, it is to bad she has to deal with this depression on top of it.

Karen is very very lucky to have such a wonderful sister!! With your optimism and humor you will get her through this also.

[JeanetteSki]

Hey, thanks a bunch you guys!! I never thought of that idea. I'm sure she'd love to read some of your responses!

Katy: She can't talk right now because they have her hooked up to the oxygen machine which is attached through her trach in her throat. When she hooked up like that the air escapes and she can't make any noise with her voice. Incidentallly, they were taking her off of the oxygen yesterday for a while. The nurse said she wanted her to go 5 hrs. on her own -- exercise for her lung. I'm thinking whether she's breathing on her own or on the ventilator her lung would still be getting exercise with the in/out movement of breathing, right? But hey, 5 hrs. off of the ventilator sounds good to me! Her breathing was a little more labored, but she was still doing all right. Karen was a little concerned, but her nurse said her numbers on the machine were just fine. So that, too, makes me think that Karen was a bit apprehensive and a little scared about coming off the machine, but once she sees that she can actually do it, she'll feel better about it, I'm sure.

I'm off to print up some responses -- think I'll leave the above part off about how she missed her chance the other day! ;) She might not think that was too funy. She just has no sense of humor right now, can't understand why! :D

[redhotmama]

Jeanski!, so happy to hear Karen is improving. It will probably be a long rehab experience so look after yourself. It sounds like Karen is well looked after; it wouldn't do to have you come down with something...she needs you well.....easy for me to say I know but try to destress a little. Give Karen a big hug from me and I'll bet sometime soon she will be talking a blue streak! Our prayers continue. graemlins/kiss.gif

Diana graemlins/wave.gif

[chari]

WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL..... PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!

Jeannette, You are such a wonderful sister!! Karen must love you alot as it is so evident that you love her so much... I am delighted to hear that Karen is showing progress...I am so happy that if this were paper it would be tear stained. KAREN; You are such a sweetheart, your personal style is still so needed by some of us non-sweet people...I still recall your soft sweet presence while we visited in Peoria... Go Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLESSINGS

chari

[CordyC]

Baruch Hashem - Karen is slowly but surely crawling out of the fog and back to reality. She is progressing so well, although I am convinced she doesn't really understand how low she sunk. So her comparison is based on her feeling good, not her being in the state she was in! What I did for my mother was to give her daily updates on her progress - i.e., three days ago she was on a med that is now discontinued, her BP was ____ compared to ___, etc. This helped her realize how far she had come instead of focusing on how far she still had to go.

J'ski, I'm gonna remind you to also take care of yourself! You've been dragged down pretty low, too, and now that things are in an upturn, you can afford a few minutes to relax and do something for yourself. A massage, a bubble bath, even a visit with the pet therapy dogs at the hospital (ask the nurse - they are the best a definite mood-brightener!) Just something to nurture yourself.

******{Hugs}}}}, and a Dance of Joy from me!!!

[Journey2Me]

Jeanette,

Amazing, wonderful news! It seems that each day now, you are reporting quantam leaps in Karen's progress. How exciting! You are the best sister! You must be an incredible support for her and I know that she appreciates all that you are doing.

Karen,

We are all thrilled with your progress!! Even though it may seem slow now, you are showing major signs of improvement! We miss your posts on F & S and look forward to your return....soon!
Think happy thoughts and know that we are praying for your complete recovery and for your wonderful sister, also!

Deedee