Bravery and Patience

Today was a tough one for Cathy.  A long day at the Neuro-Ophthalmologist and no definitive answers as to whether the right eye will function.  Right now the doctor is not very hopeful about the eye.  The good news is that Cathy does see very well with her left eye.  The doctor assured her that if she does not eventually regain the use of  the right eye she still will be able to work, drive and do all the activities she did prior to the accident by using her good left eye.  As you can imagine this whole experience is overwhelming emotionally and physically for Cathy.  I wish I was there so I could give you a BIG HUG!!  Cathy, please think about what we discussed today and come up with a plan for the coming days.  I saw a quote that I thought was very appropriate,
"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." 
That quote is from Helen Keller!  Cathy try to be brave, try to be patient.  Love, Linda

Ira's message

Cathy, Ira has a message for you:
Cathy, if there is one thing I have learned since my world was turned upside down 2 years ago when I was asked to leave the agency I worked for, it is the importance of a positive attitude. Life's crazy and stuff happens that we never intended. And, when you think you're stuck with nowhere to go, something magical happens. You re-invent yourself. You just might find that although your physical appearance has changed, your mental outlook on life has or will as well. And, what's around the next corner is something you probably never thought would be there waiting for you. I wake up every morning and say 2 things to myself before I get out of bed. The first is Thank You. Thank you for another day. Thank you for my health. Thank you for my family. Thank you for my life with all its twists and turns. And, then I remind myself to stay positive. You see it's all about the law of attraction. What you think comes back to you. Let yourself think only positive thoughts about your recovery and you will. Think about all the joy you'll have for the rest of your life and you will. Think about the inspiration you'll be to others and you will be. Cathy, we've been friends for almost 30 years and you've always persevered. You can do it! You always have. Stay Positive. Love, Ira

Keep Climbing

Yesterday Cathy visited the doctor to review the MRI of her jaw.  The doctor thinks her jaw problem can be fixed by cutting a muscle.  This can be done through her mouth via outpatient surgery.  She will have to work hard to regain full use of her jaw but it is possible!  She is so thankful that this can be done.  Tomorrow she will visit the opthomologist to evaluate her right eye.  It is difficult for Cathy to see properly without the use of that eye so hopefully the doctors will come up with a good plan to improve her sight. 
I am so proud of how brave Cathy has been through all the ups and downs.  She is getting out in the world and is looking forward to buying some cute hats to wear.  She has looked beyond her own recovery and ventured out to visit her friend who had surgery.
One of Cathy's goals is to get back to work by January.  I am sure she can do it.  Cathy, keep climbing, we are all there to cheer you on!  Love, Linda

Pray for Good News

Please pray for some good news this week.  Cathy is very concerned about her eye and her jaw situation.  She has already undergone an MRI this week and will get the results from the surgeon tomorrow.  We are thankful for all that Cathy has accomplished in just a few weeks but of course we all hope for a 100% recovery.
Cathy wants to be able to return to work and lead a normal life.  Please pray for Cathy to have her vision restored to as normal as possible.  Please pray for Cathy to be able to open her mouth enough to enjoy regular food and to be able to maintain her teeth properly.  Send your positive thoughts her way.
Cathy, keep fighting and stay positive.  We all love you.  Love, Linda

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"

Lenny has sent a beautiful poem for Cathy:

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"


Cathy,

When I looked at you before the accident, I saw your beauty. 

When I look at you now, I still see your beauty.

When I look at you in the future, I will continue to see your beauty.

Cathy, you were, are, and will always be beautiful to me.

I love you,

Lenny

So Strong!

Cathy it amazes me about how strong you are, physically and mentally.  You made it to the fundraising concert in Austin and did not just sit there like we expected.  You walked around and visited people in the crowd and actually stood up and thanked everyone for their kindness to you and your family.  I heard that Steven's friends are quite impressive.  They organized this wonderful concert as well as a silent auction.  They even had t-shirts and bracelets made for people to wear to show their support for you!  We are all so proud of you and your wonderful family.  I know that you will make a full recovery.  You are stronger than you think.
Love, Linda

Home is Heaven

Cathy said that when she laid her head down on her own pillow in her own bed, it was like heaven!  Lenny held her in his arms as they listened to the soothing music of a waterfalls CD as they drifted off to sleep.
Today was tough.  The surgeon was not successful in opening Cathy's jaw any further.  Next week she will undergo an MRI of her jaw area so that the doctors can try to come up with another plan to open up her jaw.  She may have to have additional surgery in a few weeks to facilitate this.  Currently, her jaw will only open 20 millimeters and it needs to open 40 millimeters.  Thankfully, she is not in any pain from the procedure today.
Tomorrow she and Lenny, Lisa and Audrey are travelling to Austin for the big fundraising concert.  I hope it is very successful because there are a lot of expenses right now and only one salary coming in.  Cathy is looking forward to seeing all of Steven's friends who have been so kind to organize this event.
Cathy will continue to eat pureed foods such as soups, yogurts, sherbet, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, etc., for a while until she is allowed to chew.  If you make a good soup please drop some off to Cathy and Lenny; I am sure they would love it.  Cathy has lost 14 pounds and really needs to keep up her strength and stamina.
Tonight we talked about the fact that this recovery will take some time and have some ups and downs.  Cathy is sad that she will have to have additional surgeries.  She just wants to be back to normal again.  She is worried about being a burden to Lenny and the family.  We are all in awe of you Cathy.  The fact that you can walk and talk is a miracle.  YOU are not a burden to anyone and it is our privilege to have you in our lives.
Please pray for Cathy to have the strength to endure the trip to Austin, and to return home on Thursday ready to climb the ladder to her recovery.  Love, Linda

Home Sweet Home!

Tomorrow Cathy is going home!  She is so excited and has waited a long time for this day.  I know it will be hard for her to take things slowly because she wants to enjoy being home and getting back to her life again.
We spoke tonight and her voice sounded just like the good old Cathy again.  Her peppy tone of voice is back and she is talking real fast again!
This was Eliza's wedding weekend and we were fortunate enough to have Lisa, Audrey and Steven here with us to celebrate.  Audrey was the flower girl and she looked like a princess.  She now has 100 new friends in NC because everyone Audrey meets is her new best friend.  We all had fun with her and we know that Cathy and Lenny will love the amazing photos and video we got of Audrey as well as Steven and Lisa and the wedding festivities.  We wanted Cathy and Lenny to still feel like they were there with us so we kept a cell phone 'on' under the chuppah so that they could hear the entire ceremony.  I could hear Cathy sobbing in the background and even though she was crying I was so glad that she was there with us somehow on that special day.  Eliza wore her 'Cathy's Climb' bracelet wrapped around her bridal bouquet and all of us had on the blue bracelets as well.  We passed around a photo of Cathy and Lenny at the bridal luncheon and we also had their photos in our slide show throughout the wedding weekend.  Other than their absence, the wedding was warm, loving and lots of fun!  Lisa and I can't wait to get all of our families together again sometime soon so that Kaje can get to meet everyone as well.  Hopefully the next wedding will be Steven's.  We all need to work on finding someone worthy of him.  He is quite a 'catch'!!
Anyway, tomorrow Cathy has a mani/pedi appointment.  She told me that it is quite overdue!  She is worried about how the world will react to her.  I told her that people know her and love her and a few scars do not change that.  People are used to seeing people who are recovering from accidents and illnesses and she is not the only person who will be walking around with a hat or scarf on her head.  So Cathy, put on that lipstick and a pretty hat and smile as big as you can!
Please pass the word about the big Fundraiser Concert in Austin this Wednesday.  If you can't make the concert try to send a small donation.  Cathy, I hope you have a great first day home!  Love, Linda

Reaching Goals, Step by Step.

Today was a good day for Cathy.  She is doing everything she possibly can to work hard and reach her goals.  She has started working with a brain injury support group at the rehab.  Cathy enjoys her sessions with this group of people because they have all undergone some type of accident or stroke that she can relate to.
The great news is that on Monday Cathy will get to go home!  After she gets home she will attend a school at the rehab center, every day from 9am - 4pm.  This school will help her learn to compensate for any mild deficits she might have sustained from her brain injury. When Cathy and I have conversations on the telephone she sounds normal and chatty, just like Cathy has always sounded.  I do not notice any deficits at all.  However, Cathy says that the testing she underwent showed evidence that her memory, reasoning and logic have some mild to moderate deficits.
I still find it amazing that the person I saw 5 weeks ago is now walking, talking and being able to enjoy life!
Lenny is the best therapy Cathy can get.  He actually was able to help her open her right eyelid yesterday.  He has been cleaning her sutures, helping her take showers and making sure she gets the quality care that she deserves.  Cathy is taking all the right steps and every day she is reaching her goals.  Love, Linda

Good Weekend!

Cathy has had a good weekend.  She has gotten a lot of rest but still had time to see a lot of her good friends and family.  Cathy made an effort to exercise and get some physical therapy in. She has lost 10 lbs since the accident but she is eating better now and she says she is happy about the weight loss.  NOT a good way to lose weight!  She has gotten used to the pureed food and Lenny says it tastes pretty good too.  If Cathy does not finish her dinner, Lenny is happy to finish it for her!  A 'clean plate' is a 'Lenny plate'!
Cathy is still frustrated about not being able to open her right eye.  I really believe that one day she will wake up and be able to start opening it.
She is getting stronger every day and hopefully will go home in about a week.  She is sleeping through the night  but gets awakened at 6am every day by the nurses who take her vital signs.  She is working on opening her mouth more.  Right now she can only open it the width of two fingers.
Cathy says that when she gets home she is looking forward to reading this blog so please feel free to add your messages to her.  If you would like to send pictures I can post them.
My daughter Eliza is getting married this week on Saturday.  I am already missing Cathy.  Ira and I were looking forward to spending time with Cathy and Lenny and going on a short trip together after the wedding was over.  I think of Cathy as a sister and there will be 2 empty seats at our table.  However, I am thankful that she is alive and will be able to join us for future happy occasions. We are also thankful that Lisa, Steven and Audrey can still make the trip to Charlotte.  Cathy and Lenny, thank you for being our friends and our family.
Love, Linda

Out to the doctor

Lenny took the day off and took Cathy to her follow up visit with the surgeon.  The surgeon sedated her and removed the brackets that were attached to her jaws.  He also checked her wounds and was a bit concerned that one of them might be infected.  He took a culture and hopefully the results will come soon.  He was also concerned because Cathy is not able to open her mouth as wide as she should. He explained that a nerve that controls that function was severed during her initial surgery in Mexico.  Due to this she has to work extra hard to get that function back.  Then the doctor proceeded to put his fist into her mouth to try to stretch her jaw. OUCH, that really hurt her!!  He gave her exercises to practice every day to stretch her jaw.  After all of those painful procedures, plus the big trip out in the world, Cathy was totally wiped out by lunchtime.  She ate a small lunch and then went to bed.  If you are planning to visit her today, please check with Lenny to see if she is up to visitors.  She is VERY tired today. Today was tough but tomorrow will be much better.  Love, Linda

Life is Delicate

Cathy got the opportunity to walk outdoors today.  Finally, after all those days inside, she was able to breathe fresh air and see the blue sky!  The doctors met to discuss Cathy's discharge plan and decided that her tentative discharge date is October 19th.  Cathy thinks that they need to keep her there until then so that she can learn how to function with her temporary sight impairment.  She is able to open her right eyelid just a very little bit and can see when it is manually opened.  She is undergoing therapy to strengthen and repair the eyelid muscles.
On Thursday morning Lenny is taking Cathy to see a doctor who will remove the brackets from her mouth.  That will make her a lot more comfortable.  Cathy is sleeping well and getting stronger every day.  She wants everyone to know how thankful she is for all the visits, phone calls, food, gifts, and cards that everyone has sent.
She is looking forward to getting back to a normal life.  She and I are both very sad that she and Lenny will not be able to make it to Eliza's wedding on the 17th, but I told her that the most important thing is that she is alive and well and will get to come visit us all when she has recovered.  Then we can enjoy our time together and celebrate her amazing recovery.  We are so happy that Lisa, Steven and Audrey will be able to come.  Audrey is the flower girl and I am sure she will be adorable.
Cathy and I talked about how precious life is and how we both believe that we need to live life to the fullest every day.  Cathy says, "Life is Delicate".  Yes, she knows that for sure.  Love, Linda

Washing Dishes

Cathy and I had a nice chat this evening and she told me a funny story.  She was taken to a kitchen to wash dishes today.  This was actually part of her occupational therapy.  I guess they figure that they cannot release her unless she can do this task.  I told her that I would not pass that test because I do the cooking and Ira does the dishes.  Cathy washed and dried the dishes and put them all back in place and passed the test!  She had a wonderful day.  She is sleeping much better and working very hard in her physical therapy workouts.  She is eating more food and getting used to the pureed consistency.  Her swallowing is improving and she was able to drink some orange juice today. She had to perform a lot of brain exercises today and it seemed like she did very well on almost everything asked of her.  She is still very tired but seems to be getting stronger each day.  The anxiety is gone, thank goodness, and Cathy has a bright outlook on her future.  She is looking forward to returning home and sleeping in her own bed.  Cathy has really enjoyed seeing everyone but please keep your visits to less than 30 minutes because Cathy is too polite to tell you how tired she is.  She also needs time to eat and concentrate on her swallowing therapy. With her intense PT regimen there is very little time to eat or rest in between sessions.  She starts PT at 9am and does not finish until Noon.  She then resumes therapy at 1pm until 4pm.  That is quite a schedule!  During our conversation this evening Cathy summed up the way she feels right now as, "A lot less Abnormal, but not quite Normal".  I think that is pretty darn good for someone who has been through what she has endured.  Home Sweet Home is right around the corner!  Love, Linda

Rehab is hard work!

Cathy is making great progress.  She asked me to tell everyone that she appreciates those who have come to visit but she has requested that everyone please limit their visits to very short periods.  Yesterday she had  12 visitors, one after another, from Noon until 8pm.  It really exhausted her. She feels like she needs to talk to everyone but she is SO tired!  Let's all remember that Cathy is there to regain her strength and stamina.  She has really long, difficult physical therapy sessions and needs to rest after them.
The doctors are still working on getting her the most effective dose of medications. She is still having trouble sleeping but she is eating a little better.  She is drinking Ensure and also eating pureed foods.  Cathy is receiving swallowing therapy so that she can eventually swallow and eat regular foods.  Her head, mouth and eye still hurt a bit but not terribly.  The pain medicine seems to relieve this pain for her. The right eye is cleaned by the nurses a few times per day and when they open it for her she is able to see.  It is annoying and frustrating to not be able to see clearly.
Cathy is really working very hard to get stronger so that she can go home as soon as possible.  Steven is leaving to go home tomorrow and Cathy is very sad about that.  She has really enjoyed seeing him every day and spending time with him.  I just saw a photo of Cathy that was taken today and her hair is starting to grow back!  She looks like she is smiling!  Thank you God for saving her and keeping her in all of our lives.
Love, Linda

"I Have a Hand, and You Have Another; Put Them Together and We Have Each Other."

I spoke to Cathy tonight and she said that she is tired and depressed.  She is frustrated because she is weak and is not progressing as quickly as she would like to.  She also is suffering from a lot of anxiety right now which is normal after her ordeal.  We all think she is doing GREAT!!! Cathy has very high standards and she does not realize the amazing strides that she has made in just two weeks!  She is still having some trouble swallowing thin liquids and does not have much of an appetite.  She is drinking some Ensure to get enough protein and nutrition.  She is not enjoying the pureed foods because they are pretty bland.  Cathy told me that Audrey has been pushing her around in a wheelchair and telling her how beautiful she is.  Audrey is great motivation for her grandma to get better!  Audrey is a very special little girl and Cathy will be home soon playing 'pretend' tea parties with her.
Cathy is having trouble sleeping so tonight she is being given some sleep medications.  If she can get a good night's sleep hopefully she will have more energy tomorrow to get through the day.  She is on an intensive physical therapy regimen to get back strength in her muscles.  I personally think her mind is working fabulously and I am very impressed with her progress.  Cathy says it is an effort to perform normal activities and even to talk for periods of time.  Short, uplifting visits are great medicine for her so please try to stop by during visiting hours from 4:30 - 8pm.  She is so lucky to have all of you, friends and family, who love and care about her.
Please give Cathy a hug and kiss for me.  Wish I could be there RIGHT NOW!!!  Stay strong and positive.
Love, Linda