[I just received the following email from Carol and George Kline, Kris’s parents. I just have to say that we are rejoicing with them and we are also rejoicing at the understanding of Kris’s situation that God has given Carol and George. I have an idea in mind, so please pray that it’s God’s will and I will post details at a later date.]
Dear ones!
It is with great joy and tremendous excitement that I fully admit I was wrong! I believe I mentioned at some point that Kris hasn't been using her right eye and we were really afraid she may never have use of it again. Well, scratch that! I was wrong! Two or three days ago, she actually started opening her right eye more, and just two days ago, she really started to focus with BOTH eyes. Her right eye is now straight again (it was sort of off to the right side) and she is looking straight at us, and the eye is dilating: she is focusing!!!
AND... (are you ready for this?), she is focusing on things and people and surroundings and watching what's happening around her. She is listening! Her younger sister, Stephanie, and her husband, John, came for a visit last week. When they first came in to see Kris last Thursday morning, we took her into the day room and Steph sat down next to her to give Kris the good news: Stephanie is expecting her first child!!! (This is REALLY big news in the family because Stephanie is 38 years old and really felt she could not have children!) Kris seemed to understand everything Stephanie was telling her and there was understanding in her face. I mean, praise God, you can just tell when someone is LISTENING, right? Krissie was listening!!
AND... as if that isn't enough, she is responding to everything we say. Now, the WAY she is responding is a little hard to explain. She does it by using her left foot!!! For instance, her hubby came in last Friday morning and was talking to her quite a bit. Kris was looking at him and watching him. He was sitting on the left side of her bed and he told her to put her left foot up on his shoulder. She did! She did it three times after he asked her to do it! About then, the doctor came by to check on Kris and Russ showed him what she was doing. He was so blown away, he admitted, and was excited for her. I also told the doctor I've been giving Kris tiny ice chips and getting her to swallow, and he said she may now ready for a swallowing test. If she does okay with that, they will eventually start weaning her from the feeding tube. That may be weeks down the road but, again, it's a start. Soft, pureed foods, puddings, etc.: I'm sure she will love that.
Unfortunately, her arms are not moving very much at all and they seem awfully weak, so therapy will likely work more with her arms next. And she doesn't speak, so speech therapy will soon get more aggressive I'm sure. They see her only once a week now because they have been waiting for her to become more aware and to swallow without choking. Swallowing is the key, so we'll continue working with the spoon and the ice chips. She is still not fully out of the coma yet, believe it or not. The doctor said they will know; there truly is a way they will know when she is. Suffice to say, the human body is an absolutely amazing thing and God has made us to function and heal and re-start within our own capabilities in so many glorious ways. I am so often blown away myself by the patients here who have come so far. Kris is going to be one of the miracles, I just know it.
I must tell you, with all of these little miracles with Kris, and now Stephanie becoming a mom, we have yet another one to share: Son John, who came through the chemo and radiation therapy for melanoma, has now been declared cancer free!!! The most recent tests show there are no more cancer cells and he has even gone back to work, albeit, taking it very slowly. He is an electrician at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA, and they have been wonderful and caring through his ordeal. We are so thankful for all those who have been praying for John, too! These are definitely works of grace!!!
So, dear ones, today it is sunny and very hot in Austin, and an extremely wonderful day!!! I came home from the facility a while ago to make Sunday dinner (home cooked meals are rare right now!) and George and I will go back in with Kris for the evening. It is a joy to watch her watching us and listening. I held up two flash cards to her this morning: one said "Yes" and the other said "No." It was a test!!! I asked her to point with her left foot if she was ready to go back to her room and get back into bed. I asked if she was getting tired and told her to point with her left foot if her answer was "yes" or "no." She pointed to yes! Just to be certain, I switched the cards around and asked her again. She pointed to "yes" again. Can't fool her!!!
As I said earlier, the human body is magnificently and wonderfully made. We don't know why this happened to Kris, but we do know there have been many wonderful things happen already to her and to us, and to others who read her story. Answers to prayers. We are seeing all these things happen and knowing God is more in control than we ever realized. We are so truly blessed to be in His care!!! Keep the prayers coming folks. It means so much!!!
Blessings and love,
Carol and George
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