Kris News (with pictures!).. it’s been a while

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

As always, I do apologize for not sending an update lately.  So many have asked “what’s new?”  The truth is... Kris is still remarkable and trying so very hard.  Her cognizant level is just amazing, and her humor and sweet smile are endearing her to everyone.  But I can see the frustration in her face when she tries to do something with her hands and she just can’t get her fingers to cooperate, or she walks with help and grows weary in a short time.  She’s so happy when she accomplishes something, but she gets a little down when arms and legs and hands and feet seem to have a will of their own.  It’s an ongoing struggle every day, but she’s still coming along.   

Kris can read, she can reason, she knows how to plan ahead when she’s trying to figure something out; if her left hand can’t reach, she’ll use her right hand to help it.  But she’s run up against some infections that are prevalent in health care and hospital situations, and that’s knocked her off a peg or two.  Heavy doses of antibiotics are necessary to combat the infections, and that adds to the discomfort and the drowsiness.  But she’s still in there plugging away, every day, giving it her very best. 

Speaking of her sweet smile, I must tell you a little about the two photos that are attached.  One was taken by a co-worker at the hospital where Kris worked as a pediatric intensive care unit nurse.  Russell received it a day or so ago and forwarded it on.  Of course, I cried when I saw it.  How beautiful and intense and hard-working she is. The other photo was taken in the day room at the rehab hospital on Saturday.  A family friend had just given her some photos of his grandchildren dressed for Halloween (they were so cute!), and Kris smiled so sweetly when she saw them.  George snapped the photo with the cell phone; it was a priceless moment for us. And, if you notice the Air Force ball cap she has on, it was a special gift from a retired Air Force veteran.  He was in the audience last February at Traveler’s Rest RV Resort in Dade City, Florida and, after our performance was over, he went home, came back, and asked me to give this hat to our daughter in the Air Force.  I had asked folks to keep her in prayer again as she was set to deploy to Iraq for her third tour of duty sometime in the spring or summer this year.  I gave it to her when she flew to Florida to be with Dad when he had surgery back in December.  I asked Russell recently if he would bring the hat in and now she wears it almost every day.  What was really remarkable, though, is that she was able to put the hat on her head the other day with very little help.  That’s one of those big accomplishments that add to our joy on a daily basis and brings a smile to her face!!!  It’s still the little things that mean so much.

Kris will go to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist this Thursday.  Her sinuses and a throat condition still plagues her, and I’m hoping he will be able to help.  She will also be seen by an OMFS (occipital, mouth and facial specialist, I think!) to try to help with a very painful jaw problem.  When she yawns, she is in such pain, and we’re concerned that the muscle in the right side of her face is giving her problems.  The neurosurgeon who operated on her the night of the accident wants to see her as well.  We knew she would probably need some plastic surgery and correctional work at the site of her implant, and that seems to be very likely now.  Your continued prayer is ever appreciated.  As always, it is what keeps us all going.

The weather here is just beginning to cool down and I think fall has reached San Antonio at last.  The trees may even turn color soon!  And as a side note, I must tell you about our adventure Sunday a week ago.  It began with a funny sound about 6 a.m. (sort of a “plunk”), but it wasn’t until my feet hit the floor at 6:30 a.m. that I realized what that “plunk” was.  Now, in an RV, water can be a devastating problem.  At 6:30 in the morning, water all over the floor and sopping wet carpeting and rugs is really frightening.  The flush mechanism on the commode had decided to give way (thus the plunk!), and water was gushing out.  George ran out to shut the water off and get the mini-shop wet vac from the side box under the RV.  It was at that moment he realized water had run down into the side boxes, too, but that would have to wait.  By noon, he had managed to get most of the stuff outside that could be moved outside, I had gone to the laundry and washed throw rugs and all the towels we had used to mop up water on the tile floor, and there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel.  George dropped me off at the rehab hospital and headed for Camping World to buy a new commode, which he then spent the rest of the day installing and finishing the cleanup.  Whew!  That was just too much excitement for one day, and the moral... beware of things that go “plunk!”

I can’t believe this is the first of November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  We have so very much to be thankful for this year, I scarcely know where to begin.  But hearing Kris speak... well, that would be yet another miracle and such an answer to prayer. 

Be thankful this year for all the gifts you have in life and love and happiness.  How quickly life can change, but how wonderful there are gifts even in those changes.  A simple gift of love and caring is something truly for which we can all be thankful!!!

Blessings and hugs,

Carol and George