Cathryn's Guestbook

Richard Munson  Ana, you sound like my elaine marie when she was a little girl and my youngest and she was always afraid of getting left behind and i started calling her my “ me too” girl. You brought back a fond memory. Now she is in her 50’s. Ugh.

Ginny Turner  I’ve been thinking of Cathryn and Judy, too. Hope there are good signs of progress. Thank you for asking, Susan.

Cathryn Howard  You all are so wonderful. Wednesday was a really positive day with Judy sitting up in a chair, eyes open, watching the videos and pictures and audio messages family sent. Yesterday and today she has been super lethargic and just wants to sleep. I’m unable to get her to keep her eyes open for any length of time. She still has the feeding tube in her nose which she hates and tries to pull out with her quite strong right hand, in fact I am impressed with how much she can pull against me, but because even though she can swallow, she does it so slowly that they don’t feel it’s safe to start feeding her yet. She was supposed to get a temporary PEG tube in her stomach for feeding until her swallow reflex is stronger, to make her more comfortable, but because she was so lethargic this morning, they were hesitant to sedate her for the procedure. Because they don’t do this procedure on the weekends, she’s stuck with the nose tube til Monday. On the good side of news, today’s followup MRI shows “significant improvement” and a cardiac echocardiogram shows her heart continues to improve. Ejection fraction went from 36% post op to 50% today, better than it was presurgery. I wish she were more awake and alert and responsive like she was Wednesday, but the neurologist said this situation waxes and wanes, we can’t compare one day with the next, we have to look at overall trends. Logically I understand that but emotionally it is excruciating. I am going home tomorrow for several days but then plan to come back for a couple days. (3 hour drive one way 😞) Her surgeon wants to keep her in hospital for at least another week or two where he can keep tabs on her. We are all still just taking one day at a time but it sure is hard. I wish I could say she is all awake and alert but at this point it’s just very fleeting 😔

Susan Lynn  Cathryn - I'm glad you're going to have a few days at home. I'm sure you were hoping for faster progress for your mother, but she is steadily improving. You could see dramatic changes when you return. We'll continue to pray! Safe travels. ❤

Ginny Turner  Cathryn, so glad to read your update! Your mom has made good progress and it seems things are headed in the right direction. Continued prayers for you both as she continues to heal, and you care for her. You are in my prayers and we're all pulling for you. Please keep us posted as you can. xo

Cathryn Howard  Thank you all so much. It’s such a double edged sword to be home. The drive home without her was excruciating, she was supposed to be discharged and coming home with me. I cried most of the way home which was a little dangerous considering I was going 80 - 85 mph the whole way and made the trip in record time. I actually didn’t think my 21 year old Subaru could do that. Last night was rough sleeping since I kept waking up and worrying about her being there all alone. Today I have been working on the huge mound of laundry I brought back, errands, grocery store, etc. Tomorrow my hubby and I are heading over to help my stepdad with horse chores and horse poop, he is getting really overwhelmed and can’t keep up with his bad back. Then I might go back to work for a day or 2 and then head back to Seattle. Saturday morning before I headed home I visited Judy and asked her yo wake up because I had something important to talk to her about. She opened her pretty blue eyes and I said “Mom, I’m going to go home for a few days and help Dave, and then I will be back. If you understand, give me a thumbs up.” And she did, it was slow, but she did. Today I called over there and talked with Judy’s nurse and she told me she is still sleepy today but she will wake up and open her eyes and interact with them when they adk her questions. It’s so hard to be patient, I want her better NOW. Tomorrow she is scheduled to get the temporary PEG tibe in her tummy so she can get the hated nasal feeding tube out and still receive nutrition while her throat heals. Thank you all for all your love & prayers!! ❤️

Deena Z  Getting there. Your mom is one strong warrior, along with you.
Wonder if the nurse could help face timing you and your, as she awakens more…. But then maybe hearing your voice is the best for now…