I had planned on blogging MUCH sooner, but, in usual fashion, life kept throwing curve balls at us. Since my lst blog, Katy has been in the hospital twice, and I have been in once. We are both fine. Katy had two bouts with dehydration and high blood calcium. Both are, in part, due to her not having the large intestine. On her second stay, the doctors inserted a portocath (spelling?) to make it easier for doctors to access her, and to make it easier to hydrate her via IV. My trip to the hospital was not a big deal. I had a small absess on my face, but I wanted to make sure that it was nothing bigger. I’m home with the family now.
Speaking of “home,” our new house is great. We are settling in nicely, and TRYING to keep up with all the leaves that fall in our yard. I caught the little old man next door blowing his leaves in our yard. I laughed. Our other neighbors are AMAZING! The sweet couple that lives next door has quickly become close friends, and we feel blessed to have moved in next to them.
Amber is doing well in school, and such a HUUUUGE help. She comes home from school, takes Jake and Arielle to Jake’s MMA class, and then comes home and makes dinner while everyone is waiting for me to get home. Then she does her homework.
Jake and Arielle continue to be fun-loving kids, and keep us all in stitches!
Our other member of the family is Shantel. Shantel started off as Katy’s nurse, and Arielle’s caretaker. Now “Auntie Tell” is a daily part of our family, and has been a God send. She cooks, cleans, gives medicine, organizes, takes Katy to therapy, and is a big part of what keeps our lives going.
Other “Angels” have shown up on our doorstep and helped us out of the goodness of their hearts. There are too many to mention, but we would like to hug them all! One particularly kind man, Larry, owns Sundown Lawn Service. Larry has kept the lawns up at the old house, and had his crew do our leaves at this house.
Ali Kay, at Positive Space Art, has done murals in 2 of our children’s room, and is about to do another. This incredibly sweet, and unbelievably talented, young lady has created artistic masterpieces. What a great gift to our kids to customize their rooms. It helps to let the kids know that we aren’t going anywhere, this IS our house.
Thanks cannot begin to express how we feel about Betta, Mike, and Jen. They have worked insane hours on our behalf, and there aren’t words to explain what they have done for us. Thanks you 3!
To everyone else, thank you all for your prayers, dontaions, emails, food, gifts, thoughts, ideas, and support. You have not only done wonderful things for our family, but many people contact me to tell me how your kindness has reaffirmed their faith in humanity.
No promises, but I will try to blog again soon. May 2011 find all of you healthy, happy, and with those you love.
Love to all,
Al
It is so great to get your update. Your family has been in my thoughts, but I kinda figured no news is good news! I continue to pray for Katy and the rest of your family. Happy New Year!
Al, you are back in our neighborhood! Meg and I would love to stop and say hello.
Love,
Laura
Happy New Year, Hayes Family. I am so glad to hear that everyone is doing well.
Alway in my prayers.
Teri Higgins, Denver
I was getting worried about you guys! I happened to click on “Katy is Strong” in my favorites & was so happy to see your Jan 3 blog!
Happy New Year Hayes! Hope it is one of your best! Good to hear about the angels in your life! Aren’t they great!!!
I, to pray daily for you, Katy & your family. As you know…God is Great!
Take care!
Al,
It is so good to hear from your family again. May 2011 be a wonderful year for all of you. Wishing you many, many helpful angels in your life!
Best wishes,
Barbara
God Bless you all. I think of you and your family often – thanks for posting to catch us up. With love and blessings to you all — Sharon from Florida
Like some of the other people, I was gtting concerned about your family. May you all find peace and health in the new year. My prayers are with you all.
I continue to pray every day for you & that the angels bring you comfort & joy! Let us know if there is anything we can do to be of help in any way.
Thinking of you all often. Katy, I continue to keep you close to my heart and long for a nice visit with you. I think we might be visiting though in our dreams as your wonderful presence blesses me there. Sending you prayers of love, light, strength and smiles.
Love you.
Dear Katy and Al,
I have been able to ski three times this winter, and every time Katy is in my thoughts. On Snowmass, they have aporgram called Challenge Aspen. In it they help people of all different kinds of dissabilities enjoy the slopes. They have sleds which they take the people around on and try to each them how to navagate on their own.
This past week I met a man who had gone to another Ski area–the place name evades me now–but they do even more broad fitting of devices to people. He was actually skiing with the help of some fiberglass rods attatched to the backs of his legs. He said they were used to stabilize knees, but were perfect for him with his particular muscle disorder. Oh, now I remember that it was Winterpark.
Sometime, please check out their program on the web. I know it may seem like it would be too much now, but perhaps in the future, you could enjoy the freedom of skiing again. Katy was an excellent skiier, and I enjoyed so much skiing with her so many years ago. Let me know what you think!
Love,
Marti
Have you heard from the Hayes – he has not blogged since the first of the year. Do nt know the family, just happened to see his blog early on.
Virginia, have there been any new posts from Al as to how Katy and the family are doing?