Katy went into the OR at around 9am, and was out at around 11:30. Dr. Purdue removed a quarter sized piece of muscle from her leg, and drained a little puss from her arm. He opted not to close the wounds right now, but did debriede the leg and hip a little. She is scheduled to go back on Monday for closure. Until then, the plan is to VAC her wounds (VAC is a treatment that usues a form of suction to remove infectious fluids-if I understand it correctly). I’m not sure of the timeline, but we did talk about grafting her wounds at some point in the near future. Approximately one week after the closure, Katy should be well enough to start actual rehab. They plan on trying to extubate her tomorrow.
Katy was stable all day, and though she was sedated, she opened her eyes a few times. She looked great. Her color was good, and she was breathing a little deeper than I have seen her. Our friend Becky flew in for a short visit. It is really convenient to have Love Field so close to the hospital.
Not a lot else happened today..in Dallas. Back in Kingwood, a very nice family worked on our gardens in the back yard. Amber and Jay worked on the vegetable garden. I understand someone has volunteered to redo the front flower beds, as well. Thanks to you all for all the hard work. As many of you know, Katy LOVED having flowers and plants in our yard.
The other day, while she was extubated, I had told Katy that Robbie (nurse) was going to come brush her teeth. She made a face like a dog baring her teeth. I asked if she planeed on biting him? She said “no..I LOOVE when they brush my teeth!” I don’t know why that has stuck in my head, but it has. Even in all of this, Katy has shown signs of her sense of humor. She also showed swhat we all love about her, her sweetness. When she first awakened, I had to explain things to her. The first thing out of her mouth was, “my baby doesn’t know me.” As much as that broke my heart, I explained to her that is why we are fighting. Then she asked if I was ok. When I asked why she was worried about me, she asked if she had gotten me sick too. I told her I was fine, that the kids were fine, and that the house and dogs were doing well. She then asked if my stepmom Faith was doing OK. Faith just had another (long history of unexplained back pain), and serious surgery. When I told her that Faith was home, Katy said “tell her I am proud of her.” Just a few minutes after learning of her illness, amputations, etc..Katy was worried about everyone else. It truly shows just how caring she is. I thought you all might enjoy hearing something other than just medical talk.
Love to all,
Al
Thank you again, Dylan was able to help your family and you helped him by allowing him to get some hours of community service for his school project. We met both of your precious girls, and also Betta. That was a bonus! Oh and the doggies too, they helped us do some digging and we played a little tug of war.
God bless and we will continue to stay tuned in on the blog and in prayer.
Al,
Thank you for the non-medical talk today. I am glad to hear some of the things that make Katy so special, and it makes me so glad to know that because of you, your precious baby will get to know her Mom. Keep fighting…I’ll keep praying!
Sincerely,
Kathy
That’s our Katy! Love her 🙂
She is so amazing. I had a big smile on my face reading this. Looking forward to hanging out with Jake and Betta tomorrow.
Al,
You really have a strong woman! She’s a fighter who loves life!
I hope to come see Katy sometime tomorrow. I will call you in the a.m.
Beth
Hi Al,
Wonderful to hear all your news. We are having perfect weather in Houston; I’m glad to hear that gardening is happening in your yard. Rachel’s sitting across the room now, listening to music. I am happy to have her here with me. My sister’s been here this week as well, helping me clear the clutter. It’s been hard work, but the den is almost cleared of boxes. Andy had the hurricane-related damages fixed last month. Sending well wishes to you and Katy. Keep on loving, Susan & family
Al,
From y’alls Irish friend, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Just finished my volunteer work at the rodeo and read your blog. Thanks for keeping me updated today. I’m glad all went well today. I’m not at all surprised that Katy was asking about and caring about everyone else. That’s one of the many things that make her so special and why we are all praying and fighting for her. I pray for extubation tomorrow. Keep up the faith and all the hard work. Wish I was there in person. Know I am there in spirit and love!
p.s. After reading todays blog, I am so glad I brushed her teeth that day!! Hope to be able to bring her that happiness again! Love y’all
So glad she’s able to talk with you & you get to be in her sweet presence. She has a way of making everything work out. And it will.
God Bless her for her love for others, over even the hardest challenges. She will have lots of time to mother her baby soon.
That is the Katy we all are lucky to know and love. Hugs to both of you and the kids and puppy dogs !
Such good news Al! You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Shirley
Thank you for the update! I don’t know what else to say, as I’m a bit choked up.
You’ve touched the hearts of many a stranger with the story of your family’s love and strength.
We are friends of Leila Grassman. You’ve got many people praying for Katy’s recovery up in Canada!
God bless you
So happy to read your news. The good and happy stuff is so pleasing to hear!
I have been thinking about the issue of HRT again and this news item popped up … thought I’d share it with you ..
http://www.naturalnews.com/028389_Pfizer_HRT_drugs.html
Hoping for more good news as the days go by!
I can understand, of course, Katy’s concern about Arielle. But she *will* grow to have a deep, special and rewarding relationship with her daughter. Just remind her of the African proverb–it takes a whole village to raise a child. While I’m not entirely sure of the background and source of that proverb, I think that it applies here. What matters is that Arielle is being loved and held and cared for, and her mother will be there soonto forge the unique relationship that only a mother can share with her child.
I love hearing these descriptions of Katy’s ornery-ness (it must be a McNaughton trait) and hope to hear more like this.
My prayers are with you, Al. They are with you, Katy. THey are with Amber, Jacob and ARielle.
Leah
Al, Katy, and family,
I have been in prayer for all of you and only know to ask for perfect Grace for our girl. She has not surprised me in her show of spirit. I knew that would hold strong, that’s who she is. Katy asked me one time how I had managed to move forward in my life after experiencing loss, we talked for hours about this and the final line was, ” At the time ,I , was the one strong enough to handle it, deal, and live on, to thrive. My Michael always told me,”What we see in others, we see in ourselves”. I always knew Katy was the most loving and powerful woman I had been blessed with in my new life, I pray her strength holds true for her now, and if she has a split second of weakness, I will be honored to be of service to her and her family. Katy is a part of the woman I am, I have been blessed beyond measure having her and her life force in my life. She is indeed highley favoured amoung the angels here on Earth.