EAST SIDE!

Dear family and friends,

I sat with my precious girl in the garden at Craig Hospital this afternoon. It was a beautiful fall day and we enjoyed the colorful leaves and cooler temperature as we reflected on all of the changes that have occurred during the past 6 days. This has undoubtedly been Kaitlin’s biggest week of change since her surgery and her admittance to Craig on September 11^th. We agreed that we need to catch you all up on her progress and prayer needs.

Craig hospital patients reside in either the east or west side facilities. Kaitlin had been in the west building since her arrival. This facility is much like any traditional hospital with single/double occupancy rooms, hospital beds, IVs, gurneys, etc. Last Friday, Kaitlin moved from the west side to the EAST side of Craig!  This has been such a wonderful transition for her and we are so proud of her hard work which made it all possible. The east side is comprised of small studio apartments. These apartments have large accessible bathrooms, a small living room area complete with a fold-out sofa, small functional kitchenette and best of all…no more hospital bed! Kaitlin is now in a regular double bed and JOHN CAN STAY WITH HER! YES! These two have waited a long time for this day and we’re thrilled for both of them. Kaitlin loves the freedom and space that her new place has provided; she enjoys her huge window and especially the double bed! She told me that she’s feeling a sense of independence and normalcy as she is pushed to adapt to what life will be like when she returns home and resumes daily tasks like giving herself a shower, using the kitchen, dressing herself, and sleeping in a normal bed. Such great progress!

On Tuesday Kaitlin had her cervical brace removed. She will continue to wear her back brace for one more month, but the cervical one was the most confining and claustrophobic. With her neck able to move more freely, her therapies are easier and she feels that she will make faster progress. She’s participating in some new therapies which she couldn’t do before and she feels more able to express herself when interacting with others because she isn’t so confined. She is making progress towards driving which will boost her independence. She will not miss that neck brace!

Kaitlin’s daily therapies were also increased this week.  On Monday, she had seven hours of therapy/classes with only a one hour break for lunch.  It’s very tiring but is important for her to get the most out of her stay at this excellent hospital. Most of her therapies involve mastering her transfers, gaining muscle strength, working on her balance (even sitting up can be challenge with no abdominal muscles), learning how to negotiate sidewalks, curbs, stairs and attending classes on skin care, diet, etc. She is one busy young lady.

Since earning her ‘pass’ to travel by car, Kaitlin has been enjoying occasional outings on the weekends which have included a Pumpkin Chunkin launch, dinner at the Rice’s kitchen table and a date night movie/dinner with John. We were all so thrilled to have her back home again and our dog Razz was totally beside herself with excitement. 

One last thing I wanted to share with you before listing our prayer requests. Kaitlin is really jazzed about a new wheelchair technology she tried out earlier this morning which would allow her to go longer distances with less effort. A wheel is affixed to the axel of her regular wheelchair and a battery pack goes between her thighs. When she pushes the wheelchair, she can lock in her speed. Even if she doesn’t push again, she will remain at the same speed as her first push. This technology will help her go up hills almost effortlessly and makes different types of terrain easier to navigate, saving her a ton of energy and potential damage to her shoulders. This technology is one of many that encourages her and gives her hope that she will be able to keep up with her friends and family when she’s out with them, while still remaining independent.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pray for God to restore Kaitlin’s legs so that she may walk again.

• Pray for restoration of her abdominal muscles.

• Pray for her nerve pain to be reduced or be totally taken away (if it is not necessary in order for her to regain sensation).

• Pray for John to manage his diabetes.

• Pray for safety for the construction crews as they begin the house remodel on Monday. 

• Pray for protection from catching a cold or the flu. It is difficult for Kaitlin to cough since she has no use of her abdominal muscles. This is a big concern and we pray that God will protect her and keep her well. 

• The pressure sore on Kaitlin’s sacrum reopened just a tiny bit. It’s important for it to heal completely. Please pray for healing. 

• Pray for the Craig Hospital community. Kaitlin has been such a bright light at Craig. She continues to encourage good friendships and interaction between all of the patients. When we first arrived at Craig, patients did not readily interact with one another. Two individuals might share a therapy mat and not even know each others names or interact at all. Kaitlin has changed all that. EVERYONE knows Kaitlin. She is so outgoing and has been the instigator for helping others to get to know one another as well. This has been GOOD MEDICINE for everyone! She has truly changed their Craig experience by modelling friendship, encouragement and empathy. Even the staff members have commented about this. Her physical therapist thinks Craig should hire Kaitlin as the ‘good will’ ambassador!  

Thank you all for your love and faithful friendship! You have been the hands and feet and very heart of Jesus to us. We will never forget this. Please continue to lift up Kaitlin and John daily. We appreciate YOU!

With love,

   Sue