Ok here we are...

Not going to go TOO crazy on the posting so I don't bore y'all to tears but Leah just gave me my own account. It's been a really good day so far and Sam's coming in tonight from Wisconsin.

They went ahead and upgraded me to a normal diet so I'm eating normal food now. My appetite isn't what it used to be since I've lost a lot of weight but I can drink my weight in liquids, for sure! I cannot get enough water, apparently!

I don't even crave Coke, oddly enough.

Ok, that's enough outta me!

Hope all is well with y'all! :)

Ah ha!

Caitlin here!! HI!

Ok, so I kinda figured this whole posting thing out. A little bit anyway. Leah's working out right now and I'm chilling here and eatin my breakfast. I'm eating, walking, talking, etc. I might as well post a bit, right? LoL. I might tackle a crossword here in a bit, which should be fun...I've always liked those. I've also made a list of a bunch of stuff I want to do when I'm able to do so (when I get out of the hospital). Oddly enough? I've been jonesin to go swimming really badly. I can't explain it but I guess I've always been kind of a water baby. Swimming is really peaceful. There's a bunch of stuff on there - just long and short term goals to keep me focused. I have loads of time to think about these things - lol. The hospital is a great place for self reflection.

I also have loads of time to read the wonderful comments, emails, cards that I've been getting! I also have the benefit of smelling/seeing the most beautiful floral arrangements. For this. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH! I couldn't ask for better people in my corner and I feel truly blessed with such a wonderful support structure. Y'all have been so great to me and my family - if y'all ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask!

Thank y'all again and I'll try to keep y'all as updated as possible so Leah doesn't have to.

LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!!!

- SuperCaity

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Status Update-- Friday, March 6

What can I say? It was another incredible day. Caitlin has graduated from clear liquids to milk-based foods and can now enjoy creamy soups, ice cream, and pudding, among other things! She had white bean soup, ice cream AND pudding for dinner. And Jello, of course.

Our sleeping arrangement in her room reminds me of when we were kids-- both in twin beds (well, a recliner for me). The only difference is Caitlin hasn't been talking herself to sleep like she did back then.

We watched a silly mindless movie tonight (House Bunny) with Caitlin's friends KT and Jesse, which was fun and relaxing. I almost forgot we were in the hospital for a second.

Caitlin received a TON of e-greetings today from more people than I could name--- She sends thanks and love to you all. I think the hospital might start charging her for paper! If you have a few minutes free in the coming days, keep them coming. She has so much fun reading them.

Today was a great day and maybe the first day Dad, Mom, Caitlin and I have really felt relaxed. Hoping for a great day again tomorrow, but most of all, very thankful for today!

Love and happy weekend to all,

Leah

Status Update-- Thursday, March 5

Caitlin had a much better night with a lot fewer interruptions...

She crossed another big hurdle today.

DRUMROLL PLEASE...

They graduated her to the Jackson Trache and she now has a valve in so SHE CAN TALK!

It was so great to hear her voice to go along with her always lively facial expressions. She's resting again right now with an utterly pleased and happy look on her face.

Her room is filled with balloons, cards, e-greetings, comic books, an awesome angel figurine, and the most gorgeous flowers. It smells wonderful in here! And, Caitlin just SAID, "I love 'em!"

Thanks to all for the well wishes...it is great for her to know how loved she is!

-Leah

Update @ 7:30pm: Cait can have water again and is now allowed to have a little jello, too! I don't think we've ever been so excited about jello in our lives!!!

Status Update-- Wednesday, March 4

I spent the night at the hospital with Caitlin last night. The nurses hooked me up with a cloth recliner, which apparently is a rare commodity around these parts and it's pretty comfortable!

Caitlin had a rough night, I suspect in part because of the move and the new surroundings, nurses, etc.

Her feeding tube came out last night and it appears that she aspirated a little, so unfortunately, she's back to no liquids or nutrients; after being able to enjoy Sprite yesterday, that's really hard for her.

She had a fever last night and her pulse was pretty elevated, so they ran an EKG and did a couple of chest x-rays. She had a CT scan today to check out her lungs. Her white blood cell count is really high, which means there is an infection somewhere (not uncommon in the hospital), so she's back on antibiotics. They are trying to figure out the source of the infection.

Needless to say, neither of us got much sleep last night, but she's resting peacefully now and I hope there won't be too many interruptions today, so she can rest up. She's a little down and anxious to "Go home...and go swimming" as she wrote to me earlier.

Again, I am reminded that there are going to be good days and bad ones. I hate to see her in pain/upset/uncomfortable/scared, but am trying to keep a positive attitude especially when I'm around her. We're going to wash her hair later (with non-hospital issued shampoo AND conditioner!), so she's excited about that. Anything that we can do to normalize this situation is a good thing right now.

Please send lots of prayers today and if you have a spare moment, send on an e-greeting to Caitlin. I think today especially is one when it'd be great for her to know how many people out there are thinking about her!

To send an e-greeting:

http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/eGreet

She's in Room 564. (List Caitlin Kannensohn as the name and Lexington, KY as the hometown).

P.S. She just received a couple of e-greetings-- Thanks, Sam!

P.P.S. She just received about 10 more! Thank you all! I can't wait til she wakes up and sees them!

-Leah

Send Caitlin an e-greeting!

Caitlin is getting settled into her room. I am staying here tonight with her. Lots of requests for her room number-- it's 564 in UK Medical Center.

To send her letters and cards, etc.:

Caitlin Kannensohn

Room 564

UK Chandler Hospital

800 Rose Street

Lexington, KY 40536-0293

Also, UK Healthcare has a really cool feature where you can send patients an e-greeting. The nurses print them out everyday and deliver them to the patients. I would love for anyone and everyone to send an e-greeting to Caitlin and keep them coming! I know she'll love to hear from all of you!

Here is the link:

http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/eGreet

Thanks!

Leah

Status Update-- Tuesday, March 3

Sitting here at the hospital...It's our last day in the SICU waiting room because CAITLIN IS GETTING MOVED TO A ROOM TODAY!!!!!!!! She has made enormous strides today and is really excited about having her own room.

Another thing she's really excited about: She can drink clear liquids now including SPRITE! I've never seen anyone so excited about Sprite before, and it really makes me think about the little things in life we should all appreciate.

There were lots of high fives and smiles when we visited Caitlin and found out she'd be moved today. As soon as we find out what floor, etc., we'll be sure to let yall know.

She also was able to read through the blog thanks to my trusty iPhone and she was very appreciative of all the comments and outpourings of love from all of you-- please keep them coming, since she'll be reading it from now on, and I suspect, eventually taking over some of the posting duties.

She will be graduating to a Jackson trache (we like to think it's named for our distant relative Stonewall Jackson), which will enable her to talk soon.

It's been a banner day and we're so excited!!!!!

Status Update -- Monday, March 2

We'd been forewarned by the doctors that this would be a "roller coaster ride" of recovery -- that good days would be followed by not-so-good ones. That's an apt description of what we saw today. It wasn't bad (which is, of course, good in our new world...); it was just quiet. Caitlin slept almost all day; she'd been only lightly sedated for the changing of the wound pack which seals the section of the incision still open, and she slept all day.

At one point while I was there she woke up enough to, I think, recognize me for an instant, and then was totally disoriented. That's hard to see, and I hope my reassurances about where and how she was doing were sufficient to ease the panic I saw in her eyes. She drifted back to sleep.

So, it was a quiet day for her, and we pray and believe that these quiet, resting days are healing times. Her fatigue possibly also was a response to the previous, more alert, responsive days we've just seen.

She's still improving, and that is all that counts.

Status Update-- Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1

Caitlin is demonstrating reservoirs of strength. When I visited her yesterday, I complimented her on being so tough-minded through this ordeal, and she wrote in all caps, "I DO NOT QUIT."

She was very tired today, but we took her a sleeping mask, for which she was very thankful. We hope she'll get a good night's rest.

It looks like she'll be moved to her own room soon and we're very anxious for that as is she.

We've been so thankful for her wonderful nurses, who were so kind and brought her a bear with notes wishing her well, which trumped the UK bear I brought her.

Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, and comments!

-Mike