Status Update-- Friday, February 27

Best day by far!!!!

I'm happy to report that Caitlin is breathing on her own!!! We are beside ourselves with excitement over this big step. Her nurses say she'll probably have her own room within the next couple of days. Caitlin is excited for that possibility because she's having trouble sleeping with all the hubbub in Surgical ICU.

We had a lot of great interactions with her today as she is able to write on a dry erase board that the nurses provided. They washed her hair today, so she is looking really good. I bought her a super cool black headband with pink skull & crossbones on it that she loves and it makes her look pretty tough, if I do say so myself.

So excited right now and can't wait til she can talk again! Keep those prayers coming!

-Leah

Status Update-- Wednesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 26

Sorry for the tardy post, we were just exhausted again yesterday!

We've had a couple of great days with Caitlin and lots of interactions with her that ensure us it's still the same old Caitlin! The swelling in her hands in reducing, so we hope she will be able to communicate with us in writing soon.

Today they were able to partially close her incision. Using a mesh substance, they sealed the stomach cavity. While the remainder of the closing will be (hopefully) in the near future, the Doctor described this as a big step forward.

Yesterday, we met with a representative from the Navy and were able to learn a bit more about her current and future status. Right now, she's on a medical hold under a new program called Safe Harbor, which is a blessing for sailors in similar situations.

Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers, and comments on this blog!

-Leah

Status Report -- Monday, February 24

Tardy again on posting. The days seem to melt away. Leah and I saw Caitlin late last night after she'd recovered a bit from the tracheostomy. She seemed to be resting comfortably after a bath and the procedure, and it was wonderful once again to see her whole face.

The nurse reported an attempt to free her arms from restraint (mild though it is) was successful for a bit. Not surprisingly, however, restlessness and anxiety recurred, and she pulled the new trach tube from her throat. Ouch! Back to restraints for the time being.

All three of us were so happy to get brief smiles during our visits.

--------------------------
REMINDER: We are working hard to prevent any infections in ourselves, however mild.
The reason is that we won't be able to visit Caitlin if we get one. When she gets stronger she not only will want but will need visits, but we're trying to be careful right now -- not only for her, but for all those in the SICU who, like her, are fighting pneumonia and other infections.

Status Update -- Monday, February 23

They were unable to close Caitlin's surgical incision today, but while she was under anaesthesia they were able to check the status of the intestines, and they remain healthy and uninfected. That's excellent news! They'll try to suture again on Wednesday; hopefully by then the swelling will have receded enough.

We learned today that yesterday she received an additional two pints of blood, for a low hematacrit, not because of any loss due to bleeding.

She's still heavily sedated -- partly due to aftermath of anaesthesia; partly for pain relief, and partly for anxiety relief.

They also have begun the protocol for weaning from the ventilator; the alternative will be the tracheostomy, which will be a step forward to our understanding.

It's heartrending for us to see how difficult this is for her, but we remain focused on the many little steps she's taken since a week ago Saturday. The biggest step of all, of course, is that she's with us. That is everything!

Status Update -- Sunday, February 22

Today is another "quiet day." Caitlin's been so active they've had to give her tranquilizers to relax her, and have had to restrain her legs. She's proving literally that she's a "fighter"...

Tomorrow they will close the incision after they recheck the intestines. Her fever is low grade. She didn't wake up when we went in, but seemed to be sleeping peacefully. She looked more comfortable without the neck brace.

Since it's another quiet day for her, we're taking the cue and will rest again to prepare for tomorrow.

We have come to know other families who are in similar -- or worse -- situations by sharing space in the ICU waiting room. We never knew... It's amazing and wonderful how we're all bonding, we strangers whose paths are crossing only briefly and through adversity.

We trade good news and mutual support and prayers for both good and bad news. We all share newspapers and food; give restaurant/housing/other advice and offer rides or to run errands to/for out-of-towners. It's a little village actually, but it's a good little village. We are seeing how -- even in the worst of times -- humans can rise to great goodness. What a blessed and much needed reminder!

Status Update -- Saturday, February 21

We are obviously tardy in posting for yesterday. It likely will come as no surprise to anyone (except us) that yesterday evening we finally "crashed."

Caitlin was so uncomfortable and restless yesterday morning that her nurses declared a "quiet day." (They probably should have extended that rule to us also, but it's doubtful we'd have been able to process such good advice...). She was heavily sedated to give her some ease from coughing spells (the pneumonia) and the whole confusing, frustrating ordeal she's undergone.

Good things: Her neck brace was removed because the MRI happily reconfirmed no neck injury. She was bathed and groomed, and we hope that -- overall -- she got some small relief.

Still no sutures or removal of ventilator, but we're told she's relying less now on latter.

Patience has never been one of our nuclear family's virtues, but we're progressing, we think...

The U.S. Navy Deserves a Salute!

We received a call a few days ago from a wonderful, immensely helpful lady who assists families and servicemen/women in our situation navigate the intricacies of available military medical services and benefits.

She called us; we didn't have to find her.

Her name is Georgia Monsam, and she exemplifies the very best of "public service" and professionalism. Not only is she a font of vital information and guidance, she obviously cares deeply about the individual service member and her/his family.

Mike is so impressed by her the question is will he: a. try to hire her; b. award her a medal; c. award her a crown, or d. try to adopt her into our family?

I think the answer is "All of the above!"

Many of Caitlin's superior officers and peers have kept in constant contact with guidance, support, and prayers. We are so grateful.

When Cait enlisted in the U.S. Navy, she followed the footsteps of her maternal great-grandfather [WWI], two great-uncles [WWII], her second cousin [retired Commander/USNA grad & a mentor], as well as her paternal grandmother [WAVE, WWII].

When she enlisted, she also forged her link in an unbroken maternal family chain of military service. Her ancestors have served in one or another branch of service, during peace-time as well as in every war fought by this nation, beginning with the American Revolution!

Status Update-- Friday, February 20

Today, for the first time, we were able to communicate with Caitlin despite the heavy sedation and the ventilator. Those of you who know her are familiar with her dramatic facial expressions, and they were our primary cues to our assurances, questions, and comments.

We were elated to see the smiles, grimaces, eye rolls and "meanie" stares. She was restless and uncomfortable and frustrated that her hands were tied to prevent her ripping out the ventilator; she cried when she first saw me (Margaret), but that quickly passed. We recognize all of that is to be expected, and were awed that she remained -- in greatest part -- as calm as she did.

Heart rate, b/p, and fever are down a bit. Pain is controlled.

We think the ventilator will be replaced with trach tube possibly tomorrow, and if MRI from today reconfirms no neck injury, the brace will be removed. Those two things will permit her to talk and to move her head, which will give so much relief.

Once again, we are grateful for even the smallest progress. To us each little step is a major blessing!

Status Update-- Thursday, February 19

Caitlin underwent surgery again today (her fourth).  

While everything looks good inside (blood flowing where it should, bowels intact, etc.), she is still too swollen for them to suture her up.  They will try again in a couple of days.

She remains on the ventilator and probably will be for a day or so more.  If she isn't ready to breathe on her own by the weekend, they will switch her to a trach tube.  Seems awful to contemplate, but -- in the scheme of things...not really.

She has developed a little pneumonia, which is not unexpected.  She's been on a low dosage of antibiotics since Saturday, but they stepped it up significantly today. 

For the above reasons, she was too sedated for us to feel she was aware we were there.  What was most important to us, of course, was that SHE was there.

Finally, if the CAT scan they run tomorrow reconfirms the first report of no neck/spinal injuries, they will remove her cumbersome neck brace.

Today was another reminder that we have to take this day by day and learn to be patient and ever grateful for even tiny signs of progress.

Please keep those prayers coming.  They are working!

Also, we've had some requests for our address:

The Kannensohns

320 McDowell Road

Lexington, KY 40502

--Leah

Please donate blood!

Just got back from donating blood in the UK Hospital across from the cafeteria.

Caitlin lost a lot of blood after the accident and we are so grateful that there was enough on hand for her.  Giving blood is another thing that we've realized is such an important duty in life.

If you get a chance today or sometime soon, please give some blood if you can and think about Caitlin when you do.

If you're in Lexington, the blood drive here is until 5pm today. You can also donate tomorrow here at UK Med from 8am to 5pm.

Here is the website for the Central Kentucky Blood Center where you can find local blood drives :

www.kybloodcenter.org

So far we've had 2 people donate in honor of Caitlin.  Please leave a comment if you donate, so we can keep track!

Thanks so much! I will be posting an update soon,

Leah

Williamstown Fire Department

Being there from the moment of the accident until she was airlifted out of the area to Lexington; I really have to commend the Williamstown Fire Department for their amazing performance.  Not only did they get onto the scene in a very fast amount of time, they made the right call to airlift her out to a trauma center, and had that airlift there in minutes.  From the time of the accident until they responded and got her airlifted away was maybe 20 to 25 minutes.  Considering the rural location of the farm this is in my humble opinion nothing short of absolutely amazing.

If anyone would like to thank them, you can contact them at:

Williamstown Fire Department

404 N Main St
Williamstown, KY 41097

859 824 4959

Chief Whalen of the WFD was actually the first responder to the accident and did an outstanding job.  I'm really grateful that they were so professional and quick when it was needed.

Sam

Status Update-- Wednesday, February 18

Today, Caitlin crossed another hurdle. 

She has her own room in UKMC ICU.  She's starting to look more like herself because the swelling continues to recede.  She remained heavily sedated and likely was unaware when we went in to visit.

Tomorrow, the surgeons hope to begin the process of suturing her incisions; if not tomorrow, the next day.

And especially heartening is their hope that they may be able to remove her from the ventilator.

She is extremely jaundiced, but we are told that is to be expected.  She is under the care of a wonderful medical team.

Her vital signs remain good.

On a lighter note...

Caitlin comes from a long line of people who confront good and bad times with a great story, no matter how many times it's been told.  

The true Southerner cares more for the tale and the telling of the tale then for minor details such as truthfulness, adherence to plot line or proper identification of starring characters.

So what's your favorite Caitlin tale?

We'll start with one of ours...

Caitlin showed her strong Southern genetic disposition at the art of taletelling at an early age.  One summer, when she was 3 and incapable of remaining in one spot for more than two seconds, she began routine rounds of the pool at the Tennis Club-- making friends, likely dispensing unwanted advice, and otherwise just being the Caitlin she still is today.

One afternoon, a stranger walked up to Mike and Margaret and remarked at their kindness for letting their orphaned niece from New York City visit them for the summer.  When met with utter confusion, the lady quickly pointed to the Coca-Cola swimsuit-clad blonde curly-headed busy body selling her sad story to the next gullible group.  

We've got plenty more, but now it's your turn...remember, in our finest family tradition, gross exaggeration is welcome, and--in fact--expected, and would-be fiction writers are encouraged to participate!

-Margaret & Leah

Sometimes, life...

Saturday, 14 February, our life was best summarized by a current t.v. ad:  "Sometimes life comes at you fast!"

How true.  But how best to view that fact is all a matter of perspective, and we can honestly say that in a scant few days our perspective of life has been dramatically altered.

First example:  The most important word in the slogan above is "life."  Only a day or so before Caitlin's accident, Mike and I had both been moved by President Obama's comment on the tragic airplane crash in Buffalo.  "It reminds us," the President noted, "just how fragile life really is."

In the past few days Mike and I have told each other how struck each of us had been by that sobering comment.

And, in the past few days, we've seen it first hand.

At the bottom line,  because of its very fragility, it is a gift all the more precious...not only because we still have Caitlin with us, but because we've been reminded we must approach  life every day with a renewed appreciation and joy.

Second example:  Things which we once viewed with absolute horror, we've learned are great gifts.  Take the concept of a loved one on a ventilator.   Once in the realm of nightmares, we now see it for the life-sustaining gift it really is.  Massive and repeated surgical intrusion?  Ditto!  And on and on.

These are only two of countless examples of our changes in perspective.  What we hope and pray is that we won't need another crash course to remind us!

This has been -- will no doubt continue to be -- a significant journey.  Without the incredible and humbling outpouring of well wishes and kindnesses and (we believe most important of all) fervent prayers we know Caitlin and our family would not have made it through even these few days.  With them, we are absolutely confident we can and will stay this course!

Margaret 

What Happened?

If you're visiting this site, you already know most if not all.  Briefly, Caitlin had mounted for a horseback ride on Saturday, February 14.  The horse reared; Caitlin fell off, and the horse fell onto her.  Thanks to the quick reaction of those with her, she was medivac'd to UK Medical Center where she received rapid and intensive surgery for significant internal damage, the first and most urgent being massive bleeding.

That surgery was the first of three she's undergone to date.  Damage has been repaired to the extent possible, and further surgery will follow.  We've gone from a minute-to-minute, to hour-by-hour to a current day-to-day outlook.

Each day we'll post her current status, and notes about this journey.

She truly is our Super Caity...

Caitlin will be soooo proud of us...we always rag on her for updating her profile(s) so often, but now we realize why she does-- she has so many people who care for her so very much no matter what the circumstances...which is why we decided to start this blog.

As you know, we've got a long road ahead, but things are looking good for Caitlin aka Caity, Cait, 

CaitBait, CeedleBeedle, etc, etc.

We want this to be a forum for everyone to keep track of her progress and to show her how very much she means to us.  We also want it to serve as a journal to remind her -- when the roller coaster ride of recovery gets bumpy and scary -- that she was never, ever alone through all this!

  We believe the best antidote to hard times and hard places is the love and support and well wishes and humor and prayers of those whom we love and who love us.

Mike, Margaret and Leah Kannensohn

P.S. This blogging thing is new to us, so excuse any formatting kinks...we'll get them worked out, and if we don't, we're sure Caitlin will.