Jan 21 2013
Madam Kathy Update 3
After some delays, Kathy was finally moved last Friday night from the rehabilitation hospital in Washington D.C. to a rehabilitation facility in Rockville, Maryland. Of course Murphy’s Law was in full force, and they didn’t pick her up until rush hour, and then they encountered two accidents on the way to the new facility. So after a very uncomfortable two-hour ride, she was at her new home (and hopefully her last stop before really coming home).
The first two days at the new place were kind of tough, because she was adjusting to new surroundings, and they really jumped right into therapy for her. On her first full day she had three therapy sessions (occupational, physical, and speech), was placed in a wheelchair four times, and had a minor meltdown towards the end of the day (“I know they want to get me strong again, but does it have to be on my first day?”) But now she has settled in, and really likes the staff, her surroundings, and the therapy sessions. She is really anxious to get home and is working to make that happen. When the staff is not working with her, she is doing exercises on her own. One day she did 600 repetitions of five different exercises, or 3000 reps in total!
She is eating much better (taste buds are still recovering), and her arm and body movements are almost back to normal. Walking is still a challenge, because her hospital stay caused some neuropathy in her feet and legs. That causes extreme pain and numbness in her lower legs and feet, and the doctors are trying to come up with the right balance of painkillers to remove the pain while not increasing the numbness. But even with the leg pain she is able to stand by herself and stay standing for a few seconds if she has something to grab onto. This new facility has all kinds of rehabilitation machines, and they are really using them to her full advantage.
Many friends have sent cards or emails, or have visited her in person. That is much appreciated by both of us, and we also appreciate the continued prayers and expressions of concern.
Thank you for keeping us updated on Kathy. May she get well enough to return home soon!
I appreciate your thoughtfulness on keeping us updated. I continue to pray she’ll soon be able to return home and that she’ll be strong and well.
I am one of Madam Kathy’s followers at Meridian Magazine and I have been missing her! I finally went looking to see where she is and found this blog site. Please pass on my love and let her know I am adding my prayers to those already praying for her recovery.
So glad Madame Kathy is improving! I’ve missed her!!
Aloha Kathy,
After reading the other posts I had no idea you were ill and in the hospital. I am glad you’re doing well and continue to a full recovery becoming strong and healthy again. Thank you to the wonderful person for keeping all of us updated on Kathy. Our family was in Utah in December spending precious time with our son Andrew before depoisting him off at the Provo MTC. Elder Ralph is doing well and is currently in Bogota Colombia MTC for another three weeks and then flies on to Medellin. He is anxious to be out teaching the people and in the real world again. He’s enjoyed being at both MTCs (Provo and Bogota). Love, hugs, and prayers…
glad she is doing better one day at a time! About the picture w/what you describe as “pillow hair”- the secret to avoiding it is using a silky/satiny type pillowcase. And I’ve heard from former patients of wearing a silk underwear over one’s head! So I think pillow hair is fine, we are just glad you are on the way to recovery!
I thought it was awfully quiet for a bit there… so sorry to hear that Kathy has been ill. So glad to hear that she’s improving.
Her name is on the prayer roll at the Oakland temple ; )
Looking forward to updates. Thank you Clark!!
Please tell Kathy that the California chapter of her fan club is praying for her.
Hey Kathy,
3000 reps?! I feel like a wimp! That is about 2900 more than I’ve ever done! I’m glad you are headed in the right direction with recovery. Especially for those poor taste buds…you better get those recovered right away! How miserable! Thanks Clark for keeping us updated. Just know that prayers are coming from this side of the world too!
As a reader of blogs and not a writer, I enjoy visiting this site and contemplating Kathy’s latest exploits and wisdom. I miss her daily postings. It is difficult for me to come out of the shadows of observation and express my feelings.
I hope she is recovering and that all her loved ones are checking in with her often.
Thank you for the updates.
I hope Kathy is feeling and doing better. I know how busy you are Clark, but I’m hoping you’ll be able to post another update soon when time permits. Please give her my best and let her know she is thought of and missed!
Isn’t it time for another update?
I miss Madame Kathy! Xxx
I just read over on Nauvoo Times that you are home! Wonderful news! May you continue to recover!
http://www.nauvootimes.com/cgi-bin/nauvoo_column.pl?number=101543&author=kathryn-h-kidd