Scary story

So, here's an interesting and scary story. I caught a ride to work on the courtesy van at Honda today, while my car was being worked on. This driver has been giving me rides to/from work for years, since long before we moved to our new location in 2011. I mentioned that my sister was going to be driving my wife's car, so I needed the ride. After a minute of thinking about how long I'd known him, and what a nice guy he is, I decided to tell him about Kristan. Then he told me that he had lost his wife nine months ago. We expressed our condolences to each other. I asked him what happened, wondering if his situation was similar at all. He said it was completely unexpected. She was in good health, but had developed a very bad cough, presumably from a nasty cold. She kept meaning to go see her doctor. She finally called to make an appointment, but they couldn't get her into the office until Tuesday after the weekend. He came home from work on Monday, to find she had passed away in bed. He said her doctor offered one possible explanation, that her cough may have been so violent, that it caused a heart attack. I came away wondering if seeing the doctor sooner would've made a difference, and revisiting some thoughts that have occurred to me many times in the past, that we all need to be really proactive, about getting seen by the doc, when we think it's important. Kristan was really good about helping me with that in the past, and I'm going to have to be really careful in the future. I was reminded of what happened to the Muppets creator Jim Henson. So, let's all be careful out there!

What a celebration

The "Celebration of Kristan's life" on Sunday went really well. I don't know how to thank everyone who helped put it together. The house was beautiful, and there was lots of really delicious food for everyone in the basement. I confess I was pretty overwhelmed by all the caring people who came, and all the flowers, cards, and notes from those who couldn't make it. I was so very appreciative to see the people who traveled from out-of-state. It was so nice to have the house filled up with family for a few days. Everyone seemed really happy to see the photos from earlier in her life. A lot of people expressed their surprise at how quickly the photo collages were assembled, and what an amazing collection of wonderful photos we had, from those earlier times. I tried so hard, not to let myself get choked up, as I told the stories of some of the photos. Looking back, and recounting those stories, I was repeatedly reminded of the many good times we shared over the past 30 years. I was also reminded of our wedding day, as I found myself trying to spend time with everyone, and realizing that meant I could only spend a short time with any one person. I was really glad I asked my nephew to take pictures, as I am afraid I won't remember everything and everyone from that day. I haven't pulled those pictures out of the camera I loaned him, so I'll just share this one pic I took, of some of the flowers lined up on the kitchen counter today. Looking at them reminds me of how much love and caring attention I was feeling all day.

Almost ready

Thanks to a lot of hard work by a few wonderful people, we have photos of Kristan's earlier and better days up, in most of the rooms around the house, except the upstairs where our visitors will be staying. I even figured out how to publish a slideshow to the new Apple TV gadget I got in December, so we'll have that running on the TV in my office, with some of the more recent digital photos we've taken. I have a funny feeling that more people than I first thought, will be coming. We even have family and friends flying out from California. It's comforting to know that several people are bringing food, dessert, french roast coffee, and even a 32-cup coffee maker.

Celebration of Kristan's life

We will be having a "celebration of Kristan's life" reception at the house on Sunday between 2 and 5 PM. It will be very informal. We will have pictures of her, from earlier and happier times, on display around the house, for people to wander around and discover. A few people are bringing food.

It's over for her

I don't know how to say this, but I feel like I must get this awful news out right away. I got a call Sunday night at 10pm from the hospital, saying that Kristan was unresponsive, and they were trying to resuscitate her, and I'd better get in there, so I grabbed her brother, who has been visiting, and by the time we got here, she had passed away. We hadn't made any end-of-life plans, so I'm pretty lost right now, but figuring it out as I go. I brought Mandy in, because I thought I'd always regret it, if she didn't get a chance to try to understand that she's saying goodbye. -- at Presbyterian St Luke's Hospital

Cool and overcast

Another cool overcast day at Denver City Park... perfect for a nice walk.

Visitor, impending discharge to SNF

Kristan's brother is here visiting this weekend. I'm trying to teach him a few tricks about his new phone. The hospital is getting more serious about booting her out on Monday, or at least next week sometime. They are continuing to have her practice sitting upright for a while each day. The case manager has put calls in, to four Skilled Nursing Facilities. Naturally, the one we were told is best, doesn't have any beds available. It was the only one that had dialysis available in the same facility. I guess I'm slightly relieved, because it's quite a way North of Denver, and would've been an even longer drive to visit. — at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver.

She seems better

Kristan seems to be getting a little better every day, even if she doesn't *feel* a little better every day. The wound continues to heal. The regenerating tissue is doing a good job of beginning to cover the bone that was exposed in the 12/6 surgery. Mandy is "styling" in her new coat tonight. — at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver.

City Park

This could be our coldest walk at Denver city park, at 9°F. No question about Mandy coming with us; she stayed warm and toasty in her bed in the backseat of the car. The families out sledding by the museum didn't seem as crazy as they did at first glance, after seeing their rosy cheeks and huge smiles.

Rose Parade 2015

Another late night, and I'm glad to be able to sleep in on the holiday, and enjoy the Rose Parade, especially the Cal Poly float entry! Happy New Year to you!

New Year's Eve

Woo, hoo. The fun never ends. Spending a quiet New Year's Eve in her hospital room. I brought her a bunch of goodies to celebrate with, but she liked the flashing Christmas Tree glasses the best. — with Mandy Hushing and Kristan Attardi Hushing at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver.

Snoozing

Mandy and I stopped by PSL for several hours after our walk at City Park. Kristan was pretty much asleep the entire time. Her nurse says she didn't sleep last night at all, so we just let her snooze. Then I noticed an email on my phone from our homeowners association president, saying that water was running down the hill from the direction of our house, and there was some concern that someone had a broken water pipe. So, I gathered up my things and rushed home. It doesn't appear that it was coming from our house, thank goodness.

City Park

Another gorgeous walk through Denver City Park, 28° and rising on this beautiful sunny day. Mandy was up for the walk, until she got out into the deep snow and froze her toes. It was funny seeing her ears poking up in the car window when we got back.

Progress

We saw a composite page with photos the wound care RN has taken over the past few weeks, and are pleased that K's wound is healing. We just need to continue encouraging her to keep eating, especially the protein, which helps so much with healing. - With Kristan at P/SL

Christmas Eve at PSL

It feels like a little bit of a party here with Kristan. She's in great spirits. The Carpenters are singing from their Christmas CD. Mandy and I are here of course. Lorene is still here, and shared my combo plate from Jerusalem. Amy came to visit, and brought some wrapped gifts, fun to open. And every once in awhile, a CNA or RN stops by, to say goodbye or hello, and wish us a Merry Christmas, as shift change occurs.

Morrison

Beautiful 37° walk along Bear Creek in Morrison. Just a little ice in the creek right now. Nice Christmas evergreen cuttings on the bridge. Found a geocache sitting out in plain sight, which seemed strange. Spent the whole time chatting with my big Sis - a very pleasant way to spend the morning. :-)

Long haul

I saw a pic of her wound today, first time since the surgery. Really large, really deep, really disconcerting. The good news, is that they say it looks better than it was. They are still estimating six months to a year before it could be healed.

deKoevend Park

Nice walk around deKoevend Park. Still some snow on these trails from last weekend.

Frosty walk

Walked around Denver City Park. Snowing lightly, and temp right around freezing. Mandy opted to stay in the car today. She's not a big fan of precipitation. We were glad the Zoo serves hot coffee. Funny. The snow and low light made the picture look black and white...

OK visit

A helicopter was lifting off just as I arrived; always fun for me to see stuff like that. She was wide-awake and in relatively good spirits, considering, and we chatted a little, before I headed off to my work's holiday party not too far away. She was told she may not be released until January. Probably not to home - more like a skilled nursing facility (SNF). — with Mandy and Kristan at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver.

Good spirits

Stopped by PSL after our walk at City Park. She was in pretty good spirits. We'll be back later tonight...

Surgery done

7:55pm Dr Schnur says the surgery is done. She did well. The wound is quite large and deep. He took a lot of bad tissue. He had to take some bone. They took a culture, to look for infection in the bone. She will be in recovery another hour or so. Then they will take her back up to Select. So, my guess is she should be back up in her room sometime after 9 PM. Here she is, just outside the operating room, with her trusty escort Mandy, before going in.

DC Colorado tree light pattern 12/5 4:09 pm MST

https://www.youtube.com/whitehouse

Stage 4

They have pronounced the wound stage four, large and deep, down to the bone. She's started doing a better job yesterday and today, of drinking Nepro to build up her protein and get some carbs, which would give her some chance to heal. Today's doctor Wyrick strongly recommends debridement surgery, even though it will leave bone exposed. She's talked to K's wound, endocrinology, and nephrology docs, and the one who would do the surgery, and they all agree. It'll have to be better than it is now. K says the staff here are so much more professional. Mandy enjoyed her third visit, although she did have to wait for them to finish dialysis, before she could hop on the bed and cuddle up.

Transferred to PSL

Kristan was transferred to Presbyterian St. Luke's (PSL) long-term acute care facility this afternoon. They have a big job ahead of them, tending the wound, and getting her to eat, so her body can fight. On the good news front, Mandy got to visit tonight. — with Kristan Attardi Hushing at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver.

Not making progress

She's eating a little more, but not enough. We've been agonizing and arguing over the sudden announcement that they will discharge her today unexpectedly, because she's not making progress. I think they've decided to give us some time to prepare, by sending her home tomorrow after dialysis. No idea how to ensure she gets good care at home. At least she'll be rid of the man across the hall, in the netted cage in his bed, who yells "help" every two seconds, all day and night.

Ate a little

She was in much better spirits this morning before dialysis. Although she still wasn't eating much. Dialysis tired her out. And so did the pain meds. But she perked up again, to eat a little Thanksgiving dinner -- turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry -- that our friend Jen sent over from the dinner she made today. — with Kristan Attardi Hushing at Swedish Medical Center.

Thanksgiving Day walk

You know the dog is having a good walk, when you have to go around the park twice, three bags aren't enough, and you have to move on to using seedpods to pick up stuff.

Better night

The RN this morning says Kristan had a much better night, slept well, didn't report any pain.

Struggling to be hopeful

Her pressure sore is really bad. Found out today, Wound Care wanted her admitted, so she can get stronger for a debridement surgery they want to do. Regular wound care is ineffective at this point. So the lack of wound care this past week becomes a little less maddening, with that information. But she hasn't been able to eat, so she's just wasting away instead. She did eat a little fruit and drank some Nepro just now -- a small victory.