Praying Friends,
First, I just have to share with you the experiences of our trip home to Kenai, From Seattle.
As you know, Kris and I had to travel separately. I tried it get on their flight by changing my return flight, but it was full. I was just a bit disappointed by this, by I took consolation in the fact that I could wait for them at the Gate area in Anchorage, and make sure the wheel chair was waiting.
The Taxi driver who got them to Seattle went out of his way to help and the wheelchair there was brought out to curb side and they were helped out curbside with their baggage.
Once I arrived at Anchorage I checked on this twice. Yes, I was told, the wheelchair request was in the system. By the time their flight came it there were two of them sitting and the gate.
Their flight came in and the attendant took the two wheelchairs down. Eventually, they came up, but without Cassie! I told the agent assisting with the people getting of the plane that I was Cassie's father. As it turns out, they were one wheelchair short and she was trying to get another one. She let me go down to the plane to wait with Kris and Cassie.
As it turns out, there was a connection flight that didn't make it to Seattle on time and there were 44 empty seats on this as a result. But the cool thing was that having all these seats meant that Cassie could lie down, three across, at the rear of the plane. So keep this in mind next time your flight is late. Who knows what might be happening somewhere up the line. For us, 44 people missing their connecting flight meant relative comfort for Cassie on the 3.5 hour trip to Anchorage.
We flew in a small 9 seat Navaho from the flight to Kenai from Anchorage. It was a good day, and the bumps were minimal. Usually in a smaller plane like that, there's always something bumpy out over the Inlet, even if just a bit. Not for us. The ride was great, and Cassie was able to sleep most of the 40 minute flight.
There were friends at the airport in Kenai to help with baggage and our car was waiting for us in short term parking. We were home, and Cassie was in bed, by 5:30 or so, Tuesday afternoon.
I titled this update the "Long Haul" because it appears pretty evident at this point that Cassie's recovery is going to take a bit longer than last time. The end result was exactly what they expected, but they had a bit tougher time at it than planned. In the first operation last August, they mentioned nothing about blood loss. but this time they told ups about it. This was what was causing the pain in her neck, if you recall.
And for us, after experiencing a previous recovery, we knew that Cassie was going to be slower at coming around this time. Everything is fine as far as what she can/can't do as a result of the hemispherectomy. That's simply incredible!.But she is much weaker, he neck hurts terribly, and eating anything usually results in her vomiting. However, she seems to hold down most of what she eats or drinks (sports drinks, fruit juices, fruit). Unfortunately, the best pain medication she takes and makes her nauseous - so she only takes that one in the evening. In addition, she is on all her anti-seizure meds, antibiotics, and anti-nausea medication.
It hurts seeing her lying there in pain. But this hurt is mixed with the joyfulness of her simply being there with everything in order, if you know what I mean.
We encourage those of you who are local who would like to, to stop by and say hello. Call first, but visitors would be good. We could use some company, also. Kris and I plan on working some out in our yard today, cleaning up from winter. It feels good, and beats sitting around a hospital room for a week.
Pray that Cassie will eat, that she ill keep down what she eats, and that she will eat more than fruit. Pray that she will sleep, and that the pain in her neck and head will subside.
Thanks
Gary
