March 31, 2009 Happy Birthday, Caitlin

Day 70 - Happy Birthday Caitlin! I breath a sigh of relief that this journey is moving in the forward direction that it is. I called Caitlin today and caught her at the gym walking on the treadmill which is a positive sign in my eyes. Her voice sounded stronger today that it has been so hopefully the treadmill to build stamina is doing exactly that. It has tried to spit snow here today and turned very cold for the last day of March but fortunately no snow that stuck around for more than a few minutes. Mark has a meeting tonight so I plan a nice quiet evening at home with the "rodents" aka - the dogs.

March 30, 2009

Day 69 - Today marks the end of life of the mother of a teen. I have watched both kids grow into amazing young adults with a great future ahead of them. Christopher and Jill have been married for a smidge over two years now and have settled into their own routine. Jill is still battling morning sickness which should prove to be a very healthy and intelligent baby (I wouldnt hope for anything less). Caitlin and Dustin are just beginning this new phase of their life. In a way I will miss the hustle and bustle of those teen years but in other ways it is so nice to marvel at the people my kids have become. While Caitlin and all of us continue to pray that the insurance glitch is overcome in the very near future I have total faith that hole in her heart will be fixed and she will become a much healthier adult as a result of it. She is having more good moments than not so great moments but I can't wait for the day that she is back to herself. Then again, after a life changing experience she won't be back to her old self again but we will accept what is in her cards with a grateful smile. What she and Dustin have worked through together before their marriage is amazing. They have handled adversity far better than numerous couples with 10-20 years together have had to handle. Okay, enough bragging about my kids as my years as the mom of teens end but thanks for listening. Tomorrow begins a new chapter.

March 28, 2009 - Happy Birthday Dustin

This is Alyssa, Caitlin and Dustin the weekend they met.

Day 67 - Busy end of the week. Drove to St Joseph yesterday to take some medical records to Caitlin's cardio-surgeon. I/we like this group more everytime we deal with them. Stopped by Heartland and saw Angel and Randy (Caitlin's lifeflight nurse). For as busy as they are it amazes me how excited they were to hear how well things were progressing. We are so grateful to everyone at Heartland for going so far above and beyond anything we could have ever asked for. We still do not have confirmation from insurance but it seems that the pieces of the puzzle that are needed are beginning to fall into place. We continue our prayers that it works out and have glimmers of hope we are being heard. Spent some time shopping and then had a light supper with a dear friend. It was so enjoyable to do something as simple as dinner with a friend. Is look forward to doing more of it. Told Chris and Jill I practiced my grandma skills today babysitting and had a great time. The energy little ones have is endless as is their acceptance and love. Can't wait till Chris and Jill get to experience this also, they will be wonderful loving parents. Talked to Caitlin and Dustin to wish Dustin a happy birthday. They were having an enjoyable day together. As for the old March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb I am not so sure about in Missouri. We started March with a snow storm and so far Maryville has had snow but not the storm St. Joseph and Kansas City appear to be getting.

March 25, 2009

Day 64 - This journey we have been on has truly reaffirmed to us the power of prayer and we are asking that those of you who will will continue to pray. Caitlin's cardio-surgeon called today with a surgery date pending insurance approval which is where prayers are needed. For reasons more complicated than I can understand it is not uncommon for insurance to throw up a road block to the surgery to fix the hole in her heart. The surgeon is confident in his decision to fix her heart but now we all wait and pray for the documentation to fall in line with the insurance company. Prayers have brought us this far and we have total faith that prayers will carry Caitlin through this journey with the insurance company and to a more complete recovery with a heart that is no longer "holey" but instead holy in spririt and faith. She sounds so happy when I talk to her although to paraphrase her, she is tired of being tired. I talked to Chris today and they weathered the hail storm in Austin today with a bit of traffic drama but all ended up well. He was getting ready to cook supper for Jill when I talked to him.

March 24, 2009

Day 63 - Quiet day in Maryville. Talk to Caitlin for a few minutes. Overall she is doing okay, still not back to herself but improving each day. They are still wading through a sea of boxes that they are trying to unpack, Dustin is back at work, trying to finish adding Caitlin to all the paperwork, Caitlin is trying to finish paperwork to start back to class and in the meantime have a normal married life (now what that is who knows). Chris and Jill are doing fine. Baby Kinman is fond of making Jill sick but the old wives tale indicates that she is carrying a healthy baby according to her morning sickness. Mark and I continue to chisel away a step at a time to recapturing the house. Day by day, normal for us is beginning to settle in.

March 22, 2009

Day 61 - Caitlin and Dustin are busily unpacking in Tucson. From what I can gather she is being careful not to get overtired. I think the spot in her abdomin helps remind her to be careful. Chris and Jill had a quiet weekend with Chris judging a BBQ contest and Jill having a much needed rest from what I can gather. My new medicine and/or a restful weekend seem to be helping with my blood pressure which is a relief. Recieved a package of pictures from my dad. Some of them are priceless. Hope to get test results this week from some of Caitlin's testing that was done just prior to the 14th.

March 20, 2009 - Happy Anniversary tomorrow Bill & Martha

Day 59 - Exhaustion has won and I have not been good at posting these last few days and I apologize. Caitlin and Dustin did make it to Tucson a little before 8 our time on Wednesday after a 36 hour trip via a Pensky moving van. They were able to get the keys to the house on Thursday and by the time paperwork and other details were finished they had enough time and energy to get their bed, bed linens that Sandi gave them and a few clothes off the moving truck before collapsing for the evening. I got a text from them after my doctor appointment today and they were in the midst of more paperwork (lol). Her spot in her incision line is still giving her fits but she will reevaluate after she has had time to get some rest and get settled. Had a wonderful lunch with dad before Ellen and I headed north. Chris and Jill seem to be doing well as are Mark and I. We are in the midst of getting reintroduced in our new roles but find the time together relaxing.

March 17, 2009 Happy Anniversary Chris & Jill

Day 56 - Happy Anniversary, Happy St Patty's Day, Happy Moving Day, Happy Baby Day!!!! What a day my kids have given me. Caitlin and Dustin pulled out this morning just before 7:30, I have spent the day getting my arthritis under control so that I can enjoy my students tomorrow, Mark is puttering around the house figuring out our new place in life, Chris and Jill are celebrating their second anniversary having a sonogram and seeing Baby Ks heartbeat. Both my girls are fighting tummy issues today. Baby K has let its momma know it is there and has decided like its father that morning sickness isn't just for mornings. Jill is handling it well but having been there I wish she could skip that part. Caitlin's stomach that was painful yesterday is refusing to calm down. Not sure if it is something to worry about or just reacting to the past few days with the pain it is giving her. They are watching it close and so far it hasn't gotten any worse from yesterday but it isn't getting better. Hopefully given time the pain will subside but they are smart and will seek help if it gets worse. Patience and prayer continue to be the best at the moment.

March 16, 2009

Caitlin and Grandpa Sinnett. Amazing!!!!

Day 55 - Packing is mostly done at the house and we are hanging out waiting for the guys to get back with the truck. The weekend finally caught up with Caitlin and she is really wiped out and sore but still doing her best to forge ahead. She keeps looking up everytime she hears something hoping it is Dustin pulling in. She has been pretty productive today in spite of her fatique and soreness especially considering the weekend caught up with me yesterday and seems determined to give me fits for the same number of days I pushed myself too far. It was so worth it though. She was beautiful and just glowed. Amazes me to think back that two years ago today at this time we were in Las Vegas getting ready for Chris and Jill's wedding and now they are getting ready to be parents to our upcoming grandbaby.

March 15, 2009

The above picture is from Friday the thirteenth. The veil she is wearing is my veil from my wedding 28+ years ago. Her bouquet was a gift from her maid of honor, Heather Smith. Also pictured is flowergirl, Kaycie Johnson; Dustin; Dustin's brother, Aaron, and Father Martin.

Day 54 - Wow, what a beautiful! Caitlin just glowed as she walked on her daddy's arm down the aisle to Dustin. It is amazing to watch God's plan unfold and even more amazing to reflect back on this journey. Miracles just happened all around us from our friends and family jumping in to save our sanity and help get things ready for a beautiful day to our son and his bride of two years this Tuesday announcing the upcoming addition to our family, they will be wonderful parents to our grandbaby in waiting (we decided if we waited patiently it will just get more and more adorable in the next 8 months). Caitlin held up very well in consideration of everything. Mary Jane, Shirley and Dustin stayed with her throughout the day to preserve her health and yet balance it with a dream day for her. We can't wait to see the pictures and everything they did throughout the day. To Ellen, Abbotts, Gardners, Throms, Hageys, Henegglers and a hundred others who jumped in whenever and wherever to help. Mark and I would have been lotst without everyone's help and to my dad who patiently kept me as calm as possible just by being there. I will say for just 7 1/2 weeks out Caitlin did amazingly well with short breaks throughout the day and a little patience I think overall she truly had it all...a beautiful day, a beautiful service, lots of friends and family, lots of dancing especially with her Grandpa Sinnett and her daddy (Dustin is an obvious in all of this), time spent with people she and Dustin love and a drive into the late evening to begin their life together.

March 12, 2009

Day 51 - Today was interesting, peaceful, and totally enjoyable for me. Caitlin put her dress on first thing this morning and she looked beautiful. We headed off to appointments again today and worked through more of the maze. She still needs to visit with one more tomorrow but hopefully it wont take long. She is at about 80% and strong enough to get married. The last 20% will resolve itself in the next few months. Along the way today Caitlin managed to squeeze in some time for pampering which was fun. Dustin flew into Kansas City tonight and headed home to spend some time with his family and groomsmen. He is planning to come up in the morning. 48 hours from now things will be beginning to calm down.

March 11, 2009

Day 50 - Hard to believe we have finally arrived at the point we are almost to high gear for the wedding. 'Grandma Thelma' took Caitlin in today to get her nails done for Saturday. Grandma Martha and Grandpa Bill came up to touch base and keep us posted on some of the many things they are doing to help out. Grandpa Sinnett touched base with us and will head up tomorrow to join us and fix a wonderful Irish meal. Caitlin did meet with a different cardiologist yesterday who we feel is more on the same page as far as timing and philosophy as we are which was a great relief. We worked on moving packed items to the garage and Caitlin held up fairly well. I imagine it helped that she finally felt well enough to let the chiropractor work on her back and she felt much better after her treatment. Yeah!

March 10, 2009

Day 49 - Caitlin saw a different cardio surgeon today and walked away feeling like she had really been heard and feels very confident with him. Also stopped at Heartland Hospital and saw some of the amazing people who played a vital part in her recovery those first weeks. Randy, her helicopter nurse, was in the hall and she was thrilled to see him and I truly feel he was glad to see her doing so well. Also saw Joanie, Angel and Kim along with a few of the people from fourth floor. It was a fun few minutes seeing them again. Headed home to a school program and then to some relaxation. Four days to go until she is married. Wow, hard to believe this journey we have walked through with her. Lots of prayers, lots of amazing people and lots of love all continue to play a huge part in her recovery process.

March 9, 2009

Day 48 - Caitlin had a relatively calm day today. She, her dad and I enjoyed a dinner out with her dance families which was a welcome break in our routine. No word back yet on any of the tests that were run the end of last week but to a certain degree we were not surprised to not know anything yet.

March 8, 2009

Day 47 - Caitlin and I headed to Kansas City with her girls for competition yesterday. The girls performed beautifully and Caitlin was so proud of them. She made it to church today and to a small personal show with a small group of lifelong friends that was very nice. Shortly after it ended she collapsed on one of my best friend's couches for a nap. Shirley, Ellen, Thelma and I cleaned up and then Shirley and I worked on some computer items while she napped. Overall I feel like this is the first weekend I have seen her have strength and stamina and the same time and it was so nice to see. After her nap she rallied to get a few things taken care of at home. Inch by inch she is beginning to make some things a cinch. Yeah!

March 7, 2009

Day 46 - I apologize for not posting yesterday. Caitlin had an EEG and MRI first thing yesterday morning and while Mark and Dustin (by phone) took on the job of keeping her awake all night I didn't sleep well at all because of the commotion in the house. If the puppies are any indication, after we left yesterday morning, they went outside for a few minutes then came in and voluntarily went straight to their kennels and looked at Mark helplessly as if to say, let us go to bed. I gather it was quite humorous. No results until next week but we all made it through them with a team effort. Stopped and did a quick errand before heading home to find ourselves in bed by late afternoon. One week from today and Caitlin will be getting married. At times we feel ready with the details and other times I feel totally overwhelmed but either way she will get married and she will be beautiful in more ways than I can count.

March 5, 2009

Day 44 - As a dear friend put it Caitlin hit a speed bump in the road. We are looking at this speed bump as a chance to take a different path to getting things resolved. Kansas City called this morning cancelling the meeting with the other cardio surgeon and in general bursting a bubble in the time frame they themselves had laid out just last night. So in short this speed bump tells us this was not the location that was meant to be of the most help to Caitlin. They did give her names of a cardiac place in Tucson and the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. Who knows maybe one of them is the better place. It would have been nice to have known earlier that the time crunch we were in and had shared with them each time we spoke was in fact going to be a major problem but we wont dwell on hindsight - it isnt worth our energy. We are moving forward tomorrow with other options. On a brighter side Caitlin and Dustin received some wonderful gifts in the mail today and it was so fun to hear her squeel resurface. The table centerpiece from Nashes matches the teapot sent to them from Aunt Libby. Couple that with the place settings from cousin Karyn & Chad and they will have a beautiful kitchen table. Other wonderful kitchen items came from Cummins, a wonderful family Caitlin has always admired. By days end we have come to grips with the rollercoaster ride we all just took and remain grateful we could take the ride with Caitlin.

March 4, 2009

Day 43 - Caitlin and I headed to meet with a cardio-surgeon in Kansas City today. We will be meeting with his partner on Friday at which point decisions should be finalized in regards to a plan. Step by step, inch by inch - Caitlin's goal is to be as healthy as possible to start her life with Dustin.

March 3, 2009

Day 42 - Caitlin and I headed to a check-up with her surgeon, Dr. Long, today. He is totally amazing, very intuitive, and almost like a father bear when it comes to Caitlin. He had lots of insight to what is continuing to go on and about the trauma in general that put both Caitlin and I at ease that this is all part of the process and part of her destiny. Her x-rays pleased Dr. Long and we are still waiting to hear about her blood work-up. Next time she is home they will rerun the CT Scan to see how her liver and spleen are healing but with the swelling still there it is better to wait right now. Stopped at Heartland to see some of the guardian angels there and it was nice to see those beautiful familar faces again. Headed home to receive some very inspirational cards from Joanne & Jim. Joanne & Jim seem to have wonderful timing as to just when cards with words of inspiration need to arrive at the house. Caitlin can't wait to see them at the wedding and put her arms around them.

March 2, 2009

Day 41 - Time feels like it is ticking away. We went yesterday to meet Angel and have Caitlin's makeover done. I have to admit she will be a beautiful bride. Angel did an amazing job with the makeover and added to the excitement of what is to come. She slept in this morning but then woke to tackle quite a bit of her packing today. Glad to see her feeling up to doing it, sad that she isnt just moving across town but that is not the plan and we are okay with it. Caitlin got confirmation today that she will be meeting with a cardiac surgeon middle of this week to discuss a plan for her heart. We are all excited and anxious at the same time. It is an interesting road to travel with lots of learning along the way and it certainly has put life in perspective.