09/06/2025
Update 9/6/25
Very long update so thank you for taking the time to read it and share it. ā¤ļø We are grateful for the prayers and support.
Annakate is holding on for us but she is struggling. She still has the adenovirus. We wonāt have the levels checked again until Monday. They check it once a week now. Her kidneys are struggling and she is still on continuous dialysis. She been off of sedation for weeks and she is still considered unresponsive right now. She has brainstem lesions and inflammation of the brain. She can move her hands but not often. She can shake her head when sheās not wanting someone to do mouth care. She can open her eyes but they donāt track side to side. It may not be much but itās something. I read to her. Right now Iām reading Nancy Drew books to her. Someone sent them to us as a gift ā¤ļø When my mouth is dry and need a break or sheās asleep I paint. It helps me. I have even done a few commissioned pieces ā¤ļø Some bookmarks, cards, and a few other pieces which I will mail in the next few days. If you would like to purchase a bookmark let me know. They are $20 each and all are originals. Instead of watching the numbers on the machines I focus on art for a bit and free my mind. I listen to music š¶ It helps the soul. We listen to Christian music, Red Clay Strays, Morgan Wallen, and my mommas favorite oldies ā¤ļø Sometimes we put a movie on for her because even if her eyes are closed we know sheās seen it 100 times and knows what is happening on the screen. God is good and everyday is a blessing. Make sure you take time to breatheā¦and take in the beauty and goodness in every situation.
This is challenging in so many ways. Uneventful days are the best because it means nothing has gotten worse. The slightest squeezing of our fingers is a blessing. A little tear is heart breaking but it lets us know she feels. We have missed so muchā¦but this is the life we live right now. We cannot be everywhere at once although that would be nice ā¤ļø
Eli came to visit last week and he was a breath of fresh air!! We got to hug his neck and listen to him talk about his summer and college life. I know it wasnāt easy for him to see Annakate like this but it did my heart so much good. I havenāt seen him all summer. He has traveled all over this summer dancing! How wonderful it must have been! Iām so grateful for the fun he had and the lessons he learned. Before he left Danny took him to the store for some essentials. ā¤ļø Heās at the University of Alabama and he amazes us everyday.
Our Sweet Owen is doing the best he can. Better than we imagined he would do. We are blessed for our support system. NeeNee and Grampy stay busy with him and we are forever grateful. He learned to swim over the summer and my goodness he is growing! He loves dinosaurs and he can pronounce the names of them as well and tell you if they are herbivores or carnivores. Can you say Parasaurolophos? I canātā¦but Owen can šHe loves golf, fishing, anything outdoors, and his sister. He misses her so very much and itās heartbreaking. How do you explain to your son (5) that his sister isnāt doing well and that she canāt move right now.
Danny is our rock. When I canāt find the words to say he knows and he helps me find them. He is on top of things and I am amazed at how he does it all. He has driven back and forth to Atlanta over 31 times. He goes home, works, takes care of the house, and when he isnāt at work heās with Owen. He has trained an amazing staff which helps make this so much easier on us. He catches me when I let myself crumble. I can call him and tell him how Annakate is doing or that I am concerned. He will sayā¦have they checked this or that? What are her blood gas levels? Have them pull them. And let me tell youā¦heās right when they are off. He watches the my chart and checks it several times a day. We have learned so much about healthcare, tests, machines, all of it. We are on an emotional roller coaster in our life right now. It so hard. Itās so hard. We break down, we cry, we hold on to each other. We are not perfect but we are doing the very best we can in the most challenging situations. Sometimes we are able to slip away and grab dinner together or go for a walk around the hospital. Sometimes we have to take turns. I thought in the beginning of this journey I would be here alone the entire timeā¦but heās here and I love him more and more every day. I donāt tell him enough how much I appreciate all he does for all of us.
Please continue to share our story and please continue to pray ā¤ļø. Each and everyday is a blessing.
