Big decisions lie ahead…

So, BIG decisions lie ahead. We are still in Kauai, but our Super Woman is at the hospital for the second time in 3 days. When we started our trip, she was doing great!! She was running all over the plane with the kids, buying rounds of drinks, laughing hysterically with Aunt Kathy at an in-flight movie and just having a fabulous time. We talked about trips we want to take in March and April and generally thought things would be ok for awhile. Our first night here was great! We were all a bit jet-lagged, but we had a wonderful dinner on the terrace over looking the Pacific. The next morning, we took the kids to breakfast and she was helping them get their food in the concierge room, taking Chloe and Luke to the bathroom every 3 minutes, and was walking all around this massive resort just fine. We went to sushi that night and had a great time. We ordered 3 bottles of Cake Bread and ate wayyy too much food. The next day was a bit rough, but she did pretty well sitting out by the pool and lounging with the kids. She spent most of the day taking pictures of us and holding Caleb. We had another amazing dinner that night. Saturday night was when everything took a turn. Billie texted and told me mom had a really rough night. We then got in contact with some friends to see if we should fly to the hospital on Oahu or stay put on Kauai. Our friends, Eric and Fawn, put us in touch with their friend who suggested we stay put on Kauai because she felt mom would get great care at the Wilcox Hospital here. Mom did receive wonderful care and the doctor was amazing. He initially thought she had a blot clot, but it turned out to be bilateral plural effusion. She was discharged. When she got back to the hotel, she had a really rough time walking to the room, but was able to get there. She spent most of the night sleeping. The next morning, she was doing worse. She needed a wheel chair just to get to breakfast. If you know my mom, this is NOT like her. In fact, the day before when I asked her if she wanted a wheel chair, she said “hell no!” She is in a lot of pain and is short of breath. Small tasks are requiring a massive effort and tons of energy. After breakfast, we wheeled her to the koi pond to feed the fish and then the beach to see an endangered monk seal who was napping. She then spent most of the day in bed before being wheeled out to the pool for about 20 minutes. She then spent the rest of the night in bed. The change from day 1 to day 5 has been dramatic to say the least. We are all very sad and are having conversations we hoped would never come. We have had a lot of talks about what to do next. Does she live out her time in Kauai or do we go home? She is tired, in pain, and is extremely weak. She has an amazing view from her bed. She can see the 4 elements – earth, fire, water, air – which is actually something she requested about a week ago for her memorial service. Her view from bed is breathtaking and she is at peace. However, she is also comfortable and at peace at home. She has friends and family who would love to see her again. George, her beloved pound puppy, is there. We are waiting for the doctor to let us know how he feels about her traveling. We are looking into all options – from medical/private jets to a Hawaiian airplane that has a bed just for people in her condition. The hotel has been gracious and super compassionate. They said we can stay as long as we need to. We have amazing friends who are going out of their way to help us make contact with their friends on the island who can help with anything from babysitting to hospice. A pool attendant brought us Noni fruit to give her. We have been so blessed, but the biggest blessing is that my mom is at peace. We support any decision she makes and are here for her no matter what. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. We will keep you updated here and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/colleensdream Mahalo