Jones Family Updates

On Halloween Day, Kathie had a dental appointment. Dental appointments mean minor surgery for her, with intubated anesthesia and a trip to a local hospital. This was Kathie’s 5th dental cleaning so we are pretty prepared for the process. Everything went well except her post-surgery recovery. The scar tissue from her tracheostomy area and a breathing tube down her throat created some kind of problem and Kathie is just now finishing up a cough that was very painful and went on longer than some of her chest colds. One of the the good things about working with Kathie on her cough over the years is that I have become good at suctioning her throat and helping to clear whatever she coughs up. In spite of her brain injury, she seems to understand that I am trying to help, she opens her mouth when I ask and I keep talking to her throughout the process. At the conclusion, I always let her know what a good job she did! When I personally have had a cough and I’m lying in a bed, I try to imagine ...

September 5, 2019 marked the 15th anniversary of our accident, we begin 15 years of this long journey and continue to Choose Joy in our daily lives. September and now into October, Kathie has looked better than I've seen her over the last 14 years. Physically, she is relaxed, no facial expressions of pain, no elevated heart rate or blood pressure. When she is awake, she seems to track me and look around, she also enjoys the Home and History network programs on her television. One thing that doesn't change, when I kiss her head and smell her hair, she is still my girl and I let her know how beautiful she is each day. Blessings, Dave & Kathie

27 Years of Marriage. For our Anniversary today, we cut and colored Kathie's hair... she looks beautiful. As a matter of fact, I let her know how beautiful she is at each of my visits and tell her, "I love you." Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your commonsense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense ; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, August 29. September 5th will mark15 years since our Accident. I will be traveling next week to see my brother and then on to Seattle for Andy and Lana's baby shower. This will be the first time that I will be away from Kathie on our Accident Anniversary, a very strange feeling for me. She will be well cared for but I won't be able to "hover" over her for 5 days. Kath...

I recently bought Kathie some new gowns, I purchase the nightgowns online and have a seamstress cut and hem the back. Kathie is next to me as I write in a pretty blue gown with white flowers. I gave her a bath today, as I do each Monday, Wednesday and Friday and blew dry her hair. She also smells of Japanese Cherry Blossom body wash and lotion. She looks very beautiful and is resting comfortably. I've been massaging her left temple gently and she occasionally moans softly in appreciation. So continues our communication and love affair, Dave & Kathie

Today would have been my Dad's 86th Birthday. We lost him to a sudden stroke two weeks ago. He was a man who was strong in his christian faith, married to Mom for over 60 years, a loving mentor, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was kind to all he met.  T his blog has been primarily about Kathie but my Dad always prayed for his daughter-in-law. He and my Mom visited Kathie and shared many of the orchids with Kathie and the Staff. He was also very thankful that during the months after our accident, he and my Mom were able to care for their granddaughters after school. Mom and Dad had the strength and health to visit our house every weekday. The four of them became very close and I enjoyed marveling at their relationships, jokes and discussions when I came home from work. I lived 60 years with a great man, we miss him, Dave & Kathie

Kathie has been sleeping during most of my visits this week, today, her sleep is sound and a deep sleep. Fortunately, she just woke up bright eyed. This week I will be traveling to Flagstaff AZ for our youngest daughter's Graduation from Northern Arizona University (NAU). We are very excited to witness the completion of her degree in Elementary and Special Education. Take care, Dave & Kathie

Today Kathie came home for a visit! It wasn’t an eventful day, but there is always something enjoyable about having her in our kitchen or front patio. She seemed comfortable and warm on a cloudy day. My devotional notes from last year are an ominous reminder of how sick she was. “I almost lost Kath today,” is a reminder of how such a dark spirit came over her room and how labored her breathing became, I remember praying that God would give me strength as I let her go. Very strange to see how sick she was and how strong she is today. We are watching the Discovery channel tonight and she is focused on the TV like a small child mezermized by the screen. Take care, Dave & Kathie

Oops, spoke too soon. Kathie did get the cough that was going around and spent the last 3 days very, very, uncomfortable, verbally crying and coughing. While we are emotionally drained, the best news is seeing her face once again relaxed as she heals. Feeling blessed, Dave & Kathie

During Kathie’s bath a few weeks ago, I discovered a “lump.” Kathie’s doctor and I scheduled a mammogram and fortunately the lump is a benign cyst, there is no danger. When you pray for Kathie’s comfort and health, you don’t realize what we face from a variety of sources. We are also very thankful that during this cold and flu season, with all the staff that have been sick, Kathie has maintained very good health and remained well. Thank you for your continued prayers, we realized that we are strengthened by friends who have prayed for us for many years. We are blessed, Dave & Kathie

Kathie had a cold for 7 days, her doctor and caregivers handled quickly. I started feeding her ice to see how she tolerated swallowing and she did well. So, we have been practicing in preparation for her next cold. My goal is to give her some comfort by feeding her tea with honey or something warm or cold to soothe her throat. I am always looking to keep Kathie comfortable. We continue to love each other in this different life. Dave & Kathie

This is my reading from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, on the last day of each year. This reading has always helped me “settle” after the holidays. This year marks the 14th Christmas since our accident and as I tell friends, “it doesn’t get easier, it just gets different.” I mark Halloween to New Years as the holiday season where missing Kath is emphasized.  We had a Merry Christmas. Kathie’s health is good and she remains comfortable. February and March are usually the months of major concern. Chestcolds are a danger for Kathie. For now, she will come home next Thursday for a home visit, I continue to visit 1-2 times per day and tell her “how much I love her.” Blessings as you begin 2019, Dave & Kathie Yesterday You shall not go out with haste,…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. ISAIAH 52:12 Security from Yesterday.  “…God requires an account of what is past” ( Ecclesiastes 3:15 ). At the end of the year...