KendraKare Update - Day 111

Heard from Kendra’s cousin, Karin. Good news! Kendra is getting her mobility back and she can walk around, sit at the table and feed herself. She is able to eat, but still mostly soups and pureed foods. Kendra is understanding things better and more aware of everything, which consequently makes her not so happy where she is in the rehab center. On the not so good news front, her speech is coming back very slowly, appears to have had the most damage, so this will take longer. The medical staff is not giving up on her, and she is still the trouper we know her to be, and trying very hard.

Kendra has hit a plateau on the therapy and they have cut back on sessions from 6 to 3 daily. If you have done anything athletically, you know that sometimes you have to cut back on training, and add rest, to gain strides in accomplishments later. So, this makes sense in that perspective.

Health wise things seem well under control and Kendra has had a tremendous weight loss that contributes to her healing. We all want to TALK with her, hear her voice and laugh with her, but must selflessly accept the direction of the healing in gaining mobility and being well.

Kendra continues to reside at the RHCI, but could be moved soon to another related clinic on the island. We will post a new address then, but in the meanwhile know that Kendra gets much joy from her mail, so keep the cards and letters coming while you lift her up in prayer for continued healing in all ways and in regaining her speech.
Again, don’t forget Team KendraKare, Emily & Bill, Artie and Karen. We each owe them tremendous gratitude in caring for our friend, their friend, in the most self less way possible.

KendraKare Update - Day 78

Things still about the same, Kendra is a bit more mobile and can use her right arm. She can say a very few things, mumbles alot, but smiles at visitors, looks directly at them and nods on occasion. Still on pureed meals as some struggles still exist with eating regularly.

Team KendraKare is working to relocate her to a rehab/nursing home on the Vineyard as her time at RCHI is nearly done. That needs to be solved first, then they will look into longer term care. A nursing home or group home as she will still need 24 hour supervision for some time.

Emily says Kendra remains in good spirits and is still trying very, very hard with her rehab efforts.

Thanks for all the continued prayers, and don't forget to add Emily, Bill, Artie and Karen in the mix as Team KendraKare has proven to be beyond awesome.

KendraKare Update - Day 64

It has been awhile - things with Kendra have been stable (and us blog keepers been down and out with the flu ) so we have been remiss in updates.

GOOD NEWS! Emily called to share that Kendra is doing great and able to have a conversation. She mumbles alot, but sits in a chair, is focused and tries hard to communicate. She also has regained use of her right arm, though not completely but she is able to write some, at least copy what others write.

They have also graduated Kendra from the feeding tube as she is able to swallow again. During the day she is given pureed foods, and the feeding tube at night. So, as things progress she will eventually be off the feeding tube!

Emily says Kendra looks really good, her spirits are high and everyone at the rehab center is so impressed with her progress and determination. We are sure she has them all at her beck and call by now!

So - YAY!!! Keep the prayers coming, and the cards and letters (they really help make Kendra's days) and we will work to get back on track with at least a weekly update.

KendraKare Update - Day 31

Talked to Emily last night - She had seen Kendra and was there during part of the therapy session. Kendra has two daily sessions lasting 1 1/2 hours in the morning, and 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon. Physical, Speech, and Occupational comprise 30 minutes each, twice a day. Kendra can stand and has better use of her left arm but still cannot walk. Emily said Kendra looked great too, and she was alert with a sparkle to her eyes. (Isn' t that just Kendra, the mischevieous twinkle going on in her eyes!)

The staff that works with Kendra has taken real interest in her and Emily says she keeps giving them new insight to the person Kendra is, and they seem responsive to that while building their own relationship with her. As most of us know, Kendra makes friends EVERYWHERE and this event is no exception.

Emily continues to amaze me with a capacity and endurance for accomplishing things on Kendra's behalf while still keeping up with her family of little ones. And never a hint of a complaint. Folks, this is what love looks like, and we who love Kendra are indebted to Emily's championing of her care. Artie and Karen too, and Bill (Emily's husband) of course round out Team KendraKare. Along with Kendra, lift them all up in prayer.

So - we are at a stable point and it is all therapy focused now, with Kendra's determination the greatest asset to the best recovery.

New address is posted (thanks Karin, got it from Facebook!) so keep that mail flowing - Emily says it really helps spark Kendra's day.

KendraKare Update - Day 24

News! Received a voicemail from Emily last night. She had gone to see Kendra and was able to observe a therapy session. Emily says that Kendra is trying really hard and the therapist said it is helping her make real strides. Emily said that Artie had visited on Thursday and Kendra said, “Hi” and “How are you?” though she did not try to speak to Emily on Friday.

Emily is very impressed with the facility and the staff. They have Kendra on some medication to help her be more alert during the day to support therapy and to help her sleep cycle at night. She is receiving excellent care and with all her Island friends close, she will be able to have more interaction with people she knows. The rest of us can keep up prayers and cards and whatever sparks you to support our friend.

I will be talking to Emily this weekend and will have a new address posted soon.

KendraKare Update - Day 19

OK – Looks like tomorrow, Tuesday, is Kendra’s moving day. She will be going to RHCI ( Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands)located in Sandwich, Ma. She is scheduled to leave around 10 from Boston. Kendra will be getting great care, and 3 hours a day of different therapies. This is great news too, since Artie and Karen are close, and it will be easier for the folks from Martha’s Vineyard to pop over too.

Check them out at www.rhci.org

I know there is an address on the site, but I will call tomorrow and get information, room #, etc. Good news everyone, but we still have a long road to travel.

OK! Talked to Emily last night and boy, was that girl exhausted! She continues to work so hard on Team KendraKare and has those adorable little ones to care for too. Emily wins the GOLD!!!!

The whole Coggins family went to Boston to visit with Kendra on Thursday and Emily said Kendra was sitting in a chair, a bit tired from some physical therapy but happy to see them, and seemed very interested in the kids. Artie was there on Friday and Saturday and Kendra is very stable, body chemistry all good. Looks like the next step to the rehab facility is only waiting on the bureaucratic levels of medical care to come to consensus and Kendra will be good to go. Still looking to early in the week.

Word is Kendra is enjoying all the mail ! We took down the address anticipating a move and did not have a reasonable comfort level about the hospital forwarding mail, so….bear with me. It creates a quandary because the flow of mail is good, so the second I have the rehab address it will be posted here.

Stay tuned!