Kathy Dick Kathy Dick-AZ

For all of you who know and love Kathy, we are hoping this will help to keep u informed on her progress and condition. 
August 4th at 3am, Kathy was admitted to the hospital in Scottsdale with difficulty breathing. That resulted in confirmation that she was suffering with double pneumonia. She was immediately admitted to the hospital ICU, placed on a ventilator and closely monitored.  After a grueling 4 day stay there, poked and prodded and assessed, she was extubated, and moved to the regular part of the hospital.  She began a rapid improvement at that point. They quickly discovered that Kathy's ability to swallow was greatly diminished because of her Muscular Dystrophy and it would be necessary to insert a permanent feeding tube in her belly. Though it wasnt something she relished, she knew it was the next step in this awful dabilitating thing we call MD.  So, with true Kathy grace and elegance, she succumbed to it and came through the procedure with flying colors. The immediate effects were fantastic!  She started coming back to life!!  Her strength was returning and she was doing some light PT, and within about a weeks time was circling the nurses station with many accolades from all the nurses who's "hearts she had stollen"!!! Kathy was on to a rehab hospital with hopes of heading home within a couple weeks.  Kellee headed back to Houston for a short time to catch up there, in preparation to get back to AZ and help Earl settle Kathy in at home again. The first two days at rehab went GREAT! Kathy, though tired, pushed ahead and did all they ask of her in an attempt to get back to HER baseline before the pneumonia.  Though her swallowing issues remained, she made it her goal to recover to the point of being able to eat "socially" and maybe even share a cup of coffee with family and friends; better yet, a glass of Reisling at Happy Hour!! She was on her way and we were thrilled, to say the least!!!! Then, 3 days into rehab things turned downward without much explanation.  Finally after ANOTHER 3 days of watching her decline, she was back to the hospital and admitted again.  To spare everyone alot of detail, to state it simply Kathy has stumped the medical community. She has something going on in her body (aside from the obvious) that has put her respiratoy and renal system into great distress. She was re-admitted to ICU 3days ago, and has gradually weakened. 
All that said, with endless hours of prayer, medical consultation, talking and decision making; it has been decided that Kathy will move to Hospice.
Earl and Kathy have been married almost 54
years. Earl being the planner that he is, has always looked ahead. It has always been both of their wishes to die gracefully and as painlessly as possible.  Since Kathy is unable to speak to us anymore, it is our prayer that we are advocating FOR her, and doing what SHE would want. 
Today, Hospice will come, they will move her to a beautiful facilty that Earl has chosen, and all who love and care about her will gather close and spend these last precious moments enveloping her with their love!! We are very anxious for her to find peace, both here on earth and into ETERNITY, where we KNOW without a doubt she is headed to live in Glory with HER Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! Kathy's faith is strong and mighty, and we all draw a great comfort in that!! Please continue to pray for her in this transition, and we will do our best to keep everyone updated.  We thank EVERYONE who has showed concern and support these past weeks. We are forever grateful and truly have FELT your prayer covering us!!!!