Time is an odd companion.  When we wait for a loved one on the precipice between life and death, every minute seems like an eternity, and every blink, every movement, every breath is weighed heavily in the journey to recovery. 

In the first month of Kaili‘s injury, every day was filled with prayers of Hope. Hope that she would return to us, hope that she would live. And then there was hope that if she lived, she would remember, and if she remembered, would she talk? If she could talk, would she be able to express herself? Would she find her humor, would she be able to walk? Would she remember her children, Marty, her family and friends? Would she have any recall of her life; her past, her present? 

Would she remember her accident? 

All of these questions were answered minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. 

We witnessed Kaili’s miraculous journey back to us. Fervent prayers had been answered. Kaili’s immediate danger had abated. It was no longer minute by minute. We breathed a huge sigh of relief. She was alive!! But even in the days  following her return to consciousness there were so many questions.  Each day unveiled new revelations about her return to awareness, there was so much uncertainty. Would she still be the Kaili we knew and loved? Would she come back.  Time dragged on those days in the hospital. Waiting for her to wake up. Now here we are six months later. The minutes have turned into days and months. Kaili has made miraculous strides.

Many of us have returned to a somewhat normal existence. Not checking minute by minute to read an update, or hear the latest. There’s confidence knowing her journey to recovery has begun, and she’s out of eminent danger. 

Thank you God!!  If one doubted the existence of a God before Kaili’s accident there is much proof of his existence in the miracle of her return and recovery to us. Prayer works, focused prayer combined with a strong support system and a soul with fierce determination to live, is bringing Kaili back. 

When Marty and I sat down with the palliative care team only a few days after her fall, it was grim. They were kind and empathetic about our predicament, but the hope they gave us of the possibility of her survival was almost non existent. The injury to her brain was too severe, and her chances of waking up, were slim at best. 

Here we are, exactly 6 month later and Kaili is not only alive, she is thriving. She talks, she walks, she knows her family, remembers her friends, has a wicked sense of humor and is slowly regaining her physical strength. 

There are limitations of course as it has only been 6 months.  She has had multiple surgeries to fix broken bones and will be undergoing another surgery in the coming weeks for a Cochlear implant to repair hearing in her left ear, and her shattered bones continue to heal. The Neuro Optometrist is working on improving her vision as her left eye sees double as a result of the impact of her fall. 

Those of you who have known Kaili know that she is extremely  determined and disciplined and when she focuses on a goal there is no stopping her. Now her goal is to get home to her family and she is working very hard to get there. Her days at the Center for Neuro Skills present her with intense physical, speech, and occupational therapies. And she also lives in a home-like setting which allows her to practice daily household tasks such as doing dishes and laundry and housekeeping, shopping for groceries, cooking and basic self reliance skills. Kaili is walking without assistance, sending texts, getting out into the world and reaching out to friends and family. She’s limiting her time on technology and social media. As her brain needs the best chance it can to reestablish neuropathways and heal. Jenn remains a steadfast advocate and partner in her recovery. Her family lives nearby and Jenn is able to visit multiple times a week to spend time with Kaili and take her on outings. They get their nails done, visit family and friends and do their best to regain some normalcy back in her life. Friends and family have been stopping in and visiting to say hello. Jenn remains one of her greatest assets for healing with constant support, presence and cheerleader-like encouragement. We are grateful for Jenn and her unselfish gift to Kaili and her journey. Everyone needs a Jenn in their life.

It’s no surprise that the staff of the CNS loves Kaili. She is their favorite patient. As she is probably one of the most advanced and alert patients they have. But not only that, her personality and pleasant, kind, friendly, grateful disposition are so appreciated and treasured. They would adopt her if they could. All of her therapists and caretakers enjoy the time they spend with Kaili. She is a beautiful soul. 

I had a wonderful FaceTime call with Kaili yesterday. She was very articulate, clear and engaging. She expressed how difficult it is to be away from her family and that it pains her that she won’t be with Madison for her 16th birthday tomorrow. I reminded her that the greatest gift she can give her family is to spend every minute working hard to get back to health so she can return home. The girls want their mom back, Marty wants his partner back, and we all want our friend back. 

I know that Marty and the girls, Kaili and Jenn deeply appreciate the continued prayers, the outreach, the support, the kindness, checking in and reminding this family how much they are loved.  

Kaili has made tremendous strides in six months. Much of the research shows that it can take a year or more, depending on the injuries and the individual, for people to return to living a somewhat normal life. She gets overwhelmed easily, and overstimulated. Which is very normal and expected. So visits are short and phone calls are brief. But she enjoys the connection and loves hearing from friends and family. It’s important to reach out and schedule that time. Because she has very intense therapy throughout the day. She is good at knowing her limits. And sometimes she needs to stop the conversation because it’s too much stimulus. Her ability to focus is getting stronger each day.  She’s hungry to connect with her friends and family. I felt my eyes well-up during my phone call with her. To be able to talk to her, laugh with her, and exchange dialogue again gave me such a deep amount of joy. She’s in there. Fighting hard to come back. Brain trauma injuries are not like other injuries. It can take one to two years for the brain to heal itself. So patience is the most important thing to practice during this time. Prayers for Kaili and her family, love and support are always needed and welcomed. 

As we all return to our normal lives and breathe a sigh of relief that Kaili is still with us, the lives of Marty and the girls have been turned upside down. Marty is faced with the challenges of running a dental practice, and being present for two teenage girls, managing his own self-care, communicating with the Doctors, the therapists, the insurance company, friends, and spending time with our parents.  To say they have been tested as a family is an understatement.  Marty, Madison, and Brielle also need to be reminded to have patience and know how much support and love they have around them. They enjoy their visits with mom, and yearn to get back to normalcy.  No one is quite sure when exactly she’ll return home. There are many milestones to reach, and it will happen in time. Thank God the insurance has covered most all of the treatments. We pray they continue to do so as the support she is getting now is some of the best in the country. There has been discussion that as long as the insurance continues to pay there hope is that Kaili could return home in August.  It almost all depends on Kaili. She is fiercely determined, and that’s no surprise. She is a walking miracle and she reminds us every day of God’s most incredible healing powers.

Thank you ALL for being there for Kaili and for this family. Thank you for having faith, praying, reaching out, sending love, care packages, food, and your warm loving thoughts. All of it is deeply appreciated.  

Isaiah 38:16-17 (NIV)

“Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.”