[Leed]

My best friend Kathy is a gal I've known since I was 4 years old, so in just a few months I will have known her for 60 years!!! Yikes that's hard to believe. But she lived behind me when I was growing up, and my Dad used to lift me over the back fence so I could go play with her. Later, when I got bigger I'd just climb the fence which would upset Dad since it ended up ruining the fence.

Kathy and I know everything about each other -- every secret we've ever had, we've told each other. We've gone thru births, deaths, loves, hates, you name it. Nothing has been to "intimate" to talk about. When one of us was down, the other one was there.

Today I got a call from her daughter telling me she's in the hospital. I thought it was strange that i hadn't heard from her in a few days. The deal is that she calls ME because she's always so darned busy I can't ever get her. Well, her daughter said she's been sick for awhile, and Kathy never mentioned not feeling well to me. Not a word. Over 3 weeks time, she's lost 30 lbs!!! And she only weight about 115 in the first place! Her daughter said she looked about 80-90 yrs old. It turns out her colon burst, and she was near death when her daughter found her on the floor!!!

She's in ICU right now, with tubes coming out everywhere. Everything is wrong with her --- they had to do emergency surgery and she has a colostomy which will be temporary (about 6 months or so) and then they'll be able to reconnect her colon -- if she survives. Her thyroid is abnormal, she may be diabetic, etc. She doesn't have insurance, so she hasn't been taking care of herself.

I'm so upset. I'm upset for her family -- she has 4 children, and a bunch of grandchildren. Her kids will be devastated if she doesn't survive -- and I don't know what I'll do. She's been my rock for so many years, that it would be like losing a twin!! Please say some prayers for her, will you?

If you read this far, thank you so much. I just needed to vent. Love you ALL. Lee

Sorry to hear of your best buddy Leed..

Keeping all my fingers crossed that she's on the mend. Keep strong, and try not to think of the worst, am sure the docs will do everything they can to set her on the path to recovery.

xx

[unaluna]

Leed that is just awful. I will keep you both in my thoughts. She is too young.

[hamster-bamster]

I hope she survives this catastrophe.

[Jannaku]

How devestating. Hope she can pull through this. I have a friend in my life similar to her and I know how gutted I would feel if something happened to her. My thoughts are with you and I pray for her speedy recovery.

[LadyShadow]

I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!

keep us updated- i hope cathy will get better soon.

and it's so cool you've known her for so long wow- not everyone gets the oppotunity to have such a close friend as that

[RJ78]

Wow, that's amazing story of connection Lee. It made me tear up. Please keep us posted...how are you feeling?

RJ

[Leed]

Thank you ALL -- as of right now,, they're trying to get her off the ventilator, but haven't been successful as of yet. She's still pretty septic, but her colon has begun working on it's own, so that's an improvement. Her hemoglobin is good. She has a blood clot where they put the PIC line in, so they're going to have to move that to the other arm, but it's not a life-threatening thing. Where she had the surgery looks good, so the surgeon is pleased. She has a slight temperature, but she's on lots of antibiotics and I guess it's to be expected at this point and with the condition she's in. She IS responsive and is off sedation, so she's awake. They're giving her Fentanyl for pain. I'll be in touch with them later with more updates.

Thanks ALL for your prayers. I KNOW THEY HELPED!! She means the world to me. God bless you all. Love, Lee

[Open Eyes]

Oh Leed, I will be saying prayers for your friend, her family, and you too. We are all here if you need our support Leed. It sounds like your friend has been responding well so far so I will say prayers that she keep moving forward and gaining.

((((Caring Hugs to you Leed))))
Open Eyes

I am very sorry to hear about this. I hope she survives. I will keep both of you in my thoughts.

[Harley47]

She is in my prayers, as are you.

[kindachaotic]

Lee, will keep your friend in my prayers for a speedy recovery.