Chapter 21: Going Home
Friday, March 12, 2010 9:07 PM
Hi Kev – It’s Dad
You’re home – Hooray!! I'm sitting right next to you in the "blue room". It's a little like a hospital room, a little like a dorm room and a little like Jenny's old room. It’s a work in progress. I'm looking at the lava lamp Dylan gave you for Christmas and listening to a playlist on your iPod. There's a painting on the wall behind your bed that's a custom version of the religious "footsteps" prayer. This is now your room, and we know that God is carrying you.
It was an emotional and tiring day for you, Mom and me. There were lots of goodbyes, and lots of details to take care of; meds, supplies, discharge orders and thank you hugs.
Tomorrow is a big day. There will be a whole host of people coming in for home nursing, therapy plans, and evaluations of our home. I think you know by now we'll do whatever it takes to get you better.
So this is the next chapter on the journey – Going Home. I don't try to plan like I used to. We try to take it a day at a time. "Give us this day our daily bread".
See you tomorrow and every day now that your home. – Love, Dad
Life at home introduced a whole new set of characters to our reality TV drama. There were nurses, therapists, case managers, administrators from the state and a new team of doctors that actually made house calls. We were all a little uncomfortable at first. Who were all these people in our home, but little by little they all became part of our family. In retrospect, we now realize that we couldn’t have survived without them.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:22 PM
It’s Megan – Welcome home Kev!
Mom and Dad always talked about bringing you home for good and they finally did it. It’s working out pretty well. We have nurses coming during the day and at night Mom and Dad sleep in your room. The only thing is that I have to get used to not being so annoying and screaming all over the house and doing my “gymnastics” as you would call it, when I was really dancing. Today I thought Mom was in the other room doing her typical hammering sound to crush your pills and I told her with “my voice” to keep it down. Then to my surprise, she listened to me which was weird, and she lowered it a little. Then when I walked past your room I looked inside and it wasn’t Mom. It was the nurse. Very embarrassing I must say. I’ll get used to it though. Now we’ll get to be together all the time and Mom and Dad won’t have to make their trips to JFK twice a day, which is great. Now our home is complete.
Rest easy Kev
Love you, Megan <3
With Kevin at home we needed to plan for the unexpected. What if we lost power? What if the nurse called in sick? What if Kevin’s trache clogged, or what do we do if he has a seizure in the middle of the night. One by one we experienced all of these “what ifs” and through trial and error we figured it out. Every plan had to have a contingency and a backup to the contingency. The days of “let’s just wing it” had abruptly come to an end.
Sunday, March 21, 2010 5:39 PM
Hi Kev – Dad here
Your first week at home came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. Last Saturday we had what seemed like a hurricane. They called it a nor'easter, but I have never seen so many trees down in our neighborhood. It was a miracle that we didn't lose power on your first day home, but we got a new generator and we should be prepared if something like that happens again. Our basement stayed dry (another miracle).
This week was a series of new beginnings. Therapy started this week and we thought we had seen it all, but we learned some new things and really like the "home team" so we plan to continue therapy at home rather than go to an outpatient clinic. We had you on the tilt table three times this week for 30 minutes at about 70 degrees. You did great so we will continue to increase the time. I also had you cycling for 30 minutes several times. My heart rate goes up to 110 beats per minute while yours stays at about 80. Go figure.
Good news from your doctors. The CAT scan came back and the ventricles in your brain are starting to shrink so the procedure to fix your shunt must have worked. You haven't had a fever since you came home and you seem to have fewer secretions. Good job Kev.
The last few days have been just great. We have taken you for several walks in the park and you have been sitting out in the backyard during the afternoon. I'm sure mom and I will figure a way to get you into the pool this summer.
So that's week one. Our biggest challenge is keeping up with meds, supplies and schedules. Keeping a schedule was never our strong suite, but we're learning.
Keep up the good work. – Love, Dad
Consciousness became an obsession. What is consciousness anyway? We have five well understood senses; touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight. Kevin’s sense of touch, smell and taste seemed pretty normal. When we pinched him he pulled away. Once I gave both him and me smelling sauce and we made the same disgruntled face. He seemed to make a sour response to lemon swabs. Was he hearing us? Could he see when we held his eyes open? Was he aware of his surroundings, or was he in some sleep like state? How could we measure what was really happening in Kevin’s mind? We started to realize that current methods of measuring consciousness are totally inadequate. If someone doesn’t respond to a question with a verbal response, or thumbs up, they are doomed to a low score. The brain is so complex. I kept thinking there must be more going on that could be measured.
When we weren’t contemplating consciousness we moved on to more existential questions, the mother of which was the question that no one wanted to ask, and no one could answer, “Why did this happen”.
Thursday, March 25, 2010 5:02 PM
Hi Kev – It’s Dad,
You know how Dad is always trying to figure things out – well the other day it hit me. You must be conscious because you communicate very clearly when we are observant. When you posture you are uncomfortable. Sometimes you don’t want to be touched and pull away. You really don’t like us to touch your feet and you let us know. You have “bad days” when we are trying to do too much and you sense the tension. You are at peace with those you love, especially when we are calm and attentive like on Sunday afternoons. You enjoy car rides, new music, standing on the tilt table and walks in the park – sounds like a write up for a dating service. It’s really rather simple. You enjoy the simple things. You carry your cross with strength and courage. You are perfect, whole, and complete.
Of course there are times we all struggle with the question that is always in the back of our minds “Why?” We all deeply miss the old Kevin and sometimes question God “Why did this have to happen?” Then I think about the many people that you have brought closer to God and all the lives that you affect in ways we don’t yet understand. It’s really quite remarkable how we are all connected. I don’t know how this will end, but right now you are perfect, whole and complete and you are exactly who and what God intended you to be. When mom is feeling bad about what has happened I found a way to make her laugh. I say sarcastically “too bad Jesus died on the cross, he could have been a really good carpenter”. Then she laughs and we go on.
We love you Kev – Dad
The road to consciousness is really hard to comprehend. Our minds just can’t connect the past and the present of one suffering from severe disorders of consciousness. The person before us has this rich past of characteristics, likes, dislikes, hopes and desires. We try to somehow project that past personality onto the current reality. Why not? Their DNA is still the same. They pretty much look the same, but as to the nature of their personality of course we are only guessing. If you think about it for too long it could start to drive you crazy. Some of the possibilities are not very pleasant. My wife and I would from time to time tell one another “don’t go there.”
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:28 AM
Hi Kevin – It’s Mom
Home, sweet, home! Now you can feel our presence around you all day and all night. We believe this is where your true healing will begin.
I am overwhelmed by gratefulness to the wonderful people who have made your homecoming possible. It sure has been a long road (and one less traveled). Grandma and I always liked the first sentence in the book "The Road Less Traveled". It was just three words, "Life is difficult". Yes, life is difficult. Up until your accident, we didn't understand how difficult "difficult" could be. But knowing that, and accepting that, your road to recovery will be paved with love, patience and prayer.
Kevin, I'm sorry I haven't written to you in a while. I guess I didn't think it necessary because now you are here by our side. But I found that when I don't write, I feel disconnected from you. The only way we have to communicate with you is through tender touches and through this Caringbridge. So I'll try to write more often. When you wake up (and we are praying hard for that) you will have a lot of reading to do!
I haven't finished reading your journal you know. I think it’s because I am afraid to NOT have new words from you. Also, reading it hurts because it is so much of the old you. So what's a Mommy to do? When I am capable, I just open your journal arbitrarily and read (like the way I do with the Bible sometimes). This is what I opened to today:
"So I went home for the weekend, really for no reason except to see my family. I had such a good time at home, especially Saturday night. We all went to Applebees. I think it was the very first time that everyone in my family went out to dinner and we all had fun. I seriously love spending time with them. I never really appreciated it until I started college. After Applebees we went to Coldstone. It was so good. Sunday was an amazing day too. I love dinner at my Grandmas. You never honestly appreciate anything until you have to say goodbye to it." – Kevin
Kevin, you have come home, not just for the weekend, and really for no other reason than to be with your family. We hope you have a good time here. We will take you everywhere. We'll take you to Applebee’s and Coldstone. You may not eat their food but you will eat with us. Now that you guys are older and there is less fighting around the table, we will continue to have fun with you. No matter what we do, it will be good enough to just spend time with you. Grandma still makes Sunday pasta but it is at our house now and we have more visitors and nurses that enjoy it as well. This time, you won't have to say goodbye to go back to school. And now, we know from your words, that home is where you want to be. And here you will stay! No goodbyes. Thank you God!
We love you Kevin and we appreciate you. Not for what you could have been or done, but for who you are, right here, right now. – Love, Mommy
Chapter 22: Finding a Balance
Once at home Kevin quickly became integrated into our seasonal calendar of holidays, holy days and traditions. At first we wanted Kevin to do everything we did. That was probably not realistic for him or us, but over time we found a good balance remembering how Kevin would have approached the situation.
“Life is all about ratios and balances. It works. Think about it.” – Kevin Kret
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:25 PM
Hi Kev - It's Dad,
It's Holy Week. We'll pray especially hard for you this week as we participate in Tridium services; Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I would think waking up on Easter morning would be very appropriate, but no pressure.
About 6 months ago I wrote about Friday night prayer at our house once you came home. What better time to start than Good Friday. We will be praying at about 6-7 pm in the backyard. All are welcome. I'll ask them to come at about 5:45 so it will be "prayful" once we start at 6pm. Since its Good Friday we will be fasting so we won't be serving food and we ask that those who come not to bring food. We'll say a rosary and then if anyone has a favorite prayer or 'Kevin experience" they want to share we will share those with each other. The weather is supposed to be great so it should be a wonderful time. We love you Kev – Dad
Prayer took on a whole new meaning. In the past we somehow thought we were in control. Things would go awry from time to time, but we could usual handle it on our own. This was something we couldn’t handle on our own, so we prayed, and fasted, and asked God to answer our prayers. Please God, make Kevin better.
Sunday, April 4, 2010 7:25 AM
Kev – It’s Mom
Rise and Shine and Give God Your Glory, Kevin! Happy Easter! It is a glorious day!
Remember last year when you said that your religion teacher suggested a good way to prepare for Easter was to fast from Good Friday until Easter Sunday? And we did it! Together! That was a great bonding experience for us.
This year I didn't think I could do it without that quiet discipline you had for yourself. You made me want to do well, to be a better person, to be more spiritual and disciplined. It was especially hard yesterday at Grandma's when we were on Long Island, the pizza, the cheesecake! But instead of being fed with food, I had food for the soul.
Rise and Shine Kevin it’s time to get ready for Easter Sunday mass! Love, Mom
Jenny is the youngest. She especially seems to find peace in the consistency and richness of traditions. I’m sure she will be the one that makes sure we celebrate all the holidays appropriately for years to come.
Sunday, April 4, 2010 7:23 PM
Dear Kev,
First I want to start off saying Happy Easter! Today we went to the eight thirty mass and you did not cough at all through the whole mass. Afterwards we got our usual Dunkin Donuts, yet you always liked getting a bagel and chocolate milk from the bagel store. When we got home we looked for our Easter baskets. Obviously you got Mike and Ikes because they are your favorite. Mom also thought of putting a squishy object inside because maybe you can feel it.
We took some pictures as usual on every holiday. When we took one picture of the whole family it seemed like you were smiling for the camera. It’s great to see that smile again! At one, all of our cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandma came for our Easter dinner. Our cousins and Dylan all played Risk outside and it took forever to finish. They had to stop the game to have an Easter egg hunt.
Kevin you’re doing great! It seems on some holidays you like to open your eyes just a tad. On Christmas they were open and today you had them open a little also.
Love you Kevin and I'll talk to you later -Jenny <3 : )
The brain does not heal in a straight path. How could it with over a billion connections? Remember the line from Jurassic Park, “life finds a way”? Well as the brain tries to reconnect itself it can take some detours, sometimes manifesting in seizures. Early on we didn’t know what they were, or how to treat them, but as time passed we became much better at reading Kevin’s body language.
I couldn’t prove it, but I actually believed he used temperature to communicate discomfort. There are two types of fevers; infectious and central. Infectious fever is your body working to get rid of various infections that are attacking the body. They provide the body with a warning system for things like urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and cuts that become infected. Central fevers happen when the autonomic nervous system in the brain is out of balance. Since Kevin’s injury was to his brain stem he was particularly susceptible to central fevers. They can come and go more quickly so we were constantly taking Kevin’s temperature. They most frequently appeared in the early morning. I had two theories. One was that fluids weren’t draining from his brain properly when Kevin was lying down for long periods of time. The second was that he became uncomfortable when he wasn’t repositioned frequently and his discomfort somehow drove his temperature higher. Eventually, we discovered that the temperatures happened less frequently when we positioned his head to the left and we repositioned him every two to three hours during the night to make him more comfortable. The fevers and the seizures eventually went away.
Sunday, April 11, 2010 8:40 PM
Hi Kev - It's Dad,
This week had its ups and downs just like the weather. On Tuesday morning at about 7am for no apparent reason you sat up in bed like you were startled or scared; something you hadn't done before. Afterwards you were shaking for about 10 minutes. You calmed down, but then had some shaking again about an hour later. By that time you were alone with your nurse so she had no choice but to call 911, and we spent the afternoon at Jersey Shore Medical Center. It might have been a seizure. The good news is when they took a CAT scan they said that your brain looked significantly better than the last scan from about 3 weeks ago. Something is going on, but we're not quite sure what yet.
Later that week the heat wave came. Mom decided to take you to the boardwalk on Wednesday and you did great all day. When the evening came you started to get a fever. You usually get fevers in the morning, not in the evening, so we knew something was up. Thursday and Friday were not very good. We all came down with colds so it started to make sense. Maybe you had a cold, who knows.
On Saturday we brought you up to the "Pond House". We want to bring you there a lot this summer so we have to start planning. I couldn't believe how much we had to pack for just the weekend! We got 5 movies and lots of junk food. We all hung out on the couch and did what I love to do at the "Pond House" - NOTHING!
Hopefully this week will be a little calmer for you. – I love you, Dad
My wife Joan is a saint. I am sure I have an entry somewhere in here that states I plan to grab her ankles and not let go on judgment day. Through the entire journey she consistently looked for the bright side, the proverbial silver lining. We needed a miracle. I wish there was a formula for miracle manufacturing, but there is not. I’m not sure what was more difficult, to watch my son suffer or to watch my wife suffer watching my son suffer.
Friday, April 16, 2010 2:58 PM
Hi Kevin – It’s Mom
Tuesday night was rough! I was so tired and you were not comfortable at all. You kept posturing and I cannot sleep when you do that. If I get you high enough in the bed, turn you on your side and bend your legs that usually helps, but not Tuesday night. I just couldn't figure out what was bothering you and how to help you. I had to go into the kitchen to keep myself from constantly readjusting you. The good news is that the kitchen got cleaned. It was a long night, but something is going on Kev. You were restless and I think that is good.
In the morning, the rosary group came over and your nurse said your eyes were slightly opened. But when I went in to see you, they were closed. I was talking to you and then they started to open slightly. Now whether or not that was to the sound of my voice or not, I'm not sure. Then, you started moving both of your arms. It was not smooth but you were moving them, which is new. Your nurse came back in and was as excited as I was to see this new movement. I asked you to pick up your arm and you did! Now was that in response to my request or were you going do it anyway? Not sure, but it was more movement than you have done so far.
All the ladies from rosary group very quietly came in to your room and we said the rosary. Touching you and praying for you. It was awesome. You continued to move slightly and by the forth decade, we could tell you went off to sleep, a peaceful sleep. You were probably so tired from the night before that it was so nice to see you sleeping peacefully while we prayed over you.
The Rosary is powerful Kevin, and the Blessed Mother is watching over you. She is guiding you and holding your hand through this journey of yours. I am very thankful for her example of sacrificial love. The priest’s words from Good Friday keep coming back to me. He said "The true evidence of love is sacrifice". Those words are so true. Jesus loved us so much that he sacrificed His life for us and Mary's love for Jesus was her sacrifice because she witnessed His suffering. We are learning through sacrifice to live how Jesus intends. Tuesday night was long, but look what Wednesday brought. Seeing you move and praying the rosary over you gives us hope that miracles can happen. You are a miracle in progress. Where your journey leads, we do not know. But we do know that you are not travelling alone.
We are all here with you Kevin. Every small step and each lovely breathe you take – Mommy
Chapter 23: The New Normal
There was a constant ache associated with missing conscious Kevin. It’s hard to explain. The ache never really goes away completely, and certain events could accentuate the ache to a point where you wanted to cross your arms and double over to make it stop. Major life milestones were particularly bitter sweet. One example was when my daughter had a lead role in the play Alice in Wonderland. She blew me away. I had no idea that she had the confidence to get up in front of an audience and belt out some challenging tunes. I was so proud of her. As I looked down the row of seats filled by my family I imagined a cartoon where each of us were thinking the same thing displayed in bubbles above our heads, “I wish Kevin could see this.”
Saturday, April 24, 2010 6:28 PM
Hi Kev - Dad here
Your sister Jenny grew up before our eyes this week. She played "little Alice" in Alice in wonderland and she was just amazing. She had the whole audience singing and clapping to "zippedie doe da". I sat there and thought how my little girl had grown up. You would have been proud. We'll show you the video. Jenny's friend Leigh was "big Alice" and she also nailed her performance. The casting and sets of the whole production were terrific. I give it 5 stars.
We constantly experimented. Now we are not scientists so these were not “valid” experiments. We just tried to control one or two variables at a time and looked intently for a different outcome. The only problem was that we were also bias in interpreting the results. I tried not to be, but in retrospect I’m sure the hope each new change would bring was much more important to our family than trying to be objective.
We have started to investigate some new tests and therapies. We plan to have a MBS (minimum barium swallow) test done to test the effectiveness of your ability to swallow. Just like your trache study they can track the path of your swallow to see what's getting into the stomach and what's going into your lungs. That will help us target therapy. We are starting to increase the meds that affect "consciousness". About 45 minutes after you get your "cocktail" you have been responding to mom's request to move your arms and legs. We are trying to be careful to increase the meds one at a time and in limited dosage so we know what has the greatest impact. It's a slow process, but the race is no longer a sprint. It's now a marathon and we're all in it for the long haul.
Hang in there buddy. – Love, Dad
Sometimes the simplest things make a huge difference. We had been sleeping on the floor on a mat next to Kevin’s bed at night. My daughter had a trundle bed and wasn’t using the bottom pull out. I saw it in her room and the light bulb went on.
Friday, April 30, 2010 12:26 PM
Hi Kevin,
Daddy solved our night time sleeping challenges. We have been taking turns sleeping in your room on a mat so we can be there if you start coughing or run a fever. He pulled Jenny's trundle bed from under her bed and put it under yours (oh she would give you anything! ) Now, at about 8 o'clock, we pop it up and hang out with you in your room and have a much more comfortable place to sleep! Such a simple idea has made our nights so much better. Now whenever you cough, we don't have to jump up from the floor. We just turn to the right and make you feel better. And, we can hold your hand through the night which makes us all feel better.
It’s great just having you home Kevin! You have come a long way honey. In the past week, you have been very calm, not a lot of coughing, no high temps, some spontaneous arm movements, yawning and stretching. You are medically stable, strong, comfortable, and SO here now!
And tomorrow is your birthday! I'll have to get the word out that your friends are welcome to stop by in the late afternoon. It's supposed to be nice! So, just like every year before, we will open the pool on your birthday. You loved that.
And we love you! – Mommy
Birthdays are always special. Certain things in life are deeper than consciousness. I’m pretty sure that Kevin was aware it was his birthday.
Sunday, May 2, 2010 7:03 AM
Hi Kev - It's Dad
It's early Sunday morning and everyone is still asleep. Yesterday was a perfect day for your 20th birthday. It started out pretty hectic. Mom had a communion to videotape. Dylan took the SAT test. Megan had several dance classes and Jenny stayed at home decorating the yard and making brownies. I was scrambling trying pick up last minute items and tracking down your present. We bought you a special float for the pool so you can lounge with us once the water warms up. You hung out in the float on dry land for several hours and looked very comfortable. We all look forward to the day when we get you into the pool "chilaxing" together as a family.
The highlight of the afternoon came just after we sang happy birthday. We put the candle up to your face and I expected I would need to help you blow it out, but you did it on your own. We have it on video!
Happy Birthday Kevin – I love you, Dad
Monday, May 3, 2010 1:57 AM
Hi Kevin – It’s Mom
It’s really late and you are sleeping very peacefully. I think you are tired after your birthday yesterday. I didn't get to spend as much time with you today as I would have liked. That leaves me with an empty feeling. After a busy day I watch you sleep and just wish we could somehow share some words or thoughts. I know that isn't possible right now. But maybe we can share feelings. When I kiss you, and whisper in your ear, I know feelings are being shared. And that brings me peace.
Kevin, you had a wonderful 20th birthday. Not the one we would have imagined a year ago but one that was shared with loved one; very simple, very real, very special, and so very you. Such an example of what life should be.
I love you so much, Mom
Over time we became neuro-professionals. We learned about CT scans, ventricles, shunt adjustments, specialized imaging and much, much more. I remember healthcare professionals would often ask if I were a neurologist and would answer, “No I’m a Dad.”
Saturday, May 8, 2010 10:26 PM
Hi Kev - It's Dad,
I have so much to tell you. Let's start with the medical stuff. Yesterday we had a CT scan done. We have been adjusting your shunt in your brain and then taking pictures to see if the swelling in the ventricles in your brain is reduced. Back in February when your shunt was clogged and we rushed you to the hospital the measurement was 45 mm - way too high. After the shunt repair you were measured at 35mm. Then we "opened the shunt valve" a little and you measured 30mm. We adjusted the shunt again yesterday so we hope the ventricle size will come down. A boy your age would normally have a measurement in the mid-teens, but if we get low 20s we'll be happy. Each time this measurement improves we see new activity, such as more eye openings, movements in the hands and your pupils become less dilated.
Love you Kev – Dad
The first Mother’s Day after the accident had to be particularly hard on Joan. But as always she turned to God and was thankful for all He had given us – even the suffering, but especially for Kevin and allowing us to bring him home.
Monday, May 10, 2010 10:53 PM
Hi Kevin – It’s Mom,
Yesterday was Mother's Day, a special day when we thank God for allowing us to participate in His grand plan. I say participate because you guys were created by God and for God's purpose. Moms and Dads are merely part of God's plan. When I remember that, it makes all of this a little bit easier. We are not in control here. We are thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to be a part of His plan and raise you up in His name.
For nineteen (oh sorry, twenty) years, Dad and I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to be parents. What a joy it has been! Thank you Kevin for being my first born, thus catapulting me into motherhood. What an experience, what a challenge, what an emotional journey! It has been a wonderful journey, every step, every climb, every fall.
If I knew then what I know now, there is much I would have done differently. But I didn't, and there is no turning back the clock. We all make mistakes and I've made plenty. I wish I spent more time with you Kevin. There were so many days when I was running around with Dylan, Megan and Jenny with all their activities. You were at home, probably content to be alone. But if I could do it all over again, I would nix half of all the sports and activities that had us running around stressed and crazy. It’s so not worth it. Why do we feel we have to do all these activities, because everyone else is doing them? I wish I could take back those hours, those precious hours I could have spent with you kids just hanging at home. I'm so sorry Kevin, if only I knew then what I know now.
OK, enough sappiness. Onto happiness! What a great day you had today! Daddy even said it was a GOOD Day! He said he was sad but glad at the same time. I love to see Daddy happy. And today he was!
First, you have had several days with very little coughing! And your nights have been restful with no temperatures! Thank you God!
I always loved to get Joan’s perspective after we completed a new test or therapy. She saw things that I didn’t see. I was always focused on the results and implications, while she was also able to integrate the relationships made through the experience, a lesson that she has always shared with all of us.
Today we took you for a swallow test. It was very cool. We were able to watch on the screen an image of how you were able to manipulate your swallows. You worked very hard to get the food down. Then there is a "fork" in the road, one path down your esophagus and one down the "wrong pipe". The food started down your esophagus but then vacillated and popped back up and went down "the wrong pipe" into your lungs. Not good. Luckily you have a great cough and were able to cough it out. So why is this good? Well, it was obvious that your esophagus was not wide enough to handle the food.
The technicians at JFK were wonderful! One of them had a son who went to school with you at CBA. They were cheering you on and it was such a positive experience. God is good and it was so evident today because now we have information. With this information, we can move forward to the next step. There is a procedure that can be done to inflate your esophagus to make it wide enough so you can swallow more effectively. So we left JFK knowing that there was something we could do next to help you with the hope that you will be able to eat food through the mouth again someday. They are not giving up and neither will we!
We will never give up Kevin, because you are so worth all of this; all the pain, all the suffering. We feel your love Kevin. That is what is keeping us going. Thank you for being my son and for making me a mother. All my love, Mom
Life had taken on a new normal at home. Days, weeks, months and years would pass. There are many chapters still to write regarding Kevin’s Journey of Hope, but sometimes we need to pause and count our blessings. Bringing Kevin home was a major milestone. Like a new relationship, the start of a career, or moving to a new place, the implications can sometimes only be appreciated in the rear view mirror. Over time we became less public, stopped posting each day in Caringbridge and returned to a life dedicated to our family and loved ones. But for a time our story was shared with thousands who followed Kevin’s Journey, and our prayers were answered in Going Home.