"Early" morning update

Hey Troupers,

I'm sitting by Karen's bedside this morning before I leave for NY; she is kind of half awake and has already had a couple other visitors. I'm trying to stay quiet until I tell her good bye though. The nurse who came in and checked her breathing said it was a bit shallow but that it sounded good. We are hoping they will take out the chest tube today, which will facilitate the choices for the rehab facilities, since some won't take her with the extra hardware.

Speaking of those facilities, we haven't made a choice just yet - I know we said they might move her today but I'm kind of thinking that won't happen, since Dad has to get some more info on the centers. He said he would ask his sister to go research them a bit today. I will hopefully find out more tonight or in the morning, after I get home.

I got this this morning from her friend Mike G: "I had a great conversation with Karen tonight about Smallville, all her great cycling friends, Morgan etc. She even looked at some pictures that a friend had brought in of her trip to see Melinda. It was absolutely great! She smiled a lot and even chuckled a bit. "

Our family is so appreciative of everyone's efforts to pray for her and show their support - I especially want to thank Todd for letting Dad stay with him, Colin and Lynn and their family for gathering Karen's stuff and also letting me stay there a few nights; Duane and Jennifer for offering up the house with a bed for me to move to, Kevin and all her other rider friends for telling us the details of what happened and for taking such great care of her till we got here. Thank you Mike for coming by the hospital and engaging her in the Smallville conversation! Also Vince and Sherry for taking care of her work concerns and ESPECIALLY for taking care of Morgan - we all know how much that cat means to her! Lastly, I'd like to thank the unknown Green County EMTs and the Doctor who were riding in the Hilly - it sounds like she might have been in a really bad spot if they hadn't been right on scene out there. If anyone knows who they are, please pass it on!

I'm sure there's more people I'm forgetting and I apologize for that, but I've had so much to keep track of that I know I'm losing a few things.

I'm heading off to NY in a few minutes but Dad will be out here for pretty much as long as she needs him, and I may come back in a week or so depending on his needs and her progress. I'll keep the updates coming as I am able.

Cheers, and keep up the good work :)

-Ro