Sunday, November 30, 2008

Frustration

All---

Laura was readmitted to the ICU yesterday. She is sedated and back on a respirator to hopefully stabilize a slide which began on Thursday. Again her condition is incredibly fragile/weak. I am hoping to speak to the doctors tomorrow to get a better handle on the situation.

I saw a "glimpse" of Laura just a few days ago which makes this even more difficult to accept. Yes there will be peaks and valleys over the coming months, but please continue to keep her in your thoughts and meditations. I told her tonight that there are so many people sending positive energy, and I feel sure that by all of us focusing on helping her heal that she will pull from deep down and get over this hurdle.

More to come very soon.

respect,

vicky

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Realized

Everyone---

Once again I find myself at a loss for words. Reflecting on the last few weeks it seemed that Laura was faced with insurmountable odds of having a transplant come through. Yet it happened, and to the family that made the sacrifice so that she might have a 2nd chance saying thank-you on this day especially hardly seems enough.

Laura is still very weak, and we are looking at a very long recovery. But her new liver is working and her wounds healing. The pain medication tends to send her to the moon and then back for a brief check-in. She is catching up from a struggle that began in July and it will take time. It is still about baby steps for awhile but she is moving in the right direction.

All the best to so many that have kept Laura close in thought and to her posse (her word!) of friends here in Minneapolis that have done so much.

And yes the January 17th Benefit Big News...The Suicide Commandos have committed their support and will make a rare appearance along with the Bush Tetras and Skoal Kodiac. What a celebration it will be. Nick & Eddie's is the venue and please continue to check back for updates.

respect,

vicky

Monday, November 24, 2008

The Prettiest Star-Laura Kennedy

Everyone---

Spent the afternoon with Laura today, and she was laughing at me for fretting over various paperwork that I am attempting to fill out for her. Social Security and Hennepin County, good times.

She is still recoving from nearly 6 days of the invasive nature/ramifications of being hooked up to a respirator, and the havoc it reaked on her throat. A Speech Therapist is working with her to help regain strength just so that she can swallow again; we are hoping that tomorrow she might be rewarded with a sip or two of her favorite apple/carrot juice. Everything is still via IV.

So extremely weak yes but healing slowly. Everyday brings a slight improvement. Her speaking voice is just above a whisper right now and we are probably looking at another 2-3 days before she will be transferred out of Intensive Care.

But Laura's sense of humor remains intact. There is a show of amusement towards the various doctors and staff that are constantly in and out to check on her.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Bright Moments! Laura Kennedy Benefit Information

It is now nearly 2 days since Laura received her new liver; she is stable and still emerging from the anesthesia. Laura has no idea that this happened as she has been sedated since Sunday. Hard to even comprehend what will follow as emotions are pretty difficult to contain right now.

A meeting was held last night and a January 17th date confirmed at Nick & Eddie's for the Minneapolis Benefit show, which will surely prove to be a celebration to remember. On December 19th an LK Happy Hour from 5:00 until whenever will take place, again at Nick & Eddie's to raise awareness and get the excitement going for the show featuring the Bush Tetras and Skoal Kodiac.

More details to come. Again thanks to everyone for the overwhelming support, both with donations and words of encouragement. Please continue to keep Laura in your thoughts/meditations as she faces a lengthy recovery...

respect,

vicky

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

speechless

All of Laura's friends--

I am writing this from the waiting room of the U of M surgery floor.

We have just been notified that Laura has received a new liver. They are wrapping her up now. The surgery was supposed to take anywhere from six to twelve hours, and the it barely took six. I'm not a doctor, but you couldn't ask for a smoother ride.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We are not out of the woods yet, but this is nothing short of a miracle.

--Adam

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Status Update

After a week which can very accurately be called a roller coaster, Laura is now resting comfortably at a care facility connected to her hospital. Her condition is stable for the time being, and she has been moved up near the top of the list for a liver transplant.

The outpouring of support--financial and otherwise--has continued unabated. We did not know what to expect when we set up this fund, this blog, when first we sent out those first calls for help in the NYC and Twin Cities music scenes. We are incredibly gratified to discover that Laura is just as important to you all as she is to us and that you all are rallying behind her. Reading some of the notes of support she's received, they seem more like thank-you notes: "Thank you, Laura, for the music you've helped create," "Thank you, Laura, for being such a good friend," "Thank you, Laura, for the inspiration of your example." Not direct quotes, but paraphrases of letters and emails that have helped Laura weather this very trying time. Seeing her and the impact your letters have on her as she reads them brings smiles to all of our faces and makes us appreciate her all the more.

Please keep sending whatever you can--money, compassion, prayers. They are giving Laura the will she needs to continue this fight.

Thank you.

--Adam