Day 213 - Dec 30, 2008

Today my beautiful daughter and my parents passed each other in the skies - probably over one of the Carolinas, lol. Breezy went home for a couple of weeks and my mom and my dad came to visit for a whole week! I actually cried while driving to the airport the second time today to pick my parents up. Although my mom has been to see us 2 or 3 times, I haven't seen my dad in over 7 months. It's just so hard because I really miss my family and my friends.

Kevin was really excited to see them too. I wish his head had been tapped before we got back, but he did at least show some emotion when they walked in. And once he was tapped - he was really happy to have them around.

We had a really rough time getting fluid off today though. It was way over an hour and we finally stopped at a little over 200 CCs because we just couldn't get anymore out. Yet his head was super large today, which makes no sense to me. I suggested to the doc that we tap him twice a day and see if it's any easier and he agreed to try it tomorrow (usually the first 100 CCs happen in 10 minutes or so). Maybe this way he will be well enough to do his therapies and keep going through the night. As it is now, he is only 'good' for a few hours and then he's back to barely moving and there is just nothing there emotionally either. It's honestly like night and day.

And now I am going to end by adding a poem to my post. This was written by T. Beechey and it was posted as a comment to last night's entry. I cried when I read this and to be honest, I am still crying. Thank you, T!

JUST A SOLDIER – A Tribute to Kevin Kammerdiener
(T. Beechey)

He wasn't rich or privileged, he was just like you and me
He came from a good home and close-knit community
Everyone that knew him was glad to call him “friend”
Whenever there was trouble, on him you could depend
When he first heard the calling to join among the ranks
Of the brave men and women in the Humvees and the tanks
He didn't hesitate a bit, his duty was at hand
To fight the fight for freedom for the glory of his land

He was being just a soldier, doing what he had to do
And he did what he did for the Red, White, and Blue
Proud to serve his country and proud to do his part
He gave all he had that was in his heart

Dressed in the gear of combat, those beside him dressed the same
He wasn't seeking fortune, he didn't quest for fame
All that he desired was to serve his Nation well
And to come home safely with a tale or two to tell
The tasks he was given, he never questioned why
It wasn't his to query, so he dutifully complied
Because he was a soldier and he had the job to fill
The shoes of those before him who walked a distant hill

He was being just a soldier, doing what he had to do
And he did what he did for the Red, White, and Blue
Proud to serve his country and proud to do his part
He gave all he had that was in his heart

On a day that we'll remember in the month of May
This soldier bore the burden of a hefty price to pay
He's no longer in the battle, but he still fights the war
Every day is a challenge just like the one before
And he meets every challenge with the same bravery
That he showed as he stared in the eyes of the enemy
He still is a soldier in each and every way
And he's the reason I'm proud to live in the USA

He will always be a soldier, doing what he has to do
No matter what's in front of him, he'll always make it through
Proud to serve his country and proud to do his part
The Nation holds you, Kevin, in its collective heart