July 28th – Update

Dear friends and family,

            We appreciate everyone who has continued to check in as we have all been adapting, withstanding, mourning, and celebrating the life and change we have found ourselves in. Today I hope I can give a look into much of what has occurred since the last post.  

On November 1^st, Kevin, Mom, and I flew back to New Smyrna. The condo renovation my parents had started months before was lagging, making the transition that much more disorienting. Kevin’s bathroom had the only working sink and shower. There were no appliances or countertops. Boxes hide most of my parent’s belongings and crowded the little free space.

However, we had the sectional and dining room table that still allowed for us to gather and Kevin’s bed and medical equipment reminded us what is essential to getting by at the end of the day.

Our wonderful friends provided dinners, a mini fridge, and the use of their condos when they were gone. These kindnesses allowed us more room to focus on everything that lay ahead.

No time was wasted – Mom immediately established doctors for Kevin. They began PT (physical therapy) and OT (occupation therapy), weekly massages, and soft tissue work with a chiropractor.

            This chiropractor was just the person they needed when they began their work outside of CRAIG Hospital. He was incredible both professionally and personally and used similar techniques to CRAIG. Unfortunately for us, he moved to the Tampa/St. Pete area with his family but his impact is still felt.  

            A few weeks later, my fiancé Erickson and I flew back out for Thanksgiving. My Mom’s parents, Nancy and Joe, were kind enough to host us as we were still without appliances. Dad’s Mom, Carol, and his sister Colleen also joined us.

            For Christmas, we had a total of 12 people to New Smyrna. This included Erickson’s parents, Molly and Tim, who were in New Smyrna for the first time! My family loved being with them and we were all glad they enjoyed the joyful calamity that happens when we are all together. Our friends once again made this holiday possible by providing extra places for us to stay!

 These holidays were singular in so many ways. They were our first since selling our childhood home and moving Kevin back. Because of this, they carried so many emotions but being with family provided constant familiarity and warmth. 

            Fast-forward a few months, in March we FINALLY received an oven and all the appliances for the condo.

Around this time I also flew in to spend a few days with everyone before attending the Global Pet tradeshow in Orlando. My Mom’s longtime friends Teri Gagliano, Weeze Cullen, Joanne Stake, and Erika Ben-Zeev threw me a beautiful bridal shower. The joy that day provided and the chance to see my Mom surrounded by dear friends will never be forgotten.

 Around this time Mom’s friend Vicki Night told us about CORE – Center of Recovery and Exercise in Longwood. Kevin and Mom go there twice a week now. CORE has incredible equipment and trainers that provide so much.

April was as full a month as any. Dad’s mother and sister rented a condo for the month at Errol. It was great to have them so close by. Later in the month, all my Dad’s siblings came for a weekend to host a Celebration of Life for Casey’s stepfather that passed away a few weeks before. Kevin hadn’t seen some of these family members yet and he said it was nice to catch up.

Not long after, an exciting event was hosted by the Oceans of Hope Foundation. The group provided a tandem kayak for Kevin. He had a great time being on the water with our friend Mike (who is the Executive Director and Kevin’s masseuse) and my Dad who joined on a paddleboard. The same organization later held a surfing event for differently-abled participants, which provided my Dad a chance to volunteer as he is a lifelong surfer. Kevin and Mom attended and watched 40 partakers take to the waves. 

At the end of the month, Kevin’s friend from Denver, Kelly, came to stay for a long weekend. Kevin and Kelly became friends in Colorado while working for Fidelity. Kevin enjoyed having her there and Mom said she was a positive, bright light to their weekend.

In May, Mom, Dad, and Kevin drove to Atlanta for the wedding of one of Kevin’s oldest friends, Cale. Driving 9 hours to Atlanta in the van and navigating a hotel for the first time is no small thing. I am endlessly proud of my family’s persistence and determination in moments like this. The wedding was beautiful and provided a chance for Kevin to be with many old friends.

In June, three pressure wounds showed up (a common challenge for those with spinal cord injuries). There was one on each foot and one on his elbow. We started working with a home wound care nurse to help teach us how to best care for them. The same nurse referred us to a wound care doctor who is providing more help. These wounds are tricky and take quite some time and plenty of patience to heal. One resource Kevin and Mom utilized was a hyperbaric chamber as we have heard it can help these wounds. Kevin went for 5 sessions.

Kevin also must have some procedures to assist with similar wounds. He has undergone one and has one more to go.

 In late June, I flew to Tampa for my bachelorette party. My Mom surprised me on the first night when we stayed with our dear friend – the mother of my maid of honor, Tamara. Happy tears were cried.

My Dad is staying busy with work but can do so, for the most part, from home. Mom and Kevin are so grateful that he can do his work from home to provide extra help and support when needed.

The last thing I would like to highlight is that amongst the demanding physical work being done, all the doctors at CRAIG made it clear that mental upkeep is just as important and arduous. What Kevin must reframe, release and reimagine is immeasurable. Time, grace, and endurance are necessary here. Kevin and my parents wake up every day to fight the good fight, even when they must combat uncertainty and change from all angles.

Thank you for caring about my sweet family enough to read this far. There is still so much to navigate and learn, but one thing we’ve come to understand well is that our community is essential to all we do.

 Much love,

Katie and the Cavanaugh family