Sorry I haven't sent an update for a week or so. It all started last
Friday when I had to have all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I was resting Friday and Saturday before I had to return to work Sunday. As it turns out the lower ones have somehow gotten infected. I have only eaten soft, mushy foods since last Friday so I am not sure how the infection started. I have worked every day but they tend to hurt in the evenings after I irrigate them. I had to go to Lexington for check ups Monday and Wednesday. Way worst than my teeth, we had to call an ambulance for my Mother Tuesday night about 8:30. She was having trouble breathing. She has severe COPD. My sisters and I were at the hospital until 2:30AM when they admitted her. She was still having breathing issues Wednesday during the day. That evening and through the night the condition worsened. Thursday morning she was so bad that both Dr. King and Dr. Supa made the call to put Mom on a ventilator and a feeding tube, temporarily. Mom has a living will and does not want to be on life support. However she was smothering and agreed to temporary life support. Dr. Supa will try to wean her from the ventilator probably Monday. According to the doctors and nurses this treatment may be just what Mom needs to allow her lungs to rest so they can function on their own. She is in an induced coma to help her rest. We visit often. She may be able to hear but of course she is unresponsive. At times she seems to try to open her eyes. We are trying to just let her rest so hopefully she can recover. On top of that, my brother, Tony, was taken to the ER last night with heart problems. He has a history of heart disease. They admitted him. I just got word from my sisters the Dr. is sending Tony on to Lexington. He actually had another heart attack. They will do an assessment and determine what treatment is needed. I will keep you posted. Please keep us in your thoughts. I have talked to Michael a few times and made him aware of the situation. He was ready to come home. I don't want him to have to leave the trail. Mom would not want him to leave the trail. She is so proud of him. She looks forward to each update and reads them as if she is reading a good book. He was in Boiling Springs, PA yesterday, mile marker 1115. He is walking with Wiffle. Branden and Polaris have moved on. Branden wants to hike up Katahdin on his birthday, August 8. Michael can not walk that fast and he is fine with Branden "hiking his own hike". Branden plans to wait on Michael in Maine and hike up the mountain with him. I think it always bothered Michael that he slowed Branden down. Michael and Wiffle are averaging 20 plus miles a day but Branden and Polaris can hike faster and farther. Branden is still keeping in touch with me and Amy. He sends out SPOT messages often. He calls and texts. Last night he was at mile marker 1165 so they are 50 miles ahead. Hawk hiked 42 miles in 24 hours other day because he had to meet a ride in Duncannon that was taking him into Boston. He did not sleep, he only walked and ate. He will join back up with Wiffle and Michael when they get to Duncannon at mile marker 1141. Hawk texted Wiffle when he finished his 42 miles and before he went to sleep on the ride to Boston; he told him his body was hurting, even his blood. lol Gumpy and Peeper are still behind Michael a few miles. Michael thinks they may join them in Duncannon, also. I have to run to the hospitals now so I am having difficulty remembering trail conversations Michael and I have had lately. I will try to do better on the next update. Thanks for everything. Sheila
1 Comment
Kathy Maka (GungHo)
6/11/2012 07:58:33 am
I loved the pictures! In fact, I think you and I were hiking together in some of them.
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Many of these posts are by Shelia Campbell, Michael's wife <3
Michael CampbellBath County, Kentucky resident, Michael Campbell, is hiking the entire Appalachian Trail to raise funds for the not-for-profit group dedicated to protecting Kentucky’s native forests, Kentucky Heartwood. Michael, a long-time member of Kentucky Heartwood, began his hike on March 22 at Springer Mountain, Georgia. By the first of September, after covering 2,181 miles of trail by foot, Michael will reach Katadhin Mountain in Maine and complete the entire trail. Archives
August 2012
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