Thursday evening, August 16

Janet, Nancy and I met today with the Doctor (known as an Intensivist) in the Intensive Care Unit who has been co-ordinating Mum's care since Monday. This care includes consultation with other specialists including neurologists.

Mum has a severe meningitis. The cause has not been identified. She is being treated with several drugs to cover a variety of possibilities of infection. She continues to be in a coma. Her condition continues to be very critical, however, the Doctor says Mum is showing slight improvement.

We deeply appreciate the flood of e-mails and phone calls that have come our way from across North America, Scotland, England and Australia. We are telling Mum about each one of them.

The medical team has told us that the best way we can support Mum's healing is to provide stimulation through conversation, music, and reading to her.

Many of you have asked how YOU can be supportive. We welcome your notes and cards. Please consider writing a short note or letter about your activities (how harvest is going, what flowers are in your garden, what your families or pets are doing, your summer holidays, what you can see from your window). Descriptive items such as these can help Mum think about you and what you are doing as these days pass. Humorous incidents are welcome.

You can either e-mail them to me at: catherine.barnsley@usask.ca

or send them by Post to:

Box 190
Abernethy, SK
S0A 0A0

We will read them with Mum as often as we can. We have had a variety of signs that she is hearing us when we speak.

Thanks for all your love and care and prayers. The support means so much to us.

Catherine