Saturday

Today has been a long day, and it's still going. There's no real change in Hyatt's condition -- heart and lungs doing well, but no real sign yet of her mind waking up. Oxygen concentration is at 35% (where they'll leave it), and the blood/O2 saturation is still at maximum. They turned down the respirator a bit more so more of the breathing work can be done by her, and she's handling that with no problem.

Patricia, Nancy, Whitney, and Jane have been doing a marvelous job with the kids. Bekah is guzzling formula like it's eggnog (I really like eggnog, in case that seemed an odd statement), and Sidney has got a nonstop carousel of people to play with and show off for. She's still praying really hard for mommy to get better.

We've been through a lot today: some gut-wrenching tears, inspirational support, and enjoyable laughter. The pastor at Troy's church came by Hyatt's room in the morning, and that was another very tearful time with friends and family -- and further pleas for a miracle.

Later, as Troy and I were coming back to the hospital, we passed a priest walking out with a family people here had been following in the newspapers. A disabled boy had fallen into a septic tank, and his dad jumped in to save him. The dad was able to hold his son's head above the fluid for long enough that the boy wasn't killed, but was hospitalized. However, the dad died trying to save his son. The boy had apparently been in critical care for several days with his grieving family, and were finally going home as we passed them. Troy stopped the priest and just asked next time he's back at the hospital, please come visit Hyatt Nolan in her room. I mentioned to Troy that to me, the priest's face looked exactly like the faces of the rest of the family.

About five minutes after we got to Hyatt's room, that priest showed up. I took him outside and just explained the situation so far. He spent the next 30 minutes with us, praying the rosary and comforting us. As he left, Troy asked him if indeed that family he was walking out with was the family that's been in the papers and on the news. The priest said "Yes it is. That's my family, and that's my younger brother you've read about." It hit us all right then: that priest left his own family in their time of greatest joy to be with our family in our time of greatest need.

Hyatt's friends Leah and Jen drove up from NC and joined us with Hyatt in the afternoon. Certainly some tearful moments, but just a wonderful time laughing and telling funny stories about Hyatt and about our families. Super-Nurse-Kim was actually a part of this for a good amount of the time. She has amazing medical knowledge, but has laughed, cried, and bonded with the family for days now. She and Hyatt would hit it off as best friends.

Speaking of best friends, I think about a dozen people over the last few days have introduced themselves to me as "I'm Hyatt's best friend." It's no surprise to those of us that know Hyatt that so many people would characterize their friendships with her as just that.

Allen and Holly cooked us all a wonderful pork loin dinner at the house; must have been 20 of us eating and having a good time.

After dinner, the Moms & Kids club had organized a candlelight vigil for Hyatt just down the road -- first half was tearful prayers, and second half was wonderful stories about Hyatt, and the effect she has on so many people. That support group has been amazing for her, and is doing the same for us. Right next to me right now is a list of all the dinners they've committed to bringing over to the house; every day is covered....well into October already.

I just got back from dropping Troy back off at the hospital. Already in the room was Julie, their former neighbor here in Bristow. Hyatt is her best friend (see above), and she flew in from Dallas this evening and went straight to the hospital to be with her.

My parents are still on the road up here, and probably about an hour out of town. They'll be meeting me at the house, and we'll head over to the hospital together. So, this is probably a good time for me to stop typing and get an hour of sleep.