Mrs.B

WriteStuff - Thanks -Every little piece of information makes me feel like I know a little bit about what is going on. Katrina is learning how to handle formula in her stomach. Up until Friday they were giving it straight to her intestines. Now the stomach must learn the empty/full feelings without spitting up too much nourishment. That seems to be going well - most of the time. She is being weaned off of the only medication we can't take home with us - probably another week on that. She is on very minimal settings on her ventilator. She has continuous pressure to help keep her lungs open and some occasional back-up pressure. The back-up pressure will probably be gone within a week. The ventilator is now attached to her trach tube so we get to see her smile and interact more. It is great! We have come a long way in 2.5 months. CC - I know you're out there

Coaches Corner - you are still attending the games aren't you? Where's my update? I read up on the Happy Valley game since CoachH asked about that one specifically. Good to see we had the killer instinct early. WriteStuff - I would love to see scoring averages at this point in the season. Of course, if you don't want others to know that I guess you wouldn't want to post it on CoachT but I am interested. Katrina is still doing well. She is getting used to having food in her belly. She's not sure she likes but I keep telling her she will eventually. There is talk of us getting transferred back to Johnson City. We are getting close to the end of our hospital stay!!!!

Congrats to Rikki! She has certainly worked hard to get there. Big week this week. Time for the team to focus and take things one game at a time! Katrina is doing well.

Thanks CC. Who's next? We are on the second go 'round now aren't we? Can't believe CoachH is leaving us but I'm sure he will enjoy this next step and be good at it.

Results from last night? I always look here first but you guys keep making me try to find it in the newspapers

Katrina decided to speed things up yesterday by pulling out her own breathing tube. She was not able to breathe on her own at all when this happened. So, we have already had the tracheostomy surgery. It went very well. For the next several years our daughter wll breathe through a tube sticking out the front of her neck - but the condition should improve as she grows. We still face several hurdles but they are getting smaller all the time and we are excited that we are much closer to coming home at this point.

They did not try to extubate Katrina today. We had a long discussion with the doctors today and she is doing very well. However, she has problems with reflux which can exasberate breathing problems if it isn't dealt with. They need to get that as optimal as possible. Then they will try to extubate. If she fails that extubation she will need a tracheostomy. We are certainly hopeful that things have improved in two weeks and are certain that all will work out in God's time.

I just read the newspaper reports of the Volunteer and Greeneville games. Is Cameron back to full strength? What happened to Michaela's hand? Sounds like Victoria is starting to play very well. It certainly is good to have an offensive weapon at every position and others on the bench as well. Sounds like Manuel and Lyons are incredible athletes - glad Greeneville is AAA. Keep filling me in. Katrina will be extubated tomorrow - hopefully for good. She is completely weaned from her pain medication and is doing well.

Coaches Corner, I'm sure you are at the game right now. I just thought I would give this a bump so you could find it easier tonight They are going to try to extubate Katrina again tomorrow or Wednesday -probably Wednesday. It is a huge day for her. God is in control and His will will be done.

WOW Congrats on the move. I know you will do great things for us in Nashville and will be just as dedicated there as you are here. I am certainly glad I got to work with you and know you. Hopefully I will get back to Etown before you leave. Like I said earlier - WOW

Thanks CC. I can always depend on you to keep me updated. Glad to hear we took Volunteer seriously and came away with a big victory. Hope Monday proves we can focus even when it is non-conference. Of course there is no school - will it be like Christmas? Nah!! Let's not go back there! Press on ladies. Keep playing well and as a team. Monday is a good opportunity to prepare for the postseason! Prove what a good defensive team you are!

I'm very proud of the team for the big win over Unicoi on Tue. Score looks like it was a well played game offensively and defensively. I have read that Volunteer is a much improved team. What makes this so? Better shooting, better athletes, better gameplans? What are we up against Friday night?

Marti, Glad the surgery went well! I am praying for you. There is always volleyball to help you get back in shape next fall

I just read GLee's post. Valid points especially against a good defensive team! Thanks for the specifics on Val. I would have guessed that if I had to because she definitely is a transition player - but I have seen her light it up from the outside a time or two. Wish we could figure out a way to allow Val's transition game to hurt more opponents. Of course, it is 5 on 5 isn't it?

Did Val get alot of her points on transition or from the half-court offense? If North was letting Val get lay-ups that would certainly be a reason for Rikki and Michaela to not get as many looks. I certainly agree that both Rikki and Michaela should get lots of opportunities. They both shoot the ball well and make smart decisions when the shot is not there.

Krich - when's the last time you saw the Cyclones play? Why do you think now is the time for them to beat Unicoi? It sounds like you don't think they will improve as much throughout the season - so I just wondered when you last saw them play?

Results please!!! CC did any guard get back after a shot went up? Stuff - Box score?

Kim, Thanks! God provides strength and peace that I could not have of my own accord. I'd like to hear the story of your son one day - sounds like a doosie(sp?) Actually a couple of weeks ago, I thought of the evening news program that threw the dart and went to the town to find a random person's story because everyone has a story (or something like that anyway.) I thought that this was definitely our story. I am just thankful that up until this point in my life I have not had too many of these struggles - but it is amazing how many people are affected on a daily basis that we don't stop to think about. The NICU is a big unit - lots of people are affected daily! Katrina right now is fighting an infection but the antibiotics seem to be doing their job. Game details later tonight you guys!

I'm heading back to Winston Salem today. I'll expect details to read on Saturday after the North game. Box scores would be nice WriteStuff

GLee - Don't lighten up. Just remember to love them through their imperfections. If we lighten up we won't be asking enough of them and we don't want to sell them short or let them sell themselves short. Expect perfection (even though we know it is impossible)

Thanks CC I'm glad I didn't get to see last weeks games because watching tonights little mistakes drove me crazy! It is however only 3? games into the conference schedule and I hadn't seen a game since substate - maybe I forgot what midseason form looks like - especially with 3 new starters and Val in a new position. How long is Marti out? Was the other injured player Kyla? What is her status?

I was surprised I got my son to hang around for 3 quarters. It was certainly good to see faces again even if I didn't get a chance to talk to everybody. What time is practice tomorrow?

Alright, I watched three quarters and left at the beginning of the 4th. But, here are a few things I saw 17. Cameron guards the point position while Val plays point on offense. Neither of them released when EHS put up a shot and we got burned a couple of times because of it. One of them should be back on defense immediately - make sure they know which one. Passing was terrible. No crisp passes thrown. Passes were late which allowed the defense to catch up and interupt the play we were trying to run. We know the play - we should be able to throw the ball to the spot sooner! Wing defense was not good. When they cut through or dribbled to the corner the defense was questioning who was responsible for who. Unicoi will kill us if that isn't fixed. I was certainly glad to see a good third quarter. MP on the bench hurt alot in the 2nd and she played big in the 3rd. Finally got some shots to go down too - we couldn't buy a bucket in the first half. I certainly hope the 4th quarter was as good.

It doesn't bode well that 2 of the 3 times were in back to back years. Of course, last year was still a substate year. Hope tonight goes well.