Linda has been hospitalized since May 2009 due to a severe E. coli O157:H7 infection.  The below is a picture I took of her yesterday. Three weeks ago she appeared to be suffering from a bowel blockage, but it was decided that it was medication induced. Since then she has been in ICU and was recently moved to a regular floor. She has been in and out of responsiveness. Her pain medications are way down. The doctors seem perplexed as to why she is having so much mental difficulties. I was with her for 3-4 hours and at times she both recognized me, smiled and said a word or two, and at other times she would look right through me.

It breaks your heart.