Update on Klee, Day 5, Ups and Downs

As I sit here in the hospital typing this, I think, I would rather be updating you on anything else right now. But this is where life has us, and I want to keep you all in the loop because so many of you have been sending us support and love… and, I am spending a lot of time sitting here “thinking” while she rests. Writing this blog is a welcome distraction.

Many of you have been following our journey this week, and I wanted to share an update on Klee. Since Monday, we’ve been in the hospital, and it’s been a tough few days for her starting sometime before her hospitalization. Yesterday brought a glimmer of hope when she was taken off antibiotics and started showing some improvement. She even managed to do a few laps around the hospital, which gave her a boost of energy and lifted our spirits.

As the evening came, we were optimistic about the possibility of heading home soon—something my back, currently at odds with this hospital chair, eagerly anticipates. Unfortunately, the night didn’t go as smoothly. Things flared up again, and Klee endured another rough stretch.

This morning, she’s feeling a bit better, and the doctors are running more tests to get to the bottom of things. The silver lining in all this is that we’ve ruled out many of the scarier possibilities, which is a huge relief. Klee, as always, continues to smile through it all and find moments of joy despite the challenges.

We’re still in waiting mode, hoping for more answers and, fingers crossed, a path that leads us back home soon.

I also want to take a moment to thank each of you who has reached out with emails, messages, and financial support. Typically, our holiday season provides enough income to cover the slow period from mid-December to March. This year has been different. With Klee’s health taking precedence, we had to cancel events and plans, and your support has been a lifeline.

Words can’t fully capture how much we appreciate the kindness and generosity you’ve shown us. You’ve allowed us to focus on Klee’s health without the added stress of looming financial worries. You really have no idea how much it means to us.

Klee and I met and got together in 2009, and honestly, we’ve spent every single day together since. Rarely have we spent a day apart—in fact, I’m pretty sure I can count on one hand the days we’ve been apart. She is my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the most beautiful human I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. She is magic.

Our life together has been a magical adventure of living on the road, starting a creative career side by side, and eventually buying our dream home together. Over the years, we’ve faced plenty of challenges, but we’ve always had each other’s backs.

2024 has been a particularly challenging year for us both financially and emotionally, for many reasons, including but not limited to—let’s just call it family drama invading our creative space. I saw the stress hit her hard this year and start to present itself in physical ways. Mine did too, but it mostly showed up in the form of more white hairs in my beard.

As much as I hate seeing her in the hospital, I’m grateful that she’s being checked for anything and everything it could possibly be. It’s a step toward answers, and that brings a small measure of peace amidst the worry.

I also want to give a big shoutout to the doctors and nurses here. They have been absolutely amazing and have really taken care of Klee. Their dedication, expertise, and kindness have made a difficult situation so much more manageable, and we’re deeply grateful for everything they’re doing to help her heal.

For now, it’s a waiting game. I’ve been perfecting the art of sleeping (or trying to) in a chair that seems engineered to keep you awake. Don’t worry, though—I’ve graduated from vending machine snacks to actual food.

We’ll keep you updated when we can. Thank you for being there for us, for Klee, I am so grateful. Your messages of love and support are a reminder that we’re not navigating this alone.

Here’s hoping that the next update will come from the comfort of home.

With gratitude and love,
Rafi