She collapsed in her Campbell home's garage in January after doing some pull-ups; Samantha — "Samie" — dialed 911.

Every day since, says Mike, has meant waking up to "a sadness that is completely consuming.''

Mike, 36, says he repeatedly was told by local doctors that Kathleen has virtually no chance of making a meaningful recovery. But after investigating the medical research being done on brain injuries, he found himself fighting mad over the negativism associated with cases such as Kathleen's.

"Am I angry? I'm angry at the holes there are in the system,'' says Mike.

Relatives, friends and people have formed an extraordinary support network. One of Kathleen's sisters has driven down from Fort Bragg every weekend but two. Mike's sister Kimberly and her husband moved in with him to help take care of the house and kids.

Mike says Kathleen's strength is still evident and has been inspiring.

"After it happened, she was given last rites. They told us she was probably going to die. They told us to say goodbye.

"But she wouldn't let go,'' he says.

A fundraising event enabled Mike to put an addition on the house — it's almost completed — so that there's well-designed space to accommodate Kathleen's needs and do rehabilitation work with her. Despite the increasing financial strain, Mike pushed ahead with installing a lift in a van, so that Kathleen can be safely transported to and from her home.

The girls know it won't be the same as before when their mother comes home. Samantha talks about how her mother would call out, "Samie, do you want to cook?'' And Rachel says she especially liked it when her mother took her to the community center to play.

But like their dad, they are determined to have mom back in the same place where they wake up and go to sleep every day.

"I don't want her to be without us,'' says Rachel.

Wish Book readers can help the Davey family make the last of the major preparations for Kathleen's return home. They still need an electric hospital bed ($4,000), a portable defibrillator ($2,000) and an exercise table ($2,000).

Daily care for Kathleen requires a rehab shower chair ($1,000) and an assortment of splints ($250). Transporting her requires a portable ramp for house entries ($600).

Therapy equipment includes wedge pads and bolsters ($450) and differently sized therapy balls ($80).