Katelyn's Journey: October 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

GIRLS ONLY!!

This weekend I had a blast on the Girls Retreat for my church! We went down to Sacromento after school on Friday and dropped our stuff off at the hotel. Then we headed over to Arco for the first part of the Revolve Tour!! It was so much fun! They had amazing speakers and awsome bands! Natile Grant, Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew and more were there! We stayed up really late hanging at the hotel then in the morning went back to Arco for the remainder of the Tour. It was really inspirational and encouraging!!

After that we went to the Block for a big sleepover!!! We did a talent show, were crazy, had a dance party and had amazing food. I learned alot and i felt like a came alittle closer to God!

Unfortuately, I now have a sinus infection, i lost my voice and a really bad cold. So please pray that i start to feel better because i am miserable.

Here are some pictures of the Retreat!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

A new adventure

Last night i went to Homecoming at my high school. It was an interesting experience! I had a good time but it was awkward being in a chair. After a while i started to realize that this is how i am right now and i need to except that and just act as myself not being awkward and shy. After i realized that, i felt like i could loosen up and just have a great time with my friends. Sometimes when you feel like an ousider you just have to remember that God will always love you for who you are, so why not just be yourself and if some people don't like you for who you are thats their problem and they are missing out on meeting a wonderful person!!!

The picture is me with my friends, Asia and Hannah, before the dance! I am in the green, of course!!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Inspiring Video!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkCFeNeqyHk

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

My Birthday!!!

On October 8th is my birthday!!!

I have a prayer request: I am really sad that i am in a wheelchair for my birthday....please pray that i can enjoy what i do have!!!! Such as wonderful parents, a great sister and amazing friends!!!

Thanks
Katelyn

Monday, October 6, 2008

My poor Baby

I have a prayer request......

My puppy Rusty was injured on Sunday. He was at the grooming place and they cut his ear and he had to go to the hospital and have stitches. He has to wear a cone so he won't rub it. It is swollen and it hurts him so please pray for recovery!

How it all began...

In Febrary, Katelyn first developed a severe unknown allergic reaction that caused her eyes to be swollen shut for over a week with orbital cellulitus and her whole body to itch. She was on high doses of antibiotics and steriods to clear up this contidition.

Next, in April she came down with a very bad flu virus that caused her to loose a lot of weight in a short amount of time. Katelyn ended up in the hospital due to dehydration and the inability to keep any food or liquids down. She underwent many tests and evaluations. At one point, she had lost more than 15 pounds. After 3-4 days of testing, it was finally determined that she had SMA syndrome, which is a small intestinal blockage. A feeding tube needed to be placed past the blockage before they could begin tube feedings.

Unfortunately, there were many complications involved in this process. They had to do feedings through her IV until the tube moved to the right location and multiple times they had to move her IV as her veins kept giving out. Eventually, they got the ND tube placed and after 2 weeks in the hospital we got to go home on home feedings until the blockage cleared and she could begin eating on her own again.

We started having complications almost immediately after going home. Her system struggled with the change in formula we went home on and the change in medications. Also, her feeding tube became clogged and required a trip back to UC Davis to have it cleared. After only 4 days, we were back in ER as her GI system developed complications. We were released for home treatment but the next week ahead brought further problems.

The following weekend, we were back at the ER due to the tube being clogged again (apparantly this isn't unusual). This time they brought in the Intervention Radiology team to pull the old tube and replace it with a new one. They choose to sudate her for the procedure this time. Again, there were complications arising from the medications and when she finally pulled out of the sedation she had lost all her muscle control. Her body had finally been through one too many traumas and shut down.

Katelyn was admitted again and we spent the next 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital in the rehab program. The one success while we were there was that she slowly began eating and the feeding tube was finally removed and done with.

Katelyn was released on May 29th in time to attend her 8th grade Graduation the following day. She was still completely dependant with no muscle control but she wanted to attend her graduation anyways. Strapped into her wheelchair, she wore a huge smile and accepeted her diploma.

Katelyn is now home and with the aid of a hospital bed downstairs, we are able to care for her here. She continues to have rehab therapy locally with a therapist she likes and has worked with in the past. Her progress is slow but the prognosis is for full recovery but it could be weeks or months, they just don't know.

Katelyn's Journey