Katelyn's Journey: I MADE IT THROUGH!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I MADE IT THROUGH!

I made it through the day! That was the biggest challenge! I actually really enjoyed the day! I was so happy all day, I couldn't believe i was actually "walking" onto campus!!!! Everybody at school was so excited and so helpful and supportive! I loved feeling apart of the crowd and breathing in from "new heights" (literally) I took pictures throughout the day and it felt like the first day of school all over again! I really need prayers though because now i am completely wipped out from a long exhasting and wonderful day. Thank you everyone who prayed for me today, they helped me get through the day!

9 comments:

Sally-Girl! said...: Our pleasure to be part of your prayer team! You looked great by the way!; May 19, 2009 at 8:56 PM
BKlees said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; May 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
BKlees said...: I am SO PROUD of You, your Courage and your steadfast Faith through this last year. Seeing you back on your feet is so uplifting. God is Great! He has grown you, our family, your friends, and all who have heard of your journey through this last year.

Love Uncle Brian; May 19, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Unknown said...: That is such a joy to see you walking on both feet, seeing your happy smile and your helping friends around!
Praise the Lord! We send you the best wishes and the warmest hugs from our side!

All our love&prayers, Masha&Stephen; May 19, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Mom said...: I am so proud of you and continue to be amazed by your strength and courage. God DOES have a PLAN and a beautiful PURPOSE for you and you continue to bring glory to the Lord during this journey you are on. I am so blessed to be your mom.

Love ya sweetheart.; May 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Katelyn - I'm so excited for you! Keep up the hard work, get plenty of rest and God will do the rest. Summer is going to be great!
Love Leann; May 21, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Brenda Smith said...: Katelyn it is great to hear the progress you are making in this journey. I am touched by your faith and positive spirits that you have kept through it all. God has certainly grown you and has amazing plans for you because of this journey! I will keep praying for God to give you the physical strength to get through the last of your freshman days!
Love, Brenda Smith; May 21, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi, Katelyn! You are such an inspiration & we are so glad you made it through a very challenging, exhausting, but rewarding week, with your magical smile still intact. We hope you will now enjoy a wonderfully happy, enjoyable & very relaxing weekend with your family & friends. Our thoughts & prayers are always with you. And THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your journey with us, because you give us all the courage, determination & inspiration to embark on our own journeys through life.
Lots of love from Masha & Stephen; May 23, 2009 at 4:57 AM
melissa mcewen said...: hey kate. It was so amazing seeing you walk all over campus. I know you have come a long way. I will continue to pray for you! You are so strong and you inspire me everyday! Love ya
melissa; May 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM

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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

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I MADE IT THROUGH!

9 comments:

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