BLOG.KATIESWONDERWALK.COM

School's Not Out!!

2009-09-14T20:18:00Z

Wow! So much has happened in the last couple weeks.

I started school! Love my classes this year. We are having so much fun! They asked a lot of questions at first about my eye. I explained it's a bobo so I will be wearing a bandaid everyday! They were over it after the first day. They are the first to let me know when my patch is about to come off!! lol! It's really good.

I needed to get back to some since of normalcy. I have a reason to get up, get dressed, and put on makeup. It makes me feel good to get dressed and ready for a new day.

There are good days and bad. I never know. That's the scary part. When it's good, it's great. When it's bad, it's bad! This is all a part of the process. I pray everyday for God to give me the strength to get through it.

I met with Dr. Alford today. He is the plastic surgeon who worked on Carolyn Thomas. Carolyn Thomas' face was blown off by her boyfriend. She had a hole in her face. Dr. Alford was one of the docs on her case. I'm confident that I am in good hands.

He came into the room and had a big smile on his face!! He said I looked great. He is waiting on Dr. Taylor's report. Dr. Taylor is the oral surgeon who will perform my jaw surgery. Dr. Alford said, "He is the captain of the ship right now." It's his call on what happens next.

I meet with Dr. Taylor tomorrow. I'm anxious to get the reconstructive process started!! It's just a waiting game right now. One that I'm not winning.

I know it will all work out the way it is suppossed to. It's all in God's hands. I have to have faith in that! That's what keeps me moving forward.

Thanks again for everything. I will keep you posted.

Katie Nicholson

John 3:16

2009-08-11T01:32:00Z

Dear Family and Friends,

My hospital room was Room# 316. My lcousin Michelle decorated on a sheet of construction paper that had this verse: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

I don't remember much from the hospital... you could have all walked in wearing a santa suit with bells on.... and I still wouldn't remember (thank God for that!), but I do remember looking at this paper and reading it to myself.

I remember thinking, he wasn't ready for me and I sure as hell wasn't ready to go! Like I said at the walk.... Your love and support is what is going to get me over the mountain that I'm climbing!! The other side is a long way away!! I can't see it, but I do know that it's there. Thank you all for guiding me up!! That's the only way to go when you've hit bottom. At my lowest point so far... I did tell my mom that I wish I had died on that gym floor. I don't feel that way today! I realized I was given a gift! I realized I just haven't finished what I started.

This accident has strenghthened my faith in God and people. You all stepped up when I needed you! Just wanted to say thank you again! Thank you isn't even enough!! Have a good evening and love you all!!

Katie

P.S Please pass on to anyone who was at the walk whose email I don't have. Thank you.

The Walk

2009-07-27T14:04:00Z

Hello Friends,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can't say it enough. Saturday was unbelievable. I am still trying to absorb it all.

Thank you to every sponsor who donated their time and money to this event. A special thanks to Stephen Landry and Danny Landry at The UPS Store on Johnston Street near South College. They helped Team Katie with all their printing needs!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I rounded one of the corners in Girard Park and saw the line of people behind me. I kept turning my head back and forth. I remember saying to myself, WOW! All of these people are here for me!! I wish this accident had never happened, but it did and I can't change it. I will say that this has restored my faith in God, in people and in the human spirit.

I am truly honored and humbled that I was able to share this experience with so many wonderful people. Thank you again for everything!

Catching up

2009-07-16T14:40:00Z

Dear friends,

I'm sorry I haven't blogged recently - it's been a little wild. Let's start with the most recent stuff and work our way back.

I saw Dr. Gene Alford yesterday. He's the plastic surgeon who rebuilt Carolyn Thomas' face after her gunshot wound. Many of you are familiar with this story, and many of you know of the personal tregedies he's face since then. Our consultation was really inspring and I feel so much hope for the outcome of my reconstruction. He agreed to join the team that will collaborate in fixing me!

Dr. Alford was amazed at the fantastic job done by Dr. Foreman and Dr. Odinet the night of the accident, as we all are. That seems to be a standard reaction from all the doctors I've seen. I owe these two so much for their work that night, and all I can say is Thank You. Seems like it's not enough.

The other consultation will take place this afternoon with an oral surgeon, Dr. Taylor. Dr. Alford has worked with him before, as has Dr. Soparkar, the occular plastic surgeon who'll do the orbit and socket for prosthetic eye I'll know this afternoon how Dr. Taylor wants to proceed.

I'm driving more now, and doing really well. Susan rode with me, and told me she was pleased with my new, more cautious driving style. Whatever.

I've also picked up the pace of the aerobics a little. Step was tough the first time, but seems easier with each class. I'm noticing some minor physical differences now, and am hoping they will pass with time.

I feel strong and optomistic about my future, and am working to deal with the incredible anger that's part of the process I must go through. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers as we take this journey together.

Yes, thanks is not adequate, but,

Thanks,
Katie

Holidays

2009-07-05T16:46:00Z

Yesterday we celebrated our nation's Independence Day. Today, we're celebrating my sister's birthday. This makes for a busy weekend, following a really busy week.

Went shopping with the girls yesterday (Mama, Nanny and Michelle) and actually drove home from Target. That's right, I DROVE HOME!! I was a little anxious, and really careful - I stayed in the right lane the whole time. It wasn't very far, but to me it was a giant step towards my independence, and a step towards regaining a small portion of my former life.

I'm not sure how long this journey's going to take - that's the journey through all of the reconstructive surgeries, getting my bite lined up again, and the prosthetic eye. A lot of you know that I was nearing the end of a five year journey involving my TMJ and bite, and was literally weeks from getting the permanent crowns when the accident happened.

It looks like mornings are the most difficult time of day for me and my anxiety about this journey. The emotions sweep past, and I'm still here. I know I'm not alone; I know that I have something yet to be accomplished. I know that all of our prayers are going to help me through this, and that the hard times will make us stronger. I know I will get through this. I will be a better person for it, not a bitter one!!

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support.

Katie

Roller Coaster Ride

2009-07-02T02:51:13Z

Dear Friends-

Yesterday I met with another doctor for another opinion. First let me say when he walked in he asked, "How many months has it been?" I replied, "It has been 6 weeks!" He couldn't believe!!! He also told me that he had heard of people who had been through less trauma and didn't survive to tell the story.

Hearing this from my friends and family is one thing, but hearing it from a professional is another. It put many things into perspective. I really realized how lucky I am. Unfortunately, my emotions are up and down and all around. I feel like I am on a roller coaster of emotions! One day I'm fine and the next I don't know if I'm coming or going! I know there will be good days along with the bad ones!

I always tried to be a positive person. I'm treading in unfamiliar territory! I'm so scared that I won't look like me again!! I know I am very lucky!! Why, when I look in the mirror, don't I feel so lucky?? I pray to God to give me the strength to know it's going to be OK.

According to this doctor, I should have died that day! Well doc, He wasn't ready for me and I wasn't ready to go!! I truly believe that I was put here to do something and I just haven't done it yet!

For the first time yesterday, I asked WHY??? Why does a small innocent child get cancer and die? Why does a women with 5 children get killed in a car accident?There are no answers! I know these feelings are normal. If I wouldn't be going through "The Stages" I wouldn't be normal.

I am so blessed to have so many great people supporting me!! My family, friends and my community! You guys are amazing. I am humbled and honored to be your hero!

Katie

39 day update

2009-06-29T01:47:00Z

I sneezed this afternoon for the first time since the accident - that's 40 days tomorrow, and 12 days since the sinus surgery. I felt it building -you know how you just know you have to sneeze and it can't be stopped - and was a little scared it would hurt. I sneezed, and it was really not that big a deal!

Had the Team Katie girls over to my granny's for a brief pool outing yesterday. There were a few clouds, so the heat was not that bad until around 2, and we were done way before that. Had the big hat, sunglasses, SPF 25000 sunscreen on the parts of my face that were not covered by the bandages, and still really couldn't get in the water; OK, I stuck my feet in (waist deep, that is) ....

Spent the morning with my friend Kendra - breakfast/brunch is the best meal, since I'm still working my way back to "real" food.

I still have good days and bad days, physically and emotionally. The pain really seems to be getting more tolerable - or maybe I'm just getting used to it. I'm trying to take less medication for the obvious reason that I just don't want to take it if I don't really need it.

Emotionally, it's like I'm emerging from a fog; that's part of the classic process associated with grief. The loss of my eye, the loss of a pain-free night's sleep, the radical changes that are limiting my physical freedom and have literally eliminated most of the activities I enjoyed;

I LOVE to workout and I'm grieving the fact that I'm not able to do so at the level that I know I'm capable!! I have been working out faithfully for about 10 yrs. now. I believe it's why I'm recovering so well. I keep impressing the docs everytime I go to my appoinments!

The next phase of this process is not something I look forward to, but I'll get through it with the support of God, my family, friends, and the incredible people in this community. He will never give us more than we can handle, right?

Thanks for your prayers, kind words and support,

Katie

Weekend Update

2009-06-22T06:37:00Z

Hey Guys-

Sorry it's been a while. The sinus surgery and septoplasty really threw me for a loop. I was doing great Wednesday because I was pumped up with so many steroids. I felt like I could have run 5 miles. By Wednesday night I began to dwindle. When I woke up Thursday morning the pain was unbearable!!! I have never felt pain like that before - not that I remember in the last 4& 1/2 weeks....

I don't think I left my bed from Thursday until Saturday. Today was much much better. I seem to have gained a handle on it.

I have been irrigating each nostril which has been a major relief. I CAN BREATHE!! It's wonderful!! I'm still sleeping sitting up but I'm sleeping- almost twelve hours last night!!! Things are so much better today, I got a pass to go to the movies with friends - OK, Mandy is a nurse and Brad is a nurse anesthetist, so they were the safety net....

Once again big thanks to all the nurses(especially Calley),front desk ladies, and Dr. Foreman for helping me to breathe again!! It was rough but still getting better everyday.

Everyday next week is filled with doctors appointments! Can't wait to hear what they have to say! I hope to keep knocking their socks off with my recovery!

Thanks again! Your prayers are still working!!

Good night.

Katie

Oh, yes!!!

2009-06-17T03:34:00Z

I CAN BREATHE freely through my nose again!!

It was rough this morning, though. No breakfast, no water after 6 AM (and you can imagine how I handled that), morning meds on an empty stomach, then throw in a hot, steamy bath to clear the sinuses. The result was not anything I want to repeat. I just felt so weak I had to get my momma to get me out of the tub. By the time I got to the hospital, I was feeling better. Then they started the "I don't care" medicine, and it is really a wonderful feeling. The name fits it well.

The whole experience here is awesome. Major props out to all of the nurses, Gina, Charleen, Tara, Sy, Erika, Karen, Calley, Cindy and Bob. But most of all to Dr. Foreman!

I feel so good, I really don't want to sleep and miss it.

Love to you all, and thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

Katie

Breath of fresh air

2009-06-15T22:52:00Z

Hello, everybody. I just can't thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers.

I visited Dr. Foreman today and we have decided to perform an outpatient procedure tomorrow to address some of the issues I've been having breathing. There's a lot of damage to the sinuses, and we all feel that taking care of this will make it easier for me to deal with the rest of the reconstructive process. After all, breathing freely will let me rest and sleep, which is necessary for the healing process to take place.

I saw the CT scans that were taken last Monday. There's a big gap between hearing about things being broken and actually seeing how it looks. I couldn't get out of there fast enough - I had a moment of panic, but I said a prayer and it passed. I feel very strongly that Humpty Dumpty will be put together again.

I'll let you know how things go tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks again for your prayers,

Katie

Sunday Night

2009-06-15T01:04:00Z

Went to Mass this evening with my bro' Jeremy J. I feel so blessed to still be here.

Came home and my chef, David, had prepared spaghetti. I told him last week when he was force-feeding one of those wretched smoothies to me that the first thing I wanted after getting the jaw released was "Bob's Spaghetti." Bob is my grandfather, and has always made special spaghetti for us. The meal tonight was great!

Love to you all,

Katie

Sunday Update

2009-06-14T15:35:00Z

Dear Friends,

Good morning! Doctors unwired my mouth on Thursday! It feels great!! The wounds on the inside of my mouth are healing nicely! The body is an amazing thing. When I got the screws and rubberbands removed, I couldn't even fit my pinky finger between my teeth.I had lock jaw and scar tissue built up due to my jaw remaining in the same position for 3 weeks!

After many hot compresses and jaw exercises, I can now open almost my mouth almost a full inch! I'm still limited to liquid and soft foods!!

Not to mention I suffered with TMJ before the accident. Dr. Craig Landry treated me for TMJ with an orthotic and then I wore braces for 2 & 1/2 years. I just removed the braces in January of this year. Dr. Landry fit me for porcelein crowns, I'm still wearing my temps. The lab called me last week to inform me that my porcelien teeth are ready! I was very disappointed! I had to give the phone to my driver, David. Dr.Landry informed me that II might have to go through the entire 5 year process again! Hopefully it won't take as long to complete! I put all of my trust in Dr. Landry and his wonderful team.

Feeling well today! All of your thoughts and prayers must be working! Thanks you so much! This community has really come together and i am honored to live in such a wonderful community!!

Love you all so much!

Katie

Saturday Morning

2009-06-13T14:34:00Z

The Houston gang is in. Mom, my sister and niece, the puppy, and of course me and my Personal Assistant/Cook/Driver/etc. - all in my condo. Crowded, yes, but I enjoy being the center of their attention. Even Pumpkin (the puppy - name selected by me) is lounging at the foot of the bed, just watching me.

Breakfast? I never knew scrambled eggs could taste SO good!

We all got our hair done last night at Amy's place - Karma Hair Salon - and are feeling very stylish today. Looking forward to a great day with the fam and friends - my friends are "Katie-sitting" so Mom and David can have a date night.

Trying on clothes - mixed blessing. With the "diet" I've been following, I've lost a lot of weight, and nothing fits. Sounds like a shopping trip will be in the cards.

See you at the stores.

Katie

My 1st Blog

2009-06-12T05:06:43Z

Hello Everyone.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and thoughts!! I will be forever grateful!
Today was a good day! Doc removed screws from my jaw and rubberbands were removed. I can now begin eating soft foods and continue with liquid diet.
It's late! I look forward to keeping everyone updated! Thanks again!

Katie

Welcome

2009-06-11T03:01:14Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.