Thanksgiving Thoughts by Katie

I can't believe we're already at another Thanksgiving. It seems only a few weeks ago that I was in Texas to celebrate my parent's 40th anniversary but here it is an entire YEAR later.  We had tons of family and friends to celebrate the occasion and memories & pictures abound to help me (us) remember for years and years to come. I have so much for which to be thankful. I have a great new house (thanks Danette & Chad). I have a job I love and co-workers I adore. I have a vehicle that runs well. I have the most amazing boyfriend who is always up for an adventure, is always so chill (and there are plenty of times I need "chill"), has the kindest heart, and makes me feel good about life. And then there are my brothers...the strong, not so silent types :-) I know we are separated by many hundreds of miles but my brothers never fail to bring a laugh or smile to my face. It seems I am often the recipient of their ribbing but that's ok because I know, deep down, that they aren't mean to someone they don't actually like :-) My sister-in-laws hold a special spot in my heart and I have the utmost respect for each of them. I think about and pray for them often...anyone married to one of my brothers need it :-) My nephews and niece are so wonderful and I enjoy seeing pictures, the occasional Google video chat, and the too infrequent in person visits. I'm a lucky girl to be surrounded by so much family and love.

There are more of my thoughts below these pictures from Xmas 2011.

October 1st was a huge day in my life and, consequently, to many of my family & friend's lives. I don't have a "last thing I remember" memory. All I remember is beginning to wake up, being told I went into cardiac arrest, I was in the hospital, it was nearly 2 weeks after the cardiac event, being so annoyed (to the point of being a potty mouth) at some of you I love so so much. The first actual date I remember is October 14. I asked my dad what day it was, he responded October 14. I remember my first thought was "oh, it's Danette's birthday, I want to call her". I couldn't tell you if dad reached Danette on the phone for me or if I left her a message but I know one of those things happened. In the following weeks, and even still now, I was slowly told what happened to me. I was told about how Cyndi and I were leaving work...about Dr. Sharma coming along to do CPR...about a mystery woman who helped with CPR...about the crazy space machine I was in...about how the doctor's were unsure I'd survive and if I did their doubt as to my regaining full neurological functions...and so so much more, it's all so overwhelming.

But do you know what is maybe even more overwhelming than what happened medically to me? It is the other side, what was happening around me, non-medically. My parents and brothers flew into town. My best friend flew into town. My friends camped out, around the clock, in the waiting rooms, slept on floors, brought food for my family. I received emails and cards from so many people, and gifts (who knew getting sick would make people send presents, haha). So may people visited in the hospital (most of which I don't/can't remember). I know many people wanted to be here but for various reasons couldn't be (being pregnant is hardly an excuse, is it? hehe) and these people stayed in constant contact with either my family or my boyfriend, to get daily updates on my progress. People around the globe, literally, were thinking about and praying for me. Every now and then someone will say "when so & so came to visit you in the hospital" and I'll be shocked because I may not have seen or talked to "so & so" in months or even years. It amazes me every day when I think of the kindness & generosity my family & I received (and continue to receive).The doctor told me that under California state law I'm not allowed to drive for 6 months. I'm still trying to figure out how this is going to work but I know it'll all work out. Nearly every day I get a call or text message or email asking if I need to run any errands or have anything I need or want to do. My boyfriend works all day and comes back to Loma Linda (having just driven 60 miles in Los Angeles 5:00 traffic, YIKES) often to just get back in the truck and drive me around.  Friends have offered to take me to doctors appointments. And when I am allowed to go back to work, I'll have to rely on my friends to coordinate getting to & from work. I'm so lucky to have so many people who work at the same place I work. Every person I see or talk to say they were praying for me and as well as their church or friends, etc are praying of me and my family. How can the extreme outpouring of support not be overwhelming? Yes, medically it's a miracle. It was surreal being in the hospital and having a neurologist come to my room, pull up a chair, and sit there with a cheesy grin and finally saying "I'm sorry. I just can't stop smiling because I can't believe what I'm seeing. I saw you a few weeks ago and what I'm seeing is just incredible".

I don't remember any of the medical events but what I remember IS ALL OF YOU and the love and caring expressed. How does one say thank you? Words aren't enough and can't express the feelings within. Is it even possible to get a comprehensive list of everyone I should thank? Without fail I'll forget someone. And I don't have enough time or money to buy everyone a thank you present. Like I said, words just fall too short but I just want everyone to know on this Thanksgiving Day how thankful I am for everyone reading this message.

Love,

Katie