I am beyond lucky.
On Feb 25, I was admitted to Mercy San Juan hospital in Carmichael California where I was diagnosed with septic shock from the meningoccocial nyserium bacteria. I spent 4 weeks in the ICU and am incredibly lucky to be alive. Apparently death came for me 4 times, but I told him it wasn't my time to go.
My family setup a website for well-wishes and as a central place to update everyone and chronicle my progress:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katieswanberg
Retracing the last 6 weeks of my life, most of which I have no recollection of, has been...interesting. The amount of support my family and I have received has been INCREDIBLE. Thank all of you for your cards, visits, well-wishes, prayers, etc. My family has been drawn closer through this experience after meeting many of my virtual and in real life friends, and are amazed at how awesome you all are.
So I am now in an Acute Rehab center where I get to retrain my muscles and learn how to redo things. I will update here on the blog going forward. I'm thankful they have free internet for guests! (Trying to make it feel like a hotel I guess.)
And guess what!? I shaved my head. Rock on. I can't wait until it is as long as Ellen's. I always wanted short hair, and when my hair started falling out in clumps, there was no better time
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Dad and I
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A hat to keep my head warm
A few shout outs:
To my younger sister Kelly: THANK YOU for managing my Blackberry and GardenPunks empire while I was out. You did an amazing job (except not deleting any emails on my phone for 6 weeeks which took me 3 hours when you gave it back!). I have so much respect for what you've handled and the way you've handled it. I am deeply thankful and eternally grateful.
To my Mom, Dad/Joni: Thanks for being there for me. It would have been such a shame to lose the investment in braces and private school tuition! I cannot thank you enough for walking into my room with a smile everyday. It was always great to see you and was always my favorite part of the day. And the pirate flag! I can't wait to fly it high.
To Bernie + Emily: Thanks for being there, the words of encouragement, warrior spirit. Thanks for brushing my hair out Em, even though we now know it was pointless...lol
To Jeff: Thanks for convincing me I needed to go to the ER.
To Joe: Thanks for driving me to the ER and staying with me all day.
To everyone who visited the hospital, when I was coherent or not...thank you. BIG THANKS ALL AROUND.
And I think I'm going to cross "jump out of an airplane" off my list. I've cheated death enough for one lifetime...
Much love and f-bombs
Katie
Edited 4/19/10
