A Letter from Cathy

Dear Family and Friends,

After many months of reading this blog written so beautifully by Linda as well as reading your many comments and good wishes, it is now time for me to “talk” to all of you. 

My life changed in an instant back in September in Cabo when I had my horrible accident.  I had no idea what had happened until 2½ weeks later when I “woke up” at John Peter Smith Hospital ICU and was told what had happened.  I was so drugged and out of it that I don’t think I really comprehended the seriousness of the situation.  As days rolled by, I asked lots of questions and got answers, some of which were terribly frightening and upsetting as well as some funny answers (like when I wanted something to eat, and they told me I couldn’t have anything, and I tried to bite Steven’s hand! – sorry Steven, you know when I am hungry, I want food!) 

You all know what has been going on with me, thanks to the wonderful blog that my special friend, Linda, started and continued during my recovery.  The last entry was in January back at work and functioning quite well considering it had only been 3½ months since that dreadful day. 

My recovery has gone well but is about to start a new chapter.  I have seen many doctors over the past few months and have found Dr. Ducic, who is a craniofacial, ENT, and plastic surgeon here in Fort Worth.  Lenny and I were very comfortable with him the minute we met him, and we are very confident that he can help me get back to being “normal” again.  I have quite a bit of damage to my face including my right eye and nose and some fractured areas that need to be corrected.  I will be facing several surgeries beginning next Monday, March 15, and continuing for about a year.  The first surgery will be to correct my eye by adding a custom implant to shift the eye to the correct position and some corrective work with bone grafts to the right orbit.  This is scheduled as an outpatient for which I am very thankful.  We are still thinking positive that with the surgeries, my right eye vision will improve and maybe I can someday see normal again.  I am still having the double vision with lots of blurriness as my right eye has severe damage. 

My second surgery is scheduled for April 19.  This will be reconstruction and repair of my nose as Dr. Ducic said it was “unhealthy” and will not function properly for the long term.  I showed him a photo of myself before the accident, and he said my nose wasn’t pretty; can you imagine that?!  I asked him to make my new nose pretty.  We’ll see when the time comes. 

After recovering from surgeries 1 & 2, we will proceed to schedule more surgeries, one at a time, until he says I am in good shape.  Don’t know the progression, but will keep you updated via the blog when I have answers. 

I am somewhat apprehensive about the road on which I am about to embark.  However, I thank God every day that I have been given a second chance.  I have tried to stay positive, though at times, it is very difficult to do.  The support of my family and friends has gotten me to this point, and I know you will continue to support me and pray for me throughout my journey. 

I have learned many lessons over the course of the last six months.  I now appreciate things and people I took for granted.  We get so busy in our lives that we often forget what is important.  Lenny is the best husband ever, and I could have never made it this far without his love and support.  He truly is my “Superman.”   I am truly the luckiest woman in the world to have such a wonderful husband, and my love for him gets stronger every day.  Steven, Lisa, and Kaje are the best children.  They all have such a special place in my heart and know how much I love each of them.  And of course, my granddaughter, Audrey – she is the light of my life.  She has been and continues to be so loving and caring for me, and I thank God again for allowing me to be in her life.  My sister, Bari, spent lots of time with me and my family during my hospitalization and recovery, and I realize how lucky I am to have her for a sister.  Thanks to Bari, Jason, and Ethan for your support and love as well as all my family and friends for caring so much. 

I think that God has a purpose for all of us.  I feel that he is using me as a tool to help other people in times of need.  Many have told me that I have been an inspiration to them through my recovery.  I want this accident and road to recovery to have meaning, and I pray that in the future, I can look back at this time in my life and know what my purpose is.  I know I have the strength to face each day, one day at a time, and I will strive to keep a positive outlook for myself, my family, and my friends. 

I have depended on the Serenity Prayer which has helped me with my life.  It gives me comfort and helps me through each day.  I will share it with all of you.

God grant us the Serenity to accept the things we cannot change

The Courage to change the things we can, and

The Wisdom to know the difference. 

I pray that I will continue to maintain the strength I so very much need in the coming months.  With all the continued prayers, support, and love from my family and friends, I will fully recover and get back to a “normal” life.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 

Love,

Cathy