I have spent the last 6 days in the hospital – most in the ICU – in the hands of the very capable nurses and doctors who have been diagnosing and treating what I now know is an acute and life-threatening case of pancreatitis. It involves gall stones, liver function tests through the roof, a blocked pancreatic duct and severe toxins in the pancreas.
The pain has been intense – to the point where I have had no desire or ability to send a coherent text much less post a blog about it. (This post had to be edited because I’m not in the most perfect state of mind for writing intelligibly).
However, I glance over to the window in my room and see the gorgeous flowers that were sent to me last week, blooming and opening to perfection. And I have to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you to my family and friends who sent me the blossoms simply because they knew I would be missing mine that I coddle and nurture outside my home office window.
Thank you to sweet friends, my sister, my brothers and my dear husband for endless hospital care and helping the time to pass more quickly. Thank you to my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, sister and her friends for putting their protective arms around Cole during a time that I cannot do it myself. The doctor said that they almost lost me a few days ago because my organs were going into power failure. A scary thought for sure. But one thing is for sure, even though my body was shutting down, my support system is far from doing so and I am grateful beyond measure for that treasure.
We are on the other side of my days in ICU and this photo represents my current life. Right now I am enjoying a few moments of beauty and clear thoughts in the midst of a traumatic event. Ahhh, the simple gift of tulips in the window.
I will not be posting again anytime soon so feast on the fabulousness of real life in the moment. Thank you for your prayers, thoughts and warm wishes. Let the journey begin.
Kolette
We have all been SO worried about you and we have been praying for your recovery. I am truly sorry for all you have gone through and I bless that continue care will follow. Jason has been great to update us all and we know he needs the prayers as well. It’s always hard to watch a person go through the trial and you much rather it be you. Your a wonderful person and I pray for strength.
Kolette,
I am so glad that you are going to be okay. I have been praying for you and your family. The Lord answers prayer! Take care and get better soon.
That sounds horrible! I am so sorry and pray that you will be feeling better soon! Take care!
Kolette,
I am so sorry to hear of your recent hospitalization and illness. I do so hope you have a speedy recovery and feel better soon. You are so awesome and talented, and I totally love your blog, and everything you do. Lots of prayers and good wishes going your way…hope you can feel that.
Take care,
Debbie Amundson
i will be keeping you and your family in my prayers. lots of love to you!
Holy cow Kolette! I can’t believe it, we let you out of our site for a few weeks and look what happens! I am so sorry to hear of your newest trial, I will be thinking and praying for you! Hang in there, you are amazing!
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers….
sending some sunshine and positive thoughts your way for a full and speedy recovery.
Thoughts and prayers from Norway, for a full and speedy recovery. Take care! {{{hugs}}}
We hope you recovery quickly! We are sorry to hear about your troubles…what a bummer! Glad you are now ok!
I am so happy you are doing better. I still can’t believe how fast it came on. Take advantage of every day huh? Hope your recovery continues to go well and quickly and that the pain decreases every day. I’m praying for you and your cute family.
I am praying for you and your family! Get well soon!
I am so sorry to hear you have been sick. I had been wondering where you were and hoped you were on a wonderful vacation or so busy with family life that you could not write. You bring joy to my life with your life observations. You are in my prayers.
Kolette!
I’m so sorry that you have been dealing with this. I know that it is very scary and painful. Praying that you will get better quick.
Deb
I am so sorry to hear about your illness. Prayers going up for you and yours. Hugs!
May God bless you with a speedy recovery.
I’m so glad to hear from you! You are constantly in my thoughts & prayers, & just know, though I think you already do, that whatever you need, just ask. I will help you as much as possible when you get home. I miss my lil buddy too! Get better Kolette. We miss you!
Dear Kolette
I check it enough to know something was wrong…I didn’t realize it would something so terrible for you. Thinking of you and praying for your recovery. You are loved.
Wow! Ive been missing you and wondered what happened. I am so glad you are feeling better and I am praying for a season of rest, healing, comfort and peace! Good to hear from you! Take care! God is good!!!
Keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for a speedy recovery!
Hello Kolette. We are thinking of you and we have you constantly in our hearts. We love you.
Prayers and blessings for a speedy recovery.
Your words of wisdom are always so appreciated. May God’s graces be upon you in feeling yourself again. Now that I know about your trials you will certainly be in my prayers.
Kolette, I’m so sorry to hear that you are not well. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Sending hugs, Debi
Kolette– this has to be a very hard time with a little one– but thankfully God has YOU in HIS very capable hands. My prayers go out for you and Jason and Coleman.
Oh Kolette, I knew something was going on because you are a regular blogger and I have been missing your posts. Please feel better soon. We are all sending you blessings, prayers and cyber hugs.
Thinking of you & wishing for a speedy recovery.
Oh Kolette, I’m sorry you’ve been so ill! I’ll be praying for a speedy recovery for you. I’ve had a few bouts of pancreatitis before so I totally sympathize with what you’re dealing with. (((((Hugs)))))
oh my heavens. thanks for posting and I wish I was there to help you. I was so worried about you being my teacher at CE 2008, that I continued prayers. Through all those prayers reaching out to God above, he made sure you made it though! I pray your life is always as rewarding and safe and secure(pain free) as you need it to be.
I am sorry for your pain now and the worst possible news of you being so sick!
May God’s continuing grace and healing be upon you today and always!
Prayers for you and your family, Kolette.
Denise
Prayers remain with you and your family. What scared me the most was the suddenness with which this all came upon you. I thank God for all the wonderful people around you and pray for you complete recovery. Take your time!
I was wondering what had you too involved to post. Illness and hospitals did not fall into my lists of options for your pause in posting.
You are learning early in motherhood about the challenges of compromised health and motherhood. What a blessing to have family and friends closeby to help and support you. As a child I was often in the care of family or church friends due to my mom’s illness. It can be difficult on everyone and requires a lot of faith that we can’t be the super mom/woman we want to be, the Lord fills in the gaps with the blessing of wonderful ministering angels.
Sending prayers and warm wishes for you, your family and all those caring for you and your family.
God Bless and many thoughts and prayers coming your way.
I knew something must have been wrong, since you haven’t been posting. I sure hope you feel better soon. It is so wonderful that you have family close by to help you at a time like this. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time!
Take good care and be well Kolette! I am thinking of you and your family and keeping you in my prayers and good thoughts!!
I am so sorry. We have a friend who just got over this very thing last month. He’s still gaining strength (older than you) every day. That’s quite a lot for a body to go through. Praying for peace for you and your family. Cole is blessed to have so many who can step in. Mom will be mom again very soon.
Praying for speedy recovery, peace and great health, Kolette.
I will keep you in myprayers !
Kolette, my heart goes out to you! I will pray for a fast recovery with a few miracles sprinkled in! Not fun having to spend Mother’s Day in the hospital–but it can only get better from here, right?! 🙂 We are moving back to Utah this summer, so I will look forward to a girlfriend reunion!
Love and hugs…
Oh, Kolette, I’m sorry that you’ve been so sick and I’m so glad that you’re improving. I’ll remember you in my prayers! Love, Jullie
You are such a strong woman. When I was suffering from gallstones, I couldn’t even think straight until they removed my gallbladder. I am told that pancreatitis is so excruciatingly painful. I hope that they are managing your pain and that you will soon be on the mend and back home with your family. I will keep you in my prayers.
xo Susi xo
Thinking of you and sending prayers your way! Take Care!!
Thinking of you and your little family, Kolette. You’ve been in my prayers since first noting an absence of posts following Cole’s 15 month update. You’ve inspired so many, you’re loved by many. Extending wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
Feel better soon!
Hope you are getting better, miss you!
Kolette, I’m worried about you and hope that you’re continuing to improve.
love, Jullie
Kolette, I don’t really “know” you except from your class at CE and at BPS, but I continue to think about you daily and pray for your complete recovery. Gail Minsky