Happy Early Thanksgiving! Wow, it's November. I know, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. I now know why I don't do this for a living.... I have missed you my friends, and many of you have asked how things are going for Makenzie. She is progressing nicely, and I will give some updates. Makenzie might even chime in on this blog!!!
We are now at the 6 month mark....Can you believe it? It was hard to imagine six months ago what life was going to be like in November 2010. We were literally living day to day back in May. Many scary moments....the kind that change your life, the kind that make you look at things differently....
After having a real difficult time back in early October, Makenzie is finally starting to make some real progress. She became very ill in late September with pancreatitis that sent her to the hospital for a week. A couple of weeks after that, she became ill again and spent another week at Methodist Hospital in Houston. This all the while both Pam and Chuck were working....Very difficult and exhausting days....The good news now is that Makenzie is eating better and has starting to gain weight! Yea! I told her I would gladly sacrifice some of my own body fat and give it to her via transplant....She is also going to physical therapy again and continues to make progress. Often she goes to the school with Pam and helps her with her Kindergarten class. She even went to visit her brother Kaleb at Texas A&M! So, she continues to heal, continues to move forward.
A few weeks ago, she posted about the happiest day of her life......the day she could get a boot on her right foot (pic on here somewhere). While this activity might be mundane to you and I, it was a huge deal for her, as she hasn't had a shoe on her foot since April.....it was a big milestone for her. Most recently she got ahold of a sharpie and colored here wheelchair, naming it Wandette.....Wandette??? Well Kenzy, I'm glad you have a sense of humor!!!
My children pray for their cousin each day. She is ever on their minds. I know many of you pray for her too. This has made a huge difference in her recovery. God has worked through so many of you to help her and her family. Pam told me yesterday about a card she received in the mail. It was from someone she didn't know, a hand made card, beautifully done, very inspiring. She told me who it was from, and I actually knew the sender. Pam has placed this card next to the family pictures, so that she can see it. It encourages her and Makenzie. It figures that the sender's name is Grace....It is the little acts of kindness, done each day, that mean so very much. Never forget this, never give up in doing random acts of kindess, never give up on praying...
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I just want to tell you all how thankful I am for you being out there, praying for Makenzie. I am thankful for healing, thankful that my niece is here, thankful for my family, thankful mostly to God for bringing us through this. Many of you know what I'm talking about. Have blessed Thanksgiving my friends....
Mary
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Happy Labor Day My Friends!
Some good news this evening: Makenzie went home today from the hospital after being there for almost a week. She has had a severe bout of pancreatitis and had been in an extreme amount of pain. She has been resting and trying get her diet regimented. It's been an exhausting week for her, Pam & Chuck. Hopefully going home will bring on more rest and healing, as you know you never really sleep in the hospital unless you are unconscious! Been there and done that already......
Throughout this latest ordeal and actually since this journey started back in April I am continually reminded how much we need to pray.....not for just Makenzie, but for all of our friends and family for we are in contact with each day. There are countless "Makenzies" out there: some have broken bones, some broken hearts, some broken lives altogether. We are all signifigant to someone out there. We all know at least of a couple of people who really need to be uplifted. Just think of the difference it could make. Sometimes we don't see it, but things do happen. A kind word, a smile for the checker at Walmart, a casserole for someone who is recovering, a phone call or note on Facebook. A kind deed never goes un-noticed in God's eyes.
Makenzie continues to improve because so many of you think of her and pray. Many of you have called her, sent her notes and cards. Some of you have gone way beyond the call of duty and helped my sister. Some of you don't even know her or my family personally! Again, prayer changes things. So does love. Thank you again for being there!
Hope you all have a terrific Labor Day!
"We can do small things with great love".....Mother Teresa
Mary
Some good news this evening: Makenzie went home today from the hospital after being there for almost a week. She has had a severe bout of pancreatitis and had been in an extreme amount of pain. She has been resting and trying get her diet regimented. It's been an exhausting week for her, Pam & Chuck. Hopefully going home will bring on more rest and healing, as you know you never really sleep in the hospital unless you are unconscious! Been there and done that already......
Throughout this latest ordeal and actually since this journey started back in April I am continually reminded how much we need to pray.....not for just Makenzie, but for all of our friends and family for we are in contact with each day. There are countless "Makenzies" out there: some have broken bones, some broken hearts, some broken lives altogether. We are all signifigant to someone out there. We all know at least of a couple of people who really need to be uplifted. Just think of the difference it could make. Sometimes we don't see it, but things do happen. A kind word, a smile for the checker at Walmart, a casserole for someone who is recovering, a phone call or note on Facebook. A kind deed never goes un-noticed in God's eyes.
Makenzie continues to improve because so many of you think of her and pray. Many of you have called her, sent her notes and cards. Some of you have gone way beyond the call of duty and helped my sister. Some of you don't even know her or my family personally! Again, prayer changes things. So does love. Thank you again for being there!
Hope you all have a terrific Labor Day!
"We can do small things with great love".....Mother Teresa
Mary
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
August 31
Good Evening My Friends,
It is now the last day of August. It's been four months since Makenzie's accident. She has made tremendous improvement over the past several weeks: walking with a walker, standing, beginning to work with crutches. Just like any journey you take, old issues resolve themselves and new ones crop up. Her left foot skin graft has healed very well, but it has turned inward. Decisions on how to best deal with that are being discussed currently. Another thing that just came up today is she has come down with pancreatitis. Often trauma/accident victims get this and sometimes it comes after a long period of intense medication. So, today we have some things to pray about.
Please pray for continued healing and for relief from the intense pain. She is currently in the hospital for treatment. Pancreatitis is extremely painful and the recovery is long. Pray for strentgh for her mom Pam.
When I know more I will post. Thanks my friends for always being there for my family. We are struggling, but we will prevail with God's help....
Good night!
Mary
It is now the last day of August. It's been four months since Makenzie's accident. She has made tremendous improvement over the past several weeks: walking with a walker, standing, beginning to work with crutches. Just like any journey you take, old issues resolve themselves and new ones crop up. Her left foot skin graft has healed very well, but it has turned inward. Decisions on how to best deal with that are being discussed currently. Another thing that just came up today is she has come down with pancreatitis. Often trauma/accident victims get this and sometimes it comes after a long period of intense medication. So, today we have some things to pray about.
Please pray for continued healing and for relief from the intense pain. She is currently in the hospital for treatment. Pancreatitis is extremely painful and the recovery is long. Pray for strentgh for her mom Pam.
When I know more I will post. Thanks my friends for always being there for my family. We are struggling, but we will prevail with God's help....
Good night!
Mary
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
new milestones....
Good evening my friends!
Been out of town off and on for a few weeks. In the meantime, some new milestones have ocurred. Makenzie stood up for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and she took her first steps last week via walker! Of course, the air is thinner up there when you're as tall as Kenzie! So, she was a bit tired after the first couple of times. However, every day gets a little easier.
As well as things are going thus far, there are always new things to come up and lift up in prayer. Her left foot has progressed nicely with the skin grafts. However, the foot is turning inward by several degrees. Her right foot is better, but it has issues as well. As most of you know, Kenzie's feet were the most damaged in the accident.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) Pam and Kenzie will be seeing a specialist about her left foot. Please pray tonight and tomorrow that there will be a solution to the current problem. Pray for other issues concerning surgeons and hospitals to be worked out as well. Finally, keep praying for my sister, Kenzie, Chuck, and Kaleb. Kaleb leaves for college next week. Pam returns back to work at Big Sandy School. These are some hard days around the McLaurin house. Pray for stregnth.
Thank you my friends......
Mary
Been out of town off and on for a few weeks. In the meantime, some new milestones have ocurred. Makenzie stood up for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and she took her first steps last week via walker! Of course, the air is thinner up there when you're as tall as Kenzie! So, she was a bit tired after the first couple of times. However, every day gets a little easier.
As well as things are going thus far, there are always new things to come up and lift up in prayer. Her left foot has progressed nicely with the skin grafts. However, the foot is turning inward by several degrees. Her right foot is better, but it has issues as well. As most of you know, Kenzie's feet were the most damaged in the accident.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) Pam and Kenzie will be seeing a specialist about her left foot. Please pray tonight and tomorrow that there will be a solution to the current problem. Pray for other issues concerning surgeons and hospitals to be worked out as well. Finally, keep praying for my sister, Kenzie, Chuck, and Kaleb. Kaleb leaves for college next week. Pam returns back to work at Big Sandy School. These are some hard days around the McLaurin house. Pray for stregnth.
Thank you my friends......
Mary
Thursday, August 5, 2010
3 Month Mark
Good Morning My Friends!
And yes, even though it is the "dog days of summer", I hope you are going to have a great day. It's been a little over 3 months since Makenzie's car accident. Life has changed a lot for her since that day, as she has spent most of the summer at home healing from her injuries. She has good days, a few great days, some crummy days, and days that contain all of the above. The pain management is better overall too, and we are thankful for that.....
Things are beginning to return to a normal pace. For Pam and Makenzie there is a "new normalness" for now. Chuck returned to his business McLaurin Welding after being off almost the entire month of May. Kaleb finished his term as Vice President of Future Farmers of America for the State of Texas. He gave is final address at the state convention last month in Corpus Christi, and had Makenzie introduce him! He is in the process of getting ready to enter Texas A&M later this month as a Freshmen! Kenzie & Kaleb are very close, and she's really going to miss him this fall!
Makenzie was supposed to enter college this fall at Sam Houston State University (her mom's and mine alma mater!). She has decided to wait to attend school in January in order to be in stronger condition and allow more time to heal. Huntsville is hilly you know! Pam, who is a kindergarten teacher at Big Sandy ISD, is supposed to go back to work in a couple of weeks.
Makenzie's physical recovery is coming along pretty well. She has had many doctors appointments over the past few weeks. The doctor for her face is amazed how well she has done so far. Remember, she had a major nerve in her left cheek that was severed and had to be re-attached surgically. This affects how she smiles, and it was predicted that this could take many months. She is smiling better and better each time I see her, and her physician couldn't believe how well she had progressed when seen last week! Her wounds on her arms and legs are healing nicely too. And thankfully, she is beginning to put on a little weight.......I told her she could have mine and we could do some kind of body to body fat transfer......
With stages of healing come new issues (or new dimensions to old issues...). Makenzie saw the orthopedic docs this week. She just now got cleared to begin bearing weight on her right foot and leg. This is going to be a an exciting and frustrating period, as she has not stood up in over three months! A lot of muscle mass has deteriorated due to being bed-ridden. Gaining stregnth will be her next goal.
Then, there's the left foot.......this is the foot that really sustained a lot of injuries. Makenzie just was referred to seeing a foot specialist yesterday to deal with the new issues with this foot. The skin grafts are healing nicely. There are some new details to deal with now, mainly with tendons, muscles and bones, and nerves.
So, the next focus of recovery will be to gain stregnth, begin to stand on her right leg and foot, and to figure out a plan for continued healing of the left foot. It's been a while since I have asked for your prayers. When you see her picture, think of her and lift a prayer about these recovery issues. It has made a tremendous difference so far. I thank you in advance for it!
My sister Pam has been overwhelmed by the love and support you all have given her and Chuck these past months.....she has said several times that she doesn't even know what to say......these kind gestures of love have really helped her and Chuck come to terms with so many things. We still have a pretty good long road ahead, but your love and compassion has kept all of us going. Thanks so much my friends for reading this blog and praying.
You all have a blessed day!
Mary
And yes, even though it is the "dog days of summer", I hope you are going to have a great day. It's been a little over 3 months since Makenzie's car accident. Life has changed a lot for her since that day, as she has spent most of the summer at home healing from her injuries. She has good days, a few great days, some crummy days, and days that contain all of the above. The pain management is better overall too, and we are thankful for that.....
Things are beginning to return to a normal pace. For Pam and Makenzie there is a "new normalness" for now. Chuck returned to his business McLaurin Welding after being off almost the entire month of May. Kaleb finished his term as Vice President of Future Farmers of America for the State of Texas. He gave is final address at the state convention last month in Corpus Christi, and had Makenzie introduce him! He is in the process of getting ready to enter Texas A&M later this month as a Freshmen! Kenzie & Kaleb are very close, and she's really going to miss him this fall!
Makenzie was supposed to enter college this fall at Sam Houston State University (her mom's and mine alma mater!). She has decided to wait to attend school in January in order to be in stronger condition and allow more time to heal. Huntsville is hilly you know! Pam, who is a kindergarten teacher at Big Sandy ISD, is supposed to go back to work in a couple of weeks.
Makenzie's physical recovery is coming along pretty well. She has had many doctors appointments over the past few weeks. The doctor for her face is amazed how well she has done so far. Remember, she had a major nerve in her left cheek that was severed and had to be re-attached surgically. This affects how she smiles, and it was predicted that this could take many months. She is smiling better and better each time I see her, and her physician couldn't believe how well she had progressed when seen last week! Her wounds on her arms and legs are healing nicely too. And thankfully, she is beginning to put on a little weight.......I told her she could have mine and we could do some kind of body to body fat transfer......
With stages of healing come new issues (or new dimensions to old issues...). Makenzie saw the orthopedic docs this week. She just now got cleared to begin bearing weight on her right foot and leg. This is going to be a an exciting and frustrating period, as she has not stood up in over three months! A lot of muscle mass has deteriorated due to being bed-ridden. Gaining stregnth will be her next goal.
Then, there's the left foot.......this is the foot that really sustained a lot of injuries. Makenzie just was referred to seeing a foot specialist yesterday to deal with the new issues with this foot. The skin grafts are healing nicely. There are some new details to deal with now, mainly with tendons, muscles and bones, and nerves.
So, the next focus of recovery will be to gain stregnth, begin to stand on her right leg and foot, and to figure out a plan for continued healing of the left foot. It's been a while since I have asked for your prayers. When you see her picture, think of her and lift a prayer about these recovery issues. It has made a tremendous difference so far. I thank you in advance for it!
My sister Pam has been overwhelmed by the love and support you all have given her and Chuck these past months.....she has said several times that she doesn't even know what to say......these kind gestures of love have really helped her and Chuck come to terms with so many things. We still have a pretty good long road ahead, but your love and compassion has kept all of us going. Thanks so much my friends for reading this blog and praying.
You all have a blessed day!
Mary
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Change....it's a good thing
Good Evening my friends!
I'm writing on the eve of a big weekend for the McLaurin family. Many of you know that Kaleb, Makenzie's brother, has been the FFA State Vice President for this past year. He has been traveling all over the state visiting almost every FFA Chapter there is! It has been a great experience for him, and he has grown tremendously. He looks forward to beginning his college life at Texas A&M this fall. This week is the annual FFA STATE Convention in Corpus Christi. He will be giving his farewell address on Friday. AND, who will introduce him to the convention? Makenzie! Of course! Yes, the girl is going to the convention!
It has been a long summer, but things are getting progressively better. She has begun home physical therapy a few days a week. She will begin to walk in August. This will probably be a big challenge at the beginning, as she has not been on her feet since April. Remember her in prayer for this. Also, we hope that the end of the IV anti-biotics will be soon, and that her appetite will return. Needless to say, going to the convention is a big deal for her. I'm glad she's going to be there!
Yes, and finally, the new doo! Yes, she had beautiful long locks. However, those locks became a HUGE tangled wad in the hospital. A couple of hair stylists have worked and worked on it, trying to untangle it. It was a mess. Finally she said "cut it"! And so, she did! It looks great! Very college girl looking! I never imagined Kenzie with short hair, but it is a great change!
Change is hard sometimes. Change is inevitable. We either make the change, or change makes us. This whole experience has been a change. Time to move forward. Time for a new haircut, time for college.
Change is a good thing!
Take care for now my friends!
Mary
I'm writing on the eve of a big weekend for the McLaurin family. Many of you know that Kaleb, Makenzie's brother, has been the FFA State Vice President for this past year. He has been traveling all over the state visiting almost every FFA Chapter there is! It has been a great experience for him, and he has grown tremendously. He looks forward to beginning his college life at Texas A&M this fall. This week is the annual FFA STATE Convention in Corpus Christi. He will be giving his farewell address on Friday. AND, who will introduce him to the convention? Makenzie! Of course! Yes, the girl is going to the convention!
It has been a long summer, but things are getting progressively better. She has begun home physical therapy a few days a week. She will begin to walk in August. This will probably be a big challenge at the beginning, as she has not been on her feet since April. Remember her in prayer for this. Also, we hope that the end of the IV anti-biotics will be soon, and that her appetite will return. Needless to say, going to the convention is a big deal for her. I'm glad she's going to be there!
Yes, and finally, the new doo! Yes, she had beautiful long locks. However, those locks became a HUGE tangled wad in the hospital. A couple of hair stylists have worked and worked on it, trying to untangle it. It was a mess. Finally she said "cut it"! And so, she did! It looks great! Very college girl looking! I never imagined Kenzie with short hair, but it is a great change!
Change is hard sometimes. Change is inevitable. We either make the change, or change makes us. This whole experience has been a change. Time to move forward. Time for a new haircut, time for college.
Change is a good thing!
Take care for now my friends!
Mary
Thursday, July 1, 2010
friends, neighbors, and other unknown people
Good Morning my friends! The picture posted today is of my friend Dawn and her daughter Lillian. They are my friends and neighbors. Our little girls are best friends. Dawn has been keeping up with Makenzie, just like so many of you! She has never met her. Dawn is a true crazy cajun woman! She has a huge heart, and recently decided to help Makenzie and her family. She is an extraordinary seamstress, and has recently started making Coolbands for Kenzie. These bands are great for summer, and she and Lillian are wearing them at a swim meet! She has sold over $220 worth, and her goal is $1000! She is crazy!!! She is crazy with love for someone she doesn't even know. But, she knows her story. She knows of God's infinite mercy and grace. Pam stated to me that she is in awe by the goodness and love that people have showed her throughout this whole ordeal. I wish I could post pics of so many of you who have been there for my family. I don't know who many of you are, but know that we love you.....
Makenzie has had a few doctor appointments this week. Her skin grafts are doing very well! She will still have to remain on IV antibiotics for about 2 more weeks to clear any infection. The ortho docs said she can begin physical therapy next week. She still will not be able to do any weight bearing activities til August. This is mainly because of the right foot injury. This particular injury takes a LONG time to heal. Please pray about this....Again, the biggest issue at the moment is eating. The antibiotics really make her sick to her stomach. This will probably get better when the IV treatment is over, but for the time being she needs to gain some strength. Pray about this also....
Thank you for being there my brothers and sisters......Have a great July 4th!
Be careful out there!!!
Mary
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