Caroline Patillo Super C Recovers

On Tuesday, June 7th, Caroline was at sailing camp on Lake Monroe and was thrown from the boat, landing on the rudder.  In the ER at Bloomington Hospital it was determined that she had internal bleeding and needed to have her first helicopter ride (an adventure she doesn't remember very well).  Arriving at Riley Children's Hospital later that evening, she underwent about 5 hours of emergency surgery to repair the damages in her abdominal cavity and provide her with a colostomy so that her damaged colon can heal.  
Caroline has been a brave warrior through this entire ordeal.  She has faced her fears, experienced many procedures and events which would leave an adult in a puddle of tears, and faced them head on.  She has learned to be an incredible self-advocate without a hint of self pity.  She has been her kind and gracious self, frequently even when she is in excruciating pain.  This has been a growing experience for Caroline unlike any other.  To watch her experience this journey and make it her own has been our great privilege.  
Super-C, as we have come to call her, will be healing here at Riley for several more days, and then will be headed home.  After 3 or 4 months, we hope to return to Riley for a take-down of the colostomy and full reconstruction, and are expecting that to be another week-long hospital stay.  Our end-game here is to full physical reconstruction, have Caroline physically healed, and cheer her on as she uses this experience to enhance her life and, as always, the lives of those lucky enough to be loved by this amazing girl.  
If you're reading this, you are invited to continue to cheer Super-C on to health and to take off from there, using this experience to continue her own spiritual growth, and to touch others in whatever way she chooses.  The most helpful things for her right now are positive messages reflective of the amazing work she is doing, the athleticism it takes to recover, and the grace with which she tackles every day.  She loves cards A LOT-- they are all over her hospital room-- feel free to send those her way.  When we return home, we will need plenty of help getting back to a new normal and we have some friends who are organizing support.  
It should surprise no one reading this that Caroline has already been nominated for Riley Hero of the month.  She is my hero for sure, as I continue to learn from her that even a 10 year old can lovingly school a medical professional in appropriate care techniques; that bravery is not a life without fear but rather a well-planned action in the face of it; and the magic of a well-timed smile or a word of thanks.  
Thank you for joining us on the journey.  Welcome to team Super-C.
Kerry