Journal entry by Kaitlyn Smart —
Hey everyone! Sorry I have not updated more frequently! I have been very busy making GREAT progress!
I am closed up, and the vacuum has been removed. The plastic surgeon really did a BEAUTIFUL job meticulously sewing me back together. My incision looks amazing! I am pretty mobile and my pain is controlled well with medication. All of these things together mean: I AM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL! After almost two weeks I am back with my people. Of course due to COVID-19 I was not able to have anyone at the hospital with me. This would be the first time I ever had surgery without my dad being able to stay with me. We were all worried how I would fare by myself - but the nurses at Scott & White - 5 South Tower really went above and beyond to make sure I didn't feel lonely. They were *all* incredible and I truly mean it when I say I will miss seeing them.
I'm staying with a dear friend for a little while so that I am not alone during the day and have assistance with bathroom things like hair washing. I couldn't be more thankful to her and her family for opening their home to me. Home health will be visiting a couple of times a week to take care of my IV, as I will be administering IV antibiotics to myself for about 6 weeks. Luckily I have experience with this, as just last year I had to do the same after an incisional infection following my open heart surgery last year.
Things are going well. I'm taking it easy and b jumping up my physical activity a little bit every day until I get back to where I need to be. I will always have chronic pain, and I have made peace with that, but this set of surgeries to remove my hardware will help me moving forward to hopefully have more mobility and overall, less pain.
I thank you all for your support, both financial and emotional. I might be the most loved person in all of Texas. I can never thank all of you enough!
We have a long road ahead but it will be easier with all of you behind me.
If you can, I am still looking for donations. You can donate via:
GoFundMe - www.donatekait.com
Or
Venmo: @kaitketchup
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
With Love,
Kaitlyn
I am closed up, and the vacuum has been removed. The plastic surgeon really did a BEAUTIFUL job meticulously sewing me back together. My incision looks amazing! I am pretty mobile and my pain is controlled well with medication. All of these things together mean: I AM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL! After almost two weeks I am back with my people. Of course due to COVID-19 I was not able to have anyone at the hospital with me. This would be the first time I ever had surgery without my dad being able to stay with me. We were all worried how I would fare by myself - but the nurses at Scott & White - 5 South Tower really went above and beyond to make sure I didn't feel lonely. They were *all* incredible and I truly mean it when I say I will miss seeing them.
I'm staying with a dear friend for a little while so that I am not alone during the day and have assistance with bathroom things like hair washing. I couldn't be more thankful to her and her family for opening their home to me. Home health will be visiting a couple of times a week to take care of my IV, as I will be administering IV antibiotics to myself for about 6 weeks. Luckily I have experience with this, as just last year I had to do the same after an incisional infection following my open heart surgery last year.
Things are going well. I'm taking it easy and b jumping up my physical activity a little bit every day until I get back to where I need to be. I will always have chronic pain, and I have made peace with that, but this set of surgeries to remove my hardware will help me moving forward to hopefully have more mobility and overall, less pain.
I thank you all for your support, both financial and emotional. I might be the most loved person in all of Texas. I can never thank all of you enough!
We have a long road ahead but it will be easier with all of you behind me.
If you can, I am still looking for donations. You can donate via:
GoFundMe - www.donatekait.com
Or
Venmo: @kaitketchup
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
With Love,
Kaitlyn
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