A New Normal (Personal Update)

On August 27, our family’s life changed when Katie McLain experienced a seizure at work and suffered a fall that resulted in significant injuries, including a brain injury, bleeding in her skull, and a skull fracture and fracture to her temporal bone. What followed was a hospitalization and a recovery journey that has been longer and more complicated than we anticipated. This is what we have called our new normal.

Throughout these months, we have experienced the difficulty and uncertainty that come with a season like this. But we have also found God showing up in unexpected ways through the prayers, generosity, encouragement, and care of others. As the Scriptures say, “”God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, NASB). There have been moments when we have felt especially aware of God’s nearness, often through the people that God has placed around us in this season.

The journey of healing and the way this has changed our live continues to be a difficult road, and we certainly aren’t at the other side of it yet. That is okay. It is one day at a time, and we are learning to give thanks even in seasons like this. Many of you have reached out to ask how Katie is doing, and many have wondered where things stand. So we wanted to take some time to share an update. I know such updates can be too much, and we are not asking for support, or trying to draw attention to ourselves. This post is just a thank you, quick update, and a chance to reflect on the goodness we have experienced.

Writing this has also been good for me. In the middle of appointments, responsibilities, and the uncertainty of recovery, it is easy to focus on what remains difficult. Taking time to reflect has helped me recognize the many ways God has been present and provided for our family along the way.

We Have Been Carried

First, and most importantly, we must share how grateful we have been for the prayers, encouragement, generosity, and practical support of so many people. Slowly, we are getting the many thank you notes out. Paul told the church in Galatia to “Bear one another’s burdens,” and I can share that the way we have felt the power of that being down (Galatians 6:2, NASB 202). This difficult season, which I expected to be isolating, has reminded us that even in the really difficult seasons, God provides through the people around us. I have never experienced such love, care, concern, and tangibles for our family. Thank you. We truly feel that we have been carried by the kindness of friends, family, and our church communities.

Recovery Takes Time

If you were to see Katie today, you might not immediately realize how much she has been through. She looks like herself, smiling, and we are thankful for the progress she has made. There is a story that her smile may not tell, and that is how much of the recovery continues beneath the surface in ways we cannot always see or understand. Again, this is a new normal for us.

Some of the injuries have healed considerably. The nerve-related palsy she experienced has resolved, and her ear canal has mostly healed. Her skull and temporal bone continue to recover, though she is still experiencing significant hearing difficulties and ringing in her right ear. This has been difficult for her (and us at times when talking to her). She will have another hearing evaluation in the coming months.

There are also less visible challenges. Fatigue, memory difficulties, and trouble keeping track of details remain part of everyday life. We are learning that recovery is not always easy to see, and that looking well and feeling well are not necessarily the same thing.

Though she is stronger, there remains a fear for Katie. The idea of having another seizure this bad, and to endure his much trauma to her body, has been mentally traumatizing for her as well. In addition, Katie also has some issues with her some bones in her foot right now, and a cyst in the one that that they believe is benign, but still troubling for her.

Continuing the Journey with Seizures

We are also continuing to work toward better seizure management. Katie has begun a new chapter of care with the University of Pennsylvania, where we are exploring treatment options and adjusting medications. This is the first time we have felt like that Neurologists have helped, and truly understood the journey. They have been quick with phone calls after episodes and questions, and were really thorough in their investigation into her injury and seizures.

There has been some encouraging progress. Since the accident, Katie has experienced three smaller seizures, unusual for her, but thankfully none have progressed into the more severe convulsive seizures she has experienced in the past. We are grateful for that improvement and continue to hope for a treatment that will bring greater stability and quality of life. We still don’t have a trigger of why she has them, or what led to the accident at work.

The Everyday Challenges

Recovery brings its own set of practical challenges. There are appointments, paperwork, new routines, and plenty of unanswered questions. We are also learning to navigate some unexpected medical concerns along the way.

Some days, simply keeping up with everything can feel overwhelming. We are trying to make room for rest, take things one day at a time, and give Katie the time and space she needs. I am learning, slowly, to give thanks in everything. Paul write, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASB 2020).

Learning to Receive Care

One of the clearest things we have experienced during this season is the generosity of others.

We have received prayers, cards, meals, gifts, financial support, encouragement, and countless expressions of concern. Some of that support has helped carry very practical burdens. Some has simply reminded us that we are not alone.

I don’t think we fully understood how much we would need that support. There have been moments when the next step was unclear or the road ahead seemed longer than we expected. In those moments, the kindness of others has been a tangible reminder of God’s care.

We are grateful for our family, friends, church communities, and everyone who has continued to check in and pray for us. If we have not expressed it to you yet, please know we are humbly appreciative.

Still Pressing On

We don’t have a neat ending to this story yet. I wish we did. However, Katie is still recovering, we are still adjusting to new routines, and there are still questions we don’t have answers to.

As we enter the thanksgiving season (one of my favorite), there are reasons to be thankful. There has been progress, there is good care surrounding us, and we have been reminded repeatedly that we do not walk through difficult seasons alone.

For now, we keep moving forward. We keep praying, taking the next step, and learning to receive the care that others so generously offer.

Thank you to everyone who has cared for our family. Your prayers, generosity, and encouragement have meant more than we can adequately express.

We keep pressing on in pursuit of a quiet life.