My Girl….
Since my posting of my daughter’s accident last October I have kept any update of her condition very private. For many reasons I have been cautious, scared to talk about my little girl’s struggles to be completely healed. She has had a tough eleven months that have put even the best of news that has not had to do with her health on the back burner, leaving us hesitant to celebrate anything but the news of her complete recovery.
So here is the best news I could ever possibly receive and share. Jade had her last surgery on August 28th, and has pulled through 100 percent. The bruising of her brain is completely healed. The air pocket in her brain has filled with fluid and the bone has healed around the titanium plate in her head perfectly. The screws that were pushing out towards her scalp have been removed successfully and there has been no sign of infection. The wound is healing and the stitches are dissolving along the same scar the doctors had originally created so she wouldn’t have more than necessary scars. She has three more weeks of down time before she can play fully again, AND she has entered the third grade with a surge in confidence and a sudden acceleration in her reading, writing, spelling and math skills. Her eyesight has strengthened back to normal and she is going to start piano with me, Mom, taking a class right after her session, so we will be learning together.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am. There are no words to describe how lucky I feel. And just in case it may appear that I am complacent about the miracle that my daughter is alive and on the last steps to full recovery, I want to scream at the top of my lungs…..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I have more good news for everyone who has been following my story too. So more to come, and more to finally celebrate.
Peace,
Dawn
September 17th, 2008 at 1:26 am
God bless you and your beautiful daughter! I am so happy for you that things are better! You are one of the strongest human beings in existence! Best of Luck in everything in Life from here forward!
Marc From Buffalo
September 17th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Dear Dawn,
I check your site probably 4 or 5 times a week, I was so happy today to read the news you have posted. Congrats to you and yours. My grand-daughter has heart problems and is having another open heart surgery this month,,,I know exactly what you are talking about when you say “celebrate anything but the news of her complete recovery”. Thank you for letting us all in on your blessings.
I have a question that I can’t find a category for, maybe you can help…....Where can I purchase a copy of the necklace that Val wore in the movie, and you are wearing in your photo here on your site? Does it have a history for you? I noticed that John wore it in alot of the interviews on the EXTRA DVD in the Wonderland DVD. It would be really cool to say I have one.
Again, Thank you for all you do.
And please keep in touch.
Marty
September 17th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hi Marty and Marc,
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, everything else pales in comparison to our children/grand children’s health and wellbeing. I am certainly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It is interesting that I am perceived as strong. I have heard that before and I am fine with it, but I don’t feel strong. I understand that I have had a large share of trauma in my life, but I feel more tired as opposed to strong these days. I don’t let it get to me though. Especially when I remember how fortunate I really am. The pediatric ICU is full of other families who don’t have the wonderful outcome that me and Jade have. My heart breaks for them. So when I say thank you, every cell in my body is grateful.
As to the question about the necklace from the movie…that is actually John and Sharon’s platinum wedding ring with their initials and wedding date engraved inside on a chain. Sharon let James Cox hold onto it while making the movie and then Val, who wore it. After the film, Sharon gifted it to me. I also have the ring that Kate wore in the film which was made to replicate a blue zircon ring that John gave me when I was 15. All this sounds sooo weird. Thanks for your continued interest in my story. I will be posting more on the book soon.
Peace and best wishes and prayers for your grand daughter’s surgery and full recovery.
Dawn
September 18th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Dawn,
I am so relieved to hear of Jade’s recovery. Like Marty, I check up on the site a few times a week. She sounds like an amazingly strong little lady… much like her mother. My best wishes to you both, and good luck with piano lessons! Check in soon and keep us updated when you have a chance, as you seem to have quite a few ‘regulars’ on the site.
Gina
P.S. Good luck with 3rd grade as well!
September 19th, 2008 at 11:49 am
With all the bad news in the world today it is refreshing to come to this site and read this today! Praise God that your daughter has pulled through and is doing so well.
Thanks for sharing this good news!
Cherbabe
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
Dear Dawn,
I was going though some of your old posts and I found a link to volvoforlife heroes,,,I nominated you as my hero. I hope you don’t mind. I have read just about everything on your page and I have discovered you are a hero to alot of people. I don’t know if anything will come of it but you should have the award hands down in my book.
Just a quick question if you don’t mind,,the movie gave the impression that you never went in the house on Wonderland,, but in your blog you talked about how good they did replicating it in studio. I was relieved to think John always left you in the car, it didn’t seem like the kind of place a young girl should be. Of course you didn’t have the average young girl life,,,I’m sorry. I haven’t been able to find your book anywhere here in Jax or on-line. But I’m not giving up. Thank you for the wishes for my grand-daughter, the doctors haven’t told us the date for the surgery yet.
Well, Dawn, please pass my best wishes to your family and Sharon, you are all in my prayers.
Thanks for all you do.
Marty
September 24th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hi Marty,
Thank you for the nonimation. It was not my intention when I posted the Volvo for Life link to have myself focused on, but I am humbled anyway. Please remember to nominate anyone else you might think of. There are many heros among us.
My book isn’t out yet, but I will be posting more definate information on this site soon. I just want to wait for my daughter to completely heal first before I make an announcement.
Best always,
Dawn
September 24th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Dear Dawn,
Just remember that heroes come from a sort of “pay-it-forward” concept. The people that you continue to influence are the ones that will make a difference in someone else’s life later.
I apologize for dismissing your priorities. Of course your daughter is the focus of all.
I am so looking forward to the release.
I hope you also are taking care of yourself. I’ve noticed with all thats going on with my g-baby that mom and myself forget simple things like rest and refuel.
Please take care and keep on keepin on
Marty
September 24th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
that is wonderful that your daughter is doing well. i hope the best or you and your family. is there any more sites that you have i can go visit? i was trying to find out the name of your book also. thanks dawn and congratulations
September 25th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hey Dawn? Will your book be out soon? I have been waiting and waiting. I bet you are sick of answering that question? Glad your daughter is fine. I am getting ready to watch WONDERLAND again. Do you think Val Kilmer played John good? Thanks
September 26th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Dawn,
!:-)
Just on you site doing some a.m. reading. I keep thinking I’ve read it all and then I find something I haven’t read and I’m intrigued all over again. Thats the sign of a great site.
I found where Sharon came to stay with you in ‘07 because she wasn’t feeling well, my heart dropped,,,if it’s not an imposition can you please let us know how she is??? I wonder, what does Sharon think of all this “high tech” attention so long after the fact? Please let her know most of us are genuine in our interests and are just putting pieces together to a story that should be told and retold.
Let Sharon AND Jade know that there are alot of prayers flying around out there with their names on them, just waiting to be answered.
I also read about Thor,,,,I can’t wait for the whole story
thanx
Marty
September 28th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Hello Dawn,
My name is Phil Palmer and I was hired by one of Gloria’s former clients to rescue his website which went dark shortly after Gloria passed away. Through that process I have inherited Gloria’s former clients. I need to speak with you about your site when you get some time. You can reach me via email pdpalmer@gmail.com
Regards,
Phil Palmer
September 30th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Dawn,
I have been browsing your site and am a little confused on whether your book The Road Through Wonderland is out yet. If so where can it be purchased? I have looked online and have been unable to find any information.
Sincerely,
Tracey
October 1st, 2008 at 10:33 am
Dear Dawn:
As you and your daughter work on healing the “core” of what is most important part of our being, be sure that everything else will follow. My sincere wishes for continued strength as you all keep healing.
I am looking forward to reading your book when it’s released, so keep us all posted, OK?
Health and happiness,
Becky
October 4th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Dear Dawn,
I was just wondering if you have time to read posts on your other categories? I enjoy reading what you write and I really like the fact that you, yourself, answer the questions. I have just asked a couple of questions on other categories and I’m not sure how you do all this so I thought I would ask.
I just wanted to know…Why did they reverse the address on Wonderland in the movie? It’s not like it’s a secret? The other comments I made was just support for what you do.
Thanx
Marty