A Little Update…..
For those new to my blog, this is an update from my car accident post HERE. The other updates can be found HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE , HERE and HERE.
Today I’m taking a break from all things crafty here on the blog and giving a long overdue health update. I’ve been receiving several emails asking how I’m coping and how things are on the health front, so I figured it was time to update you all with a post.
It’s been 603 days since that dreaded day….the day I was in my car accident and my life drastically changed. Gone are the days of me being a normal twenty-something year old and now I’m facing a time in my life where each day is uncertain if I’ll feel good or not. Some may be questioning if I have been to the doctor to see why things are still unknown. The answer is YES. I’ve gone to so many doctors, I can’t even remember the number anymore. Have I had tests done? YES. Again, the number of tests, blood work, etc., that has been done is beyond my recollection. How do I feel about all of this? In a word: FRUSTRATED.
Many of you see me as upbeat, happy and having a cheery deposition. While I would like to keep that impression alive, I would be lying if I said I didn’t get discouraged that I haven’t been able to lead a normal life since the accident. Going from being the girl who had at least 4-5 things going on weekly, on top of work, to having absolutely nothing on the calendar and working when I can, my life has made a 180 degree turn.
With a drastic change in life, I found myself in a deep, dark depression that I couldn’t seem to get out of. I can’t even begin to tell you how many days I had where I wondered why God let me make it through the accident. While the days of severe (and almost unbearable) pain are gone, I’m still reminded that my life isn’t what it used to be. Rarely am I able to drive further than a few miles from my house, standing in grocery stores for longer than 10 minutes is almost impossible and going to movies isn’t something I’m able to do anymore (Did you know it’s possible for your senses to get enhanced after something traumatic? I didn’t, until now either).
With so many dark, dark days and very few answers, I felt worthless. defeated and angry. I know for certain that during those days, MANY family members, friends and maybe even some blog readers were praying for me. One day, I wasn’t so discouraged and while it may have helped that I had some coffee in me, I know that God just wrapped His arms around me. I felt joy- something I hadn’t felt in ages. I also felt like I needed to DO something with myself.
Enter in the Pretty Pink Posh Shop…. One day in October 2013, I thought maybe I should pursue my dream of opening my own business. If only you could hear the inner battles I had in this brain of mine. The practical side of me was thinking this was a horrible idea (since many days I was still in bed), but then the crazy, spontaneous side of me said I should just give it a whirl. I did some research on what it would take to become a business and from there things snowballed into a launch.
So now that I actually have my business, how are things going on the health front? Well, I still have to take things day by day. Some days I feel unstoppable and almost feel like I have my old energy levels back. Then there are other days when I feel pretty crummy, bound to my bed and am reminded that I am still facing health issues and need to not push myself so hard.
What have I found to be true in all of this? My story is far from over. God has amazed me in how a tragic situation could turn into something beautiful. The people I have been able to reach out to, help and correspond with because of my story is beyond amazing. I have been able to relate with people with chronic pain, physical issues and other situations that I wouldn’t have been able to had I not been in this accident. Since I had to slow down and was home bound, this prompted the start of my business. Goodness knows I was far too busy before the accident to even think about this possibility. It’s also been neat to see how my business has been able to touch others and also inspired people in many different ways. Something HORRIBLE turned into something GOOD!
Speaking of good….I recently was interviewed for a crafting podcast and was able to share some of this story there. I also share some other tidbits of info- I’d love for you to listen in as I do a mini interview with Renee! 
Well, that’s going to do it for this update post. I want to give say a GIANT thank you to those who continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers, the lovely readers and customers who send cards and gifts and those of you who check in on me. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you all. I’m so very thankful for YOU, my wonderful readers and blog friends.
Thanks for spending some time with me today!
Thanks for sharing! I am sorry I didn’t know you met with an accident but am thankful you came this far!:D Have faith in God and know that you are much stronger than you think you are!:D Press on!:D Will pray for you!:)
Love this post and love you! I miss being close by, but am thankful for technology.
You are one incredible lady Paulina! Continued prayers for your health and for continued happiness. :)
I’m happy that you’ve experienced a little uptick in your life because you are an amazing, brave and beautiful girl and you deserve the BEST life has to offer. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers and big, mushy hugs.
Hi Pauline! I am fairly new to your blog, but I want to tell you that you are so well thought of and inspiring! Thanks for sharing this journey (however difficult it may be). God is good and I am so glad that He put you on this creative path in the midst of pain, chaos and distress. Wish you continue to heal and enjoy the your creative process. All the very best to you and your PPP ( love that name!)!
Hugs, my friend! Thanks for sharing this!
Hugs and love, sweet Paulina!
You are amazing! I do think about you often; thank you for posting an update. Delighted but not surprised your shop is doing well. So many people love you and wish you well. ♥
Thinking of you!♥♥♥
I just recently became a blog follower of yours (& bought some of your yummy sequins) so I had no idea you had been through so much. I am sorry that you have had to deal with this but am so impressed with your willingness to share your experience. I am sending happy thoughts and prayers your way!
Wow and wow! Just read this post and will read the links in a few. I had a bad health experience a few years back. Put me out for 3+ months. The pain was unbearable & wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy if I had one. My husband even took a leave from work to care for me. In the end, it was all due to stress. My life was going 100 mph or second I felt. My girls, family & friends praying over me granted me a miracle. No lie. No joke. If it didn’t happen to me, I would never believe it. You always want to believe but until you witness it with your own eyes… Crazy! I send you big hugs and prayers. I know we never met IRL, but social media works in crazy ways. If ever you wanted to talk, email or blog comment away lol, I’ll be here. xo
Hi sweet friend! Thank you for the update! How amazing it is, as I was thinking of you the other day and how you were feeling! I’m glad you have those little breaks of normal life, as I know how wonderful that can be! Keepin you in my thoughts! Take care, and god bless!
Sending you a big hug and LOTS of positive thoughts, Paulina! Take care! ♥
Oh Paulina, I ad no idea this was going on in your life, until I just saw this post. I must say, I am completely surprised! Seeing your wonderful, upbeat videos, your amazing artwork, your fantastic growing business, I now see there are many other things we ALL deal with.
I am so proud of you and the way you have pushed on for yourself, yet you have to remember your limits. You are an inspiration, and you are also not alone. I will keep this short and sweet, but just know that I think you’re awesome!
Hi Pretty Paulina! I am so sorry to hear about your struggles, but sometimes I think God makes us go through these things so that we can come out even stronger on the other side of them. I love your ability to see the good in everything, but those high peaks would not exist without a few valleys…you’re handling everything great, it seems. I am in awe of your strength and ability to share so candidly. I am wishing you all the best!!! xoxo
Dear Paulina,
It’s so nice to hear that things are getting better and better. Once I read that sometimes God lets us be sick to help us take time to listen to him. And sometimes, this seems to be true. I used to wonder what Grace really was too, spent a lot of time pondering it and trying to work it out.
Two years ago, we were finally moving home to WA state after retiring from the Navy. Our family is here and it was thrilling to move back to our beginnings. We’d been in our new home three weeks when our son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. God gave me Grace and I understand it’s peace now. Our son is fine now. God put us within reach of Seattle Children’s Hospital and the doctor who could help him.
My Dad passed away shortly after my son was diagnosed and I thought a part of me died. Then I realized he was no longer in pain and he could still watch over my son and see the progress. Sometimes I could even hear him.
We don’t understand why bad things happen but there is a good to come out of them. Empathy, Grace, power of prayer, simply time to hear God.
I’m thrilled to hear you are feeling better. Your business is a wonderful wellspring from your accident and so is joy in little things. Continue to seek the small things. Your blog is a source of joy for many.
Done…I don’t talk about this much, but felt it was time.
In Him,
Lyn aka WhoMom & NanaWhoMom
Hi Paulina. So sorry to hear about your ordeal, wishing you all the best!!
Hey Paulina, just a quick question. I haven’t followed all the comments on your previous posts so maybe this has been asked before, but have you and your doctors considered Fibromyalgia? Your symptoms really seem to fit with that diagnoses and one of the things that can trigger fms is car accidents. Morgan Freeman is a good example of that. I suffer from fms so know how awful it is, but a diagnoses and treatment plan might give you some relief. There is lots of info online, just google it.
I love your blog and all your happy projects. Keep up the good work!