Catherine

The last 24+ hours have been a whirlwind. (I am going to apoligize up front for any missed spelled words, I am just typing.) Many up and downs and boy and I glad that we have some good news for once. Yesterday morning (10/19/2010) around 8:30 Catherine (my youngest sister) was in the driver's education car when it was hit. They were at the most dangers intersection in the state of Mississippi. Catherine was sitting behind the passagner seat side in the back. Catherine was sitting in the part of the car where it was hit as they were turning. Catherine was the only one in the car with major injuries. She was airlifted to Tupelo, Mississippi. Went through a numerous amount of scans and xrays. From there they decided that she had a fracture to her skull and that Tupelo wouldn't treat her because she was under the age of 18. Catherine would have to be sent to Memphis, TN to LeBonheur Hospital by ambulance.

By request of Ms. Lisa I will include my ambulance story. Catherine and I now have a running joke around the ambulance ride. Well I thought I was going to be lucky and get the more good looking of the two in the front with me (The orginial plan was from him to be the driver). However, I ended up front with the one that would not shut up. In our 35 minute trip to Memphis (Yes.. I was freaking out we drove anywhere fron 80 to 105 the whole way up here) I learned more about flight school then I ever wanted to know. I now know how to operate an aircraft in a crisis. Something... I never wanted to know about. It was good conversation to keep me calm however, at this point my phone had not quit ringing and I wanted nothing more than a 5 mintue power nap. So as Catherine napped with the more good looking of the two in the back, I got my ears full. We arrived in Memphis and were greated at the door by a wonderful staff. Dad, Christina, Mitchell (our second mom), and Coach Elam (the principal at the high school) went home to pack bags and feed the cats as we had no idea how long we will be here. As we got into the ER at LeBonheur the better looking of the two leaned in my ear and told me he felt sorry for me on the ride to Memphis.... Thank goodness it was only 35 minutes.

After two hours in the ER at LeBonheur we were giving a room. There dad, Christina, Mitchell, Coach Elam, and others were waiting on Catherine and I (Catherine's friend Kelsey and her mother meet us in the ER for the last couple of minutes). We had many ups and downs throughout the night. Catherine was mad she couldn't get out of the bed and go to the bathroom but everytime she got up she got sick. She also is still bleeding out of her ear something caused by the skull fracture from the wreck.

We will probably be here for the night. We are waiting on Catherine to be able to eat a "fatty" meal and keep it down. For the afternoon it is just Catherine and I. Dad has gone home to football practice and boy are we glad. Looking for a good afternoon of movies and nap time. The only major concern is the nerve by Cat's skull fracture it controls all the emotion on her face from smiling, closing her eyes, wrinke in the face, etc. We are hoping the swelling does not get too bad around the nerve so she loses this. We are glad to be out of the clear somewhat and very thankful for all the thoughts and prayers.

Hoping to go home soon. Catherine told me today she was going to the Corinth Ballgame on Friday night. I don't know about this but maybe we can go for a few minutes just to see dad coach and the Warriors win!! I also hope to make it back to Starkville on Saturday to watch the Bulldogs play. Something about my family is we love football. Catherine will not read this (she doesn't have her phone and is gong crazy).. but Mississippi State is sending her some State shirts and boy and I excited. The first thing we did this morning was change into a full State attire. Shirt, shorts, blanket on her bed. The nurses get a kick out of it. And on that note. I love the staff here... They have been wonderful and helped in everything.

I plan to let Catherine nap a little bit and then we are going to TRY to get up and walk the floor a little bit. I am so thankful for all the thoughts, prayers, and concers. We truly are a blessed family to have so many wonderful people in our life! I will continue to post as information becomes available. For now it is rest and more rest. Love each and every person and thank you for everything!

Much Love!
Courtney

New Orleans Saints "Think Pink" Game

The Journey Continues: New Orleans, LA 

Right in front of the Super Dome!

 Our adventure started out with an early start, 6:30 am to be exact after a long night drive. We woke up showered and headed to downtown. We arrived at the tent and were given a pink bag full of ribbons to pass out and we headed to Champion Square. 

 After we left Champion Square we walked down the road and met these wonderful men! 

After leaving the game and the Super Dome we walked to the French Quarter

And had a wonderful breakfast/lunch

I even got to take my picture on Bourbon! 

Overall, I had a wonderful trip and so excited I could meet so many women who had battle this same disease that took my Mother's life! Doing things like this really makes me miss her however, I hop to share my story with people affect by this awful thing and hope I can learn something from them and how it has made them a stronger person.. Just like myself! 


Next Stop: 
Mississippi State "Think Pink" Soccer Game

October "Think Pink"

Today starts October and that means it is breast cancer awareness and education month. That means for the next month I will wear nothing but pink or well I will have maroon on, on Maroon Fridays. As some of you reading this might know I don't really like the color pink and wear very basic colors. However, I will manage through the month for a great cause.

Sunday starts my first big event. I am headed to New Orleans for the Saints "Think Pink" game. I will be cheering on the Bulldogs tomorrow and making the trip to New Orleans Sunday. Can't wait to update everybody on my exciting weekend on Monday!

Love you and all and wear a pink ribbon for the next month. You never know what this small gesture might result in.

2 Years

Catherine, Me, and Christina

Two years ago (well from Friday) will be the anniversary of my mother's death. I love her dearly and miss her more and more each day.. If that is even possible! I find myself this week trying to stay supper busy. I know, how can a Coleman put anymore on their plate? I am constantly on the go and even went to workout this morning at 5:30 and will not stop till about 9:00 tonight when I get out of a meeting.

As a more down to earth update on the family. Catherine is loving school and I went home last weekend and saw her for the first Corinth Football game. Dad is coaching and staying super busy. They lost their first game 13-6 put played really well, if I might say so myself. Christina is super busy and we never see each other and when I mean never, I mean NEVER!

As for this weekend, well... I will be cheering my Bulldogs on for their first game. I am so excited and this means that my favorite time of the year has started. Yes.. you can tell that I am a coaches daughter but what can I say, I love it!

Christina's Post

Christina and Jay (My other sister)

So... As I starting thinking today, Christina brought it to my attention that she has not been mentioned at all in any of my three post that I have done. Christina.. this one is for you!

This is a picture of Christina and her friend Jay when they did the Powder Puff Football Tournament. I love Christina and we have recently moved in together. We have had one major fight well.. maybe two since we moved in together. We are complete opposites and trust me if you have ever hung out with us you know this. We are a good balance though and work extremely well together. Last night as I was going through all the plans I hope to accomplish in this year she was making fun of me because I was so into it.

I have decided that as my year long campaign comes to a close next summer, I will do the Avon Walk for a Cure. I am thinking Chicago June 4-5th 2011. On June 4th I will walk a marathon 26.2 miles and finish up with a half marathon on Sunday with 13.1. This events makes me very excited and eager to make sure I complete my year long campaign.

Powder Puff Football

Catherine and the juniors

So, since I am writing a Blog about Breast Cancer and my year long journey, why not include everything. Right? We will see how well this last statement goes but I thought I should talk about the benefit that is held in memorial for my mother every year at Corinth. It is a local powder puff football tournament between the class at Catherine's high school. Catherine is now a junior and I have included a picture of her with some of her friends. The tournament raises money every year to fund the local scholarship given in honor of my mother in May. We had enough money raised last year to give out the first scholarship to a young man that I think was very qualified.

All this being said.. I am overwhelmed by all the comments, thoughts, prayers, etc. I have received about what I am doing. I love my mom and each and every day I am more and more thankful for the wonderful 21 years I got to spend with her. I am not going to say that each day gets easier and easier. Everybody that has lost somebody knows that you have good days and you have bad. I just feel that God has now put me in a place to be able to take the sorrow and joy and put it into something for the greater good.

I am super excited about this year long journey and the more I think about it, the more excited I get. I know that there are very tough times ahead as well as time of joy. This being said I know that God will put in a place to meet so many special people that have been effected by this terrible disease.

Lots of Free Time

So, I am sitting at work (I work at Mississippi State in Athletic Academics) if my boss knew what Blogging was he would be really mad at me, but I have completed all my work for the day so I figured I would give a link/photo/description or all about the first three events I hope to achieve.

First of all... October 2nd - Pink Heels Tour

I have given the link if you would like to find out what more they do:
Pink Heels Tour

The second event will be the New Orleans Saints "Think Pink" Game

I will be driving most of the night to be there for the 12:00 pm game!

The last event is October 23rd, and one I can't wait to do!!!
RACE FOR THE CURE - Tupelo, Mississippi

And most importantly I have given the link for you to register
http://www.komennorthms.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=1030
You can either register as a racer or a Sleep for the Cure (simply where you just make a donation and get the race for the cure tshirt sent to you!

Please help out and do your part to prevent breast cancer!!

The Email that Changed it all...

The family for my H.S. Graduation in 2005

Today, while headed home from work for lunch, I received an email from the Zeta Tau Alpha General Advisor here at Mississippi State. Some of you may not know but I was a Zeta while at UNA. It helped me achieve some of my greatest fears while also making me want to walk away and not having anything to do with it at the same time. Well... I am now the membership advisor to a wonderful chapter. I enjoy spending time with these wonderful girls and also have gotten through some tough days (many of which they have no idea) because of them.

I was looking for something to my Mothers two year anniversary of her death (this will be September 3rd).  Something that would make a difference, something that will actually help with this horrible disease that took my mother's life (She died from Breast Cancer after a 11 year battle). Isn't it amazing how God puts things right in front of you when you ask. He did just this today. I received an email from Jennifer, the GA, and it hit me. I am going to do a year long campaign doing everything I can possible do to help with Breast Cancer Awareness and Education. In doing this I will help educate and make the Gamma Zeta (local Zeta chapter here) Girls help me along the way. I will get the girls to go with me or support me in helping make things for the event. This will be an awesome way for me to help achieve my goal while letting them benefit OUR philanthropy, Breast Cancer Awareness and Education.

So first on the list is.....
The Pink Heels Tour - October 2nd -  Starkville, Mississippi
New Orleans Saints Think Pink Game - October 3rd - New Orleans, LA
*Lauren better get ready to drive all night so we can make both!!!
Race for the Cure - October 23rd - Tupelo, Mississippi

Throw in a couple of Mississippi State Think Pink Games with Volleyball and Soccer and a couple of local events and It will be a fun filled September and October!