I have spent 21 years as a make up artist and many more in other areas of art and design. I have confidence in my ability as an artist. I believe now, more than ever, that just as my website says, “it's more than make up”!

My most recent make up appointment was with a 12 year old girl.

No facial makeup, just some massage techniques and manicure/pedicure.

Her favorite color is teal, so OPI's “Teal The Cows Come Home” is the polish that I chose. I also had a back up color of “This Little Piggy” in case we decided to do her toes in a different color.

Piece of cake right? Wrong. This 12 year old girl is in a rehabilitation hospital, recovering from a coma.

This 12 year old girl is my granddaughter, Caroline. Sweet Caroline.

On Saturday, December 4th, I was at work at Neiman Marcus, finishing with a customer and about to move on to help a client who has become a friend… most of my clients thankfully do. My cell phone rang and I silenced it. It rang again. I answered. When we visited Tom, Lisa and family in Albany, in October, my then 16 year old granddaughter Kaitlin burned a CD for me. I listen to it more than I don't. One of the songs is by Matt Kearney. It is called “Closer To Love”:

She got the call today
One out of the gray
And when the smoke cleared
It took her breath away
She said she didn't believe
It could happen to me
I guess we're all one phone call
from our knees

When I hear this song, I always think of that day and the phone call from my son and Caroline's Uncle, Ryan, telling me about her condition. Caroline was being treated in the ER of Albany Medical Center. She had been experiencing a stomach virus overnight, which led to dehydration. Not a big deal for most of us, but Caroline and her older sister Kaitlin both have type 1 diabetes, which means that they are insulin dependent. Caroline went into DKA, Diabetic Keto Acidosis, though serious, most people receive treatment and head home later that day/evening.  What this means is that her body couldn't process her blood sugar. When it went high, Caroline lost consciousness and suffered Cerebral Edema, or Brain Swelling, an extremely infrequent side effect of DKA.  The Doctors and Nurses at Albany Medical Center quickly acted to stem the swelling but she incurred some brain trauma as a result.

It has been almost two months since that day when she lost consciousness in the ER of Albany Medical Center. By God's grace, she is still with us! Improving by tiny increments. She has “climbed mountains” since that day. Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital has been her home since December 27th. She arrived in a snowstorm. I think that is a sign of what a fighter she is!

Caroline is giving it all that she has! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers! She scored 14 on the Coma Recovery Scale yesterday, February 1st!  ! We are believing for her to reach 23!

Never underestimate the power of "Make Up Therapy" …when you look good, you feel good! 

Everyone talks to her about how beautiful her nails look and how good her Apple/Cinnamon body lotions smells. 

She hears those comments and they help her to know that she is still our "Sweet Caroline"!

Visit her Caring Bridge website.