Katelyn Darrow

08/18/2022

So proud of my mom and all the progress she’s made this year. Exactly one year ago she was in the ICU fighting for her life… almost losing my mom (and then navigating her recovery) has been one of the scariest things I’ve experienced as an adult. Because of her health, I’ve become bicoastal this past year (thank goodness for remote/flexible workplaces) and have managed to see her every other month. I just visited her in July, and before that we did a Route 66 road trip in June. 💜 While I’ve witnessed a great recovery in my mom over the past 12 months, earlier this year she was diagnosed with COVID-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. There isn’t a cure and eventually her lungs will be too damaged/scarred to function; it’s really a slow, cruel disease that I’m still trying to accept. Despite the heavy cloud above, we’ve been making all the memories we can and cherishing the sweet moments. ⛅️

1 yr Update… My storm has not stopped. I will try and keep this short. One year ago today my nightmare began. I was in the ICU for 3 weeks fighting Covid. I laid in the bed hooked up to oxygen, in and out of consciousness. Waking up not knowing what was going to happen. I have fought so hard the last 365 days to “get better”. But I have been unsuccessful and I am still on the oxygen.
Many of you have asked how I am doing. I have been holding off on posting this because it is very difficult and not the outcome I had hoped for. I have been diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis (scarring of the lungs) as a result of Covid. The scarring is non-reversible and does not go away. There is no cure and this will gradually get worse. I’ll spare you the details but you can google it. I have been declining. My latest cat scan shows additional scaring and my pulmonary function test results have declined.

I am a Covid long hauler. Honestly I am just tried of being “sick”. I still have shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, coughing, aching joints/muscles etc. It is overwhelming to have so many things going wrong in your body at once and the subsequent emotional/mental toll it takes.

I’m not giving up I’m still going to fight, but it is a different kind of fight. The fight for the best quality of life possible, to carry out my day to day activities and to spend more time with my girls making memories before I physically can’t.

I have taken a host of medicines for the last year and nothing has helped. So I stopped taking all my medications and started my own holistic care recovery plan. I became my own advocate and have done a ton of reading and research. I have a host of vitamins, herbs and foods I have added to my diet. I am starting a new pulmonary exercise plan and plan on moving as much as I can.

PLEASE do not change the way you interact with me… So many have said “I did not want to bother you”. I want to stay busy. Angels will remain open. It is one thing that brings me joy and that’s what I need right now… joy and good distractions.

For those of you that donated to the Gofundme my children started when I got sick, I want to again say thank you. Your donations helped me pay unexpected medical bills and get through the last year.

I don’t mind telling you I’m afraid of this new journey. So send me all your good mojo and positive vibes. I am determined to bring some type of normalcy back for my girls and I.
-Elissa Darrow 💜

“Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” – Misty Copeland

02/27/2022

Well, I’ve officially reached peak hippie and bought a van! 🗺🏜🚐 This has been a dream for awhile, and it all fell into alignment exactly one week ago. It’s a converted 2008 Ford Econoline E-150 with solar power, full electrical hookups, running water, a full size bed/couch, internet, and the list goes on. 👩🏼‍💻⚡️ I’m currently road tripping on the west coast with my sister and adventure buddy, Brenna. We’ve already traveled 1,000 miles, through 2 national forests (Angeles National Forest + Dixie National Forest), 2 national parks (Death Valley + Zion), and 4 states (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah). 🌵💫🌸📍 Next stop is Arches National Park, then Salt Lake City. More pictures to come!

09/30/2021

Before su***de prevention awareness month is over, I just want to say: I see you, I hear you, and I love you! 💛 I have been volunteering with the Su***de Prevention Center since January, and every Thursday night I have a hotline shift where I talk to people who are in crisis and want to end their life. Throughout my time volunteering on the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) these past 9 months, I can genuinely say I have saved lives + strangers I will never meet have transformed mine.

I thank the universe everyday for all the blessings I have in this life (shelter, safety, freedom). 🌟 There’s beauty all around me, and I’m grateful I can see it now. Without getting too deep here on social media, I’ve had my fair share of mental health issues. I hold so much gratitude for the friends who have seen me at my lowest and continued to love me through it all. When someone is battling depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, simply existing can feel like a burden. Each of our lives are impossibly hard + filled with trauma, for a multitude of reasons others will never know and may never understand. But if you’re hurting, I hope you know I’m here for you (DMs are always open), and let's make it through together.

I read this Ram Dass, Love Serve Remember quote yesterday, and it’s been sticking with me all day, as it beautifully articulates my philosophy on life: “Together we are all on a journey called life. We are a little broken and a little shattered inside. Each one of us is aspiring to make it to the end. None is deprived of pain here and we have all suffered in our own ways. I think our journey is all about healing ourselves and healing each other in our own special ways. Let’s just help each other put all those pieces back together and make it to the end more beautifully. Let us help each other survive.”

09/28/2021

A few days in New York 🏙🌈🚕 I’m still on the east coast helping my momma through her recovery, and this weekend was the first time I left her side in three weeks (outside of dr appointments and grocery shopping). I’m trying to choose joy and feel only good things today. Case in point: a Frida Kahlo mural on a truck in Brooklyn, reuniting with two of my good friends, thrifting at Awoke Vintage, and people watching in Washington Square Park. 🕊👫⛲️

09/15/2021

My mom is finally home. 🥳🥺 My sisters have arranged for my mom to recover in the comfort of her home; the 3 of us will be taking care of my mom (alongside in-home nurses), so she does not have to be admitted to a full-time rehab facility at this time. She still cannot breathe on her own and is on supplemental oxygen therapy. She is also dealing with severe COVID fog/memory loss. The neurological effects are present. Mom has her good days and bad days. We all have a lot of questions/anxiety about her recovery, but we’re forced to take it one day at a time. Not knowing is the worst. Existing in limbo. It’s going to be an extensive process that will require continued physical therapy and a variety of healing modalities. Most of my days consist of caring for my momma, picking up medicine, walking our dogs, teaching my little sister Brenna to drive (I’m a terrible driver myself who’s been licensed for less than one year, so everyone wish her luck. She’s stuck with the worst teacher 😅), doing laundry, setting up doctor appointments, or working one of my two full-time jobs (both remote, thank goodness). I have been quiet in even my closest circles, because I am overwhelmed and uncertain… to say the least. Lots of ups and downs, processing, confusion. These days are unfathomably hard. I am grateful to every soul who has sent strength. 💛 This is a journey I never expected to navigate, but I feel so many sweet spirits aside me/my family right now.

08/22/2021

UPDATE ON ELISSA — Many people are reaching out and asking for updates at this time; unfortunately there is not any new information to share.

Elissa (my mom) is still in ICU, and her oxygen levels are unstable. While she isn’t able to verbally communicate too much, we have been FaceTiming her everyday. We’ve also been reading her all the well wishes, and I think it’s the one thing that is lifting her spirits right now. She is not able to have any visitors in the ICU at the current moment, as she needs to stabilize over the next few days. We have so much gratitude for those who have donated to medical expenses (if you feel compelled, here is the link: https://gofund.me/3f6b120a), shared kind words with us, and asked about our mom’s condition. As soon as there is new information, we will share it. We’ll also attempt to respond to comments + questions when we can, but the top priority is caring for our mother at this time. Thank you for all the love and healing vibes… truly, thank you. 🥲 Right now I’m trying to protect/conserve my energy and expend it wisely to keep myself from spiraling. Apologies for those who have reached out and received no response. Please know I’m reading everything and appreciate it so, so much!

08/20/2021

Hello beautiful friends and family of Elissa. My sisters and I wanted to fill you in on what’s been going on with our mom. I don’t know where to start with this, and it feels extremely weird / uncomfortable to ask for help; but my mom has been in the ICU this past week with no foreseeable end in sight.

As some of you may be aware, my mom was originally admitted into the hospital with bronchitis, which then turned to pneumonia; she has blood clots on her lungs, and her oxygen levels are still extremely low, even after days of treatment. She has sepsis and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and is truly fighting for her life.

My heart hurts, knowing there’s a possibility she may not recover – and if she does, she won’t be the same (at least for a long time, as the road to recovery will be an arduous one). She is bedridden, unable to speak and has short term-memory loss, is unaware of where she is, and the list goes on.

Right now, I’m baring my soul to the greatest degree + uttering more prayers than I ever have in my life. I know my mom’s post-care rehabilitation and road to recovery will be an extensive process that will require continued physical therapy and a variety of healing modalities. The cost of her care + other living expenses are beginning to add up and are already exceeding her medical insurance, in addition to the financial resources that my sisters and I are able to provide. I have come back from California at this time and am in New Jersey now to care for these matters, and it’s with the utmost humility + gratitude that we’re reaching out for help. Even if you cannot contribute financially, any form of support is appreciated right now. Kind/uplifting messages, silly memes, a link to a video that made you laugh one time… truly, anything. We appreciate you, as we attempt to navigate this unchartered, uphill journey with our mom. Thanks for being patient with us in this process.

If you do feel inclined to donate and are in the position to do so, I am linking all the information below. My sisters and I are managing her Venmo and Paypal, and all financial contributions will be going towards my mom's medical bills and hopeful recovery / rehabilitation costs.

Venmo ➡️

Paypal ➡️ [email protected]

GoFundMe ➡️ https://www.gofundme.com/f/elissas-health-and-hopeful-recovery?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

-Katelyn, Lindsay, Brenna

Hello beautiful friends and family of Elissa! My sisters and I wanted to fill you… Katelyn Darrow needs your support for Elissa's Health and Hopeful Recovery

08/19/2021

Not really sure where to begin with this, but my mom Elissa is having severe health problems right now. She was admitted into the hospital earlier this week and now has been moved into the intensive care unit. She was originally admitted into the hospital with bronchitis, which has turned to pneumonia; she has blood clots on her lungs, and her oxygen levels are extremely low even after days of treatment. Right now they have her on the highest dose of forced oxygen without having to intubate her. The doctors are going to wait 24-48 hours before deciding to intubate or not (if they intubate, that basically means she’ll be on a breathing tube and won’t be able to speak). Please send all good vibes... I don’t have the mental energy to engage in anything at this time; so if I’m slow to reply (or simply don’t reply at all), please know I appreciate youuu! 🥺 My mom is truly the strongest person I know. She was a single mom when I was growing up, raising my two sisters and I completely on her own after an abusive relationship. She is my absolute role model, and it’s beyond heartbreaking to see her in this position. I’ll be going back to New Jersey sometime this weekend to be with my sisters & make decisions from there. I can’t find the right words to express what’s in my head or heart, and this is just a shout into the void… but thanks for reading, thanks for caring. ❤️‍🩹

05/26/2021

NYC ➡️ Philadelphia ➡️ Denver // Photo collages from my travels this month! I went to New York with a few girlfriends, and we all squeezed into a cute Airbnb in Manhattan. Lots of thrifting and coffee drinking and nurturing my female friendships! 🍎🏙 Then, I got to spend some time with my sister Lindsay in her cozy home in Philadelphia. She showed me all the best spots in her neighborhood, including a plant shop called Urban Jungle Philadelphia and a cafe Black & Brew which had beautiful mosaic art on the outside of the building. 🪴🎨 THEN! Like an absolute crazy person, I went to Denver last minute to culminate the month of May. While in Denver, I was able to reunite with my good friend Tatiana who I hadn’t seen five months. So happy I could connect with the women in my life across allllll these different cities! 🌹👭

04/08/2021

I’m not the best at remembering to post here on Facebook 🤦🏼‍♀️ (oops!), but I wanted to share some photos from Hawaii, as I am here for the next month working remotely.

My current job is 100% work-from-home (primarily due to the pandemic), and I’m feeling so fulfilled delving into the ~digital nomad~ life. 👩🏼‍💻🌴🌺📲 Essentially, digital nomads are people who travel + work at the same time. I’ve always dreamed of a lifestyle where I could travel full-time and maintain a job that is location independent. So, that is what I’m currently doing!

Here are snippets of the Big Island, the first few days of my month-long excursion 🌈☀️🐢🌋☄️ Currently staying off grid in a lil cottage that runs on solar power and a literal car battery under the house (actually so resourceful!). The property backs up to Wao Kele o Puna, a forest reserve that is sometimes so beautiful, it’s overwhelming. My heart is happy!!

11/16/2020

Life update! I completed my 80-hour training and have begun working as a trauma-informed counselor advocate for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and stalking. I have been providing emotional support, advocacy, information and referrals via the 24-hour L.A. R**e and Battering Crisis Line. I also respond to designated SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) Centers to provide immediate crisis intervention services and one-on-one support to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors.

Also, another update – albeit not as important – my hair is purple now! 💜👩‍🎤🔮

09/03/2020

Trying something new: Solo backpacking! 🌸🧘‍♀️🦋⛺️☀️🌊 I really needed a change of scenery, and Catalina Island has been the perfect place to celebrate my birthday. It’s amazing what you can do when you let go of fear. This trip was cancelled and re-scheduled more times than I can count, primarily because I had zero confidence in my camping/backpacking abilities. I literally had a panic attack when testing out my stove for the first time, because I was 100% convinced it was going to blow up (the propane can freaked me out!). I spent weeks planning and stressing over details, harassing my local REI employees, and convincing myself I probably couldn’t do it... I won’t be completing the full 38.5 miles this time around (unfortunately!), but I’m hoping to plan another trip back to Catalina Island soon to complete those miles. 🏞🥾✨