After Update of core and modules, CCK fields missing

I managed to update a site properly only to find that though I have no errors my custom content fields are missing (like highslide images and filefield insert). Not only are they missing from previously created content but also when I go to create new content. However my text and taxonomy are all still there. I didn't lose the nodes themselves.

I'd like to figure out where i went wrong and if there is a way to correct it? Fortunately I did backup the site and database beforehand, and I guess I could revert to the old site, (though I'm not dead sure how to do that.)

So I followed the procedure here:
1. Backed up database
2. Backed up the files.
3. Put site in maintenance mode
4. Changed from a contrib theme to garland
5. Uploaded Drupal 6.13 (from 6.12).
6. Replaced the Sites folder with my old one
7. Disabled Contributed modules
8. Ran update.php (no problems)

As I had modules needing updating, I next
9. Removed the out-of-date modules
10. Uploaded updated modules
11. Enabled the contributed modules
12. Ran Update.php again (no problems)
13. enabled theme
14. Put site back online.

In retrospect I guess I should have updated the modules first before updating the core? Meanwhile though, all my highslide images are missing, and when I go to "create content, Blog Entry" (that I had customized with CCK), the custom fields are missing.

I'm thinking something went wrong when I updated the CCK. Or could it be the highslide module? Or something else? My brain is numb and I'm not sure what to do next.

I'm commented on the update process before but I must say again, as a struggling designer, the update process is too complicated and I can't imagine that others don't have many problems. I wish the entire process could be automated. I do uses tools such as "backup and migrate" and Contrib toggle, but it's still convoluted.