Kathryn's Pages

Hi Everyone.  A local Jewelry Artist named Heather Morgan created and donated this amazing Fundraising CRPS Awareness Bracelet for us! All proceeds will go towards Kathryn’s medical expenses. Heather was inspired to highlight a “fire” bead dangling from this bracelet in recognition of the vicious pain, often like fire, that is RSD/CRPS. These bracelets have raised $120 in only three days! Thank you so much for all your love Heather, as you stir hearts to care about CRPS!

Kathryn’s Fundraiser total is much higher than the total listed on the “You Caring” site due to generous donations given directly to us. The total raised since the second Ketamine treatment is $4,465! We are humbled, thankful and awed by your generosity! Thank you so much EVERYONE!!!

Kathryn’s attendance at school is averaging about 4 days out of five each week. Sometimes she needs to go in late or miss a full day of school but she is giving it her all. She has been able to keep current with all her school work so far. She often takes a crutch with her now, but does not need to always use it. She walked 4 blocks today and walks all the long halls at school. School teachers and administrators were very helpful in preparing a 504 this year to ensure the accommodations needed. Kathryn’s attitude always amazes us- we see that she is sick with hurting and meds, but she is most often the brightest light in the room.

Kathryn is home from school today- hurting, resting. She did a few things over the last few days that she could not have done before Ketamine, but they have left her hurting and tired.  She went out to eat with another family, she went to a large event (a wedding) and she’s been walking a bit. At school, she has been completing a full day with little rest in the clinic (most of last year, she could not do that.)

We are so thankful to see her able to do more -it is also sad and difficult to see her body need a rest after doing things that most of us could do without hesitating, without planning, or without suffering the consequences for pushing through the pain to participate.

There are millions of Americans who suffer from many types of chronic pain (and other illnesses) that affect their lives in this way.

Here is the final edit and verse form of Kathryn’s English assignment….

I am pure.

I am from a brother of inspiration, a mother of faith, and a father of laughter.

I am to be carried on Eagle’s wings,

And to watch all those I love carried before me.

I am from the willow tree that tore my clothes

A picture perfect house lined with lavender and greenery

I was raised in a house that was always sunny and light

I am from a home that is even more beautiful on the inside because of the hearts and minds of those who inhabit it

I was born into unconditional love,

And whether that be from the Father, or just who those loved ones are,

It is the bulk of why I am me

I was hoped for by a brother who was way too fair for a selfish whipper snapper like me

I was adored by a mother whose wants for me surpassed the moon.

I was loved and protected by a father that was willing to sacrifice anything for his family

I am from the insignificant memories, the polaroids of my experiences

 The routine of walking in the door from school, to the scent of hair color and perm solution

To cordial strangers or lifelong friends being pampered with beauty and a good listener that has always been my mother

I am from raw potatoes with salt, Gama’s mac n’ cheese, scandalous games of Dirty Santa, and Thanksgivings filled with faces I could always be more than thankful for.

I am from those memories and experiences,

The people who would die for me as quickly as I would for them.

I am of the Willow tree out the front door and the fort my daddy made out the back.

I am of the love that I have been graced with by the people I call family.

I am Katuran, I am their Yil’ Missy.

WOW- I am blown away! When I came home from work tonight, Kathryn shared something that she did for school and she has given me permission to share it with you. As I hear Kathryn’s amazing heart in this piece, I see the Lord’s boundless love and grace and His beloved attentiveness to your countless prayers for Kathyrn. We love you all and are so thankful for your continuing prayers.

UPDATE: Three days of school done, only 178 to go! Kathryn is making it through a whole day of school with little clinic time. Pain medicine is a little lower than before Ketamine. No crutch being used. She is still dealing with much pain (worse at night) but she is handling all very well.

Joe prayed for a baby sister,

Dave and Rita deemed her pure.

I am always and forever their Katuran, their yil’ missy.

They brought me into a loving house where love was unconditional.

Into a picture perfect home where it is always sunny and playful.

My cares were few and far between.

The ones that have watched me go through the beginning walks of life,

will also be the ones that reserve a special place in my heart until my dying breaths.

The ones who instilled in me my nature and character.

And when I look back, even though my memories are about as plentiful as my cares were,

The insignificant tastes, scents, phrases, and scenes come to mind.

The sound of the blow dryer would drive me crazy, and the women’s laughter would always spark my curiosity.

The scent of hair dye and perm solution is always distinct.

Raw potatoes, Gama’s mac n’ cheese, being silly with the entire clan,

Always longing to inherit their wit and humor,

Slowly realizing as I grow taller and my joints weaken,

How close the apple really does fall from its branch.

The acts of kindness I’ve been so lucky as to have received from the people who love me most,

Are the treasures my soul is most fond of.

My face, red with hysterics

And the boy in my life who stereotypically should be annoyed by my existence,

Holding me, asking what he can do to make the booboo better, is the brother I’ve been so thankful for,

The best friend that carries my burdens as much as I carry his.

The woman who gave me life abandoning everything she worked for,

To make my pain go away.

The man who gave me my gender and most of my facial features,

Teaching me that it’s okay to laugh at your own jokes, and sometimes be the only one who’s laughing.

The one, who taught me to laugh through all of life’s curveballs, is someone I’m proud to call Daddy.

These three people, knowing me better than I believe I know myself,

And all of the people who love me just as much

Have molded me into the respectable human I hope I have become.

So yes my genes are the code for what I am, my brown eyes, and pale skin.

However it’s the memories like these that have taught me all that I know.

The people who have taken every step with me that have given these precious times to ponder,

Are the very reason I’m able to walk on these achy limbs and tired heart with a smile.

-Kathryn MacDonald