Kathryn's Pages

Joe drove Kathryn home from treatment almost 2 weeks ago but this weekend was the first time for them to hang out at his place with her PAIN FREE!!

Joe was Kathryn’s life line during the long and difficult treatment and we all came back tired and wondering what would happen next.

During the last five years, going to Joe’s place was distraction -a place Kathryn could forget about her pain for a bit. She could sometimes push herself to go a little harder there and do a little more -surrounded by very kind and fun (older than her) young people. During bad flare-ups Kathryn couldn’t do much while there but she craved a different venue, and Joe’s place was a God send.

Kathryn is doing very well and getting stronger! She and Joe did some walking downtown today, hung out with friends, went out to eat and rested.

Dave and I rested at home as well (Dave has been working very long hours again this week)

I have found myself very sleepy when I stop -taking rest from thoughts of Kathryn’s pain. This kind of rest has been a long time coming and we are so grateful!!!

LOVE TO ALL!!

Each day without pain is a gift!! Kathryn’s CRPS pain continues to be zero!

Until now I have not been able to grasp words or feelings. Until now I have just put one foot in front of the other. But this morning I walk past her room and she is not on her bed!  She is in school today, still tired and sometimes sore, but no torturing pain!

Now the tears come! Now feelings finally surface! Finally, release! Five years of watching my baby in pain and not being able to help! Dear God you gave me the strength I needed each day! You walked beside me!

Many of you spent much time with Kathryn in the last five years where she made sure that you could not see her pain. I was nearly always aware of it. She was always with it.

Much learning and life was missed and right now that does not worry or sadden us. How can it when I look at her bed and I look at the couch and she is NO LONGER LYING THERE IN PAIN!

Crying joyfully to the Lord   -Rita

   LOOK MOM, A PAIN CHART WITH NO INK!!!!

“Erupt with thanks to the Eternal, for He is good
and His loyal love lasts forever.”  Psalm 107:1 THE VOICE

A SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for healing for our brother-in-law James (alias Uncle BrmBrm) He has been very sick and in great pain with Pancreatitis. He is in the hospital now and has been hospitalized several times in the last year with this.

Kathryn is now five days free of CRPS pain!

THANK YOU GOD!

Thank you EVERYONE for your prayers and help that come in countless loving ways.

Thank you to THE MANY WHOSE NAMES WE DON’T KNOW who have been praying and helping for so long.

Thank you CLINICIANS WHO DARE TO DO MORE.

Kathryn is very tired but excited and happy. She was DETERMINED to go back to school this week but when she did, the overpowering fatigue that was forecasted became inescapable.

She went to school 2 half days and everyone was so welcoming- she loved seeing everyone again!! But she hit a wall of fatigue and was forced to “cry uncle.”

During the last five years, especially in the first two years, Kathryn’s CRPS pain was temporarily lowered to a 2 or 3 on the pain scale for short periods of time when treatments were effective. This is the first that her CRPS pain is at zero in the last five years!

As expected, she has muscle aches and soreness from using muscles that have not been used for a while. Interestingly it seems that Kathryn can again recognize the difference between CRPS pain and muscle/joint pain more distinctly.

“Are any in your community suffering? They should pray. Are any celebrating? They should sing praises to God. Are any sick? They should call the elders of your church and ask them to pray.”      James 5:13-14 THE VOICE

This is the first night in a very long time that Kathryn has fallen asleep PAIN FREE!
Tired but NO PAIN!

Leaving the hospital this afternoon

I don’t have the skill or energy to put our emotions into words.
Our thanksgiving is humble and tearful.

This is Kathryn’s Dad, Dave. We are post 16th birthday and counting.

Kathryn is doing fine this afternoon, although she’s quite “loopy” her pain is often at a 3! To her a 3 feels like a zero would feel to us who don’t have constant chronic pain. To get that 3 lower and to attempt to get the pain to stay down, she must go through two more days of treatment that will be tough.

I re-arrived at Kathryn’s ICU room in NC last night from Richmond at around 11:15 pm and I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ICU room decorated so well! Balloons, cake and cupcakes, presents, cards – they had quite the bash for Kathryn’s 16th!

I listened to Dr. Bill Ury audios for at least 2 hours on the road, and that made the drive fast and enjoyable.

On Ketamine the patient loses short term memory so Kathryn declares and repeats every 10 minutes with tears of joy that “I can go back to school now!” It is on her “MOST WANTED” list!!

I want to send out a sincere and heartfelt thanks to those who are involving themselves with us on this latest journey. Won’t mention names (cause you know who you are anyways), but thank you so much for all the prayers, generous support, help, cat and house sitting, gifts and time you have given to Kathryn.

Bye for now -Dad

  Despite the Ketamine induced memory loss, Kathryn can still remember that her 16th birthday is tomorrow.  

Uncle Johnny and Aunt Janina are coming to NC today to help us celebrate. We moved into a room at Winston-Salem Ronald McDonald house yesterday and they will be staying there with us- Yay!!

At only 27 hours into treatment now Kathryn’s pain is beginning to lower. She is on a very low dose and side effects are being controlled easily with less meds than expected. Soooo thankful!

  It helps to keep busy while waiting.

Kathryn is in Forsyth Medical Center in North Carolina for a week receiving Ketamine.

  The hospital puts all patients receiving Ketamine for chronic pain in the ICU.

The last four months have been tougher than usual for Kathryn, so we are so thankful to be here!

Thank you so much everyone for all your prayers, support and love!