Kathryn's Pages

How precious it is to know that Kathryn is going to school without pushing through intense pain!!

She had to go in late today due to nausea and a medication taken for nausea (nausea can be a common symptom after treatment and is probably due to the extreme medication changes that occurred before, during and after treatment) Even though she is going in late, today she is walking into her school with only muscle pain, NO CRPS PAIN!!

Recovery from this treatment is slow, due probably to an error that occurred in Kathryn’s meds during treatment and to Kathryn grieving along with her family over the sudden loss of her Uncle Paul.

Today is her second day back to school; yesterday she did a full day in school, YAY!!

Teachers and administrators have been amazing!! This CRPS monster is so odd and hard to understand, yet they have struggled to understand, care and support through a situation that makes their work more difficult as well.

It’s with great emotion that we again thank you all for your precious prayers and support!

Our hope for Kathryn is permanent remission from CRPS and good health.

Our trust in is God and His love for His children and His Kingdom.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!

My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right. Proverbs 23:15,16

We are so thankful to tell you that Kathryn is feeling SO MUCH BETTER and having a much easier time with treatment!!

Once we discovered a crucial change needed in her medication, we quickly got our Kathryn back, even though she has one more day of Ketamine left to go.

Kathryn’s pain has gone to ZERO which is expected on day 5 and 6.  We pray again that zero pain levels will hold after treatment and that she can have some normal life.

Last night, after we had adjusted meds and Kathryn could think more clearly, she got on Facebook without our knowing and discovered that her Uncle Paul passed away. Of course we hate that she found out that way! Her reactions were strong but normal and her mind and heart are now refocused on Judy, Chris, Thomas and all the family.

We love you guys!!

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2Timothy 3:14-15 NIV

Kathryn’s Uncle Paul and Aunt Judy with great uncle Msgr. Michael

This is such a difficult update to write. Our brother Paul died suddenly yesterday. His son Thomas wrote this:

“Yesterday February 13, 2014, my father left this world and is now with the almighty. He was the greatest father I could have asked for. I love him and miss him so much already. He was one of the kindest, smartest, musically gifted, and loving people I will ever know. He is so much a part of who I am and who I still will become. Being a teacher he not only touched his family’s lives but also hundreds of students. I know this great man will truly be missed by all who knew him. I love you Dad. Find peace with God. “

Our hearts are broken for Paul’s wife Judy and two sons, Chris and Thomas and for all of Paul’s loved ones who will miss him dearly. We are praying for our 97 year old uncle, Msgr. Chester Michael who lives in Charlottesville near Paul and Judy.

I cannot wrap my thoughts around my brother Paul not being alive on this earth anymore! My earliest memories are filled with waking up to Paul pouring out Beethoven on our piano at all hours, late night train trestles, and a house filled with bizarre cooking smells created by Paul let loose in the kitchen. Christmas and Thanksgiving without Paul’s piano and quiet presence (often hiding in the other room) cannot be imagined.

We are still with Kathryn in NC because we cannot stop this treatment in the middle. Kathryn cannot be told about her Uncle’s death while on this medicine nor can we let her see any disturbance in us; we have to stay very calm to help her stay calm and fight the horrible fears that plague the patient while on this drug.

This has been by far the hardest treatment that Kathryn has ever had to endure! We pray that she will not remember what she has gone through! It will be very hard for Dave, Joe and I to forget it.

I cannot describe the energy that we all, especially Kathryn, have had to muster to handle the side effects of this particular Ketamine treatment. As much as Kathryn needs the help it gives, we have come to loathe this drug!

Our Pastor and friend sent a much needed message from God’s word that expresses what we cannot.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.  Psalm 139 NIV

The last 30 hours of treatment have been a rough ride!

Docs decided to increase the levels of Ketamine as quickly as possible to try to get better pain relief for Kathryn. She is a tough trooper and we’re grateful that docs are willing, but this is a VERY TOUGH TREATMENT!

Snow here in NC is making travel between RM House and hospital difficult.

Love and safe traveling to all!!

He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High
will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.
He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress,
my God, I place all my trust in You.”   THE VOICE Psalm 91:1-2

Kathryn in Forsyth Hospital getting treatment. YAY!!

An ICU room became available late last night. A PIC line was done at 5am so that treatment started around 6am. Despite the delays, we got good sleep and are doing well!

Kathryn’s pain is already inching down. She is at a 7 on a 1-10 scale right now. Her pain has been an 8+ during recent weeks.

Kathryn misses her kitten Melos, but she’s relaxed with no worries knowing that “Mimi” is in GREAT hands as she enjoys a visit with Aunt Anne   -THANK YOU AUNT ANNE!!!

We are thankful beyond anything words can express to be here and to have this treatment available for our Missy!!!!

Love and blessings to all!!!