Over twenty years ago, our family was blessed with the addition of Kathy when she and my brother, Don, got married. I remember when they first met, and I remember watching the progression of their relationship.
They were married just over 20 years ago. About six years into their marriage, Kathy was diagnosed with cancer. It took a while for the two of them to find a doctor who accurately diagnosed her, and they were told she would probably live another five years. Once that five-year mark was met, Kathy continued her battle against cancer, outliving what the professionals predicted. Kathy seemed to find reasons to continue her fight and became what her doctors called a “walking miracle.”
Over time, the cancer progressed and made Kathy’s life an even tougher battle, but she kept on going. If you saw her out with Don, you wouldn’t know she was stricken with bone cancer, and she did her best to keep going and not let her cancer beat her.
She and her doctors tried every available treatment – some of them not giving her much benefit, but she still held out hope. She kept winning the battle all the way up to just recently, when her discomfort was too much to maintain at home. The first step of hospice was care at home, but after about a month, she required much different care and was moved to a hospice care facility here in The Villages on December 15th. During the early days of that care, she remained determined to return home, but if you’ve ever experienced a loved one in hospice, you know the main goal is keep the patient comfortable, which usually means fairly high doses of painkillers.
The doctors at the hospice facility figured she would remain alive for about a week – they didn’t know Kathy very well, and she held on until the day after Christmas.
My brother lost the love of his life – a very caring, loving, giving, supportive woman who loved him with all her heart. She not only loved Don, but she loved Don’s family members and spouses as well.
It was a very long fight for Don and Kathy, but her passing truly put her in a better place where she can finally be pain-free.
Rest in peace, Kathy, you will be missed!
Have A Good Week!
