Asking for us to keep our friend, Catzeyes, in our prayers again...

[Dan Murphy]

As many of you are aware, both from several of my earlier posts this year, as well as from Catzeyes (Kathryn) herself, she has had a tough go of it in the very recent past. Both from some of my words with her back then, as well as all of our collective good thoughts, and most importantly, prayers, Kath did get on with her life, wanting to live, rather than the alternative, that which prompted her to reach out to me in the first place.

Among several things which had made Kath so very despondent earlier in the year, (and there were several, but we are only dealing with one here) was a severe heart problem, which had necessitated a multiple heart-bypass operation late last year. As with most heart operations of the like, medication, usually for life, goes with it. For some reason, the medications are not effective with Kath, and, after reviewing with several top cardiologists, it appears a heart transplant is the route to go. Well, that IS big time folks.

Kath is all up (as best as can be expected) to go along with the necessary operation, given the alternative, but is really concerned, and very much down again, with the so-called 'odds' as put forth by the doctors, honest though they are.

Kathryn said that the long term success rate of heart transplants is around 60%, but the bummer is the number of folks who get the transplant in time, about 20%, agreeably, a rather low number, mostly due to low donor levels.

Now......I have talked with Kath some about this, her being down and all, and I suggested that she come to our DIS family for its wonderful support structure we can give people, through both good words and thoughts, and so importantly, prayer. Kath has always been a bit more 'reserved' than me, dealing one-on-one a bit better than I do with groups. (I guess I tend to jabber a bit, LOL). She was hesitant to again ask us all for help, so I asked her if she would allow me to come to us all and again ask for what we do so well here on the DIS.....H E L P.

So that's it, that's the story, Kath has some tough days ahead, and could use our support. She has gone full circle, from not wanting to live, to very much wanting to live. Kath, you know you have mine and you know that of all the DIS.

Thanks guys, Kathryn is most appreciative.

PS: Kath's best friend sent this to her in an email...are you a donor???

<center>TO REMEMBER ME

The day will come when my body will lie upon a white sheet neatly tucked under four corners of a mattress located in a hospital busily occupied with the living and the dying.

At a certain moment, a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped.

When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine, and don't call this my death bed. Let this be called the bed of life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face or love in the eyes of a woman.

Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.

Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.

Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.

Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and let them grow so that someday a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her window.

Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and all prejudice against my fellow man.

If by chance you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or a word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

Robert N. Test</center>

[tater bug]

Kathryn,

We are here if you need us. You definitely have my prayers and support. Daddy had a kidney transplant several years ago and the difference it made for him was astounding. He did not hold out much hope of ever being a recipient but God had other plans for him. Please feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

[FTWFAN]

Kathryn, Please know that all my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you are going through a tough time, but please do not lose your faith in prayer. Many prayers and God's Will is why I still have my precious Savannah(Dan can tell you about her heart problems). Even though the dr's were giving us no hope, I never lost my trust in God and people everywhere were praying for her. Please know that people everywhere are praying for you too. Never hesitate to ask your DIS family for help. This is a wonderful bunch of folks to be associated with. If there is anything you need, please let us know. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I am sending lots of pixie dust your way!;)

[Big V]

Thanks for letting us know this Dan.
Kathryn,
I didn't know of your problem and myself, DW, Pam, and DD, Elly, will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. If you need anything, just PM me, and we'll be sure to help you out in the best way we can.
Big V (Scott)

[browneyes]

Kathryn, I wish I had 2 hearts so I could give you one. I hope you get the medical help you need real soon. Take care of yourself. {{hugs}}

[Mamu]

Sometimes life seem more then we can bare. We all care, our prayers are with you through this tough ordeal.

Almost 7 years ago my DH was in a terrible car accident he was not suppose to live. He proved the doctors wrong. Two years later he had surgery things did not go as planned, again his life hung by a thread. Again he proved the doctors wrong. He went through a tough winter severe depression. He is back to work, feeling lots of pains, very tired but happy.

I understand how serious this is. With strenght from God you can win this battle and we are all there to help you along the way.

[Kermit]

Kathryn, my prayers are with you and your family. I know this won't be easy, but I'm praying that you'll get a heart soon and that everything will go as smoothly as possible.

[glo]

Sending good thoughts, tons of prayers and PD through this difficult time.

[Blondie]

Sending good thoughts, prayers and tons of pixie dust your way.

[Towncrier]

Thanks for posting that wonderful poem Dan. It brought tears to my eyes. I will say a prayer for Kathryn and for her caregivers that they may discover a way to ease her pain and give her new life. Like browneyes, I wish that I had a spare heart that I could give to you Kathryn.

My wife and I have discussed organ donation on many occasions. Before we were married, my driver's license carried instructions that made it clear that I wanted to be an organ donor. After we were married, I felt that it was no longer my decision alone. I wasn't certain that Sue would be able to deal with the aspect of organ donation on top of my death. As we have been married now for close to 17 years, I think that it's time to reconsider my decision. I think that the words of this poem drive that point home. Thanks to this post, I will talk with Sue about organ donation.

[LisaTx]

My thoughts are with you, Kathryn.

[dizneenut]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Kathryn

[meeshi]

Kathryn, you are in my prayers. I pray you get the help you need. You are not alone. There are many people praying for you!
(((((HUGS)))))

[gemmie214]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I too wish I had a spare heart to give you. {{{HUGS}}}

[Rajah]

Kath is in my prayers, and sending Pixie Dust that way. We're here for you, Kath!

[MerryPoppins]

F O O T P R I N T S
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
“Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when I needed You most You would
leave me.”
The Lord replied, “My son, My precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I
carried you.”
Author Unknown


Kathryn,
I'm glad to hear that you want to live. That is a BIG step in the right direction. I love the story about the footprints in the sand and I included it for a reason. God gives us strength to deal with whatever comes our way. If you are feeling unable to shoulder the burden, His strength will carry you through. You are not alone!

You continue to be in my prayers. I hope that a donor will be found soon. Yes, I am an organ donor and so are the members of my family. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of other DISers. Think of all the good you can do in this world. :D

I'm sure your friends on the DIS will be pulling for you every step of the way. Don't be afraid to share with us how you are feeling. We want to be able to help you.

[olena]

Kathryn, I wish you strength in the coming months. Your courage is inspiring to me. ***HUGS***

[preshi]

You are defintely in my thought Catzeyes!

I am a donor! {{{hugs}}} Olena is right you are truly insipiring.

[Talking Hands]

Kathryn you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there.

[Kitty 34]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Kathryn.



Thank you Dan, for letting us know.

[Kama89]

Kathryn,
Please know that my thoughts and my prayers are with you.

[helenabear]

Kathryn, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine what it would be like to deal with what you are going through but hang in there and know you can always come to us whenever you need us!

[newmousecateer]

Kathryn

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Buckalew]

My prayers are with you, Kathryn. Many {{{hugs}}}

[Beanie]

Sending Prayers out to Kathryn...you are in my thoughts always...

[Jeafl]

Kathryn, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I recently went through (actually, I'm STILL going through), a serious medical problem with my husband. Just when things looked their worst, it started to turn around. Please don't give up hope, and lean on anyone and everyone you can. A shared burden is always lighter. Please let me know if there is anything I can do, or if you just want to vent. There are many wonderful people on the DIS, and I can't tell you how many PM's I got from virtual strangers. They always seemed to come just when I needed them. Take care of yourself, please.

[December99]

Good luck Kath....I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!!!!

[adrien32]

My husband had a heart transplant in 1993 and is doing great! We now have a beautiful five-year-old and have enjoyed many, many happy days. God is good! My prayers are with you. I would encourage everyone to tell their families they want to be organ donors.

[CarolG]

Kathryn, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

[ead79]

Kathryn, you certainly have my prayers. May God comfort and strengthen you, as well as give you peace as you wait for a heart. May He make the surgery a complete success and help you to have a quick recovery. Please let me know if I can help you in any way. I am proud to be an organ donor, and hope that when I die I can help someone else live.

[nativetxn]

Kathryn, you are in a scary spot right now. I will keep you in my prayers.

Please come and visit with us here, we are always here if you need to talk and we care a lot.

{{{HUGS}}} sweetie.

Katholyn

[Saffron]

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers Kathryn. As others have said, you are truly an inspiration.

[Beauty]

Kath
You are in my prayers nightly. You are fighting a hard fight, but fighting you are and thats worth so much. Just hang in there and take life as it comes to you. Please if you need us know that we are here for you at anytime.

[Poohbear123]

Keep the Faith.:D

[kejoda]

Kathryn, I'm so sorry for all that you are going through. I will keep you in my prayers. Remeber that your Dis family is always here for you anytime.

[Serena]

Kathryn, {{{hugs}}}

We're here when you need us and even when you don't. We are more than eager to do what we can to help, even if it's just to listen.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. :D

[catsrule]

Hi Kath! :wave: Hope you come and visit us. I like your dis name!

[Robinrs]

Faith is a small word, and Hope is even smaller, but the power they hold is soooo large....

May you keep the faith and hold onto hope that He will get you through this because He will!

God bless you, and ALWAYS come to us with your pain. If for no other reason, to let us carry the burden for a little while....

Robinrs

[Pin Wizard]

(((((((((((((((Kath)))))))))))))))

Prayers and PD are on the way. I have a friend who gave one of her kidneys to her brother who needed one desperately. I'm sure she would give you a heart if she could.

[Mickey's sunshine]

Kathryn, we are all here for you, to listen or send you encouraging words. I hope that you feel you can lean on us for support. My thoughts and prayers are with you in the this long road ahead and I wish you nothing but the BEST!!!

I am a donor and I hope that many of our DIS pals are here too. I pray that you get your heart soon and live a long and healthy life. {{hugs}} to you and come talk to us. :)

[Boots]

Hi Kathryn! Just wanted you to know that I am always here for you in any way possible. I am keeping you in my prayers and will keep you in my thoughts often. Trust in the Lord and all will work out. If you ever want to "talk" PM me or email me. My email is in my profile. {{{{HUGS}}}} to you my friend!

[#1 Disney Fan]

Prayers, good thoughts and pixie dust, Kathryn!

[Goofball]

I will be praying for you each and every day, Kathryn. God bless you. {{{HUGS}}}

[Planogirl]

Kathryn, please know that you can come here any time and let us help in any way we can. Please visit us and even if you only lurk, hopefully we can cheer you up a bit. I'm pulling for you and I think that you're very brave. :D

[Mom2Em]

Kathryn, you are in my prayers... Put your faith in God.

[KimRaye]

Kathryn, don't give up! I only met you briefly at the Stratford Square meet but, I know you were there to 'connect' and, maybe get some more help. We'll always be here for you, as DISers traditionally are and, we will always Pray for you, send *PD* and {HUGS} and support and, whatever you need! (I know from the receiving end how important and calming and comforting that is!)

I too, wish you my very best throughout this difficult time.

(I AM a donor)

God Bless

[oldkicker]

Kathryn - I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.....

[Figment and I]

Thank you, Dan for posting and making us aware of Kathryn's situation. We will keep her in our prayers and hope that she is lifted by all of our prayers here on the DIS. This is a very difficult time, and her courage will see her through.


Kathryn, we're with you and hope for a gentle peace to guide you through this time.

[KaraKW]

Kath,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. We're all here for you!
Kara

[pajamommy]

Kathryn, you'll be in my thoughts!:D

[PKK/MJK]

You are facing such a difficult and scary situation but you WILL get through this with flying colors!!! We will all be praying that a new heart is found quickly and that your recovery will be speedy. Much love and pixie dust to you and your family.

[cotye]

You can always count on my support Kath. Unconditionally.... My prayers for you and I certainly hopes things do get better soon. :(

[Denine]

{{{{{{{{Kathryn}}}}}}}}}}
Try to stay positive! I can't even begin to imagine how scared you must feel.
I hope you get your heart soon and that the surgery is a success!

[goofy4mickey48]

you are in my prayers!! goofy4mickey48