On Wednesday, April 8th, Dr. Ellis gave Kath a six month window of time to live. We're getting a lot of questions, and people want to talk, so we decided to create a blog. So if you want to make comments you can.
Dr. Ellis said Kath's liver counts and tumor markers have doubled, and she has an enlarged liver, which is pressing on her other organs. She has large levels of ammonia in her liver, which makes her feel extremely sick. Katherine has decided not to do chemo, because she has had minimal results and wants to live the rest of her life with quality, instead of being sick. She sleeps more, and we need to respect her time, as she is resting frequently.
We have a meeting tomorrow with hospice. They're taking care of everything, including prescriptions and pain treatment. She has chosen to do hospice at home, so she's able to spend time with family, friends and the dogs.
We apologize for the delay in replying to emails and phone calls; we're overwhelmed right now and are trying to spend time together. We appreciate your love and support, and hope you understand.
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All my best to you in this dire time - is there any chance to visit for me and Cassandra? Anything we can do?
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, its Dixie ,I just want to tell you I love you and if you feel up to it, please call me 425-231-5409
ReplyDeleteSweet souls, Of course we understand. Take the best care of your hearts and each other. Sending such big love. Anything you need, just ask. Hugs tight, Homes
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about you today..........how are those amazing tulips?
ReplyDeleteI remember the tulip and fall leaves field trips you always took me on. My memories of you are and will always be, so vibrant. Please let me know what I can do for you and Nancy. I am beyond words right now. More later. xoxo
I love you both so much ... and am blessed we're family. xoxo - jen
ReplyDeleteI remember my last visit, and when I last saw you both. I had an amazing time, but things have changed so much since then. Please tell me when I can come and visit you as soon as possible, and if there is anything I could help with. I love you both with all my heart<3
ReplyDeletexoxo cassandra
Kathy, I am going to be in Seattle this week, and staying for about 10 days. I would love to come over and visit for a few minutes, but I will understand if you are not up another visitor. Just let me know. Meanwhile my love to you and Nancy. Julie
ReplyDeleteDear Kath and Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for letting me into this part of your life. I know how much time means to you now and I support your decisions totally. I would love to see you but I completely understand if your situation precludes this from happening at this time. I will include you in my daily prayers and wish you love and love and more love. Penny
hi!
ReplyDeletesending more prayers and big hugs!
lots of love~pamela
I am very tearful. Can I help by walking the dogs? I'd love to bring food and flowers too.
ReplyDeleteCan Julie and I drop off dinner to you and Nancy either Friday or Saturday night? We wont stay just a quick I love you and we will be on our way. As always you both are in my thoughts and prayers. Maureen
ReplyDeleteClair and I are sending you both our love. Thank you for setting up this blog. Amazing in light of what your dealing with, and of course people who love you understand and respect whatever it is you want and need. Please let us know if there's anything we can do---if you do feel like talking ANYTIME, for example. Our paths are so aligned. Despite the distance,I am with you both in spirit in every sense of the word. Love you...Lisa G.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love you two seesters. Thanks for sharing the family Easter with us. xoxo Peg
ReplyDeleteI am so blessed to have met both Katherine and Nancy...
ReplyDeleteMore prayers and hugs... to you and the family...
Twin sandwich anyone?!
Andrea
Kath & Nancy, I saw this email come through at 6:30 tonight and could only now bring myself to post a note. I'm so truly sorry. This world is a better place because of you. You have directly and positively impacted my life especially when I needed an adult to look up to (funny what a 10-year age difference was in 1986 - now it's nothing). I am forever thankful. I admire you completely. Your intuition, humor, positive attitude, extrovert personality, and love of life are some of your strongest gifts. I hope they carry you through this time with the grace you deserve...and you have all of us to support you, too. I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with you. Sending love & prayers your way. I would love to see you when you & Nancy are ready. I think the snow won't get in the way. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of you both in this time. I will be over in that area not this week but the following - if there is any way I can bring anything - let me know. love, Joan Ranquet
ReplyDeleteThinking of both of you. I am a friend of Sharol's and met you ather birthday party at the Uptown China last year(Sandy Watchie). I'm sending you both lots of love and peace. xo Sandy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Katherine and Nancy for including me. Wow. I am so saddened that this time is here. I can't seem to think of anything to say that doesn't seem trite or convey less than I feel. I would love to bring you dinner sometime. Katherine~ I have your "homemade facebook gift" all ready for you. =)
ReplyDeleteoops. bye the way- "queercorn" is meg brown. I thought my name would come up! sorry!
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing this. Love and prayers. Carolyn
ReplyDeleteKathi,
ReplyDeleteIf there is anything you need or just want to talk, call me at 206-715-3469. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hospice is a great organization.
Sorry, this is Darren Pilon
ReplyDeleteDear Kath and Nancy,
ReplyDeleteMy love and prayers are with you both. Although I only met Katherine a couple of times, you left an immense impression on me. You have such a warm and fun loving personality and I loved you instantly! I am in West Seattle, so if there is anything you need, anything I can do, send me a note on facebook.....much love and warm thoughts to you both, Jenilee (Sharol's friend)
Kathi - you are in my thoughts. Sending lots of love your way... Nancy Root
ReplyDeleteKathy...I am so sorry I didn't know you were ill...you are in my thoughts and prayers...May our lord keep you in his loving care...love to you and Nancy...Aunt Reggie
ReplyDeleteMy dear, sweet, best friend Katherine, there's no one like you. I can't stand this very well, but I'm trying. I love you so much. You know I'm here no matter what.
ReplyDeleteWe are saddened by the news and hope that you are comfortable. We will always remember our brief visit in Puerto Vallarta this past February. You looked so happy, which made us so happy. Sorry that we are so far away from you, but you are in our daily thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMichael and Cynthia
Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
ReplyDeleteKeep loving each other through this. You are both such amazing people. Call for anything, of course.
Much love to you,
Jenny and Virginia
Dear Katherine and Nancy,
ReplyDeleteMary and I send you our love and blessings for every precious moment you have together. The deep and caring love you have for each other has touched us. I'm convinced the universe and the angels are touched by you as well and are smiling in awe and wonder.
Please know, we are here for you and hold you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Loving you both,
Mary and Nikki
it's Bug...you already know.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love you both and let me know when I can bring you a mayonaise, pickles and mustard on white:)
My dear Bumble Bee friend and Nancy,
ReplyDeleteSending you love and healthy vibes from Montreal. There's nothing I can say other than just thinking of you Kathy always puts a smile on my face - I loved our years of work at the bookstore and the chats outside in the sun.
Sending you both huge hugs and let me know if there's anything you need from me : )
Love,
Karina
Katherine...u have touched my life in ur own way...that is a gift...only you could have given me...over the next few months you will grow and you will touch so many more lifes...u will not be forgotten...enjoy ur time...do not be afriad to share it with ur friends...watch the sun rise and set... listen to the bug frogs..feel the wind on ur face..... Read Morewarmth on ur back..cold creek water over ur toes...watch the dust in the sun..the star over the ocean...Live ur life to the end...i love what you have added to my life...at a needed time what u said about my writings...i'll post a couple for you to enjoy...i will see you again my friend...in gods Kingdom...thank you for allowing me to share in ur life...and death~charlotte
ReplyDeleteKatherine and Nancy...I am holding you in my heart and thoughts and prayers. You are both so dear to me...and I send my love for comfort and peace every moment. I love you.
ReplyDeleteCammy
To our sweet, funny girls!! We love you both so much and thankful that you are in our lives. We will forever be in the wings behind the curtain waiting to jump in when you need us or even when you don't. We will be a silent presence in your hearts and invisible arms surrounding you both. - Leslie and Moraima
ReplyDeleteDear Katherine & Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI thank God every day for the people who have come into and through my life. Today I send a special thanks for the time I have had with the two of you. My heart is sad but also filled with love to send your way. God speed. Mickie
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't write yesterday because I kept crying. I know that's selfish, but it's true. I don't know what I'm supposed to say, so I'm just going to say what's in my heart.
a. I love you.
b. Please fight with whatever you have left.
c. Fight
d. Fight
e. Fight
f. I love you.
g. You are the most ALIVE, sincere, authentic person that I've ever known. Your light, wisdom, and love are needed in this world.
h. I love you, and am blessed to call you both sister and friend.
Stepheny
Katherine and Nancy
ReplyDeleteWe were saddened to read the Dr's prognosis of your illness. You will be in our prayers.
what an amazing journey Kath and Nancy are..I treasure the fullness and the love of your lives together and that i have been blessed with being able to feel the warmth and truth of it in my life, which I have not been capable of personally experiencing..and maybe that's a lot of the reason why I revere it so much when i witness it in others. Mostly it is in people who have lived 30-40 years together so that they complete each others every gesture and phrase, but KathandNancy are beautiful time travelers and have lived that time already, together in there large and tender hearts...now they get to share this truest and most poignant time together. Your love for each other is a blessing to all who know you, and is so much more than many people ever are blessed to personally experience in a very long lifetime..Kath will continue to grow in Nancy's heart probably to mythic proportions, and will continue to touch the world through her. i treasure Kath for her wild and amazing heart and for the fact she has given that heart to my beloved Nancy, and I really do not have the words to express all that I feel for KathandNancy, no matter how hard i try. but it's here, guys and I feel it profoundly.
ReplyDeleteHey, Katherine. So sorry to hear the bad prognosis (can I spell that?). I remember our recent funny and wonderful time together at the Yardarm...... you just brighten my life, girl!... I hope to come visit when you have a day with a body that isn't bugging you too much. I'll call and you can just tell me, up straight, yes or no, if it's a good time or not for a visit. I'll be flexible about it (like taking a shower in Belo at Sam's hotel!). That reminds me, I need to get you a copy of my weird African poetry. Remind me if I forget.
ReplyDeleteMaryla and I are off to Poland and Switzerland on April 27th for 15 days of fun and better weather I hope!! I'll get to eat some of those weird little Polish open-faced sandwiches and drink vodka and look at beautiful Polish women and talk with my hands 'cause they can't understand my English (Angielski) and I can't understand their Polish but, my, do we have fun miming... charades!
My love to you....... I can see your great big grin as I write this....
have a grin or two on me
Bobe Michael
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteNot a night goes by that I haven't prayed for your recovery from this horrific illness. It saddens me to learn that my prayers are not being answered the way I had hoped. I will never forget how much fun it was when you would come into the Poly Sigh office for book orders. You were the only one Jim Brown looked forward to as he considered you our Swede and nothing could be better for him. The earth will be missing a really sweet spirit and all I can say is "Look out Heaven!!" May your days be filled with as much peace and love as possible.
Linda Rubio
The retired Poly Sigh Secretary
PS: Please give my love to your Mom.
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteAccept greetings and prayers from your friends and extended family in Cameroon--Sam and the wife, Pastor Elijah and wife, Grace and David, in Yaounde, Dr. Chia, Heris, etc. Thank you for having shared two wonderful weeks of your life with me and my family in Cameroon. While I am convinced that we shall meet again, rest assured that you leave fun memories with all those whose lives you touched; memories that will stay with us till we meet again. I thank God for your life.
Lots of love,
Mucho
Good morning Sisters. The sun is shining which I know you adore, Katherine. I'm reminded of the joy you bring to our lives. I hope you will enjoy the warmth of this day with Nanc. Know how much we love and cherish you, today and every day.
ReplyDeletePeg
Kathy and Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI read this, and I can't begin to discribe the pain I feel in my heart. Kathy, I am truely blessed to have met you! I remember you calling me first thing every morning to get your rush orders out the door. I am not sure if you realized how much I looked forward to talking to you everyday. Then, came the National Sales Meeting and I was so thrilled that I was going to FINALLY meet you in person and room with you. I am sorry I was so sick that trip and could not fully enjoy our time together. My best memory of us is when we each made a video for each other of our hometown and our families. I remember chasing Cobi (3333) as you named her :-) around the table. We laughed about that for a long time. Because of you I received the Star Performer Award at work and for that I will be forever grateful!
You are such an inspiration to me. I love your laugh, your contagious personality and your love of life! You are an amazing writer. I would enjoy reading emails from you, although I had to read them several times to understand them because they were deep :-).
I wish that we lived closer to each other, but I guess our COFFEE TALKS were just as good!
To Nancy your loving Partner, Thank you for taking such good care of Kathy all these years. She never knew true happiness until you came into her life!
I want you both to know how much I love and adore you!
Love,
Beverley
I love you guys~ everyday
ReplyDeleteYou are treasures, both of you, and I love you all the way from here...every moment of every day.
ReplyDeleteCammy
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI feel honored to read your beautiful words about life and death and how you are facing the most trying and trusting time of your life. One book that has given me a lot of comfort is "The Fall of Freddie the Leaf". I have felt the most sadness is accepting death as opposed to my anger when resisting it. I feel so close to my brother when I'm in nature, like he's right there, whispering over my left shoulder. Every time it's my left shoulder and I hear him say he's never far away and I can always talk to him.
I am praying for you to be free of this awful pain you've been having and to enjoy your time with Nancy and all your dear friends and family.
much love to you Katherine, Katharine
Oh Boy, this is really hard stuff. This is it. This is what we all wait for or fear or dread or even look forward to(some of us). I am so glad that you chose to not be afraid(most of the time) but that you are open, that you are so full of love and that you are allowing everyone to love you. You are so loved. What better way to leave this world. You know you are loved. Everyone loves you and you find the good, the best in everyone. What a gift you've given us. Thank you so much for being in my life for the very short time you were here. I feel so honored to have known you and heard your laugh. Now I can spend time with your sweet Sharol and listen to the stories and laugh and remember. I'll be here for her. I know how much she will miss you and I know how much she loves you.When we meet people that our people love the love just continues on and on and on. I hope you let all that love in and then I hope you take care of yourself and close down when you need to be with yourself and your dearests. I love you lots, Penny
ReplyDelete