All NEWERBEES--about Kait

[barbaranoela]

Good day to all---and from what I have read U guys are really grabbing hold of *wellness*----good going

Kait my 22 year old grandaughter was born with a brain tumor---
When I watched her--I would notice a teensy *shaking* --ok--thought I--she must be WET--
Lynn also noticed this--thought the same--and the baby doctor had told Lynn to video(can U believe that) Kait --so as he could see what was going on!!! Believe that one 2---

But she was normal in every respect of a babe growing--
There came a day when she had a gran-mal seizure--passed out--I believe she was about 2-3 when it was discovered she had a tumor---and thus followed a 9 hour surgery--a great female --Dr. Rifkenson--did the removal of almost the entire tumor---10 or longer hours was the surgery--a small piece was left in --causing her no harm-
She did a beautiful job--
Kait had seizures in class so she decided to inform the class what her problems were--and thereafter --when seizing--the kids would grab Kait and lay her on the floor--till the nurse came--gradually the seizures ebbed and she was enjoying all that life could offer-
Until she started high school---her scarring ran right across her forehead and had faded a bit but *mom* wanted cosmetic surgery---yup I was furious--Kait was happy--leave her alone but~~~~Harter had to be called in cus the shunt had to be removed before the cosmetic surgery could begin--and thus were the words!!! she doesnt need a shunt--but I will keep her 3 days with an Xternal shunt---which he DIDNT-they came home to me--and within an hour she was puking--screaming in pain and OOPS all cus Harter didnt put the shunt back in--
Of course he never got it back where it originally was--so Kait spent her High school years in and out of several hospitals---and even after that---but thankfully the school had teachers sent to educater her--in the hospital and at home--
HYDROCEPHALITIS (if I spelled it right) is her problem-
To this day she has had 90 operations--yet-is happy as a lark-- but is still a kid---stays in her room all day--in pain--bottles of meds---and a body that is so scarred---
USUALLY-when she stays with us--she heads right for the bed but latley she sits and we yak away like 2 kids--
Our other grandaughter Kristyn has a bad attitude but we talked one day and *yes* she understands that *mom* had to do the best in spreading herself but yet as things continue---she understands but its hard to be thought of *later*
So when I am *missing* it is cause depression has overtaken me again---

Barbara

[tex]

Barbara,

I've read various versions of Kait's story several times over the years, but I still can't stop the tears from welling up, each time I read it again.

Wow! I had no idea that she has been through 90 operations. That has to be some kind of record. She is one incredible gal.

Luve,
Galahad

[Joefnh]

Barbara, I had no idea at what Kait has been through, it certainly put in perspective that dealing with MC as frustrating as it is, really does not even compare to the problems that Kait has dealt with.

What an angel she must be to tolerate all of this.

Certainly she and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers

Best wishes

--Joe

[MaggieRedwings]

HI Barb,

It has been a long 10 years or more of this and it is time for her to have a healthy and happy life. I knew the number of operations was up there but was guessing between 50 & 60 - boy was I off. There have been a few times lately when I have had some bad aches and pains but dealing with it since each time I complain to Frank I follow up with "why me to complain - look at the pain Kait has been through." She is an inspiration.

Still the "H" remedy in my book is take out the kneecaps - Louie will explain.

Love, Maggie

[grannyh]

I, too, have read about Kait over the years but had no idea who many surgeries she has endured. She is one amazing girl!

[wonderwoman]

This is so sad. When I am feeling sorry for myself I just need to look at cases like this to realize how very fortunate I am. It's good she has a wonderful Grandmother.

[Rosie]

Barbara, I hadn't understood the history of Kait's problems, and feel so bad for her, and you who have to witness all the suffering. And to think that it all stemmed from a pretty-much unneeded cosmetic surgery........ I can only imagine the ups and downs as each surgery was supposed to fix the problem, and it didn't....... 90 surgeries.......

I can only hope that at some point soon she will get relief........

Rosie