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Monday, July 29, 2013

A Short Life, Well Lived

When I get frustrated with the progress or lack of I am making in therapy...can't do this, can't do that...basically having a 'pity party', I then read this and can only smack myself upside the head! 

This is a story about a girl as beautiful inside as she was outside, 21 year old Katie Kirkpatrick passed away five days after her wedding in January 2005. She married her high school sweetheart, Nick Goodwin, in a beautiful church ceremony January 15, 2005, and passed away January 20, 2005.



Katie was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor on Valentine’s Day 2002 while she was freshman at Rochester College in Michigan. She continued on with her studies as long as she was able but in 2003 she was diagnosed with an inoperable lung tumor wrapped around her pulmonary artery. In 2004 she took part in Lance Armstrong’s “Ride for the Roses” cancer fundraiser, Katie was a big fan of Mr. Armstrong’s and his attitude, she stated “I like his attitude and his perseverance. I admire him for the way he dealt with his cancer and his attitude.”
 


Katie spent hours every day receiving chemotherapy while planning every detail of her wedding, her dress had to be fitted several times due to her weight loss. Her husband Nick said of the wedding and her passing “It was wonderful. It was a dream come true. She was the most beautiful angel ever – just caring and selfless, and such an inspiration to everyone. She was always smiling no matter what happened, no matter what news she got. She was as close to perfect as they come.”
 


At the wedding her joy was apparent for everyone to see, as was her pain and suffering, although she smiled through the pain. Seeing Katie so alive and so happy has inspired countless people to search for joy themselves, no matter how fleeting it may be.
 


There is a non-profit group named for Katie, called Katie’s Wings, it’s established to help those affected by cancer. In her hometown of Lapeer MI there is also a business called Katie’s Spa, that specializes in services to cancer patients.
 


No one who met Katie will forget her, her legacy of life and love lives on in the hearts of many, her life was cut short, but it was well lived and filled with joy.
 




November 24, 2012 by Staff Writer  Courtesy of positivemed.com



14 comments:

  1. Thanks Cat. It's easy to get very self absorbed with our own troubles and sometimes a slap of reality is all that's needed to take life in stride once again.

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    1. You're welcome Chickie...you are so right...sometimes we do need that slap. ;)

      Blessings...
      Cat

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  2. Wow, what an inspiring and true story. Didn't know about the organizations that were formed. Thanks

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    1. Hey Blondie...one of the things that so impresses me is the courage that such a young woman displayed! She is inspiring!

      Hugs and Blessings...
      Cat

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  3. Very inspirational. It's hard to be down and out over something not so important when you read a story of positivity like Katie's.

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    1. Sure puts things into perspective doesn't it Sunny!

      Hugs and Blessings...
      Cat

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  4. Great piece of advice! I remember this story.

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    1. Hey Minelle...whenever I get too wrapped up in petty bs, I come back and read Katie's story...such dignity!

      Hugs and Blessings...
      Cat

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  5. You're right, Cat. It never hurts to put ourselves in check every once in a while when the refrain, "Poor, poor, pitiful me," keeps playing in our heads. It's also important to remember not to dismiss our hardships as petty, unimportant things. The good thing is we can choose to wallow in our own misery, or DO SOMETHING positive to counteract it...even if the only thing we can do is puddle up to let out some of the frustration that builds.

    Your upbeat attitude on your blog is an inspiring example to many of us, judging by the positive comments I read here all the time. But, if you want or need to come here and grumble out your frustration, we'll still love you every bit as much. ;-) I wish I had a magic wand to make your therapy work overnight for you, but instead I pray for you to have strength and healing.

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    1. Awww thank you for such a lovely compliment Irishey...I do try to remain upbeat but once in a while, I do get wrapped up in my own head and need a swift kick in the tushie. ;)

      My shoulder is doing much better but backslid a bit so am having to work at it a bit more.

      Hugs and Blessings...
      Cat

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  6. Wow Cat, such a wonderful and inspirational story. Certainly puts ones grumbles in perspective. Thank you for sharing.

    Sending positive thoughts, healing energy and prayers your way.

    Hugs,
    Roz

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    1. Certainly does Roz!

      Thank you so much for the positive thoughts, healing energy and prayers...I know they worked and helped me heal as well as I have!

      Hugs and Blessings...
      Cat

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  7. such a sweet story thanks for sharing hugs, terps

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    1. You're very welcome Terps!

      Hugs and Blessings...
      Cat

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