Kamping with Katie

UPDATE:

It has been almost 2 years since Katie’s diagnosis. We have had many good days, and some not so good days. Her Parkinson’s disease is progressing rapidly, more rapidly than we had   expected.  This, along with the dr’s recommendation, has led us to peruse Deep Brain  
Stimulation (think of it as a pacemaker for the brain).

Katie’s first surgery will be Monday, Feb 1. This surgery is where they will insert the neuro- 
transmitter into Katie’s brain and place the lead in her neck. She will be in ICU for one
night (Sam will be with her.) If all is well, she will come home around lunch on Tuesday.
Surgery 2 will be Friday, Feb 5. This surgery will involve placing the battery pack in her 
chest,  just like a pacemaker. It will be outpatient.

Recovery is expected to be 2 weeks. However, if we have learned one thing from
Parkinson’s, every one’s journey is different!

Katie has been blessed to be accepted into a study, The study is paying for her device but 
that still leaves insurance copays and deductibles, hospital bills, dr bills, travel expenses
(hospital  is 1.5 hrs away), and the unknowns. Any gifts that are given will be for medical and
travel expenses.

There are no words with which to express our thanks for all the prayers, love, and support we have received over the last 2 years! To God be the glory and may some one come to 
know Him through our journey!

Original Post

It is amazing how 2 words can change the way you look at life. The Dr. speaking to my wife, Katie: "It's Parkinson's." Not what you expect the doctor to tell your wife when you have a kindergartener, a 3rd grader, and a 6th grader at home.

Two years ago, Katie was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. With the help of an amazing  endocrinologist, the hyperthyroidism went into remission. But a few months after coming off of the treatment, it seemed like the symptoms were coming back. 

Then the tremor started. At the first of December, while handing out gifts to some local heroes on a special Sunday at our the church where I pastor, Katie noticed that her hand was "trembling." By the first of January, the trembling had turned into a severe tremor. 

Answers... we wanted answers. No one seemed to have answers. One doctor was sure that he had some, but all he had was a misdiagnosis and treatment that temporarily made things worse. We finally found a local doctor who would not give up getting to the bottom of Katie's affliction. She ran every test that she could, which helped us prepare to see the neurologist at the first of March. But we weren't ready for the answer. 

What now? Now we take one day at a time, and enjoy them. Every case is different. Treatments have improved to help those suffering from Parkinson's disease; however, progression and symptoms vary for each person. As of right now, there is still no cure. So as a husband and father I asked, "What can I do for my family?"

Katie grew up camping around the southeast with her family. She recalls the time with her parents and siblings fondly, and has wanted these types of experiences for our family. We have talked for years about wanting to be able to take the kids camping and being able to build some of those memories. Our kids are also actively involved in a local Tae Kwon Do school, this tool would allow us to be able to attend regional and national events. We haven't been able to save up the funds to purchase a trailer. This fund will help us purchase a small travel trailer and get us outfitted for the road, hopefully by the end of the summer.

My wish is to be able to provide this opportunity for Katie. I am a clergyman, Katie is a homemaker, and our three kids are homeschoolers. In a few years, the kids will be leaving home, and we don't know what the future will hold regarding Katie's condition. Your gift would help bring this dream to life. 

I cannot adequately express what making this dream come true would mean to us. It is something that we want for our family that we cannot provide for ourselves. You will be an agent for change in our lives, a hero. And this gift will be providing something more valuable than dollars and cents, it will help us make memories and cherish the time that we have together as a family.