Love for Kathy Fund

I dont know how many people can say that they have been blessed with the friendship of the same person for over 45 years. For over the last 30 years my friend has fought to be here. She has beaten death numerous times. Many people sail through life and never know the pain of a loved ones death let alone the struggle it takes to survive daily. Kathy Conrad is the strongest, generous, most heartful soul that I know. I know many that are reading this have been touched by her wit or wisdom. No matter her struggle she always sees a bright side, a rainbow as some would say. Her view on the world, no matter her own struggle is that each day is a gift from God and that we should live it to the fullest. At the age of 20 she had her first meeting with near death when her pelvis was crushed by a tractor trailer. How she survived none of us know. She not only survived, she thrived! She went on to marry a wonderful man with two children who she adopted and calls her own, God blessed them with their own child, whom they named Angel. Again, another miracle, she was never suppose to be able to carry a child after the accident. Beyond having the pain of burying her parents she had to bury her twin brother at the age of 36. About this time she was diagnosed with immune deficiency disorder. It was a tough diagnosis and she suffered for a long time before they were able to correctly diagnose it. This disease attacks your immune system and makes your body unable to fight even the slightest colds. For years she has gone for blood infusions. She would go monthy to the hospital for them. Now her and Keith administer these infusions weekly at home by themselves. She has been poked, proded, scanned more than one can ever imagine. She has once again beaten death and has outlived the time that was given her at diagnosis. Upon this diagnosis and the onset of this sickness she was forced to leave her job at Snyder's of Hanover as a Quality Control Assistant. Her husband Keith has always been by her side. He has continued to support his family as an over the road tractor trailer driver. My friend has spent alot of days and nights alone. One of the results of immuune deficiency disorder is stomach cancer. YES, she got that too!! She decided to be proactive and before the cancer had a chance to run through the rest of her organs and body, she had her stomach removed. Yes, her whole stomach. After the surgery there were some complications and she went into septic shock. She almost met death again but she survived and went on to live her live without a stomach! That was almost 3 years ago. I don't know if you all can imagine what it is like to live with out a stomach but I know you can't!! She struggles ever day just to eat. She tries to gain an ounce. To stay a even weight. If that what you call 95 pounds Everyday she smiles though !! Her latest battle has been with high levels in her blood that point to bone cancer. After a pet scan I am glad to say that didnt find any. Nope!! Now however, Keith, her husband has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and the DOT has taken him off the road until they can control this with medications. Thankfully it is working! Keith has successfully been the breadwinner for his family all these years. They are struggling to say the least. Their medical bills are astronmical. Her weekly infusions alone cost around $8,000. My friend is now going to be 54 years old and I would really like to see her be able to work on her bucket list. She can really use some financial help and neither of them would ever ask. She struggles to live everyday, when the rest of us take that for granted. The love they have for each other always trumps there struggles. No matter their struggles they always find time to help others. Somoe question the existence of God. I don't, she is still here. She has touched many of your lives, not just mine, lets help her.