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Kathy passed away on May 26, 2001. Kathy went home to be with the Lord yesterday. She did not suffer nor was she in any pain. The last thing we heard from her was laughter. Know you all were such a support to her as I'm sure she was to you. Kristi, Michael, and I are going to miss her very much, but we know she's in a much better place now where she can breathe. -- Lee Evans |
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February 21, 2000 I am going to begin starting my diary of the PH illness that I was diagnosed with in March 1992. I'm not sure where to begin so I guess the best place is at the beginning. In January, 1992 I was the President of our sons high school choral group. We were planning a trip to the East Coast for the choir to compete at Kennedy Center. I was feeling some shortness of breath and decided that I needed to get checked out by my doctor before I went on this trip. We had taken the choir to Europe in 1990 and experienced a little shortness of breath but my husband Lee was with me and I felt very secure. I just thought that I was out of condition. I had not exercised like I should have been doing so I figured that the reason for the SOB was because of that. Well when we were planning the trip to the East Coast I was not feeling any better. Probably a little worse. Since Lee was not going to go with us I decided that I did not want to become a burden to anyone so I made the appointment with my gastro doctor. February 22, 2000 The gastro doc sent me to the cardioligist who did a cath on me. That is when they told me that I had PPH. Later they changed it to SPH because of the liver disease I had and ended up having a shunt put in. So the SPH was from the shunt. We were told that if I wanted any quality of life of what life I had left, we needed to get out of the smog. We lived in Southern California at this time. So we picked up our life and moved to a state (Texas) where we knew no one. The doctors in Calif. said to get out of the smog but they didn't know about the humidity in Texas. Does the same thing. Oh Well. This all took place in 1992. Then the SPH pretty took an even keel just being on CCB's. Until 1997 - when my heart started racing. Had a really bad time for a few months until the docs decided that I needed a pacemaker. So that procedure was done in Dec. 1997. Then last March I found a lump in my breast and within a week and a half I had had a masectomy done. Since it was found so soon and taken care of immediately they were able to get all of the cancer. I now am on a medication for 5 years for that. All the while the SPH has been going smoothly. I do have SOB. I can't walk any amount of distance and my activites around the house are pretty normal except for cleaning the floors. That one isn't bad tho. The main thing that I have learned over the last 24 years of illness is that I TAKE CONTROL OF MY LIFE. Ultimately God is in control but I made sure that I know all that is going on with the doctors, labs, etc. I have a large notebook that I keep all the lab work in it. I have never let a doctor tell me that he would not give me my records or copies of labs. I demand them. The docs I have now are great about it. They already have a copy for me when they come in the room. I give praise to God and his grace for seeing me thru these years. When I was told 24 years ago in an ICU room that I probably would not come out alive I gave it all to God. He has taken the control and has seen we thru everything that He has allowed me to go thru. I know for me that I would not be the person I am today had I not been allowed to go thru the last 24 years. My faith, my testimony, who I am. My faith has grown so deep that I don't doubt Him. My testimony is such that it has reached other people who have had less problems to be able to deal with what was given to them. In the Bible there is a scripture that basically says "He will Not Give Us More Than We Can Handle" I believe that. But I also have added a postscript to that. Mother Teresa one said. "Thank you Lord for trusting me enough to handle the load you have given me". That is who I am with this illness. Lessons that I've learned: 1. Life is very valuable 2. I've learned to see the beauty around us. 3. I have learned that no one cares more about me living as much as I do. So in all of his infinite wisdom He knew what would make me the person I am today. For the I Praise Him. I also know that there isn't a doctor on the face of the earth that knows when I will go home to be with my Lord. Only He does. Therefore I don't listen to what they say about death sentences. I have a life sentence and I plan on living it well. February 22, 2000 Just alittle about who I am. My name is Kathy Evans, I am 53 years old. I am married to the most wonderful man on earth. His name is Lee. He is the one who believed with all his heart what the vows meant 35 years ago. I has lived up to them and the promise to me and has never wavered from them. I am a moderator on the PH-Inspire list. This is new and I am grateful for the opportunity to help. I also am on a few commitees at our church. We go to First Baptist Church. Lee is the Minister of Music. Also in his spare time he is on the City Council and does custom woodworking. We have two children. Kristi age 30 who is married to Brad. Kristi is a child phys. and Brad is an airline pilot with Southwest. Our son Michael is 26 and is in the middle of seminary to become and preacher. I guess I could have told you when they were little ones what they would do for a living. Kristi always like to psyco analize her dad and me and Michael loved to preach at us. I thank God that He allowed me to live to help Lee raise our kids. We have been truly blessed with them.
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