07 November 2010

the wedding


The wedding.

Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. 
Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. 
This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005.  
Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. 
Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions... 

Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, 
with the help of morphine, Katie took care of 
every single part of the wedding planning.  
Her dress had to be adjusted several times 
due to Katie 's constant weight loss. 

An expected guest was her oxygen tank. 
Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. 
The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, 
very emotional with the wedding and to see their son 
marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent. 

Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband 
and friends singing to her. 

In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest 
for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does not allow 
her to stand for long period of time.

Katie died 5 days after her wedding. 
To see a fragile woman dress as bride 
with a beautiful smile makes you think... 
Happiness is always there within reach, 
no matter how long it lasts.  
Lets enjoy life and don't live a complicated life.   
Life is too short.

Work as if it was your first day.  
Forgive as soon as possible.
Love without boundaries.  
Laugh without control and never stop smiling.  
Please hope for those suffering from cancer.   

Keep this going. 


This e-mail is making 
it's way around the national Hospice Nurse circles...
They asked that we pass it all around,
And spread the word!

31 comments:

  1. Thank you, Anne. A very touching reality check. What a loving young man, to give his heart and love knowing it was so short a time. Loving unreservedly...

    "Lets enjoy life and don't live a complicated life.
    Life is too short."

    Makes me want to just get over myself, and get on with the truly important things.

    Loretta
    =^..^=

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, that is both inspiring and soul crushing. Great post.

    Polar's Mom
    www.polarspage.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful wedding and bride! I truly live in hope that one day they will find a cure.
    In our family we currently have 4 people battling cancer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. might be the most beautiful thing i've ever read. thanks, anne.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Life is indeed too short to not live it fully.

    ReplyDelete
  6. *sob*

    I catch myself hitching a ride on the drama train several times a day (aka traveling to "what's not happening-ville"), you know, that imaginary place in my mind where I am the STARRING attraction, always the romantic dramatic lead, and the most tragic figure, simultaneously.

    Yeah. Well this kind of beauty brings me straight back to the present, where all real beauty manifests.

    Thanks for sharing!

    -Robin

    ReplyDelete
  7. I saw that a while ago... it certainly brings tears to the eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have seen this before as well and it still brought tears to my eyes, there is so much cancer in this world and I have so many in my life who are living with it right now, it is an epedemic. Love that you are a nurse....:-)Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So touching and inspiring. Thanks for posting this, Anne.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I googled Kate and saw a few more pictures of them. This is a story of strong belief and strong love.
    What a beautiful young woman and courageous couple. This is such an emotional story and it is true, not fiction. Just amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's why I actually do love my job as a Hospice Nurse.
    And I never tire of it....
    We can bring comfort to people when they need it the most.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've seen that before and it just breaks my heart! :(

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love this - it's just so touching!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful love story!

    I need to find a "Have you hugged a hospice nurse today?" bumper sticker ...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seeing those pics gives such a complex feeling. Part joy cause she clearly looked like a woman in love and a normal bride in that regard. Sad cause she looks so thin and fragile. And then the blow of reading of her death.

    And yet, the advice is sound and the pictures just strengthen the power of the words:


    Work as if it was your first day.
    Forgive as soon as possible.
    Love without boundaries.
    Laugh without control and never stop smiling.

    Being human is awful and wonderful...at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am new to your blog and what a profound post this was!!

    This union was indeed blessed from the start..

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks Anne. Food for the Soul.
    Counting on love not calories to bring us joy.
    Simple and True.

    ReplyDelete
  19. H Anne, Just back from vacation and you're my first visit! Hope life is treating you good. This is a powerful message and a heart-breaking one too. We lost my step-sister to cancer in May-- it's a nasty disease. I will pass this on to my friends. Then I'm off to catch up on your posts from the past week. Cheers, xo jj

    ReplyDelete
  20. GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
    Old Time is still a-flying:
    And this same flower that smiles to-day
    To-morrow will be dying.

    The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, 5
    The higher he 's a-getting,
    The sooner will his race be run,
    And nearer he 's to setting.

    That age is best which is the first,
    When youth and blood are warmer; 10
    But being spent, the worse, and worst
    Times still succeed the former.

    Then be not coy, but use your time,
    And while ye may, go marry:
    For having lost but once your prime, 15
    You may for ever tarry.

    Robert Herrick. 1591–1674

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cancer is a bitch! Thanks for the reminder to appreciate what we have in front of us today and not take it for granted!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a beautiful post!! My cousin is dying of cancer......she will leave behind 5 young adult kids. Cancer scares me so!

    ReplyDelete
  23. what a beautiful and sad story, love is a wonderful thing. thanks for sharing. hugs

    ReplyDelete
  24. Tears here. Thank you for sharing this; oh cancer, how I hate you so.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great message, sad post..but I think it definitely gets the word across!

    ReplyDelete
  26. so incredibly sad and beautiful at the same time... as soon as i get my computer back i have to share this.

    now i'm off to catch the rest of your post i missed, i know they will make me smile :)

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you!