What will you be thinking about when your life comes to an end? Some of us are taken without warning and don't have the opportunity to give that question any thought. My wife, Karen Rose Harris, was not one of those people. On December 10, 2011, Karen was told she would be leaving this world in just a few weeks. The neurosurgeon advised Karen to go home, spend time with her family and get hospice involved. That is exactly what she did!
On Wednesday, December 14, Karen had her first home-visit from Hospice of Fayette County. After the initial visit, a plan was made for a nurse to come one time a week. That quickly changed to three times a week, and soon they were coming every day. Karen died at home on January 17, 2012, just over a month after that first visit. What took place in our home in those few weeks is hard to describe. It wasn't really as much about death as it was about love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness and faith! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, so are these.
Please join me for a minute as I reflect on a journey for Karen that began in May of 2010, when she was told the results of her breast biopsy- CANCER. We don't like that word! But it didn't seem to bother Karen. She was advised to begin chemo treatments to shrink the tumor in her right breast. Before she could do that though, a hernia surgery was required. After the appropriated time for healing, Karen received her first chemo treatment. The Sunday following her first chemo treatment, Karen found herself in the operating room once again. This time an emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer! To make a long story short, as they say, complications abounded and cancer treatment was stopped and restarted several times. There was a second stomach surgery, a stubborn wound, a mastectomy, much chemo and finally radiation to her chest wall.
In the first month of the new year, 2012, it appeared that Karen was out of the woods- CANCER FREE! She had never been happier. Our first grandchild was on his way, a family vacation to Disney World was in the works and the prospect of teaching at Fayette Christian School became Karen's "Hope". Then came October.....the 4th. A scan showed several cancerous tumors in her brain. The breast cancer had metastasized. How would news like this affect you? What would your first thoughts be? The next part of her story is the best part.
Karen hardly blinked an eye. She continued to face the enemy (cancer) with a faith and trust in her Lord that never wavered. After ten whole brain radiation treatments and no positive result, Karen found herself facing death. She did it with grace and dignity. Knowing God was ready for her to come home, the focus of her life narrowed. Karen's own words from December 23 follow:
"A friend of mine asked me last week if I had any words of advice before I leave this world. I told him for Christians (those who know the Lord) - if they could grasp the truth that nothing that is done on this earth unless it is done for God and His glory - it is really worth nothing. If you could just realize this and live it, your lives would change forever and others lives also. So - love God and live for Him! For those of you who do not know where you are spending eternity, I implore you to settle it today because I would really like to see you again and that's the only way it's going to happen."
Karen was at peace with God. Are you?
The conclusion of this article is a tribute, not to Karen, but to an organization that makes it possible for you to care for your loved one in your home, Hospice of Fayette County. They provide a complete range of services and do it efficiently, with love and compassion. Without the help of these dedicated servants, Karen's story could have ended much differently. We will be forever grateful that this fine organization exists for families like ours. Please take advantage of every opportunity you have to support them.
With much love and thanks,
The family of Karen Rose Harris
Friday, February 24, 2012
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