Chips

The other day, I got some free chips in the mail. They were from Way Better Snacks and they were so good. First off, you don't have to use salsa or cheese on top of them because they already are topped with different flavors. I just loved them, especially the spicy kind!

KD's Boutique

So, my mom and I are starting a new project. We will be opening a small online boutique with everything you can think of! Clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, etc. Obviously the name KD is our initials! I'm not sure if I'll be making it on this page or making a new page but I will keep you posted. Much love! Katie

Mickey Button

Today I had my feeding tube replaced. My feeding tube, also known as a Mickey button, is used to feed me during the day and night. I still eat but I don't get enough calories by myself. Since I don't get enough calories, I am fed with ensure through my button so that I can get enough calories to maintain my weight.
Not much is going on today. I am on my way to dialysis. Dialysis really takes a lot out of ya. Unfortunately I need it to live. I hope by the summer I am strong enough to get a kidney transplant. My brother is getting tested to see if he'd be a match. I truly am lucky to have such a wonderful, caring and loving family. They are all so supportive.
Another thing I might be doing is writing a book. I've been thinking about it lately, I just don't know where I could get it published or if anyone would read it. They might!?
I'm also looking for an online job. I need a job so bad. I can't keep living on such a minimum income. I am more than capable of doing work online, I just need to find something to do. If you're reading this and you need help doing something that I can do online or over Skype, let me know. Or if you have ever had luck with an online company, I would love to hear about your experience, just leave me a comment!
Well, I'm signing off for today. May rearrange my blog a little bit! Love to you all and thanks for reading! Katie

Vlog Update

BUY A T-SHIRT HERE!!!

Update 2/12

I have been in the hospital for a week now. I came in with a fever and some other things. One of the things that is going on is the tumors in my lungs are bigger than they were before. Tonight I am being admitted into the ICU to be given a chemo treatment and make sure I don't react negatively to it. Another issue is my weight and weight gain. I'm not gaining weight. My doctor is concerned that I am so malnourished that any chemo I get will just end up hurting me so we're at a catch 22. I'm still going to be getting the chemo tonight and hope I tolerate it. Nothing else has been going on lately just trying to stay ahead health wise which isn't working well on my part although I am getting more stable on my feet. I haven't had any falls in a couple of weeks. And I've still been cooking more (if you read my previous blogs)! Well that's all for now... Will update again soon! -Katie

Also, please if you want to support us you can buy a shirt!

www.booster.com/TeamPrager

Smiley360

I found a new site that you are able to fill out surveys and receive free products! Go to: http://h5.sml360.com/-/1twho and sign up today! Easy and free! Katie

Katie's Kitchen!

So lately I have been interested in cooking! I have had tons of fun making new things and having my family try them out. I honestly have never been fond of cooking until recently. I figured that I would start sharing some of my special creations here so you can try them out for yourself! I'll be posting my first creation (along with pictures and videos sometimes)!


For now I have another announcement. We are selling t-shirts again. Since getting my diagnosis of cancer and having to stay up in Pittsburgh longer and getting more medical bills, we are trying to raise money but not just donations. I'd rather offer something you can buy than just ask for money. So, if you want, please feel free to order a t-shirt! If not, I'd love for you to spread the word! You can order your t-shirt at:

www.booster.com/TeamPrager

Thank you so much! And be on the lookout for my new cooking posts!

Katie

Kidneys

I really need prayers right now. All I want for Christmas is my kidneys to work. Right now I'm doing dialysis 4 times a week and when I get discharged from the hospital I'll have to do outpatient dialysis. I really hate dialysis and pray to God my kidneys start working. I don't want to go through another transplant. Katie 

Rehab

I am now in physical and occupational rehab. I actually moved floors from 9 in Presby to 11 in a different hospital a street away. I like rehab because they work you hard! 

I'll get to go home on the 25th, atleast that's the projected date. I won't get to go home as in Kentucky, but I'll get to leave the hospital and go to the apartment that my mom has rented and has been staying at since June. My goal is to be home in Kentucky by Christmas. I've had that goal for a while now, and I'm destined to make it happen. 

Since I've been in rehab, I've made so much progress. I can sit up from my wheelchair by myself. I can climb a flight of stairs. I can get up from the couch. As this next week progresses, I know I will continue to complete my goals. My biggest goal I have is that I want to walk with no assistance, which I am already doing, but I want to be more stable with my walk. 

I will keep working hard! This next week is going to go by fast. Make sure to keep up with my progress! Katie

Love

Love is a beautiful thing. 

Some are lucky enough to find it in this life. 

Others aren't so lucky. 

Where do you fall. Are you one of the lucky ones. 

Me

This is me. My trach is capped which means I am only breathing with the help of very little oxygen through my nasal canula. Tomorrow I hope my oxygen needs are less. Everyday is progress now. Everyday is a blessing. 

Amen

God is good, God is great, thank you for my lungs. Amen!

25!

August 26, 1990, I was born! That's right, tomorrow is my birthday! I am quarter of a century years old. I can't believe it! The past few years have been some of the hardest but I'm in the homestretch now. I'm making it through. I am so close to being the healthiest I've ever been. It's like this birthday is my year to start over. I can't wait! Thank you guys for following my journey! Katie

Another OR Day!

Well, I went back to the OR today. I've been going every other day to have the wound vac on my chest changed and cleaned. Mom went home today and so dad is staying up here now. Here's hoping to getting better and moving forward in the right direction. Please keep praying. I need them. 

Katie 

Giving Up

Since my blog post from yesterday, many people have told me to keep fighting and not to give up. I just want to assure everyone I'm far from giving up! I didn't come this far and work this hard to give it all up now. My fighting gloves are on. I may have a lot of set backs but it's not gonna tear me down. 

Katie 

Wow!

I haven't updated my blog in so so long. Since I've updated back in June there have been so much that has went on. Let me update!

Sometime in June I became unable to breathe and was put on the ventilator. On July 9th, I received my life saving double lung transplant. The road to recovery has been hard ever since. It's been a month and a half and I still don't know what it's like to breathe well. I've went back to the OR a few times. I have a wound vac on my chest because I had an infection and I wasn't healing. I have also dealt with pneumonia. I went down to two chest tubes but now have three (I got a new one yesterday). I am back in the ICU and have been since yesterday. I hope to get back up to the 9th floor tomorrow afternoon or the next day. I was hoping to get out of the hospital by my birthday but unless something drastic happens, I won't be. I ask everyday to go home and they keep saying I'll make it but I'm not sure I'm believing them anymore. 

Can't Take This

.. The past 3 days I've been scratching my skin off, literally. I'm so itchy. I'm so uncomfortable. I'd rather be covered in bee stings than this. I need relief. -Katie 

List!!!

I am officially on the LUNG TRANSPLANT LIST!!!!!! Yay!!!!! 

Dalton is also doing better. He has had a rough past few days. He was on the ventilator and wasn't doing too well. Thankfully things are starting to look up for him. -Katie

Update

I'm feeling really sick. I'm worse than I was last week. My breathing is so bad I literally want to crawl the 10 feet to the bathroom. Bipap is being used during the day and settings need to be readjusted. My blood levels bounce around and stay out of whack. Kidneys are problematic. I've never ever felt this bad before. I keep reminding myself that good things are coming! My transplant is gonna get here and I'm gonna LIVE not just survive. I have more mental strength than I will ever have physically! I'd give anything to go home, even the doctors would like for me to go home because it'd be good for my mind but I just can't make it. I really want my family to come to me. More than anything. 

Good news update: I've been accepted by insurance and UPMC to be reevaluated!!!!! Still not out of the woods yes but it's actually starting to happen. I can't believe it!!!! Please God let this process work out. I need it more than anything. I should be getting transferred by air within the next few days.

I love you guys  

-Katie

                        My new port!!

Lonely

I'm just feeling down today. I am lonely even if I have visitors. I want to go home. Maybe next week I will get to go home for a bit before going to Pittsburgh they said. I miss my dogs. I miss living. I hate seeing everyone around me live and go about their normal lives when all I do is sit here and get pumped full of meds to stay alive. It sucks. It really sucks. Today just sucks. -Katie