Many of you know that I have had a very challenging life. My journey has not been an easy one. The surgery that I am preparing for tomorrow is directly related to that trauma.
There are not enough studies done on the physical effects of child sex trafficking and child marriage. Tomorrow is my surgery to repair my internal organs, this has been a year long process of experiencing the effects of trauma on my body.
At this point, there is nothing holding my bladder inside my body. I first experienced something last year when I was teaching middle and high school students. My body experienced some changes that left me unable to stand for long periods of time. I was not aware of how serious this was until I had further tests done, this year. Now, I am at a stage III for this type of repair. Without going into to much details (because it is embarrassing), I will say that what my doctors have told me is that the trafficking experiences I had as a child has contributed to this.
As I try and push through every obstacle that life throws at me, I am reminded that my body keeps the score of all of the trauma that I have gone through. From sex trafficking as a child from 13-17, to forced child marriage and all of the abuse and exploitation that came with that for over 20 years, to my first dating experience in Miami after divorce ending in sexual assault by a federal agent who was part of our human trafficking task force just four years ago, my body just cannot take anymore sexual abuse before it began to shut down.
I have tried to recover from all of these traumas but physically my body just could not take anymore. I recovered from open heart surgery from a heart aneurysm 3 years ago, heart failure last year from working with the UN followed by 2 more surgeries, and dental surgery last week. I hope that this surgery tomorrow is the last surgery I will have to undergo for a long time! But, no matter what life throws at me I am not going to give up! There are too many survivors who are depending on me to make it through. Will you please be a blessing to them & to me while I am in recovery?
Since I do not have any family to help me get through this, any help you can provide is a blessing to me.
The most important thing to me is your love, prayers and support. With that I can get through anything! Your gifts either through this campaign or my Amazon wishlist let me know that I am not alone and there is a community out there who cares about me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and to care. I will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow morning and will spend the night there. My recovery time is about six weeks.
Sending you all lots of love and gratitude.
Sincerely,
Kat
UPDATE
Hi Everyone, Thankyou for supporting me during my recovery. I am one week out from my surgery. I did have to go back to the ER because I was in a lot of pain. But I have a wonderful doctor who is taking great care to help me manage my pain. She says it should be another week before the pain stops.
I am home now and resting comfortably.
I will keep you updated.
Thankyou again for your love and support! It means the world to me, especially as I have no family to help.
God bless you and yours.
Love,
Kat
12/14/24
I came to the ER this morning after throwing up. They are admitting me. I have appendicitis and need to have ANOTHER surgery. What is going on?!!
Please pray for me. I will keep you all updated as I am able.
God bless
Hi Everyone,
The surgery went well yesterday. Just experiencing some swelling.
I just want to say thank you for praying!
I would love to hear from you with my Amazon wishlist if anything on here is something you would like to send. It goes straight to my house. I have been told I cannot carry more than 10 lbs. so the collapsible wagon is my #1, followed by door dash since I will be alone during the holidays.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2H214HE98AHGN?ref_=wl_share
I should be heading home soon.
Thankyou for your love and support during this difficult and unusual time for me.
Love,
Kat
Update
12/15/24
Hi everyone,
I just got the update from my surgeon, he said that my appendix needed to come out.
I’m very thankful for the medical care I am receiving here where they are catching this kind of stuff. They were worried my heart aneurysm came back because of the symptoms but thankfully it was not and they were able to remove the appendix successfully. The hospital bills are racking up, I do have $2,445 left to pay from my dental surgery and $1,000 from the other surgery. So, I’m sharing this all with you because it is so much to handle when I can’t go out speaking to earn money right now.
I appreciate you all & want to send a heartfelt Thankyou to everyone for praying and donating/supporting the wishlist. Especially those within our Jewish community and others.
With love,
Kat
UPDATE
12/16/24
I am home safe and sound. I recovered well from the emergency surgery for appendicitis on Saturday.
Hopefully, now I can truly begin to heal and work on taking good care of myself. This will mean setting some boundaries on work and life so that I am able to be well and carry the mission of helping survivors forward.
God bless you and thank you so much for your partnership, help and support to me during this process of health and recovery. I look forward to receiving all of your lovely gifts and notes of encouragement.
With Warm Regards to You and Yours for the Holiday Season,
Kat