Osborn 1

Reese Osborn
Andrea Gilbert
Senior Composition
11 September 2015
When an Incurable Sickness Changes Everything
My day started out as usual; waking up at 6:30am to begin getting ready for the school
day ahead of me. Before I could finish straightening my hair, my mom came into my room and
asked, Do you want to go to the hospital today to see Kate, or go to school?
Of course I responded with Go see Kate, duh! Katlyn and I had been best friends since
my seventh grade year, that year would have made it three. When Katlyn was a little girl, she had
a brain tumor that caused her to have to go to yearly for an MRI, but in April of 2010, the doctors
told Katlyn that she would not have to come back for any MRIs anymore. September of 2010,
right before our junior high football game against Unioto, Katlyn broke the news to us that her
cancer is back. Katlyn was 13 years old when she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma,
which was rare, but had no cure. Those two years were the hardest years I have ever endured,
but they were definitely way rougher on Katlyn and her family. Not being able to walk around
with my best friend at the fair because she didnt have the energy, not being able to get in the hot
tub or pool to swim with her because the water might have bacteria which would make her sick
was hard for me to understand at the time, often times frustrating me. Eventually, I began to
understand that Katlyn would not be able to continue to do all of the things she used to do. A lot
changed when Katlyn was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, but our friendship stayed the
same, even grew stronger.

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On February 27, 2013, my sister, mother, and I made our way up to Childrens hospital
on a cold morning. Not fully realizing what the outcome would be, my mother kept telling me,
This is going to be something youll never be able to forget. I pictured myself and everyone
coming home later that day and going to Katlyns house so she could get back in and rest, but
God had another plan. The ride up to the hospital had my mind going every direction on the
map. I knew Katlyn wasnt doing well, but I didnt know Valentines Day would be the last day
Id get a text from her.
Katlyn was on the fourth floor where she could only have two visitors at a time, and you
had to wear a gown, a head cap, and gloves. It was a very clean environment where she was,
reassuring she was in great hands. Katlyn could talk because of the breathing ventilator
machine, but her counts were dropping. Many hours passed, and my mom had to take my sister
back home because she had to work, but she let me stay up there. She told me to ride home with
Cassie and her mom, friends of Katlyn and I, but no one left that night. Her counts went back up
two hours after my mom had left. With so much excitement, I called my mom to tell her the
marvelous news, but she knew something I did not. No one told the kids that her counts
dropping and then raising were a terrible thing, because in the past, it was excellent news. The
rest of the day consisted of more prayers and a few more tears. Katlyns nurse told us that
Katlyn was going to be moved up to the twelfth floor. All of the kids thought it was for a quieter
place to rest so we could get ready to go home, but all of the adults knew it was for a more
peaceful place for her to pass on.
Once Katlyn was moved up to the new floor and room, there were no rules on how many
people could be in her room at once. Knowing this, all of the friends gathered around her
hospital bed, listening to Country Girl Shake it for Me by Luke Bryan and talking about all of

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our memories together. From cheer camp, to the fair, to Luke Bryan concerts, to dough fights in
her living room, we talked about it all. Reminiscing on the fun days is a great memory I still
hold close to my heart today that I didnt realize I would cherish so much at the time.
Many of the people Katlyn loved came up to see her that day, and they all had an idea of
what was happening. But her friends still did not. We took over the waiting area on the twelfth
floor, filling the room with the maximum capacity and more. We slept on the hard cold floor of
the waiting room that night. The floor was very comfy compared to the old cloth chairs in the
waiting room. Once our parents told us what was really happening, none of us would leave
Katlyns side. Time passed, and it seemed like it wasnt very long until the family had told us to
come in and say our last goodbyes. All of the friends gathered around her bed, we held her hand
and cried. Telling her everything would be alright without us still lingers in my mind today.
When the other friends left, I stayed a few moments longer. When I told Katlyn that I loved her
and goodbye, she held my hand tighter and said, Please dont go! Those words broke my
heart, as tears rolled down my face like a bad thunderstorms rain; I left the room and ran straight
to my mommy so I could cry. Once all of the goodbyes were finished, we all gathered back
together in the waiting room and fell asleep. Wayne, Katlyns dad, came into the room around
three oclock in the morning on February 28, and told us Katlyn had passed away about ten
minutes ago. The news he brought was the news we all dreaded to hear. Wayne said, Katlyn
has gone to be with the lord, peaceful and loved. Many different reactions were seen. Some of
us cried tears of sorrow, some of us had tears of joy because we knew she was no longer in pain,
but I, couldnt cry. I couldnt smile or laugh. I grabbed my friend Colton, and held him tight, not
knowing if I was still able to stand anymore. It was as if my body was numb. When the situation
became reality, I finally let my emotions go. But not in front of anyone because Katlyns mother

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and father were being so strong, I felt that I had to do the same. When the days of her visitation
and funeral came along, I couldnt hold my emotions in anymore. I cried over and over again,
because once I saw the carriers close Katlyns casket I knew then that the whole situation was
final; it all became clear knowing I really wouldnt ever see her again.
Losing Katlyn has given me a brand new perspective on life. Many people take life for
granted, but Katlyn did not. When she was fighting for her life on a breathing ventilator, there
were others out there texting and driving, having way too much to drink and getting behind the
wheel of a car, and so on. As Katlyn was lying in that bed, all of this ran through my mind.
Standing there, holding Katlyns hand as she gasped for air, I saw life from a brand new
perspective. I realized that tomorrow is never guaranteed, and to make sure all of your loved
ones know how much you love them, so that it is never doubted. Katlyn sure did. Others saw
Katlyn as a person who was sick and couldnt do anything with them as she used to, but I saw
Katlyn as a girl who had an incurable sickness and needed a friend, which started mine and
Katlyns friendship. Katlyn treated everyone with respect and kindness. A lot has changed since
Katlyn has left, but I will always keep her memory alive!