Karla has had a long and painful struggle with ARD and those of you who don't know who she is will find her on the adhesions quilt. Unfortunately it hasn't been updated recently and so her latest struggles aren't recorded there.
She is a tough, passionate and caring person who struggles to regain her dignity after a disastrous urostomy left her with a leaking seal, making socialising an uncomfortable experience for her... there is always a lingering odour of urine surrounding her, making a social occasion embarrassing and uncomfortable.
Her greatest passion is her daughter and granddaughters and deceased grandson who died from SIDS. Karla wants more than anything for people to understand the dangers of surgery and chasing after that seemingly elusive "pain free" place that we all crave.
She is a tough and inspirational lady and a friend I have admired since our early introductions when I first stumbled across the IAS message board. When I read this morning that she had opened her eyes for a short time, it didn’t surprise me. Karla still has a few goals on her checklist and she will do her best to fulfil each goal before she leaves this earth.
Karla would appreciate our prayers and support and I know she would also want us to continue the fight for awareness and the education of adhesions sufferers, the general public and the medical communities.... letting people see and understand what it is truly like to live in our tortured worlds.
To you Karla, my dear friend I send up my silent and constant prayers that you receive the best of care, the love and support of your family and your thousands of friends around the world via the IAS, Bombo and the UKAS and I pray that you find peace Karla. May the will of God rest easily upon you and your family and whatever path he has chosen for you now my friend is the one you are ready to follow.
With all my love, my fondest regards, warmest most gentle and heart felt hugs, Jojo.
-- Joanne Eslick Founder Australian Adhesions Support Group http://www.bombobeach.com NSW Australian Co-ordinator of International Adhesions Society http://www.adhesions.org
-- I am not a medical person, and all my messages are based on personal experience. I am a fellow adhesions sufferer reaching out to help others.