Kara Hathcox

Kara Hathcox, age 39, of Austin came full circle on Tuesday, April 23 after an epic struggle with breast cancer. She was born on April 23, 1974 in Garland, Texas to Karen Dale and Ronda Hathcox and had a brother and sister. She graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1992 and attended the University of Texas at Austin. Bound by love in 1998 to Keith Hilsabeck, they ebbed and flowed through the experiences of life for 15 years. Blessed with two children, Gregory Andrew and Miko Sol, who gave them direction, purpose and great joy. Kara was a pillar of strength and a force to be reckoned with. She was loved by many, feared by few, respected by all. She will be missed. Kara is survived by her grandmother, Margie Dale Hathcox, father, Karen Dale Hathcox, mother, Ronda Drake, brother, Justin Hathcox, sister, Amanda Hathcox, husband, Keith Hilsabeck, sons, Gregory and Miko, aunts and cousins. A casual gathering of family and friends will be held at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 3rd of May 2013, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Kara loved bright colors, so please honor her with your most festive attire. In lieu of flowers, Kara's family asks that memorial gifts be made in her honor to Austin Montessori School, Austin Hospice Christopher House, Friends of Deep Eddy, Save Our Springs Alliance, or the Sierra Club. Peace, Love, Happiness. Condolences may be sent towww.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.

Eeyore's Birthday

Kara and I have gone to many many Eeyore birthdays. It's such a fun event. It's always on the last saturday of april. Please come out and enjoy the beautiful day with us....

Full Circle

keith here, kara died early this morning on the day of her birth, 39 years young, she was a character alright. my many thanks to everyone in their support through this difficult time. the memorial service will be held on May 3rd at 10 AM at cook/walden funeral home on north lamar across from the dps. in the mean time, reflect, breath, embrace and enjoy.....

Kara

Kara died peacefully









another couple of her favorites:

Monday's Update

Plans have changed.  On Saturday Kara slept nearly the whole day with only a few wakings.  She ate and drank very little.  She did not eat and drink on Sunday or today.  She is sleeping.  She is peaceful.  She is not in pain.  Kara's room is quiet and dark with soft music playing.  She is not receiving an IV or oxygen.  She continues to receive her various pain and comfort medications through her port and she has a catheter. 

We do not know how much longer our Kara will be with us.  In the meantime she is peaceful, which is what we've all been hoping for.

This is a time for the family to be with Kara and with each other.  We, her friends, have done all we can to support Kara.  Now we step back, temporarily, to allow her family this important moment together.  

Hugs to you all,

Janice

Staying at Christopher House until Monday

Hello friends,

Kara is going to stay through the weekend at Christopher House.  The plan for now is that she will come home on Monday.  For these past weeks Kara's pain has been behind her right eye but now she has pain on the left side of her face, in her left leg and her breathing sometimes is labored.  She has also slowed down quite a bit, energetically.  The amazing people at Christopher House respond to her immediately and give her medications that ease her pain and keep her comfortable.  Her blend of medication is complicated, so staying through the weekend is a very good thing.  

Kara's room has a door to a lovely outside brick walk that wraps around the building.  She has enjoyed many rides in her wheelchair in the fresh air. She can listen to her favorite music, eat her cake and have her family with her.  There are many volunteers at the Christopher House that play music or bring their dog to visit patients and I'm sure other things as well.  It's a pretty special place and although Kara wishes she were home, it is a wonderful alternative.

It is still important that we give them space and have no visiting. 

Please keep Keith, Gregory and Miko in your hearts.  Keith is, as Kara says, her "rock".  He truly is amazing to watch.  His absolute love for Kara, Gregory and Miko is unending and beautiful. 

I'm attaching a video of Kara's favorite song from The Head and The Heart.  It's called Lost in My Mind.  It's a good one.  Kara knows every word, even when she's sleeping!

Keep singing, dancing and laughing, friends,

Janice

Christopher House

Kara is at Christopher House starting this evening. It is a part of the Hospice that provides 24 hour medical care. They will be making sure she's taking all the medicine she needs to take care of her pain and keep her comfortable. Kara's pain is mostly on the right side of her face and right eye, due to the large tumor behind her right eye.  Having a stay at Christopher House will also give Keith a chance to get some much needed sleep. The Hospice folks say that usually people stay at the Christopher House for just a few days. Their goal is to get the meds in order, which they mostly are for Kara, and help Kara be back in the comfort of her home as soon as possible. Kara seemed fine about going there. She said, "I should get packed!"

Christopher House is a wonderful place for Kara to be.  Because she is there to get her medications in order, Keith is asking that there be NO VISITORS while she is there. Those of us in her daily care will be there and Miko and Gregory can be there too.  We will update you as soon as there is more information.

Here is some information about Christopher House:

http://www.hospiceaustin.org/about-hospice-austin/hospice-austins-christopher-house/

Keep the music and love flowing,

Janice

Update from Janice

Kara is resting more and more these days.  The large tumor behind her right eye is growing and bothers her more each day so Keith keeps her comfortable with oxycontin among other medications.  She continues to crave chocolate, coffee, cats and music, although she likes the music to be quieter now.  

Because of Kara's need for more rest, Keith asks that visits be limited and that there be no visits after 6pm.  I urge you to call or text Keith ahead of time if you need to come over to make sure it is the right time.  If you are bringing food, supplies, or anything else, please leave them at their front door. 

What we can all do is send them our love.  Play some music Kara loves.  In these last months Kara has especially loved listening to Bob Schneider, The Head and The Heart, Nirvana, Phish and maybe you know some other music she loves that you could play for yourself while sending strength to this dear, dear family.  

~Janice

Kara, Keith, Gregory, Miko and Kara's Mother Ronda at Mayfield park.

Time is Precious

Keith here, Kara has certainly slowed down, the hospice nurse said today it was time to up the dosage of medications so they'd be more effective....well, since her visit, it seems I've been plowing through the morphine, the nighttime routine of dilaudid an hour before bed seems like a band aid on a broken leg, she is withering, I was joking that all the chocolate and coffee would keep her alive for a few days after she died, now shes complaining of stomach aches, hell, who wouldn't...but we all know kara is a little set in her ways and can be some what stubborn at times, so we're just taking it day by day and trying to make the best of it......most certainly appreciate the continued support and positive vibes, until next time, dance in the rain, peace k

Sands of Time

Well, the hospice doctor and the oncologist seem to be on the same page with similar time frames until kara dies, a couple weeks. she is not in pain and is her usual hard headed self.  it has been good for her to see old friends and family....I can see the twinkle in her eye as she remembers old times. I still offer continued thanks to everyone who is helping in these difficult times. enjoy the day, and as kara would say, have some coffee and chocolate.....

It takes a village....

to raise a child, what true words. It also seems to take an expedition to put a couple of people on top of the world. It also seems to take the efforts of thousands to put a few folks into space.  As I trudge on through this journey,  I truely believe that I wouldn't be here without the support and love from everyone that we know, and again, I thank you and love you all.  Karas beautiful smile is so radiant...even after eating nine pieces of cake, like innocence and joy in pure form, she still melts my heart and brings a flood of memories....

peace k