Support Katie Michelle

05/27/2024

Thank you to everyone that was a part of Katie's Celebration of Life!! Katie shall forever remain deeply loved and greatly missed 💔

05/26/2024

IMPORTANT!! For anyone that received or accepted a friend request from Celebration of Katie's Life Livestreamed, it is a scam and was NOT posted or created by us. Please report it!!!! I have no idea who, but someone is attempting to benefit from the loss of Katie.
*The only things that we have are this page, Katie's obituary with links, venmo, and 1 go fund me created by Lauryn Parrella.*

05/16/2024

Thank you to all who have offered donations, loving words of kindness, and were at Kait's viewing (even if only there in heart). Kait looked beautiful, peaceful, and well, just as she had wished for. Her viewing was what she wanted for others, because thinking of others was what she lived by.

Kait's Celebration of Life is on Wednesday, May 22nd at Teeters, at 12pm, this is what she chose for herself and for others. Kait wanted to be sure that it was known that despite the pain and suffering she experienced, she also experienced love, happiness, and joy. She fought hard to be sure that each of us know that we are stronger than we think, and as difficult as things may be, "Never give up". In her words, "We got things to do!"

Kait and her story are going to create impacts even without her here on earth, because she is a powerful force and made clear exactly what her hopes, dreams, and wishes were despite knowing that she was unable to complete these things herself. This is not where her story ends, it will soon be the beginning of the next chapter.

Kaitlyn Michelle Trusz, known as “Katie Michelle” to friends and family and "Kait" to her mom, passed away peacefully after a lifetime illness on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. A resident of Woodledge in Hawley, PA, Kaitlyn was 24 years old. Katie ...

05/14/2024

Hi everyone! This is a fundraiser for Katie Michelle. As some of you … Amber Bassett needs your support for Honoring Katie Michelle: Fund for Funeral Expenses

05/11/2024

To honor Katie's lifetime legacy and memories, the following arrangements chosen by Katie and planned for by her family will include:

A Visitation that will be held on Tuesday, May 14, from 5 to 8 PM at Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St, Hawley, PA

Followed by a private cremation at Lake Region Crematory, Lake Ariel.

A Celebration of Katie’s Life will then be held at Teeters’ Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, May 22, beginning at 12:00 noon, with the eulogy and sharing of memories beginning at 2 PM.

*For the celebration Katie specifically asked for everyone to wear colorful celebratory attire.*

If you are unable to attend and would like to share a special memory or how Katie has positively impacted your life, please message this page: "Support Katie Michelle."

Hi everyone! This is a fundraiser for Katie Michelle. As some of you … Amber Bassett needs your support for Honoring Katie Michelle: Fund for Funeral Expenses

05/08/2024

Katie fought with all she had, but her body was too weak and sadly she passed away on May 7th. She passed away peacefully and is now no longer suffering. It wasn't the happily ever after ending that we had hoped for with her being able to live, but it was the way she wanted to pass by falling asleep. Thank you to all who have sent positive thoughts, well wishes, and prayers for her and to all who have loved her so much. I will update with the dates for her viewing and celebration of life once they are scheduled.

05/05/2024

Katie continues declining and her heart is continuing to flick off septic emboli throughout her brain and body. She desperately needs to show improvement very soon. She has made a comeback so many times before, but this may be the biggest or 2nd biggest comeback we are hoping for. Please keep her in your thoughts that her body can push through this time again. Thank you 💗

04/30/2024

Katie continued to struggle while being home for a short period of time. She was again hospitalized as of last week. Katie has an infection in her blood, her lungs, heart valves and wall, and possibly her brain. She needs heart surgery for a valve replacement but isn't strong enough to survive that. The Drs are working diligently to try to do what they can to help her. Katie needs all of the positivity she can get so she can hopefully beat this infection. She currently remains in the ICU.

02/29/2024

Today is Rare Disease Day!!! What many may not realize is that an unknown name for a diagnosis is also a rare disease. In Katie's case, she has both. We are still hopeful to one day have a clear name for her unnamed underlying diagnosis.

Feeling helpless when supporting someone with a rare disease? Here are some uplifting ways to make a difference: offer clear options, show availability for support, send kind gestures like gift cards or meals, listen attentively, avoid comparisons, be patient while reaching out, surprise them with thoughtful deeds, ask questions to understand their journey, and remember that every gesture counts!

02/24/2024

To answer the costly question of how much longer will Katie be hospitalized, it is expected to be a couple more weeks. We just want to go home ASAP 😭🤞

02/23/2024

Katie said thank you for the happy birthday wishes!!! We made the best of her birthday, including getting her favorite flavors.

02/23/2024

🎉 Happy 24th Birthday to Katie!!!!! 🎉 Reaching her 24th birthday was another goal on her bucket list of wishes, and she did it!!!

The day Katie was born was scheduled and she was born weighing 5lbs. 8ozs. The nurses placed a little pink yarn bow in her hair and placed her on my chest. Katie didn't cry as a baby, she was a squeaker instead, and would only let out a tiny squeak sound as a cry. Katie was tiny, but fierce, and is my oldest daughter. Throughout the years Katie has remained kind, caring, supportive, empathetic, and loving. She is an amazing younger sister to her older brother, and big sister to her younger siblings. Katie still continues to be a fierce spitfire. No matter how many times she gets knocked down, she continues to get up and doesn't allow it to impact how much she cares about others.

Though she wished to spend her birthday not hospitalized, that did not happen, but we are making the best of it and will properly celebrate it when she does make it home. We don't have a discharge date or a plan for going home yet, but hopefully it will be soon.

Happy Birthday baby girl!! Always remember how loved you are, know your worth, that you will always be enough, and all of the amazing qualities you offer to your family and the world. I love you more than you will ever know and I'm so thankful that I am blessed enough to be your mom 💞!!! 🎂🎉

02/21/2024

Facts 100% forever and always!!!

I will fight for my children's rights, wishes, safety, and best interests as long as I am breathing, regardless of age or opinions.

As a parent, it is my duty to ensure that my children have access to all they require in life. This includes fighting against those who would deny them these necessities.

My babies will always have a mom walking alongside them and no fight will be alone!!!

02/10/2024

Does anyone local know of a home infusion agency, other than Geisinger Home Infusion, that services Hawley? Thank you in advance!

02/09/2024

Katie stopped hospice and went through the local ER, but the hospitalist declined accepting her inpatient. He insisted she needed a higher level of care. She was in the ER there from Wed-Sun, and she was septic. Last Sunday, she was lifeflighted to Philly and admitted here. The sepsis has resolved, but she remains in constant pain due to continuing to pass kidney stones and such. Unfortunately, her options for comfort are extremely limited and are non existent without hospice. She has chosen not to go back on hospice at this time. Palliative care in home is not something offered where we live either, but if anyone local knows of an agency that does offer it, please let us know. Katie began receiving tpn again last night, and is being closely monitored due to not having it since late November of 2023. We are hopeful that she will be able to go back home over the next few days.

01/31/2024

I apologize for the lack of updates. Things have been a bit crazy and I haven't yet processed all that has occurred over the last few months.

Though Katie was unable to articulate it for a while, she continued fighting to live. She will be leaving hospice tomorrow and going back into the hospital. Katie will begin getting tpn again and will begin treatment for 2 bacterias causing another infection. While there is no scientific explanation for how she is still here, I have decided that she must be immortal.

Thank you all for the support and positive words of encouragement! I will try to do a better job with updates.

12/13/2023

Not much to update. Katie spends the majority of her time asleep, but she is comfortable a majority of the time. Katie is trying her best to hang on until Christmas, but the likelihood is slim. If anyone can though, it will be her.

12/07/2023

I apologize for my lack of updates but it feels like too much is happening too fast and time just needs to slow down. It's nearly impossible to process all of it and there are no words that can explain it. There have been some beautiful moments throughout this process though and though I wish this wasn't our reality, I am extremely grateful for each of these moments.

My timeline may not be exact because days and nights run together. Saturday, Katie continued to decline further and required oxygen and a med to reduce secretions. Early Sunday morning, I was on the phone with hospice as things got scarier. Suddenly, Katie's eyes flew open and she began saying, "I can see" once she realized what was happening. Her face lit up and she had the most beautiful smile and the happiest facial expressions. Her vision was blurry, but she could really see.

Then, in true Katie fashion, she announced that she wanted to go to the horse farm and to Friendly's. Katie chose Friendly's for the nostalgia, in her words. Of course it was extremely painful for her to be dressed and placed into her wheelchair, but to her it was worth it. She was exhausted and uncomfortable, but she led the day. I reached out to someone very dear to both of us with Katie's wishes for the day. Though it was a last minute request and we were delayed, in her unconditional caring fashion she made it happen and was able to spend the day with us! Katie was kissed by a beautiful horse named Ruby Red, she saw a cat and chickens, and was just so happy. At Friendly's, she chose the table and insisted that we all wear giraffe headbands, she ordered 4 or 5 different drinks (she needs her flavors, in her words 😂, though she can't actually drink but gets drops on her tongue. The entire day was beautiful and memorable, and Katie felt like a queen.

One of the special things about Katie, though there are so many, is that no matter what is happening to her or around her she continues to think of others and to continue leaving each person with a special gift on their hearts. We had an amazing waitress that was patient, kind, and so caring, but Katie sensed that she was sad. Katie took the time to talk with her and to give hugs and to remind her of her worth.

Monday, Katie required a med increase and additions due to pain and such. She was barely able to open her eyes and her vision had decreased to blurry where it remains. She spent much of the day asleep. Katie's heartbeat was recorded and will be given to us later.

Tuesday, Katie continued to sleep for much of the day, but we were able to further discuss her wishes.

Wednesday, Katie continued to sleep for much of the day. Katie's long hair is something very important to her, and my boss set it up so Katie was able to have her beautiful hair brushed out and braided, and we were able to meet new friends in the process. They also made her wish to hold a snake happen.

Katie and I have had a hand mold for years, but I kept putting off doing it out of fear that it would mean the end. I do not recommend allowing a fear of that to delay these things!! The hospice team assisted in making a hand mold of Katie's hand. The mold is not perfect, and Katie's pinky finger was broken in it, though it can be glued. The truth is that perfection doesn't exist and perfect hand mold doesn't exist, but this one is as close to perfect as exists. It is my the tiny hand, bitty fingers, and lines of Katie's hand. The broken pinky on it is another thing that shows the uniqueness of things in Katie style.

Though Katie will continue to decline throughout this process, and I hung onto hope that this time would never come, nor could I have mentally/emotionally prepared myself for it, I am hanging onto the gratitude for each special memory being created with Katie and those who love her so much.