story by Alexis Grantham | photography by Faren Kilpatrick
As the saying goes, and 1 Corinthians 10:13 reflects, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” We’ve all been tested, some more than others, but through faith, we are able to overcome our trials. Not many have fallen witness to this quite as much as Katelyn “Kate” Whitlow-Boone. For Kate, what began with a minor spine curvature quickly grew into a severe case of scoliosis, far worse than any of her doctors had seen. Multiple tests, several doctor visits at MUSC, and major spine surgery couldn’t deter her faith and the fact that He would be by her side throughout the entire journey.
In 2017, at the young age of 12, Kate was diagnosed with scoliosis. “I had always known I had it but the hump on my back got bigger that summer and the pain had increased tremendously,” said Kate. After a summer visit to her uncles home in Alabama, Kate’s ideas became a reality. Her uncle, a pediatrician, noticed her curved back and immediately wanted to do X-rays. His discovery led to scheduling Kate an appointment with a physician in Florence for further tests. Those tests showed that Kate’s curvature was worsening rapidly and in only three weeks it had grown from 45% to 65%. In fact, her case was becoming so advanced that she saw three different surgeons before one would take her case.
By the time Kate’s January 8th, 2018, spinal surgery came around, her curvature had grown to 95%. “I’d like to admit that I wasn’t worried at all, but as we pulled in the hospital parking lot, butterflies began to flutter throughout my body,” said Kate. Kate’s mom, Anna, couldn’t help but worry, this was a large surgery for her little girl. “As mom began to cry, I just kept telling her ‘I am fine, I will be fine.’” As the nurses wheeled Kate back for surgery, she reassured her mom by yelling, “I got this!” Anna smiled, knowing very well that she did. “At that moment, I knew that I would most definitely make it through the surgery because I had my mom and God on my side.”
While resting post-surgery, Kate awoke to her “amazingly talented, favorite person on the planet,” also known as her surgeon, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. His words couldn’t have been more satisfactory, “Congratulations Kate, you are at 19 degrees!” Before leaving the hospital three days later, her remaining curve had regressed to 12 degrees.
The diagnosis and 14-hour surgery were just steps leading to the most difficult part of all – recovery. “The hardest thing for me was to not be able to do anything, I couldn’t shower, use the restroom, anything, without help. My mom and I grew to an entirely new level of comfort and trust.” With Anna’s (Kate’s mom) medical background, they also opted for the “home treatment plan” suggested by Kate’s doctors at MUSC. The plan guided Anna through daily activities for Kate to follow in order to get better without overextending herself. Kate’s stubbornness, which she claims is hereditary, caused her to push the boundaries of her doctor’s restrictions on activities. At first, she was told to walk to the mailbox each day. That quickly grew to several walks and eventually led to a gym membership where she would walk several miles. “When my surgeon finally released me to start jogging, I kinda giggled. I had already jogged.” She continued, “ I wouldn’t suggest pushing yourself more than the doctor says but I am very stubborn and had set goals for myself.” Ballet played a large role in Kate’s life prior to surgery and her long term goal was to be back dancing within three months, she did it in two!
Kate gives all of the glory to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She also can’t go without mentioning the outpouring of love and support from family, friends and even people she didn’t know. “Someone brought us dinner every day, my mom didn’t have to cook for a month.” Kate describes her days following surgery as a constant competition. “Everyday I’m competing with myself to be better than I was the day before,” she says. For ballet, her hips don’t move quite as they did before and her leg hasn’t raised as high, but she knows that’ll come. Her biggest accomplishment to date has been her doctor releasing her to water ski this summer, a family favorite.
“I don’t let scoliosis define me,” Kate says. “I love my scar and often wear open back shirts to display it. My scars are a part of my story.” She believes it’s all about your mindset and her mind is set on being a warrior. Kate’s story is that she is only bent, not broken.
For more inspiration from Katelyn, visit: bentbutnotbroken17.wordpress.com