Katherine
August 7, 1990 to
March 21, 2012
Kind. Gentle. Humble. Tranquil. Brave. Beautiful.
Any word that resembles strength, beauty and humility can be used to describe Katherine Vanessa Rugama. A dear friend, precious sister, daughter, niece and cousin.
her grandmother Elsa "mom" as her
heart. It was a humbling experience for both
children in the Oncology ward of La Mascota
I met Katherine when I was visiting the
biological mother abandoned her shortly after
of us and I'm certain that we weren't the only
Hospital in Nicaragua. It was 2006 and she
Katherine was born. Her younger cousin
two rejoicing. was 15 years old. I never knew what to
Sergio, was known to her as a brother; he
expect when I walked in to visit patients in
had been abandoned by Katherine's aunt as
continually kept in touch. After staying in
their hospital rooms. Each was experiencing
a baby. Elsa didn't hesitate to take in her
Nicaragua for the year of 2006, I returned
their own unique and challenging hardship-
grandchildren and raise them as if they were
every year after for short trips. Katherine was
but with Katherine, from day 1, I was always
her own. This meant that when Katherine was
always someone that I made sure I got to
greeted with a priceless smile. Katherine was
hospitalized and going through treatments,
spend time with. I was always welcomed into
so sincere and caring; her voice was soft and
Elsa could not always stay the entire time
her home with open arms and a warm meal
comforting. I could tell right away that she
because she needed to care for Sergio as
cooking over the fire. We looked at pictures,
was the type of person whose shoulder you
well. Elsa did everything she possibly could to
caught up on the happenings in our lives, ate
could cry on and that her presence alone
provide the best care possible for all of her
together, laughed and prayed. Every minute
could relieve any crisis or distress. There are
children and grandchildren. I was surprised to
with Katherine and her family was precious to
not many people like this in the world, but
discover that shortly before meeting their
me. Katherine was definitely one of them. family, Elsa had also been diagnosed with
Knowing this sweet young lady made it
Throughout the following years, we
Katherine once approached me with a
cancer, went through treatment for breast
humble request. She asked if I could find
that much more difficult to hear why she was
cancer, and had a mastectomy. This family
donations of clothing and toys so that she
staying in the hospital. Katherine had been
had been overwhelmed with hardship and
could give them out as gifts to the other
diagnosed with cancer. She had a large tumor
suffering but chose to persevere and be
patients when she returned for her own
growing out of the right side of her neck that
brought closer to God through it all. appointments and treatments. About twice a
had been removed, but always grew back.
After only a few visits with Katherine, we
year since the end of 2006 I sent Katherine a
She went through chemotherapy, but the
had talked about many different things –
hockey bag of toys and clothing to distribute
tumor remained. It was painful and she
including faith and God. She spoke about
at the hospital. She was always so grateful to
struggled with the mobility of her head, neck
occasionally visiting a Catholic Church and
be able to hand out these gifts, knowing that
and shoulders. I can only imagine the pain
understanding who God is, yet she confessed
she completely understood what the other
and discomfort she felt because she certainly
that she hadn't committed to a personal
children were going through. She was eager
never complained about it. relationship with him. I was honoured to be
to help and put smiles on their faces – even
the one who held her hand and prayed with
when she going through treatment herself. Often times she was alone in her
hospital room. She explained that she called
her as she passionately invited Jesus into her
As it is with many cancer patients, Katherine's health was very
It doesn't matter what prognosis you hear from the doctor. No one
inconsistent. She could be feeling great one day and then back in the
can ever be prepared to lose a loved one. No one was prepared to lose
hospital with complications the next. There were quite a few times when
Katherine. She lived her life to the fullest, taking it one day at a time. In
she seemed like she wasn't going to pull through and suddenly she was
November of 2011 her health began to slip. In the end, maintaining her
back at home, hanging out with friends, attending high school and later
comfort became impossible. She wasn't giving up. It's like her body had
university. Katherine thrived on education and dreamed of becoming a
a mind of its own. It began 'stepping aside' to allow Katherine's spirit to
psychologist. She pushed herself to attend classes even when she
begin its eternity. wasn’t feeling well. It wasn't until Katherine became immobile and
Just two weeks before she left this world she phoned me to ask for
unable to eat that she stopped going to classes. This, I believe, was one
a bag of toys to give to the children at La Mascota. I will forever admire
of the hardest losses she ever faced. It pained her to doubt that she
Katherine's selflessness at a time when it would be so easy and
would ever become a child psychologist. understandable to withdraw into oneself. It breaks my heart to know that
From very early on in her treatment, Katherine was told that she
Katherine struggled in the end, but the peace in knowing that she is with
had a poor prognosis. She was suffering with terminal cancer and
Jesus is even greater than the excitement I felt when she received
wasn't going to live a very long life. The plan was to keep her
Christ. The decision she made that day brought her to the most
comfortable and have her live life to the fullest – taking it one day at a
wonderful place anyone could imagine. time. - Sally Centeno Novoa
Romans 5:3-4 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."