Karl's Books, Home of the Book Fairy

Local Home Schoolers Collect 600 Books

2011-10-17T08:56:00.000-04:00

It started as a 4-H project and ended as a gift of 600 books for the UNC Pediatric Hem/Onc Clinic. A small group of students lead by 13 year old Chase Lewis collected these books and delivered them to my home. My co-volunteer Donna Lucier and I delivered the books to the clinic this past week and they helped restock the shelves.

Hospital volunteers have started helping during the week straighten the books which is a wonderful job to do. The kids have fun pulling them out to find that special book and we all know the books need to go back.

If you are interested in helping with this project contact volunteer services and say you would like to help with Karl's Books.

Thanks again for the books collected.

Remember, we are still in need of tax deductable money donations.

Love,
Kathy, Book Fairy

Book Fairy Lapel Pins

2011-05-15T16:47:00.003-04:00

We created Book Fairy lapel pins and are offering the pins as a "thank you gift" for a "minimum donation" of $10 (or $15 for mailing). They are 1 1/4" and gold cloisonne and look just like our new logo.

The pin is very clever. You will love it. Thanks for your support!

My love,
Kathy, Book Fairy

Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fund
UNC-Chapel Hill
Dept of Pediatrics Div Hem Onc
CB# 7236
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7236
Memo line: Karl's Books

Thanks Chase Lewis

2011-04-14T19:18:00.000-04:00

A special thanks to 11 year old Chase Lewis. He collected a lot of books from his Boy Scout Troop and has donated them to Karl's Books. My husband loves to look through the books we collect. Karl inherited his love of reading from him. He came in this evening with a smile on his face and said he found a book he'd like to read in one of the bags. The books help us both feel connected to Karl's love.

Thanks for helping us do that.

My love, Kathy
Book Fairy

Gift Card

2011-02-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

I want to once again thank our New York friend, Debbie Lapidus. She sent us a $200 gift card for Barnes & Noble to add to her birthday gift to her sister-in-law. That will help buy lots of new board books!

Love, Kathy

We Have gone National!

2011-01-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

Debbie Lapidus contacted me by email wanting to know where she could send some books. I thought she was local, so I gave her my address. She wrote back and said she lived in New York and wanted to donate some books in honor of her sister-in-law's birthday. She had read about the book fairy on line. So, this week a very heavy box of wonderful books arrived from her and I'd like to say "Happy Birthday Pam!!!". The kids at the clinic will surely enjoy your birthday gift. I can feel the love from here.

Love, Kathy

UNC Libraries

2011-01-16T10:39:00.000-05:00

This is the second year UNC libraries has hosted a campus wide book drive for us and this year was another success. They collected 2173 books. A special thanks to Katelyn Ander for her help.

Love, Kathy

Rashkis Third Graders

2011-01-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

A special thanks to the Rashkis third graders for a great book collection. They asked the Book Fairy to come read to them and I did. What smart kids they are! Thanks so much.

Love, Kathy

Monetary Donations Needed

2010-11-02T12:04:00.000-04:00

Please remember Karl's Books this year. Money is needed to pay for books when we have a need and for storage.

Make checks payable to:
"Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fund"
Memo line: Book drive fund, Karl's Books
Mail it to:

The University of NC at Chapel Hill
Dept of Pediatrics Div Hem Onc
CB # 7236
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7236

A tax receipt will be mailed to you, so be sure to include your current address.

Thanks so much.
Kathy
Book Fairy

Grady Brown Elementary School in Hillsborough

2010-05-21T07:53:00.000-04:00

May 21, 2010

Dear Grady Brown Elementary School,

I want to thank you all on behalf of the kids being treated for cancer at UNC Hospitals. Your book donations will be enjoyed by so many kids and their families. We all know how unpleasant and boring it is to visit the doctor. Your books will allow these kids to escape for a while.

Books are gifts that keep on giving.

My love,

Kathy Humphries, Book Fairy

Chase Jones UNC Leader

2010-04-09T13:06:00.001-04:00

Here is an article I read in the newspaper:

Chapel Hill Herald (NC)

March 31, 2010

Cancer survivor inspires team

Teddy Mitrosilis

CHAPEL HILL -- A large gong rests in a special room at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. For many kids, it's a symbol of triumph and victory. Others aren't so lucky. After six long months of hospital beds, IV drips and doctors' orders, Chase Jones hit the heck out of that gong.

Growing up in Greensboro, Jones never imagined this would be his path. No child would ever choose this.

Jones quickly learned how to live life with a positive attitude and relentless spirit. He had no other choice. Fight or quit.

Jones always had lofty aspirations. As a kid, he wanted to attend Stanford or Harvard. When neither school accepted him, Jones became a Tar Heel.

He enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill as a freshman in fall 2006. With limited baseball abilities but with an intense love for the game, Jones asked head coach Mike Fox what he could do to help the baseball program.

Jones soon began helping the equipment manager wash towels, sort uniforms and complete other chores around the clubhouse.

But then the intense headaches and nausea began. Repeated trips to Campus Health Services failed to rectify the problem. When Jones could barely see light without his head beginning to throb, doctors ordered a CT scan. The results led to an intensive MRI, a medical imaging technique used to see the detailed internal structure of the body.

Sitting in a wheelchair on Oct. 4, 2006, Jones learned he had a malignant germinoma brain tumor, or, simply, brain cancer.

"I was actually more relieved than anything just to know what was finally wrong with me," Jones said. "But my mom was freaking out because my grandfather passed away from brain cancer."

The next day Jones laid in a bed at UNC Hospitals after undergoing emergency brain surgery. He remembers seeing his family after surgery, but he didn't know where he was or what happened.

"Within 24 hours, I went from normal college kid studying for an economics exam to brain tumor patient," Jones said. "Reality set in when I met Dr. Gold after surgery to discuss a plan for chemotherapy."

Doctors went through the top of Jones' skull to remove a tumor the size of a golf ball from the top of his spinal chord. The tumor prevented fluid from circulating around the spine and instead directed it upward into Jones' brain.

"There was no way around the surgery," Jones said. "Without it, I would have died."

Jones remained in the ICU for six days before being released. After a few days at home, the chemotherapy sessions began. Jones underwent four total chemotherapy treatments with the final one coming just before Christmas.

"The toughest thing was seeing kids and babies hooked up to IV's," Jones said. "I actually felt fortunate that I was given 18 normal years to live, because that is something many kids never get."

Jones still had doubts.

"There were plenty of times I wanted to give up," Jones said, hunched over a cheeseburger. "But I always knew I would get through it, and most of that is due to my family, faith and unbelievable support."

In January 2007, an MRI revealed that the tumor had vanished, but one more step on the road to recovery remained.

Jones spent a month in Houston receiving radiation treatment to prevent the tumor from returning. The radiation hit Jones' body harder than the chemotherapy, and the days became monotonous.

Every day at 3 p.m., Jones received his treatment. The schedule never changed.

Away from Carolina on a medical leave, Jones took two online courses to try to keep up with his work and feel some semblance of being a college student.

The rest of the day consisted of movies and naps to replenish his radiation-stricken body. When dinner came, Jones found it difficult to muster enough energy to eat.

In March 2007, doctors told Jones he had fully healed and could return to his halted life in Chapel Hill.

Because he had kicked the tumor and beat cancer, Jones got to ring the gong. The gong symbolized completeness.

Jones returned to Carolina in time for most of the baseball season, but equipment managers remain behind the scenes. They wash the uniforms, not wear them.

Two years later, as a bullpen catcher for the Tar Heels, Jones had a uniform. For the first time, he experienced the thrill of wearing "Carolina" across his chest.

"I remember thinking everything that I had gone through was finally over," Jones said. "Putting on the uniform was a dream come true, and I had cold chills during the national anthem."

Jones would never admit it, but he has had a deep impact on his teammates.

"Chase has truly been an inspiration to myself and the whole team," pitcher Colin Bates said. "His positive attitude is contagious and I am grateful that he is part of our team."

Since fighting brain cancer, Jones realized his opportunity and the impact he can have on others.

"I've been given a great opportunity to help others, and that is the most satisfying thing," Jones said. "Maybe I'm not an inspiration, but other kids can look at me and say, 'If he beat it, so can I.'"

Jones works with numerous organizations. In January he became one of two juniors to receive the Eve Marie Carson Scholarships.

Carolina Dreams connects kids from the hospital with UNC athletes by bringing the kids to games. Jones began as an outreach leader with Carolina Dreams in 2008, and he will head the program in 2010.

"Every time I meet someone with the same doctor, it's like coming full circle for me," Jones said. "I've been in their shoes, and it's good to see them away from the hospital and not defined by it."

Jones works with Friends of Jaclyn and tries to get the baseball program involved every year. Friends of Jaclyn supports kids with brain tumors by connecting them with athletic teams.

Jones says it holds a special place for him because it brings back memories of his diagnosis.

"I remember the baseball team took me in and made me feel like I was part of something bigger than myself," Jones said. "To be able to give that feeling to someone else now is really neat.

"I've learned that life isn't about me," he said. "It's all about what you can do for others. I'm blessed to have been diagnosed."

Jones hopes he can build a career helping kids.

He wants every kid to hit that gong.

HELP TO STRIKE OUT CANCER

UNC baseball team bullpen catcher Chase Jones has organized the 2010 UNC BaseBald For The Cure, an event in conjunction with the Diamond Heels to challenge fans to help raise money to fight cancer.

For each $100 donated to the Lineberger Cancer Center and Children's Hospital before April 11, one Tar Heel baseball player will shave his head on the Boshamer Stadium field following the April 11 game against N.C. State. With 35 players on the roster, the event could raise as much as $3,500 to fight pediatric cancer -- and if money is raised for the entire roster to shave, talk will turn to persuading the coaches to participate.

To make a donation, call the N.C. Medical Foundation at 1-800-962-2543 or (919) 966-5905 or make your donation online at https://www.medicalfoundationofnc.org/linebergercancerctr/personal_gift.html. Designate your gift for pediatric oncology and notify in the comments field that it is intended for Carolina Baseball, or mail a check to:

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Campus Box 7295

Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295

For further questions contact the Carolina Baseball office at (919) 962-2351.

the herald-sun Lisa Pepin

Chase Jones, bullpen catcher for UNC's baseball team, went into remission for brain cancer three years ago and now is leading the team's effort to raise at least $3,500 for the Lineberger Cancer Center and N.C. Children's Hospital. For each $100 donated, one member of the baseball team will shave his head after the April 11 game against N.C. State.

I was interested in contacting Chase, so I found his UNC email address and mailed him this:

Chase,

My husband and I read the article about you in the Chapel Hill Hearld with interest because our son, Karl Humphries, was also a patient of Dr. Golds. March 2004-March 2007. Unfortunately Karl's battle with his brain tumor (brainstem Glioma) ended the month after he turned 13.

I am now the Book Fairy for the clinic and Dr. Gold and I call each other brother and sister. http://karlsbooks.blogspot.com/

As you know, he is a wonderful man.

I am a perennial plant gardener and am currently working part time for the UNC Grounds Dept. Some of the plants I work with are planted at the new baseball stadium. As I drive by the stadium I will be thinking of you and your good works.

I hope to meet you some day.

Kathy Humphries

/Book Fairy/

And he answered me:

Mrs. Humphries-

Thank you for telling me that. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your son, and I think its crazy that we were both being treated by Dr. Gold at the same time during that stretch.

In the past week I have undergone the first loss of a dear, dear friend of mine to cancer. I know this does not compare to a loss of a child, however, I have now finally felt the harsh reality of a battle of cancer. I feel so fortunate in what I have been through, and often describe it as the greatest blessing I have ever received, however after hearing about your son and dealing with my friend, it has driven me to do more against the horrible disease.

Dr. Gold was one of the reasons I am alive today, and probably one of the sole reasons I am so passionate in my outreach to the Children's Hospital today. His constant giving was totally undeserved by me, and I am always looking for a way to pay it forward due to him.

I have to say I have passed many hours reading some of the books you have given, so thank you for that. I also have to say thank you for the beautiful plants around the stadium- there is no better feeling than going to other baseball stadiums and knowing the one we have back in Chapel Hill is exponentially more gorgeous.

I want to extend an invite to come to this Sunday's game- we play N.C. state on the 11th, and I have started a fundraiser to get money specifically for the pediatric oncology unit over at the hospital. (If you want any more info, please visit http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/032310aan.html )

I would love to get the chance to meet you as well, and I hope that I get the chance to enjoy some of your work around campus all spring long.

Thank you again for contacting me,

Chase Jones

Magic

2010-03-21T09:37:00.000-04:00

March 21, 2010

We are coming up on the 3rd adversary of Karl’s death (March 25, 2007). I have discovered the hard way that when someone is sick, especially my son, I just wanted to do something to help him. I did everything I could for him and that feeling did not stop with his death. I want to keep remembering him, loving him and helping him. I can continue doing the first two, but not the third. He has moved beyond my reach.

I have found with Karl’s Books I can help other children and when I become the “Book Fairy”, this seems to help me too. To physically help the kids in this clinic becomes magical. Kids love magic and I know for certain that I love it too. Karl was a lover of all things magical and I feel very close to him when I am the Book Fairy.

Thank you for helping me with this wonderful, magical project.

Love,

Kathy
Book Fairy

UNC Book Drive

2010-01-11T10:09:00.002-05:00

Many thanks to everyone involved with the highly successful book drive hosted by many departments at UNC Chapel Hill. Rebecca Vargha, librarian, Information and Library Science Library, receives special thanks for all the work she did.

Over 2000 books were collected for the Book Fairy. A lot of them are new books and we all know and love the feel of a new book. I know Karl did. It is a terrific gift for these special children .

We also made a video. Check out the sidebar.

So, please continue to support us.
Love,
Kathy, Book Fairy

Birthday Books

2009-11-24T08:24:00.002-05:00

Two best friends, Will Mitchell and Liam King brought the Book Fairy books that they collected at their birthday parties. They are both 8 years old and attend Durham Academy. Instead of birthday presents, their families decided to ask their friends to bring books to donate to the kids at the clinic.

The Book Fairy greeted them in costume. This is a special thanks to the children who have done the same or collected money. A very small gesture that will impact many others in a positive way.

This Thanksgiving please give thanks to all who show compassion in even the smallest ways. They make a difference.

My love and thanks,

Kathy
Book Fairy

Book News

2009-10-16T19:08:00.001-04:00

I thought I’d catch you all up on what has been going on with the Book Fairy. Most of you will remember that the UNC Pediatric Oncology Clinic moved into the new cancer hospital this past August. The Book Fairy was asked to make an appearance the first week. Boy, what a beautiful place. Dr. Gold and his staff quickly set up shop and once again are making a difference in many families’ lives. The Book Fairy was pleased to be included in the move.

The staff was overwhelmed by how many boxes of wonderful books we have accumulated. Their reaction during that first week was, “No more books!”

We have done such a good job collecting books; we actually have more than there is storage for. I have rented a storage unit to hold the overflow that was living in our garage.

In these past couple of months, the Book Fairy has run into stumbling blocks that have made her wonder if it is all worth it. Lack of storage, difficulties with parking and just figuring out a whole new system of displaying the books. Karl came to her as she was working in the clinic this past Friday. She was finally able to put some “library books” in the brand new exam rooms (she wasn’t allowed before) and Karl spoke to her and said, “Mama, this is what it’s all about. It’s not about the parking or the lack of storage. It’s about the kids. Remember all the boring times we were trapped in a similar exam room waiting to be seen and wouldn’t it have been wonderful to find a stack of books to read together? This is what you’re doing it for.”

I have held out special books for the “library”. You know, collections of stories, I Spy or Finding Waldo or books that are interesting, but more than one child would enjoy reading. That’s the type of book I was able to put out.

The other books are going home with families or they are scattered around the clinic after they have served as a distraction. The clinic’s Rec. Therapist has gotten involved and plans to involve a hospital volunteer to help restock the shelves. That will be great to have the inside involvement.

The Book Fairy would eventually like to find someone who would volunteer a storage closet somewhere in Chapel Hill, so we don’t have to spend too much money on storage. We had hoped there would be enough storage at the new hospital, but space will always be at a premium there. So, let us know if you know of a place we can store boxes of books that will be moved out and then replenished when we have another book drive.

We still need preschool Spanish books and money donations.

Thanks for your continued interest. Our work is worth it.

Love, Kathy

Book Fairy

2009-08-30T19:11:00.006-04:00

Chapel of the Cross

2009-07-23T10:39:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I made an appearance at the summer church camp at Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church in Chapel Hill. I spoke of Karl, our lives during treatment and about Karl’s Books. They are collecting books and making creative bookmarks for the clinic. I really enjoyed talking to these smart, attentive children. A few of them reminded me of Karl. He was always so good in a group. Always the one answering and asking questions.

I spoke to three different groups—upcoming kindergarteners thru 6th grade. During one of my talks I explained that when I go to the hospital I don’t tell my personal story. I am just there to provide books and occasionally speak to a family about their experience. One little girl raised her hand after she thought about it for a while and said, “You don’t want the families to give up hope”. And I said yes.

I took photos of Karl doing all of the activities he did during treatment. Reading, computer, swimming, rafting, boating, acting. I stressed how active he stayed. So determined to keep going. A boy on the front row raised his hand and said,” Since you knew he was going to die, you wanted to give him the best life you could before he went to Heaven”. I automatically started to speak and try to make sense of what he said and then I stopped myself. His simple words summed up all three years. We all wanted him to have the best we could give him.

I tear up as I remember these children. It makes me want to drive over to that church and grab them both and whirl them around. Oh what insight. I hope they can retain that all their lives.

I spoke to them about the prayer shawl we used from Karl’s uncle and aunt in Greenville, Michigan. I talked of how we prayed for healing and how what you pray for might turn out differently than you had in mind. I told them I have had so much healing and now that I think about it, those children are part of my healing, too. I told them I believe in God more than ever before. Karl is still with us. I told them Chink had a dream last weekend where he woke up laughing out loud. He and Karl were laughing at the funniest joke they had ever heard. Karl is still with us. He is just on the Other Side.

Peace to you this summer.

Love, Kathy
Book Fairy

Dr Gold Thank You Letter

2009-06-06T12:28:00.004-04:00

Dr. Stuart Gold wrote a thank you letter to the Culbreth 8th grade class for their fund raising project. I am going to include it here so that you can understand the importance of Karl's books and so that in your reading of this wonderful letter, you can be thanked for your efforts as well.

"Dear Culbreth Middle School 8th Grade Class,

Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our clinic. Karl's Books has become a huge success, providing reading material for many sick children. When our patients come to clinic the first thing they do is go to Karl's book shelf and see what new books have been delivered for them to read. It is an incredible program and your contribution will help immensely in supporting the effort.

Karl was a special young man and your gift is a great tribute to his memory.

Sincerely,

Stuart H. Gold, MD
Professor, Pediatrics
Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
UNC School of Medicine
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

And I thank you as well.
Love, Kathy
The Book Fairy

Culbreth Middle School 8th Grade Class

2009-06-04T19:13:00.003-04:00

Two 8th grade English teachers (one our friend Julie Lucier) at southern Chapel Hill's Culbreth Middle School, encouraged their classes to participate in a reading fund raiser for Karl's Books. The Book Fairy made an appearance to their school today to collect the money they had raised. She was VERY surprised to discover that they had raised $970.50!!!!! This was just in 8 short weeks. The kids met today at lunch to give the Book Fairy a huge check. They should be very proud of their service work. I'm sure they also enjoyed the books they read. This will help buy many new books for the children at the clinic.

My love, Kathy

Rahkis Book Drive

2008-12-13T16:44:00.001-05:00

Oh the friends I’ve made during these past 4 ½ years! It makes me feel so emotional when I think about it.

I went to Rashkis Elementary School dressed as the Book Fairy yesterday. I talked and read to 4 different groups of 1^st and 3^rd graders. They agreed to host a book drive for Karl’s Books and they had a surprise for me! They had already gotten a jump on the project and collected over 700 books! All 4 groups were full of wonderfully behaved and attentive children. Some asked hard questions like how did Karl die and why and one little girl really understood and said to me, “How sad” and I agreed.

But they also asked me kid questions like if my wings were real and as I showed them photos of Karl and what he loved to do and continued doing right up to the end, none of them could imagine a boy wearing lip stick and makeup to be an actor in a play. I also told them he had to wear red tights in a 5^th grade Shakespeare play and that brought out laughs.

I read the 1^st graders Slinky Malinki, Open the Door by Lynley Dodd and The Wonderful Life of a Fly Who Couldn’t Fly by Bo Lozoff. And I read the 3^rd graders Lost in the Outdoors A True Story by Birdman Dave Gulick. I picked these books because of the message and the animals involved. I was told by the class that Birdman Dave lives in Carrboro and had been to their school with his green-winged macaw named Belle, who the story is about. I was pleased to hear this and the children enjoyed all of the books.

I want to thank them for their help with Karl’s Books.

Peace to you all.

My love, Kathy

The Book Fairy

PS There was a photographer following me at the school from The Chapel Hill Magazine taking pictures of me. My inner self was wondering how in the world I got myself into this. My good friend Angie Sloan is a writer for this magazine. I’ll let you know if the story makes it to print.

Book Drive

2008-12-07T19:21:00.003-05:00

Gabrielle is a 6th grade student at Phillips and co-ordinated a successful book drive to win her Girl Scout Bronze Award. Lots of books were donated and I took them to the hospital this past week. I gave one little bald headed boy two books---a Scooby-Do and a Cars book and when I told him he could keep them and take them home he was surprised. He had been there all day receiving his chemo treatment and his face looked old beyond his years, but as I left and went to tell him good bye, he had his nose in one of the books. It made me feel good. These books are really appreciated by the families that find themselves in very stressful circumstances.

Love,
Kathy
The Book Fairy

Special Thanks

2008-08-23T15:18:00.003-04:00

We've had a good summer collecting books from different groups and individuals. Some just appear at my door from special friends. Others are donated by the hospital families themselves. There was a major shuffle of office space at the hospital and we were given part of a storage room for our books. So with the help of Craig, Ben and Peter, three of Karl's friends, we were able to clear out Karl's bedroom where I have been storing them.

By email I received this note from Dr. Gold, "thanks for all the books, they are being enjoyed greatly". Donna Lucier has continued to go with me every two weeks and we know first hand the kids are enjoying them.

So, thanks again for your support. See if your school or church will host a book drive this coming year.

Love, Kathy

Vacation Bible School

2008-06-26T19:33:00.004-04:00

My new friend, Julie Wilson, a teacher at the preschool where I worked this spring, asked me to participate in the vacation bible school at her church in Hillsborough. Hillsborough United Methodist Church. One of their missions this week was Karl’s Books. Just this week, the children brought in almost 400 books and they plan to keep a bin set up all summer.

I arrived in full costume and asked Al, their pastor, to help me put on my wings. He greeted me warmly in the parking lot. He was expecting me as the children were. The looks on their faces when they first saw me was so wonderful. One little boy leaned toward me and whispered, “Are you a real fairy?” And I told him, “No, it is just a costume. You know, like you wear on Halloween.”

They were divided into age groups and with each one I showed my photos of our animals, the hospital staff and photos of Karl enjoying his life during the time he was being treated at the hospital. Kristi Geib, Dr. Gold’s nurse is a member of the church and she was there with her two children. I had a photo of her at work and her son said, “That’s my mom”. I also read a book to most of them about a black cat and a bird similar to our love birds. They were entertained by it and I said this is what the books you are donating will do for the children in the clinic.

The books continue to be a special gift for the children at the clinic. Thank you for you interest and support.

My love, Kathy, The Book Fairy

Terrific High School Collection

2008-05-26T19:22:00.002-04:00

THANKS CLASS of 2010!

At the suggestion of Hannah Osborne, the sophmore class at East Chapel Hill High School hosted a bookdrive for Karl’s Books and it was a huge success. Donna Lucier and I met them Friday to pick up the books. I dressed as the Book Fairy and the Chapel Hill News joined us.

Their book drive filled the back of Donna's truck and Hannah handled it all very smoothly. She is just beautiful inside and out. The entrance to the high school takes you right into the cafeteria. All the other doors are locked since the student gun incident. Lunch was in full swing and we had to weave in and out between the huge students and the funny thing was hardly anyone noticed me. I was SO surprised. There was one black man. I don't know his job there. He passed me in the hall and said, "Beautiful, just beautiful". At least somebody noticed this wierd woman in a fairy costume! The photographer was carefully writing down everyone's name. She was fun. A lot of you will get the paper, but Dave Hart says its also online, so I'll add that here.

I just wish our beautiful son Karl was going to that school in the fall. Oh, well. I made the personal decision that his death was not going to make me a bitter person. What an awful life that would be for me, my family and all my friends. Oh, we are all ugly when we cry, but in the morning we certainly do feel a bit better. Karl would want us to survive with some happiness in our lives. This book project does that for me and I thank you all for your help.

I have also adopted a new kitten from the Chapel Hill Animal Shelter. Now our dog Rusty has some one to take care of. He follows her everywhere, as he did Karl.

Love, Kathy, The Book Fairy

Book Collection Site

2008-05-24T09:47:00.002-04:00

Many of you know, I am closing our perennial plant nursery after 20 years. It has been a major part of our lives and Karl grew up there. It was often the place he and his friends played in the sand while my mom and I worked. I have grown tired of the back breaking work and need more daily contact with people, especially children since Karl is no longer here. I found a job as a preschool teacher at Resurrection United Methodist Church (across from Githens Middle School). It just so happens to be the preschool Karl attended for 3 years. I feel very comfortable there and enjoy the group of women I'm working with. It is one many places I donated some of my perennials, so as you drive by, notice the plants at their entrance. They are also hosting a book drive bin and I thank them for that.

Let me know if your church, scout troop or organization would like to host a book bin.
Many thanks from me, the hospital staff and the many children we are helping.

Kathy

Church Bookdrive

2008-02-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

My mom's church, Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, is hosting a bookdrive for the month of February. The 5 and 6th grade class is heading this up. I appreciate their help and I know the kids at the hospital will benefit from their work. So, if you're in that part of town and have some books to donate, they will be glad to take them even during the week. The collection bins are located near the church office.

We continue to go to the hospital every two weeks and my friend Donna Lucier has been helping me and we find we're a good team. She is very good at cleaning and organizing and after raising 4 kids and a library degree, she knows a thing or two about kids books. I started a group of books that we are labeling as Library books and those are suppose to remain in the clinic. Every 4 weeks we rotate those out and replace them with others. There is so little space in the clinic we have those books in two plastic crates. Eventually, with the new hospital, we hope to have those on a shelf for the kids and parents to read while they are in the clinic. Some kids have to stay all day for treatments.

The other books, which are the ones they can take home, we have also started rotating them out. It is hard for us to know what will be appealing to the kids, so we mark them if they have been out before and eventually take them out of the clinic if they stay there too long.

So, this book fairy thanks you for your help.
Love, Kathy

Thanks

2007-12-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

I wanted to thank everyone who has donated a book or some money for our special bookcase at the clinic. These books mean a lot to the children who come to the clinic and every time I go in to straighten the shelves and add more books, the staff tells me how much the books help and has become important to the children. Cindy, the nurse pictured below has told me there is one little boy she really has a hard time getting to sit still so she can take his blood pressure. He is really into construction equipment and she uses the books we pick especially for him to bribe him to sit still. I remember when Karl was into that and wanted to be a bulldozer operator when he grew up, so I can identify with this kid. Cindy also tells the kids that the books come from the “Book Fairy” which is a title I am proud to wear.

We appreciate the grant we received from the Sunshine Lady Foundation and all of you who have mailed in money. Some times we will receive a book that is part of a series and I like to be able to go and buy—and it is often at a used book store, to finish out the series. That way the child has all the books to read. Living with Karl, the big reader, I learned how important this is. We all want to know what happens next in the story, don’t we?

So, a special thanks to all of you who have helped me make this possible for these kids who need this form of escape so badly.

My love, Kathy the Book Fairy

Kayla and Cats

2007-10-11T15:59:00.000-04:00

One week day this past summer I was up at the clinic putting out new books and straightening the shelves. Hardly anyone was around. I always try to go after clinic hours because the clinic is very small and I could easily be in the way. A young woman came up to the books and said to me how glad she was the books were there. After we talked for a while she found out that I was the one bringing them, and she thanked me. I thought she was a patient’s sister, but it turns out she is Kayla’s mother. Kayla had just gotten out of the hospital where she had been staying for 2 ½ months and she was in a back room in the clinic in isolation receiving her day long treatment. The books were a wonderful distraction for her and her mother told me Kayla especially loved books about cats. She has a white cat at home and I know she is glad to be out of the hospital and able to go home to her. I went back and met her from the doorway. 6 years old and looking small, bald and tired. I waved and told her I would look for more cat books. Because she has been sick she has not been able to start school. These hospital rooms have been her school. I went to the store and found a small, soft pink backpack and put one of Sue’s white cat Beanie Babies and some small cat books in it and took it to the clinic for her the next time she came in. The nurses told me later she was thrilled with her gift. Later this summer I was in again and Kayla was there looking much healthier and happier and she left the clinic with her pink backpack on and another cat book under her arm. She is another special friend and lets me know how important these books are.

Our 17 year old cat, Alice, died in June. She used to love to sit with Karl and knew how to get his attention by sitting on the comics or book he was reading. Dr. Gold’s cat died that same week. Our friend Margaretta lost her 20 year old cat, Marmalade, recently and I like to think that Karl has some good cat company now. He wrote in his 7^th grade journal at school: “If I had to describe myself as a dog person or a cat person I would probably say a cat person. It’s a tough decision for me since my family has 2 dogs and 3 cats. I chose cats because dogs get smelly and cats hardly ever do.”

Cats can be a comfort and a pain. Our cat, Purple, brought a live bat into the house last night at 3 AM and it is still trapped in our hall bathroom. Catching it will be another story.

Phil Holmes, the principal at Ephesus Elementary School where Karl attended for 6 years is having a book drive for us Oct 17-24. We thank him for his help and interest.

Thanks for your support.

Love, Kathy

Zach

2007-10-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

On one of my first trips to the clinic with bags of books to restock the shelves, I met a 13 year old boy named Zach who loves to read. He was disappointed that day because all of the books on the shelves were “too young” for him. He has remained in my thoughts and every two weeks I take a special bag for him in hopes that there will be something to help him escape into the world of reading. As I arrived one day later in the summer one of the nurses yelled out to me, "Zach is here today!". And there he was looking a bit off color, bald, hooked up to the IV receiving his treatment (I think he has leukemia, but that's certainly not what I want to talk to him about). He was very intent on a pencil drawing and I sat down with him and we talked about books. I had brought him the new Harry Potter book that Fran Schaefer had given me, and he told me he had already finished it. The nurses spotted that special book and put it in there "Birthday Box". So, he took home the Artemis Fowl books instead. He was there with his mother and sister--they drive up from Wilmington. While I was putting out the books I discovered an old issue of National Geographic Kids magazine that was Karl's and I said here is something else for Zach to read. By now he his lying down feeling extra crummy, but when I looked over at him there he was with his head in the magazine. All of a sudden--just like Karl used to do, he blurted out "Did you know that they invented parachutes before airplanes?" He had a huge smile on his face--the first I had seen. It totally transformed his face. At that moment I wished I'd had my camera. Seeing him again really helped my day.

This past week when my friend Donna and I went in with a new load of books, I noticed that the special Zach bag was still in the nurses station. Cindy told me that he came last week and was in and out of the clinic so fast (and she was probably very busy) that she never had a chance to give him the bag. That was good news to me. That means he is doing better and more than likely enjoying 8^th grade.

Zach will always be special to me. He let me know that this book project is important and that Karl wasn’t the only one who loves to escape with a good book.

Thank you for your support.

Love, Kathy

Compassion

2007-09-30T10:59:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, after she read my entry, Lessons Learned, my good friend Blythe said to me that I needed to add what people can say that will be helpful instead of just saying what not to say after I have told them my news about Karl. I thought about this after our conversation and the answer came to me on a walk in Duke Forest.

Little Bear and I were on our return trip to the wooden bridge and met a group coming toward me. I realized it was Adam Abram and his family. I worked for Adam part time 20 years ago as an office assistant in his commercial real estate firm while I was getting my plant nusery started. I stopped them and introduced myself. We have been distant neighbors all these years and our paths just haven’t crossed. They said they think of me often as they turn the corner and pass our nursery sign. I told them we had decided to have a “Going Out of Business” sale next spring. It was time for me to move on. They were full of good questions and I explained about Karl’s death and my need to do some sort of work around children. I also explained about our UNC book drive and they were most interested. I felt myself tensing up for the typical sharing of another’s medical story and to my extreme relief it didn’t come. The only thing that was brought up was of interest. Their handsome son explained that his college roommate had lost his mother to cancer and he had started a similar book drive in her memory.

I came away from our encounter feeling good. The words sympathy and compassion were running through my head. That is what I need as a response to my sad news of Karl’s death. They genuinely cared about how I was doing and did it in a way that didn’t leave me crying, but feeling good about the work I was doing in Karl’s honor.

So, compassion is what you should give. It doesn’t have to be long and wordy. Just real. Thank you Abram family for helping me find my answer and for your compassion.

Love, Kathy

Bookcase History

2007-09-29T13:37:00.000-04:00

When we started going to the UNC Pediatric Oncology Clinic 3 ½ years ago, there was a wooden bookcase in the hall and usually there were some new books on there and we were told if we were interested we could take them home. Karl and I always looked, but usually didn’t find much of interest. The bookcase donations were started by a woman who had been an educator for years, loved children and she too was being treated for cancer. The books were from a publisher and were pre-proof copies. At some point this nice woman died and the flow of books stopped. For a couple of years those shelves have held the odd assortment of magazines that often end up in a doctor’s office.

A couple of weeks after Karl died in March, Chink and I agreed that we would like to do something for the clinic. They had been so kind to us and we were thinking there must be something we could buy for them. Dr. Gold suggested we put books on the shelves again. He knew how much Karl enjoyed reading and he daily saw those empty shelves. I thought it was a great idea and took it on as a project. I contacted our loyal friends who had supported us for three years and many of the local ones wanted to get involved. I asked Valerie to be a drop off point and we got the word out that we wanted new or gently used children’s books—preschool to early teens. Many people donated books their children had out grown and that got us started. The main difference between this supply of books and the ones that used to be on those shelves is that these are books our children have loved and read.

The clinic staff is so pleased to have these books for the young patients they care so much about. They tell me it has become the first place most of the kids head to after they have been checked in. They want to find a book. Dr. Gold is amazed how popular the books are even though it was his idea in the first place. The children can read the books while they are in the clinic or take them home if they want to. They have a lot of boring waiting around time—in the clinic and in the
car ride home. The books give them comfort they so desperately need.

Since I've been a mom and go to the clinic every two weeks to restock the shelves, I can see and have a good feel for what the kids will like. New preschool boardbooks and new releases are needed and I'd like to have the money to buy these. I can get discounts from local bookstores because I am buying books for the hospital and have ordered online and gotten good deals. This is why we are asking for money donations.

Thanks to those who have helped me make this possible.
Love, Kathy

Lessons Learned

2007-09-28T12:07:00.000-04:00

Three and a half years ago it was very hard to tell people that our beautiful 10 year old son had a BRAIN TUMOR. Our hearts were bleeding and our souls were exposed. We expected sympathy and a hug if we knew the person and we always got that. But, what often followed was a story of their own---someone they knew or had heard of, who also had a brain tumor or had died of one. I used to stand in disbelief that this person thought I would want to hear this. Chink and my mom also experienced the same situations. I am not a psychologist, but it didn’t take me long to figure out that this must be some part of human nature to feel like sharing—almost by sharing they were letting us know they could relate to our pain. This is a lesson the three of us have learned. If some one tells you something like this, be a good listener. Give them sympathy and understanding and close your mouth on the stories that will probably pop into your head. They DO NOT need or want to hear them.

The other thing that is related to this, has only happened to me. Chink is not a talker, my mother is Karl’s grandmother and most people can’t relate to the fact that she is grieving so much, so this lesson is about Karl’s mother, me. I cried about this during the days before his death. Who could I be daily friends with? Some of the best friends I have ever made are mothers of Karl’s friends. I find it hard to make good friends. For 20 years I have been self employed in a perennial nursery where the other two workers are my mom and Chink. I loved the time with nature, but there weren’t many other people around. So, through Karl, I made friends with some wonderful people who will always be my friends, but we will no longer have the kid connection. We are going to work at remaining friends, but I knew even before he died I was going to have to move on and I didn’t want to.

One of the things I’ve done is join Meadowmont, an exercise center. My good friend Kitty Harrison helped me join and encouraged me because she knew the exercise would be good for me. She has been right. I do feel better for it. I had thought it might be a place to meet some new people, but as I look around, most people are churning away on their machines with headphones on listening to their form of escape. One day I did find a delightful woman walking the upstairs track as I was without headphones on and I complimented her on her hair, she smiled, and we ended up walking our mile together talking. Of course the conversation turned to the lack of rain and I found out she lives in the neighborhood near Phillips Middle School where Karl was a student. I know the neighborhood well because I used to take my dogs and walk before it was time for the last bell to ring to end the school day. I mentioned that my son used to go to school there and she eventually asked if he was at East Chapel Hill High School. I had to say, no I’m sorry to say that he died this spring and went on to explain that I was doing this book drive in his memory. She of course was shocked and as she recovered she started sharing stories with me about her 28 year old niece who as breast cancer, and the stories continued. I came home telling Chink about it and his reaction was just don’t mention it. But, this is what women talk about. We ask each other about our families, where we live, where we work. Karl has been the center of my life for 14 years and I don’t want to cover that up. I can’t. But, what I also can’t do is hear other people’s serious health problems right now. I mean, I know nothing about breast cancer. So, what I have been practicing is right after I tell them that Karl has died, I have to tell them that most people seem to need to share some health problem they know of, and right now I can’t handle that. This is hard for me to do. Basically saying “shut up” in a nice way. I have been role playing with myself on my dog walks in the woods. Karl and I used to role play situations that were bothering him. So far, I haven’t gotten up nerve to say it.

So, once again the lesson is to be a good listener and then shut your mouth to those thoughts of sharing other stories. Mothers like me are maxed out in that department.

Thanks for letting me share. My love,
Kathy

Some of our History

2007-09-22T15:03:00.000-04:00

It has been almost exactly 6 months since our beautiful son Karl died. He travels with us daily and we feel honored to have had him physically here with us, even if for such a short time.

My husband, Chink, and I heard about Karl's brain tumor on a Tuesday afternoon in March 2004 after Karl's first of many MRIs. That news changed our lives forever. The next morning we told our then 10 year old son that he would not be going to his 4th grade class at Ephesus Rd Elementary School, but would be going to UNC Hospitals again to hear the results of his MRI. We were more than willing to have his new doctor explain the facts to him.

That was the morning we all met Dr. Stuart Gold for the first time and I remember he was wearing pants about the same color burnt orange as this page heading. He has since become a very good friend and I know from experience that he has a heart of gold, a calming and hopeful spirit and he relates wonderfully with his young patients.

As we walked into the oncology building for the first of many times, I can remember thinking, "Does Karl know what oncology means?". In the 3 years we were dealing with his brain tumor, I never once thought of it as CANCER. We always treated him as a normal kid with a health problem and we just tried to get on with life as normally as we could. He was never a complainer. He just seemed to know this was what he had to do.

Each visit we made to the hospital--usually every two weeks, included a bag of books and his Gameboy.He didn't like to waste time and he hated being bored. He had a wonderful ability to concentrate and this allowed him to escape into a terrific world of fantasy.

With the help of drugs, radiation, acupuncture, supplements and good food, prayers and lots of love from family and friends, Karl lived a much longer life than anyone in the medical field expected. Up until the last 6 weeks, he was able to stay active and in school and he continues to be an inspiration to everyone his life touched. With the help of UNC Hospice, we were able to care for him at home--he never spent a night in the hospital. My husband, my mom, Josie, and I were all with him here at home in his comfortable room when he died. He hung on as long as he could and we told him it was time to go.

We thank you for your continued support. I plan to use this site to relate my stories about my clinic kids I've gotten to know through this very worth while book drive. I want to share what a wonderful impact these books are having on the kids who unfortunately find themselves fighting very early for their lives. A child's world should be filled with make believe and fantasy and that is what I hope to help them with.

My love,
Kathy Humphries