My name is [[http://www.facebook.com/karen.s.paddock|Karen Shettler Paddock]].
//[[:kpaddock:obituary|I am dead]]//.  I committed [[:resources:suicide|suicide]] on August 7th 2013, as I could no longer stand the excruciating headache caused by  Intracranial
Hypotension due to  Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leaks. A condition that is more common that many think (for example [[:blog:bpaddock:george_clooney_has_a_csf_leak|Actor George Clooney had/has a CSF Leak]] and considered suicide), yet is so unknown that some doctors argue the condition does not even exist. 

It has been estimated that ten percent of the 30,000,000 suffering from
[[:tips:migraine headaches|migraine headaches]], per day, are actual suffering from this condition, that is
three million (3,000,000) people per day!

Not even my love for my husband Bob, who maintains this site on my
behalf, love for my dog [[:user:gpaddock:start|Garth]] and
family, could no longer keep me going, which is how powerful the pain
from a CSF Leak/IH can be.

I want this site to be a [[:resources:resource|resource]] of CSF Leaks (CSFL) and the few
[[:resources:resource|other conditions]] that cause similar pain.  None of those
[[:kpaddock:left_behind|left behind]] saw me taking my own life coming, they are
[[http://blog.softwaresafety.net/2013/08/my-wifes-suicide.html|devastated]].

[{{:kpaddock:karenbluewolf_851_315_fb.png?350 |My wedding picture when I had hope in 1993}}]

See **//[[:kpaddock:my_story|My Story]]//** for my complete
medical history so that you do not have to repeat our mistakes and
will get the correct treatment that you need.  People tell [[:bpaddock:contact_hubby|Hubby]] they
are in tears by the time they reach the end of
**//[[:kpaddock:my_story|My Story]]//**.

[{{ :kpaddock:howkarenreallyfelt.jpg?250||The last picture ever taken of me, about two weeks before my death, hope is gone...}}]


<blockquote> "Karen's first-hand account of her illness gave an honest, heart-wrenching depiction of what it is like to live with debilitating pain day-to-day."  - //[[http://www.kpaddock.org|The Derrick Front Page Story Sept. 8th 2014]]//.</blockquote>


<WRAP tip>//This is the single most important take away I want you
to have from this site.  Twenty+ years ago this is all that needed to
happen, a doctor saying this://

<WRAP important>**"You have a headache when you are
upright, but not laying down.  Sounds like a CSF Leak.  Lets get you
sealed and healed..."**</WRAP>

[[:bpaddock:contact_hubby|Hubby]] just got this added to [[bpaddock:letter_from_dean_at_duke|Duke's
Neurobiology course]].  This is not the end of //[[:kpaddock:my_story|My Story]]//,
**//[[kpaddock:memorial_fund|with your help]]//**, //[[:kpaddock:my_story|My Story]]// has just
begun...</WRAP>

<WRAP box>
<WRAP left>{{:kpaddock:karen_this_is_for_you_2014.jpg?250}}</WRAP>"I used to be an avid runner, but am grateful that once a year I have been able to participate in our city's annual 4-mile. This is the second year that Karen's strength and knowing the pain she went through for so long has kept me going and my daughter joined in too. So this is for you //[[http://www.facebook.com/karen.s.paddock|Karen Shettler Paddock]]//... - 2014"

<WRAP
left>{{:kpaddock:this_is_for_you_karen.jpg?250}}</WRAP>"I was a
passionate runner prior to my csf leak. This year I wanted to
participate in our city's annual 4-mile run/walk event. I really
didn't think I could do it, but it was Karen's story that kept me
going. She went through so much for so long, that I knew I could
endure some pain to honor her.\\ //This one is for you, [[http://www.facebook.com/karen.s.paddock|Karen Shettler Paddock]]//." - [[https://www.facebook.comjanelle.hermeshibiske|Janelle Hermes
Hibiske - 2013]]   

The photos are taken at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, IN, which is where the finish line is for the events.</WRAP>

<WRAP alert>
**My Journal may now be ordered in //[[:book|book format]]// so that you may put it into the hands of your family and doctor.**
</WRAP>

<WRAP tip>See //[[resources:what_is_csfl_ih|Cerebrospinal Fluid
(CSF) Leaks Explained]]// for an introduction to this painful condition.</WRAP>

If you would like to share your own story, medical images etc, or you
wish to contribute tips and information to help others, or comment on
**//[[:kpaddock:my_story|My Story]]//**, please contact [[:bpaddock:contact_hubby|Hubby]] and
he will set up an account for you.  Sadly attacks from automated Spam
Bots has made self registration impossible.

Major topics are listed in the sidebar on the left.  //There is a lot more information to be found in the **[[http://wiki.kpaddock.com/doku.php/start?do=index|Sitemap]]**//.

{{ :kpaddock:karen_i_miss_you_from_kathleen.jpg?300 |}}

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