Caring for Kait: A True Story of Young Love & Cancer - Paperback

by Travis Ruhland (Author)

At the age of 22, Kaitlyn Julia was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. At age 23 it had moved to the 4th Stage. And by age 24 it had claimed her life. On the day she was supposed to be married to her soul mate, Travis, she was instead laid to rest. Told from Travis' perspective, this is a true story chronicling the harrowing journey of a couple and their unbreakable bond as they are faced with the cold reality that their time together would likely be cut short. This is a story of immense love and heartbreak. Of triumph and sorrow. This is a story of a woman's indomitable strength through impossible circumstances.

Author Biography

Born on September 13th, 1984, in the small town of Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin, Travis has always been a big dreamer. From wanting to be a professional athlete to wanting to be a movie star, there was nothing in his mind that he couldn't do. Unfortunately, reality set in fast. Baseball, basketball, and football were quickly scratched off the list when he couldn't throw a ball much more than 80 miles per hour, he couldn't dunk at 5'10," and a bleeding disorder kept him out of contact sports. Then, in his 20s, male pattern baldness began to set in, removing him from consideration to play Batman in future movies - and if he couldn't be Batman, he no longer wanted to be a movie star. Fate seemed to have other plans for Travis as he temporarily ceded to his lofty goals and returned to school to finish his degree. It was while attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater that he met the woman of his dreams in Kaitlyn! And what started out as a simple friendship rapidly blossomed into true, unconditional love. With her beaming smile and radiant presence, she inspired Travis and those around her to be better people. It was in Kaitlyn's presence that Travis learned about the aspects of life that truly matter, the aspects that bring true happiness. For Travis, it had seemed as though the void in his life had been filled. He felt whole. He felt complete for the first time in his life. However, with wedding bells on the horizon, Travis and Kaitlyn were faced with the grim reality that their time together on Earth might be cut tragically short. In 2011, Kaitlyn was diagnosed with melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. It quickly invaded and spread throughout her body. On December 30th, 2012, the cancer ended up taking Kaitlyn's life, and that rare feeling of wholeness had vanished. Now, with his book complete, Travis' new "lofty goal" is to spread Kaitlyn's positivity and grand personality throughout the world. It is his hope that people will be able to look to Kaitlyn for inspiration, because she was THE full embodiment of love and happiness. She understood the true meaning of life. By following Kait's lead, it is Travis's cliché, unobtainable goal to try and alter the social landscape of the world and make it a better place to live. Because he's a big dreamer, he believes it is possible.