Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Yang's Gang at Sampson Elementary
Just the title brings a smile to our faces:) Today everyone at Katrina's school is wearing their Yangs Gang blue t-shirts. Ours were lovingly delivered to our 12th floor room at MD Anderson Cancer Center this morning. If there is a word stronger than overwhelmed, that is what we are feeling by this strong and gracious show of support! Thank you for your outpouring of love toward Louis and Katrina!! I hope we can post a few pictures soon. I am not sure where to start on the update. Yesterday Katrina began to have increased abdominal issues- pain/nausea/upset. The started to treat her for constipation, a side effect of the chemo and pain meds. She was scheduled for a brain MRI so the lactalose was put on hold. We were picked up by transport at 8PM last night for the test. They gave me earplugs and let me stay in the MRI room with her for the 30-40 minute test. She told me afterwards there was a mirror positioned so she could see me during her MRI but that she had her eyes closed most of the time (smart thing to do during an MRI). We got back to the room at 10PM and more lactalose...short story is- long night, little sleep and no results. Today she was seen by a GI specialist who reviewed her abdominal xray and examined her and gave her a different medication. He said much of the abdominal discomfort if due to pain meds and chemotherapy but constipation is an issue and is being dealt with. As I type all of this, keep in mind Katrina is in a world-class facility and carefully watched and monitored all the time by her team and the resources of every imaginable specialty group. On to the next thing, her leukemia doctors decided to stop the Decadron (her chemo steroid med) that she had 2 more days of. They felt she had received plenty already for the results they want to see & that with the blood infection they are treating it was prudent to not do today and tomorrow. The last thing to mention is the scan and MRI is showing the jaw pain is abnormal marrow infiltration with lymphoma/leukemia. She has it in her bones and they will continue with the course of treatment they are doing. It does explain her pain. We continue to be thankful she is where is and that absolutely everyone is telling us she will be ok. It is a tough road today. She is tired but continues to do what needs to be done. Please pray for her perseverance, focus, NO more side effects and complications (ugh). The Nurse Practitioner told me today she guessed Katrina will be her through the weekend. She is really wanting to go home. The doctors are on top of everything- pray for wisdom for them and her top notch nurses. (The nurse just told me she is getting a platelet transfusion now) She has been up and walking the halls today and up in the chair this AM. No problems with being up- just tired after a long night. It has been a busy day (has also been reevaluated by her chronic pain doctor and physical therapist and occupational therapist!!) Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for her. (today's day nurse is Bonnie-she said she loves her job and it is evident) -Lori
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I wished you could have seen the school today. It was blue all over! Especially your class! They miss you a lot.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you too (Chelsea and I).
We are praying that there are no more issues so you can go home soon.
Goodness...I can not even begin to imagine all that you are going through, Katrina. Every time I read your amazing blog, my head just spins. I am glad that you are getting the answers to some of the questions you have and that the chemo and other treatments will take care of the problems you are experiencing. You are truly one of a kind and I know the Lord has HIS hands totally wrapped around you.
ReplyDeleteYou will continue to constantly be in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay strong!
Ann
Thinking of you and your family today! Praying for you all!!!
ReplyDeleteAmber
Katrina and Family,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the blog updates. It is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing before I turn off my computer at night.
Crazy how this whole thing is playing out. On Sunday, I was looking in the Hymnal during Mass just to find the perfect Bible verse to send your way - index cards, you know. Do you know what a big deal that is? Katrina, I'm Catholic. I barely know one end of the Bible from the other. (Sorry, I don't mean to offend any Catholics out there.) Anyway, I kept turning back to one of my favorite songs, "On Eagle's Wings." One of the lines is, "And He will hold you in the palm of His hands." It just seemed to fit.
I cringe when I read what you go through on a daily basis, but I always end up smiling because of the uplifting words written by Louis, Erica, Lori or Steve. Their strength and love are evident. I am so glad you have them with you.
No doubt that hand of God's is going to be quite crowded. It is obvious that He is holding you all.
Your faith and your family's faith amazes me. You have touched my life and my family's life. Thank you.
You are all in my prayers.
Pam Lopez
Katrina,
ReplyDeleteYour strength continues to amaze me. What a little fighter you are! It was amazing to see so many Sampson students and staff members wearing their "Yang's Gang" t-shirts today. This morning in the drop-off line, so many parents asked about you and told me they are praying for you. You have soooooo many people praying for you, Katrina! Hang in there girl, you are going to win this battle! You are such an inspiration to so many people and I'm so proud of you! I pray you get to go home soon so you can sleep in your own bed :)
Love,
Robbie Bondy
Praying for comfort and rest for you tonight. It was such an incredible day today just seeing everyone showing their support for you! And to think that Sampson is just a tiny portion of all of your prayer warriors! You might not realize it right now, but God is using you through this battle in some mighty big ways!
ReplyDeleteLove you. Miss you! Can't wait for you to get home and feel better.
"The LORD God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility." Habakkuk 3:19
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
We continue to pray for you, Katrina! Our God is so faithful!
ReplyDeleteDeb & Tom
Katrina and Lori,
ReplyDeletePraying for strength and peace. I hope both of you are able to get some sleep and restore your energy! Stay strong and keep fighting!
God is good!
Weg
Katrina, Lori, Louis, and family,
ReplyDeleteMy love to you all. Praying for all of you. I love the verses. Note to Missy-- the verse from Habakkuk is one of my all time favorites-- so glad you sent it.I can't wait to see the pics of your class in their shirts. Katrina, nestle into the Lord's mighty hands. He loves you!!
Kami Rollins
Psalm 59:17
ReplyDelete"O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my
loving God."
Katrina, Lori, and Steve, the prayers of my church continue to rise up for you all as you face the challenges ahead of you.
Love never ends.
Cathy J.
Oh my...you are going through SO MUCH! I am thankful for your Yang Gang!!!! What wonderful support from your school. I know how they must love you, Katrina. What's not to love? Here is a verse I want to give you today:
ReplyDelete"I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." Psa. 57:2
Love you,
Alice
I have been following the blog each day and continue to pray for you and your family Katrina. I am continually amazed at the strength and faith you all have. It truly is a testimony to all. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs I read my deovotional this morning, I thought of you and wanted to share it with you.
With many prayers, Carrie (Lokker) Mathison
A Certain Peace
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27
“We live in an unsettling world. There is no such thing as security here. Thieves break in, accidents happen, illness strikes, terror assaults, and death comes to all–no one is immune. No human institution can guarantee our safety. The locks on our doors, the air bags in our cars, the medicines on our shelves–they may help us, but they do not come with promises. We walk on shaky ground.”
“On the night He was betrayed, Jesus reminds His disciples of this certain truth. Even He, the Son of God, will experience the uncompromising danger of a fallen world. But He leaves them with a promise: peace. They may breathe a sigh of relief. There is a sure foundation for security, not in this place, but in the One who transcends it. They need never be troubled if they rest secure in Him.”
“Some of the world’s strongest faith-filled Christians became so in battlefields, torture chambers, cross fires, and crime-ridden neighborhoods–the places on this planet where conflict rages and death can come in an instant. One of the many paradoxes of the gospel is that those who have no security in this world can be the most secure of all. They have found it elsewherein the promises of the One who overcomes the world. The King whose kingdom is never shaken has assured them that they need not let their hearts be troubled. They are beaming examples of peace in the presence of God.”
“We fill ourselves with false securities. We surround ourselves with safety measures, especially protecting our physical lives. But the world is fraught with hazards. Not just physical, but also spiritual and emotional. Who can protect us? Real security can only be found in Christall else is sinking ground. It does matter what threatens us if we know He is with us. He and no on else, has promised us peace. And His promises are certain.”
He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning & peace for despair. Thank you Jesus! "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
ReplyDeleteHello sweet Friend! I am praying for you and looking to HIM to strengthen us. I am thankful that HE never changes and HIS promises can be counted on...always.
ReplyDeleteSending you and your mom and Louis a warm hug!
Warmly,
Wendy
Katrina, we are going to get San Francisco Jesus-followers praying for you! May God carry you through this and give you an even deeper sense of His presence. Much love to you, your husband and to Lori and Steve.
ReplyDeleteVal (and Dave) Gallaher
Continuing to pray with you and for you.
ReplyDeleteSweet Katrina,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord is good and brings you to mind many times every day. Since you were a young girl your beautiful smile has been like sunshine. I have no doubt that you are a blessing to everyone in the hospital. I know you are anxious to get home, so I pray that you will be able to leave the hospital soon. The Newman family is praying for you. We love you!
Thanks for the updates, Lori. We are clinging to them since we don't want to keep calling and bothering Katrina. We love you all and said a prayer for you today. We are on vacation today and mentioned that we felt guilty having fun while our friend was still in the hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as always.
ReplyDelete-Cole and Erin Wilkins