Surgery report
Dear Friends,
What a long trip we have been on together. We are nearer to each other, aren’t we because of this sharing of our love for Katy?
The surgery was over about 11:30 ish a.m. today, April 6. The surgeon was able to get the entire tumor that was grossly evident. Which means he got as much as could be visibly seen. I know I was praying for that, that the surgeon would get the entire tumor out. Thank you, Lord.
But there is hard news. It is a very malignant tumor. It is called a high grade glioma. This kind of tumor sends tendrils into the brain, cell like structures that always cause the tumor to regrow. This kind of tumor cannot be cured. That is the medical way of describing the situation.
Katy will begin radiation and chemo treatments soon. She will have 3-4 days of recovery in the hospital and then can go home. She will probably not require a great deal of rehabilitation because the delicate parts of her brain were not at all invaded. But we still have to see about this.
In 4-6 weeks she will have her next MRI to see if there has been any new tumor growth.
There is not much more to report about the physical realities.
But there is something Katy wants you to know. When she saw her mom just a little bit ago, she said, “Mom, God is good!” Her mom nodded. And then she repeated this message. As I was hugging Patty and she told me this, it occurred to me that this probably wasn’t something she had had the time to meditate on, as she was just out of surgery. It was her first waking thought and the first thing she wanted her family to know. We had prayed for her to know the presence of Jesus, hadn’t we, this past week, in so many countless ways? We had affirmed to each other and back to Him that we were counting on His goodness and His kindness and His mercy. We asked Him to make Himself known to Katy clearly. Well, He did. She encountered Him in such a personal way, that that is what she wants to report to us. “Friends, God is good! He is good!”
I will continue to check back in with you today. I want to pray against those tendrils, what about you?
What a long trip we have been on together. We are nearer to each other, aren’t we because of this sharing of our love for Katy?
The surgery was over about 11:30 ish a.m. today, April 6. The surgeon was able to get the entire tumor that was grossly evident. Which means he got as much as could be visibly seen. I know I was praying for that, that the surgeon would get the entire tumor out. Thank you, Lord.
But there is hard news. It is a very malignant tumor. It is called a high grade glioma. This kind of tumor sends tendrils into the brain, cell like structures that always cause the tumor to regrow. This kind of tumor cannot be cured. That is the medical way of describing the situation.
Katy will begin radiation and chemo treatments soon. She will have 3-4 days of recovery in the hospital and then can go home. She will probably not require a great deal of rehabilitation because the delicate parts of her brain were not at all invaded. But we still have to see about this.
In 4-6 weeks she will have her next MRI to see if there has been any new tumor growth.
There is not much more to report about the physical realities.
But there is something Katy wants you to know. When she saw her mom just a little bit ago, she said, “Mom, God is good!” Her mom nodded. And then she repeated this message. As I was hugging Patty and she told me this, it occurred to me that this probably wasn’t something she had had the time to meditate on, as she was just out of surgery. It was her first waking thought and the first thing she wanted her family to know. We had prayed for her to know the presence of Jesus, hadn’t we, this past week, in so many countless ways? We had affirmed to each other and back to Him that we were counting on His goodness and His kindness and His mercy. We asked Him to make Himself known to Katy clearly. Well, He did. She encountered Him in such a personal way, that that is what she wants to report to us. “Friends, God is good! He is good!”
I will continue to check back in with you today. I want to pray against those tendrils, what about you?
posted by Neighborhood Ministries | 4/06/2005 02:05:00 PM
22 Comments:
Katy, Indeed, God is good all the time! I have been in prayer for you and the family ever since I heard your were in the hospital. God speed to you and I am so glad that God is so profoundly upon your heart.
thank you God!
Amen!
Lucia Hutchison Oerter (Seattle Washington)
Praise the Lord! He is good, ALWAYS. It is an awesome privilege to pray for you and we know specifically what to pray, thanks to your wonderful family in Christ that is supporting you there in Phoenix. We pray blessings on your whole family.
In His Love,
Diane Serban
Katy... Please know that my family is thinking so much of you right now, and praying for you and your Mom and Dad and for Lenny and Amy, that you are granted boundless strength in body and spirit. Sending so much love from the Mills family -- Megan Mills
Katy,
Happy Birthday. Our family had such a wonderful time with you and meeting the very important people, in your life, outside of Phoenix.
As I drove with my two babies out of the parking lot. Elliot broke the silence. "MOM! MOM!" "yeah, Elliot?" "Mom, you know our friend Katy, well her head it's gonna get aaaalll bedder. She got an ouie right now, but she gonna get aaaaall bedder. Jesus He just fixeses us and makes the ouie go away and no more bandaid on Katy's brain." That was Elliot, so matter-of-fact. Then rollin' in my Grand Marquis, the first song that blared out was 'My God is So Big. So strong and so mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do.' Followed by the next Veggitale hit, "You know that God, He will take care of us. No need to fuss. He knows what He's doing. We know that He will take care of us, if we will follow Him."
So through the childlike faith, Jesus encouraged me last night in so many ways. We will continue to pray for you.
We love you so much. It is a gift and an honour to be your friends, and to know your family and friends a little more.
The Geers
Katy,
I can't tell if my tears are from joy, grief, or pure hope that God will continue to be good (and I know He will!). I'm sure it's all of the above. :) I'm so grateful for God's angels of mercy surrounding you. For this awesome opportunity for you to receive His love in a powerful way. For the hundreds of hearts that you've loved that now get the privilege of loving you back.
I thank God for YOU.
In Awe, Lori Gibson
More than mere human compassion, I think it must be our oneness in Jesus Christ that would reduce me to reading this blog through my tears, although I've never met Katy or any of the family. Yes, God is good, all the time, even when the news is bad or, as it seems to be in this case, mixed.
Lord, I know the unseen portions of Katy's tumor are not unseen to you. I know you have the power to shrink the tendrils, any part that was not removed. I believe you have good things to bring out of this, that will glorify you. And n the process, You are being glorified through all of Katy's family and friends who spread your love in that place. Thank you for taking care of Katy, at all levels.
Katy, You are in my prayers!!! I heard about you through a gal I met from neighborhood ministries as I shared with her about the ministry I am involved in called YoungLives. I don't believe in coincidences...just God appointments. I trust that God will be faithful to our prayers on your behalf. I just recently watched Him answer the prayers to heal a dear friend of mine of brain/spinal cancer...8 year old Haily Osborne. Her encouraging journey can be viewed at HaileyOsborne.com I know He is able to do the same for you! May God's hand be upon you as He walks you through this journey. Blessings, Debbie Griggs
PRAISE GOD. May those tumors NEVER grow back. This is our new prayer. God answers and he will heal her. We all must stick together and pray. Thank you Jesus! He is GOOD katy! You are right! I have seen his healing powers and how great to see Him work in your life. May He continue to heal you and may this be a witnessing tool and a way to show others His mighty graciousness and love, and ability to heal!
We love you so much and are so blessed to know you. May we keep in touch better :) this is bringing everyone together. How awesome. You are such a gift. And so patient. So giving. So in love with Christ that you would wake up and say, "God is good." You are an example to live by. We love you. Thank you for your great example of strength and faith in Him.
Love
Eric, Meg and Caelan Brewer
1200 S. Highland Avenue #106
Fullerton, Ca 92832
714-447-1601
Katy,
My Mom told me the news and about the website. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are loved very much! I know all of the "Reel" family members are thinking and praying for you and your Mom, dad, Lenny and Amy. Katy, you know I am a critical care nurse and have taken care of patients with your type of tumor. I want to tell you to hang in there, stay strong, follow your faith and take the pain medicine if you need it, don't try to be a hero!!! I have learned that in the world of medicine amazing things happen everyday that can only be the work of the Lord. I also want you and your family to know that Brian and I had Sophie baptised on sunday. Becoming a recent Mom has reafirmed my faith in god, For only he could create and bless us (Brian & I)with a healthy beautiful daughter. Brian, Sophie and I will keep you and your family in our prayers. May God guide your footsteps and grant you the courage to follow them,
God Bless You!!
Love Always,
Your Cousins, Julie, Brian & Sophie Arnold
Katy and family,
I'm thrilled beyond words to hear the surgery went so well... We know God can heal anything and my prayers (and the prayers of my family) continue as you recover and come to the next stage of treatment. GOD is indeed GOOD!
Eyes to the Sky,
Melissa MKUSA
Dear Katy,
We love you and are praying for a swift and complete recovery.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Love, Jeff and Sue Pankratz
Katy,
Your mom has shown such love to the shut-ins over the years. May the same love, the love of Christ Himself, strengthen you and your family daily.
Love, Judy Blough
Katy,
What an awesome girl. Only she could turn a situation like this upside down and give us what God has shown her in her life. She has been nothing but an awesome person and friend to anyone i have known including myself. GOD IS GOOD. You have been such an inspiration in my walk and may you continue to be to all those around you.
"May the lord bless you and keep you, may the lord let his face shine upon you, and give you his peace."
Hang in there Girl
With love from Georgia,
Eryk Ingersoll
Katy,
Just to remind you the TAB crew is praying and ready to celebrate more good news from the Lord. In a few days you will get the first installment of the Katy Reel and Ratus adventure entitled " La Bonita Senorita" - which, in case you haven't figured out yet is you, dear heart. Remember - this is a joint project between you and the Church Mouse. You have to help him with the story 'cause he's not all that bright. Your mom and dad know him and he's ok for a rodent. And he is praying for you with mucho gusto, as are we all.
The Mouse and the rest of the gang at TAB are looking forward to seeing you next time you come to Indy.
In the Lord,
Pastor John and Ratus
Pastor John
Katy (and Family) -
John and I just found out about your surgery this evening. Our prayers have begun! And will continue through your journey! What an awesome support group you have!!! You have certainly touched a lot of lives. Stay strong! Keep your faith - always remembering, if God brings you to it, he will see you through it! Through him, all things are possible!
Love and Prayers,
John David, Beth and Sydney Meyer
Greenwood, IN
Katy,
Well the outcome of today's surgery is nothing if not the answer to so many prayers being said for you; trust in God that He will continue to work miracles in answer to all the prayers that continue to be said. I love to see the outpouring of love and prayers for you on this site, and I continue to add mine to them.
Happy Birthday and I love you!!
Alice
Katy,
We have been thinking a lot about you and you are in our prayers. We know that you are strong enough to get through this and god is watching over you. We hope everything goes well with your recovery.
Love Always,
Tony and Katie
Dearest Katy,
Both Sperry and I are praying that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will bless you with a speedy and complete recovery. Even though it has been a couple of years since we worked together, you have always been in my thoughts and prayers. I miss my teaching buddy. You had and still have a special gift in dealing with children, as well as adults. Working with you was truly a heavenly blessing which I will always cherish. I also will always remember, as you will always remember, your first class...hey, if you could get through that, you can get through anything! Remember the running joke that your first year, you were dragging and I was laughing; your second year, I was dragging and you were laughing...I'll never forget how you would always tell me about the long and very tiring drive home after a hard day at work that first year...and you lived in those apartments on Santa Gertrudes! Do you think that Cheyenne ever did enroll at that military school I had her find in the phone book? May God grant you and your family strength as you recover. I am so thankful that you are my friend. You're the greatest!
With Love & Appreciation,
Pano
Happy Birthday, Katy! We are praying for all of you. Blessed is the Name of the Lord.
John and Jenni Mohr
Katy and family,
We wish the news were "the ideal" in this situation, but God is good and He knows what He is doing. There certainly is a seeking of God, a uniting of believers and a grace being poured out on you through all of this. You are in our prayers for your recovery, for the tendrils to dry up and disappear and for your continued strengthening through whatever the future holds. Our love to your family, especially your parents who we know the best.
Love,
Mary Anne and Scott Emch
Dear Katy (Miss Reel),
It's Justene Dolph from Oceanview Elementary in Whittier, CA. I was in your first grade class two years ago and we're all thinking about you at Oceanview Elementary. We are all praying that you get well soon. We miss you very much and Thanks for being such a great teacher to all of us. We Love you!
Love,
Justene Dolph
Whittier, CA
Reel Family,
Our hearts and prayers continue to be with you every minute of every day. May God rain blessings on each of you!
Love,
Scott & Lori
PS: Rick - More speedo's are on their way...
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