Treatment Plan Unfolds
Katy’s treatment plan began to unfold today. She has included the well known Barrow’s Neurological Institute physicians for their second opinions. Today she met with Dr. Shapiro, Chief of Neuro-oncology there. The neuropathologist reviewed her slides and agreed with the pathology report. Her tumor is indeed an Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma, stage 3.
As he reviewed the MRI with Katy, her family and Heather, he was amazed that she had been so healthy until just 2 weeks before her surgery. Her tumor was so large! And that it was already Anaplastic (fast growing) is significant. “How was it you were still walking?” was his observation.
Today’s consult focused in on the next step which is radiation. Barrows does IMRT radiation, a very specialized modulated technique that does radiation very tightly, making it accurate to within a few millimeters. She needs 6 weeks of this. Tomorrow the original radiology oncologist will be consulted to see if Good Samaritan provides the same technique and if they do, Katy will remain in their care and begin treatments right away. If not she will begin radiation at Barrows.
What follows radiation is the particular type of chemotherapy for this kind of tumor. The drug is "Temodar", the brand name for temozolomide. This drug has only been in use for three years. She will have 5 days of treatment per month for a year. The side effects are much less than the old fashioned standard treatment. Only 10% of the patients that take it are affected by changes in their blood count.
Today was a sobering day. The prognosis report was difficult to hear. The treatment reminds us that this is a really bad brain tumor.
So, we pray, don’t we? Because our God is mighty, and He is good! We are compelled throughout the length of this treatment to daily bring our dear sister before the throne of grace for healing. For …
God's love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
How exquisite your love,
O God!
How eager we are to run
under your wings.
Psalm 36:5-7
(The Message)
posted by Neighborhood Ministries | 4/18/2005 10:57:00 PM
25 Comments:
Dear Katy and all,
Thank you for the update, Kit. I just emailed Patty as I couldn't get this page to load at first. I have printed out the update and will take it to Women Alive this morning (for you non-Tabites, that's the weekly women's Bible study that Patty is part of). We will be praying.
I loved the Psalm you chose, Kit. I have been saying that a lot lately--nothing is lost with God. (On the other hand, we would like to permanently lose those cancer cells.) We are giving your brain, Katy, in fact your whole body, to God, to cleanse and heal and make whole.
God bless you, and may God bless these wonderful medical people He is including in His work.
And we will continue to praise God for you, and for His care of you, and for Himself.
Love, Miriam :)
Katy & Family,
You're constantly in our thoughts and prayers as Katy begins her treatment. God is great and He will be there with you always.
Have a great day.
Lots of Love,
Pano & Sperry
Kit, thank you for the update. As I looked at the image, my thoughts ran to the wonders of technology, that you could incorporate that picture into the blog. Can't get much more removed from the realities it represents than that. So, thank you, too, for the sobering reminder: This picture represents the brain of a living, breathing, beautiful young woman, known to so many of you and prayed for by so many more.
Actually, the image is helpful to me in my prayers, as I want to visualize the tumor shrinking as I ask for your healing, Katy. I'm also helped by remembering that nothing in that image surprised God; He did not pull back with a "Whoa! I had no idea!" Our God is "bigger than what's-the-matter," and you already know His hand is on you. Bless you, Katy, as you continue to be a blessing.
katy-
you continue to be in my prayers. had a long talk with andrew last night. he's really struggling with what to believe these days, and yet hearing your continuing story is impacting him. i'm amazed at all the people praying for you. his boss, teresa, called him last week to tell him she had been praying for you that hour. "god, heal katy. she is here for a reason." i mean, i barely know her, and yet she knows the truth about you... you are here for a reason and god still needs you here. awesome, huh? defintely brought tears to my eyes. god is alive in this world. you are surrounded in prayers, my friend. i love you. anne
we continue to think of you and pray for you. our church, richfield community in yorba linda has you on their prayer chain. we are all believing God has a huge purpose. thank you for your willingness to accept Gods plan to use this to touch others, because it is doing huge things in peoples lives. You seem so positive yet it is such a tough thing. You are strong, and have a beautiful spirit about you. I know God will give you what you need to get through this. Remember God doesnt give us anything we cant handle, He promises us to give us what we need to get through tough times, and I can see He is already equipping you for all you need through the support of family and friends all around you.
I love you. I believe in you, and I believe in the power of Gods healings in your life. Keep your eyes and heart on Him.
Love you a lot more than you know. We really really want to see you soon, we are having a hard time getting there with things we are going through right now, but I hope soon we can figure something out. Where would we find you? Are you with your parents I am assuming? Let us know where to send mail too, and gifts and things.
Love you lots and lots.
hugs to you and your family.
-Megan Brewer
(eric and caelan too)
Dear Katy,
Hi! How are you? The girls and I are doing fine. We love you so much. It was fun seeing you at Bible Study. You look so healthy and, like always, so beautiful. I am really glad we all got to know you at Head Start and Mom's Place. I love the fact that your family and friends are together. We will be with you every step you take. Your family has our support, love and prayers.
Take care of yourself. We love you so much,
Maria, Lizettte, De Vina, and Mireya
Katy,
I am so excited to hear that you are out of the hospital and doing so well. It has been real hard to talk to you because you have been surrounded by your family and friends. I am so happy that they are all here for you, but I want you to know that we all love you so much, especially God.
Just to let you know a little about how Leticia and I are doing. Leticia is walking already. She is so beautiful. I hope she grows up with a loving and caring heart like yours. I am working on my GED. I go to class Monday through Thursday. It is hard because I have to take the bus each way, but I get through it. It is worth it because I am learning so much.
Thank you for your letter to all of us. We are happy to know you are doing so well. We love you always,
Kala and Leticia
Dear Katy,
Thanks for writing this letter so soon after your surgery. I know it has been rough going through one of life's tragedy so young. Life sometimes seems unfair, but with your love and belief, I know God can create miracles.
My life has been tough also, with ups and downs, tears and pain. But because of God's grace and mercy, I have stayed on the right track to GED classes. I plan to be at the center every day, on time, to help and clean around. Also, I am going to do a summer internship so you can be praying for me.
God's peace be with you. With much love,
Victor
Dearest Katy,
I believe with all my heart and soul that GOD has set forth the plan to heal your body and rid it completely of cancer. I pray every day for your speedy recovery and for GOD to guide the physicians who are in charge of your care...My church continues to pray for you and I have requested a continuos daily prayer for you on CBN.
I have said it before and I will say it again; Katy, your work is not done. We need you...Neighborhood Ministries needs you...The World needs you ...AND GOD knows this. That is why he is going to grace us with your presence for many, many years to come.
Much Love...
Karen Craft & the Entire Cooper Clan.
Kit
Thank you very much for the time and effort you have put into this blog for Katy. It is comforting to know that when I am wondering how Katy is doing today, I can get online and know Katy's progress.
Hi Katy
I am still praying for you and thinking of you often. I went to Adrienne's wedding over the weekend. I saw some of our old friends from highschool and one of the first things they said was how is Katy? We have all been affected by your strength and will power Katy. You remind me every day how someone can make such a difference in the world. I love you and hope to talk to you soon!
Katy,
Just a little note to let you know that I'm thinking about you and praying for you. You are on my heart everyday! Reel family, you are in my prayers as well.
Katy,
It's so amazing to see how many people are out there praying for you. I am sure its an encouragement for you and your family to know this. I truly pray for you daily and wish I could see you. I spoke with Sandi the other day and it was so nice to hear the whole story from her. Sandi told me she would call me back with your phone number or some way to get a hold of you to say hello other than just here. But I just want you to know how much I love you and miss you. You are so beautiful and wonderful and as I am here at Biola again I constantly think of all of us girls being together. I loved those days. I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Love Jenny
Katy,
Today, as we begin doing some projects for Open House and I begin changing the room into a jungle, many wonderful and funny thoughts about you come to mind.
Your kindness, your thoughtfulness, the constant smile on your face despite some trying times...I miss you so. What encouragement and inspiration you gave then...what encouragement and inspiration you give now...You have touched so many lives and we are forever grateful. Here at Ocean View, things have never been quite the same since you left. You are on our minds, in our hearts, and in our prayers, constantly, throughout the day, every day. May our Lord continue to be with you and your family throughout this difficult time and always. Have an incredible day!
Love,
Pano
Dear Katy,
Moms In Touch here in Indianapolis are praying for you as we have in previous years. Now we can pray specifically for excellent healing so that you can continue your service to the Lord Jesus.
Dearest Patty,
Tonight at Moms in Touch we will be lifting you up as well for God's touch upon you and your wonderful family.
Love, Lois
Dear Katy, Rick, Patty, Lennie, and Amy,
We have you all in our daily thoughts and prayers. We keep in touch with Mary and Linda. We are so thankful for your blogspot. Brad and I have tried several times to reach you thru this network, but were unable to do so. We finally got the correct address from Mary.
We can't begin to tell you how badly we feel that you are going thru such a difficult time, but feel so thankful that "the Lord will never fail you nor forsake you", Deut. 31:6. We are always here for you if there is anything that you need.
I went to a prayer meeting tonight and I had the entire Reel family in mind during hymns and prayers. You are all such special people and we love you dearly. You have so many people praying for you. I even had our past minister, Rev. Blowers pray for Katy at his Bible Study Class.
One of my favorite verses that I often think about is: Isaiah 41:10, "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."
We will continue to pray for you. I will write again soon.
All our love Mark, Nancy, Brad, and Todd
Dearest Kit, I am so thankful for your work on this blog for Katy. As Miriam (Hi, Miriam! I haven't seen you for so long. I have missed you and your wonderful spirit)wrote, it has been such a blessing to so many of us. I have not wanted to interfere with the Reels, especially after our long absence from each other, so this has been such a wonderful way to know how to pray and to be up to date. Bless you!
Katy, Rick, Patti, Amy, Lenny, we cannot wait to come and visit you. We want to do this at a time which is good for you, and we won't stay long. It will be "good medicine" for us, especially KK (Katie) to see Katy. I can't tell you how many people who I've asked to pray for you who have been blessed by your blog. You have a ministry even in your sickness. After all, Paul told us that he was strongest when he was weakest, that the power of God would be manifest through him. And you. I loved the fact that Kit used 2 Cor 1 in her latest blog, because I'd just studied that passage in my Bible study. It reeks of you and your situation. Soooo many of us have rejoiced as we've watched the Lord do His work in you; what a privilege it is indeed to be a part of a blessing.
Know that you are in our prayers daily and more. Remember that we are only 1/2 hour away and would be glad to help in any way we can. Much love, Vicki King
Katy,
Praying that you have a most blessed day filled with God's most wonderous blessings and gifts.
Lots of Love,
Pano
HI Katy,
Thought of you today as we looked at the scan. I was reminded that on Sunday as I struggled to understand what was going on in church with my really bad Bosnian language of a choice of words that I heard. As we listened to words talking about a child being on the lap of her father, the words were the same as another phrase I had heard: that of being under the wings of the Lord... Good choice of words for whoever thought up this language - in the Father's lap or under His wings - same affect.
Blessings girl!!! We are praying for you.
GREETINGS Katy....it is so awesome to see how our Loving Father continues to cover you in the prayer of others...it truely brings to life the scripture in Romans 12:5...'though we are many we are one body..'..my love and prayers are constant for you and I pray that the power of His Resurrection Spirit continue to lift you moment by moment ..INJESUSNAME...and INHISLOVE.....dona @ odf
Dear Katy,
I met your wonderful Dad tonight and he is bursting with pride in his daughter. His stories of your attitude and faith are inspirational! Your illness touches all of us so never think that you are alone in this battle.
Your circumstance caused me to recall some of the mighty miracles I have personally witnessed in our own family. I have seen hopeless situations turn completely around. I have seen children who were not expected to live through the night become completely healed. You know a great God who has a perfect plan for you and your family.
My wife Barbara and I will delight in our prayers for your health.
Charlie Dunlap
Praying for you, Katy.
I hope and pray that your weekend will be filled with all of God's most awesome blessings. You're always in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Pano
Dear Rick, Patty , Katy and all,
You are in my daily prayers. God speaks so clearly in 2 Cor. 1- He is the true comforter. I am lifting up all involved and praying for healing.
...........for in your faith you are standing firm. In His love, Ann Weller
Dear Miss Reel,
Our love and prayers go out to you. I just want you to know that Marcus says that you were the best teacher ever. He thinks about you all the time. We still have your picture of you in the fairy costume up on our desk. Erin says she loved helping you during school. I think that is why she decided to become a teacher. They are both doing great and they both wish for you to get better.
All our love,
Rachael, Erin and Marcus
Dear Katy and family,
WE are continuing to pray daily for you and your family. You are on our minds constantly and we are thankful to read your updates. You are an inspiration for all of us. As you may remember, Nick was hospitalized many times for brain surgery and we knew it would be a long road, but God kept us focused on the blessing of each day. As soon as I would start to wonder and worry ( I know Jesus says not to!) what might be ahead, I would visualize a door gently closing in my mind. It was God's way of keeping me in "today" and not projecting my fear and anxiety into the future. God did not want me to worry. As we went through Nick's many surgeries, God was evident throughout our journey. We pray that each day, you and your entire family feel His calming presence. He loves you so much! God Bless All of You ~
Anne Scarpino
P.S.- Nick said to me out of the blue the other day, "I know that Katy is going to be fine, Mom". He said it with such a gentle confidence. Wanted you to know.
Post a Comment
<< Home