Great Day and Answered Prayers

Thank you everyone for your prayers - the specific requests we made were all answered!

Robert and Becca are having a great time camping with many adventures and fun. I heard something about fishing for crawdads, spearing fish, roasting donuts and squirrel chasing. I think Robert has constant entertainment watching Becca and her friend in their element!

Katelyn's head spasms stopped Friday morning and has regained some head and trunk control again! Praise the Lord. We had a wonderful GIRLs day yesterday as she and her aunt got pedicures, then we all went to jamba juice and hit the strip mall. Shopping is definately great p.t. as Kate is constantly trying to turn her head to see everything. We ended the day at Macaroni Grill for her first meal out at a restaurant. It was amazing that she lasted that long and as soon as I carried her to bed when we got home, she was out!

It's been wonderful having Robert's sister here and we ventured out again today to the movies and a stroll through Costco. I've become really good at transporting and moving her and it has opened up more possibilities for her to get out.

We look forward to getting her in the pool tomorrow and Robert and Becca's return.

Please pray for next week as they will be trying some new things in therapy and her body seems to be really responding right now to what they are doing. We are back to UC Davis for a follow up on Monday also.

Last, it is so exciting how her journey has touched so many people. We received exciting news today from her dear friend and teacher Mrs. Shapley. Her son Glenn is currently doing the Journey of Hope ride. Journey of Hope is a bicycle ride across the continental US. The event's purpose is to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. The bike-ride includes daily visits to various centers that help people with disabilities (these visits are known as "friendship visits").

Glenn called today to say that the focus of their learning about different disabilites for today, was "paralysis". Paralysis of all kinds and for all reasons. He said they try to have a different topic each day to teach them more about the people they meet and to be sensitive to their needs and to help others to better understand disabilities, too. ANYWAY---they also ask if there are any on the team that know of someone that is struggling with whatever the particular disability is and Glenn briefly shared about Katelyn. So today, Saturday June 28, the Journey of Hope team dedicated their miles to Katelyn. Essentially the guys use the focus person to inspire and encourage them to pedal on as they trek across the states. Katelyn has touched all their lives with her courage!

That is SO COOL!!!

May God continue to be praised and glorified through this journey!

The 7 week stretch...

Well this weekend is coming up on the 7th week since Katelyn developed her current condition. We've tried to remain positive and hopeful amongst the set backs and slow progress.

The latest is that the last few days she has had increased involuntary movement. On Wed. at p.t., when her right leg was moved out, her right pointer finger curled in. And then when the leg was brought back in, the finger went out. She also had random "typing like" movement with the fingers in her right hand. The therapist was encouraged though it is still all movements she is not able to control.

Today was a rather "interesting" day. I think we are too overwhelmed to know what to think. First, one of her doctors here is suggesting getting a 2nd opinion with a pediatric neurologist he knows at Sutter Sac. We are going to pursue this but know it will take awhile to get it.

Second, this morning in p.t. Katelyn did something completely new. As they put her through the motions of trying to stand (as they've been doing more and more lately to put pressure through her legs and try to stimulate the muscles), her major head muscles decided to kick in. However, they kicked in uncontrollably and with large spuradic movements. This was very scarey for Kate and it took awhile to slow down the intense twitching. Upon transfering her to home, anytime she is moved, the head spasms start up again. Her p.t. was very reassuring that this is not unusually as the brain is trying to figure out how to make things work again (layman's explaination). Also, he did contact her UC Davis doctor to consult him regarding this and let him know that her pupils have also been very dilated on and off. They both feel this is the body's way of starting to try to "come out of it". It's hard to be excited as we watch the concern in her face as she can't control the movements. It's been so hard for her that she can't make her body move and now this. We're working through it though. Hopefully this is the start of something... (isn't that a song?)

Also, we have been told by two different sources that they've heard of RND patients having something like this happen and then when the "paralysis" goes away, the RND pain is gone too. It's sorta like rebooting a computer. To come out of this with her chronic pain condition gone would be a huge blessing but we don't want to hang too much hope on that and just focus on what we working with right now.

On that note, we have been counseled to not give up hope on Kate's full recover but to be sure that we are accepting that right now, we're taking care of a basically quadroplegic 14 year old and all that entails. We're in for the long haul! We've been blessed that the support we have received has been great and we greatly appreciate everyone!!! It's a balance between having people come help and entertain her, and then also making sure she isn't overwehlmed and gets the rest she needs.

All that to say, keep the prayers coming...

Please pray for:

1. Katelyn's head spasms to become controllable and lead to increased head muscle control.

2. For Kate to not be anxious about this change in her condition

3. For an opening with the new doctor and wisdom

4. For Robert and Becca as they left for Tahoe today camping for 4 days that they have fun and be recharged. Especially for Robert to have some time of peace and renewal without being worried about us.

5. For myself and Robert's sister Vicki as we care for Kate with Robert away. That we have some special "girl time" even in the midst of the situation.


As Katelyn's favorite verse says, "God has a plan for us..." I just wish He'd give us a little glimpse right now :)

PT and V

Today at PT (Physical Therapy), while my therapist asked me to try to move my leg my arm went flying!!! He said this was normal and that sometimes the signals get crosswired. We worked hard on trying to get me to sit up straight.

My best friend Victoria came over and helped me organize my photos from this past couple months so that I can print them out and make a scrapbook!

Tonight I am looking forward to Mr. Jim and Ms. Patty coming over to watch me and feed me banana ice cream, yummmmmmm!

-Kate

A day of rest?

Thank you for your prayers regarding Katelyn going to high school group at church today. She received an excited greeting from many she hadn't seen for awhile and had a wonderful time. She's also regained a little side to side head movement today.

She is enjoying a visit with her Grandma, Uncle and cousins today and looks forward to floating in the pool.

We have set up a yahoo group called katelynsjourney for an online meal calendar for those that haven't received this invite go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group.katelynsjourney. This continues to be a HUGE help and blessing.

Jeannette has officially stepped down from her job temporarily and will miss seeing everyone but it is necessary at this time.

Robert and Becca will be leaving on Thurs. for a 4 day camping trip in Tahoe we had planned and Katelyn looks forward to her Aunt coming to spend those 4 days with her and her mom.

Please pray for renewed spirits and faith for all of us.

It's been a tough few days but even though there is no change in her condition, today is a little better day. We've discoverd that if we use her music stand, she can read but we have to come turn the pages for her.

So, we are out working in the yard some (yes, I know it's too hot) and it feels good. Katelyn is laying on the chaise outside in the shade and we all take turns turning pages for her :)

Thurs. June 19th Update

Well Katelyn had a wonderful day on Tuesday and Wednesday morning but unfortunately her condition changed Wednesday afternoon. It's like they have been telling us - a switch turned off and it wasn't gradual at all. (We've been hoping for the switches to work this quickly in the other direction.) One minute she was painting and then 5 minutes later the "switch" went off and she had lost all the head and trunk control she has gotten over the last week. Her p.t. said this isn't unusual and that next time it will come back sooner and stay longer until it stays for good.

It is so hard not to be discouraged though. Please pray for Katelyn's spirits and ours. We had already taken for granted how much easier it was with her having head control. Katelyn wants so much to get up and go - to shop and bike and swim and just be a teenager! Please pray for her to perservere.

Also, for those of you that aren't Lakesiders or don't know yet, please pray for our Women's Ministry pastor. She was struck while riding her bike yesterday norning and is in critical condition. You can access the updates via the Lakeside website (http://www.lakesidechurch.com/) and go to the Kathi Sturgeon updates link that will take you to the blog. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors as they gather this morning to evaluate how to proceed. Please uphold Kathi in your prayers!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Katelyn and our family. It is the Lord's hand alone that upholds us.