Pathology Report on the Tumor

I failed to mention in the last post that we did receive the final pathology report on the tumor that was on Katie's brain. The final report concluded that the tumor was definitely benign. Dr. Sood said that the chance of a tumor returning is very, very small.

Katie's Checkup at the Doctor

We took Katie to see Dr. Sood this afternoon. He checked her incision, and the area where the tumor was and said that everything looks great. He still wants her activity restricted for another month or so as far as school gym class and activities where any abrupt contact to her head could possibly occur. The skull is not completely healed yet.

Katie will need to be on seizure medication for at least a year, post-surgery; then be gradually taken off of it. She will have another MRI around 6 months, post-surgery.

On May 21st Katie is scheduled to have her braces put back on. Her new braces will be able to stay on when the time comes for her next MRI.

We're so thankful for how far the Lord has brought her up to this point. She truly has been blessed.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
UNTO HIM BE GLORY...!"

A Post From Katie

Hi everyone!

I want to thank everyone for praying for me. It seems like a long time ago that all that bad stuff started happening to me. My dad tells me things that I don't even remember. He said that's ok. God has blessed me so much. I know that He was watching over me while I was in the hospital and I know that because of Him I am doing good now. I am thankful that the tumor is gone and that my life is starting to get back to normal again.

My hair is growing back but not fast enough for me. I still wear the neat scarfs that my Grandma Miller made me. Thanks to everyone that sent me all the cards. I will keep them all. I can't even count how many there are. My mom still keeps a lot of them setting out. Thank you for the gifts too. My bed looks like I started a doggy collection. It is great! All the other gifts are wonderful too.

My dad told me every time I got something, who it was from. Some people I never even heard of before. There are a lot of nice people who know God and were very nice to me. Thank you so much!

I guess that's all. Thank you again!

Love,
Katie

Continued Progress / Check-up

Katie has been doing well over the past couple of weeks. There has been no more swelling and the incision is healing. We have an appointment to see the surgeon next Monday for a checkup, as a follow-up visit. Depending on what the doctor says, we're hoping that Katie can be released from certain activity restrictions.

It's been amazing to watch her recovery and how the Lord has blessed her with as quick of a recovery as He has. It's such a good feeling to be able to talk with so many people who have been praying for her since January; to be able to share her story of this God-granted victory in her life.

Thank you all for your continued prayers!

First Day Back To School

Today is Katie's first day back to school. We are so amazed at how well Katie has been doing over the last week. The swelling is gone and in her words, "the mushiness" is gone too. We are so thankful to the Lord for the healing He has brought to her.

Katie continues to receive cards and flowers and stuff from all over the country and even from other parts of the world. Some of the missionaries we know have sent her cards and gifts. That has really made an impression on her.

We are so blessed!

Progress Is Being Made

Katie has been doing great. The swelling has gone down considerably. The soft spot comes and goes. It seems to be soft in the morning after laying down through the night. Then as the day progresses, the area becomes more firm. It must have something to do with the fluid around that area. We're keeping an eye on it and if it continues, we'll contact the doctors for information about it to see if we should be concerned.

Katie's Grandma Miller has made her some matching scarfs and culottes. Katie is definitely "goin' in style" with her new outfits. She bowled with her league team yesterday. She was pretty tired by the time the first game was over, but she plugged along to finish the second one.

Katie told me to tell everyone "hello" and that she is thankful for all who have been reading the blog and leaving comments.