Katie and Tom's Wedding 5/6/17

10 Years Ago Today - Stage 2 of Brain Surgery

It is hard to believe it has been 10 years! 

Still praising the Lord for the God-given victory for Katie!

Shoulder Surgery for Katie

Katie will be going tomorrow for surgery on her shoulder (her pitching shoulder) to correct the MDI (multi-directional instability) by pulling the ligaments in closer. Today was her last day to enjoy some fun physical activity for the next two or three months. Thank you Bro. Lentz for having the teen church activity today so she could enjoy it. 
We're praying for the surgery to go smoothly and for the Lord to allow her a recovery free from complications.
Please remember her in prayer over the next couple of months. Thank you.

Update on Katie's Shoulder

Sandra:
  Took Katie back to the doctor about her shoulder today. No surgery for now, she just needs to go back to doing her shoulder exercises on a regular basis to strengthen her shoulder muscles. She received a cortisone shot the last time and it does seem to be helping. That we are thankful for. Now we just wait and see and pray.

Bob:
No hard throwing or pitching until Fall; then maybe a very slow process in a return-to-throw program.

New Health Issues Put a Hold on Sports

I wasn't going to post on this topic; it pales somewhat from the previous health issue with a brain tumor, but it seems it is causing some obstacles for Katie. -

(Kaite is on the far left.)

Last year (Spring 2011) Katie did a great job, along with her team, winning the regional title in softball for the second year in a row. However, she did have to pitch most of the season; almost all of it. By the end of the season, her arm was tired and sore. In the Fall of 2011, volleyball started. It didn't take long for Katie to develop sharp pains in her shoulder, especially when she served or hit a hard over-the-head shot. She had to pull out of volleyball, with the hopes of being able to pitch in the Spring.

Long story short, after several doctor visits to specialists, Katie was diagnosed with MDI (Multiple Directional Instability) in her shoulder. She went through two stints of physical therapy and it helped very little. When the time came for preparing for softball, we began a "return-to-throw" program. After much tedious exercises and pitching drills, Katie was still in too much pain and it became clear that she would have to sit out this year's softball season. What a terrible blow this was to her!!

We are still in a place of waiting as we anticipate seeing the doctor again soon to determine if Katie needs shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, her school's softball team won the regional title again this year. She is very happy for the team but very sad that she had to miss out on being a part of it. We are praying that she will be able to have her high school softball career continue her junior and senior years. Please remember her in prayer.

Another Great Year in Softball

Regional Champs for the second year in a row!!!

Remembering God's Grace

After all the enthusiasm surrounding Katie's great experience in her softball season, I decided to read through this entire blog... every post, every comment, every picture. Wow! I had no idea I would respond the way I did.

With every post and it's corresponding comments, all the emotions flooded back into my soul. It was amazing how I remembered so many details. Flashbacks of conversations with doctors, with family, with Sandra and Michael, and especially with Katie. It all came back, all but the pain. Sure the memories caused me to think of that little girl going through all that suffering. But when I got to the end, even the recent posts of a game, softball, the purpose of this journey was evident. To most it's not such a big deal. But to this father who watched his little girl receive the unexplainable grace and blessing from our gracious Heavenly Father, it causes much joy unspeakable, and full of glory... HIS GLORY!!!!!! You see, it's not the fact that my daughter is the greatest softball picture in the universe... OK, maybe a little. JK :-) Really, it's the fact that my God is so Big, so Strong and so Mighty, and there's NOTHING my God cannot do!!!!!!!

WE ARE SO BLESSED!

Thanks for letting me share this very personal moment.

By His Grace and for His Glory!

Bob

Three Years Post-Surgery

Well, it has been three years (plus) since Katie's surgery and the Lord is blessing her in so many ways.

To see what's happening lately, go to Bob & Sandra's Place.

Katie pitching on girls' varsity softball team:

Katie pitching

District Championship

Regional Championship

Pictures from Regional Championship

Katie's Doing Great

Just a quick post - All things are going well with Katie. She's growing up so fast. 8th grade, and taller than her mom. She likes the being taller thing!
I'm so thankful for God's amazing grace, and I'll never take for granted what He has done.

Last Dose of Medication

Well, It has been a little over 2 years and 8 months since Katie's journey with seizures and a brain tumor began. Tonight she took her last dose of anti-seizure medication. It has been an amazing journey of ups and downs. Though the down times were scary as we met them, the up times have outnumbered the down times by far. We praise the Lord for His blessings and we are confident that He will continue to pour them upon Katie.
I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and comments on this blog through this whole time. I have been copying the blog on my computer and will print it up and put it in a notebook. The book will have all of the entries, including the many comments that friends and family made. This book will be a reminder to our family, especially to Katie, of how the Lord led in every moment of her journey. I may update it occasionally with info on Katie.

By God's Grace and for His Glory!