Pray for Kate

Kate is my 2 year old niece. She is the daughter of my brother, Martin, and his wife, Mari. She was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma* back in April. It was quite a shock for everyone. Kate, affectionately known among my little family and friends as "Baby Kate", is the sweetest little 2-year old you will ever meet. She has an infectious smile and a cute little giggle. It has been quite the ride for my brother and his wife....to say the least. They are all in our thoughts and prayers daily.

Kate has had 5 chemotherapy treatments so far, which consist of a 5-day hospital stay each time. At the beginning, Kate had laid in a hospital bed, totally uncomfortable, for so long (about 6 weeks...I think) that she had lost all the strength in her legs. When she was finally able to go home, she had to be fed a special kind of formula thru a feeding tube that went up her nose, then down to her stomach due to her loss of appetite. She has undergone multiple tests and procedures, blood transfusions, etc, etc, etc.

We have been looking forward to Kate's surgery to remove her tumor, but first, it had to be shrunk with the chemotherapy. Last week Martin and Mari met with Kate's surgeon and had an eye-opening experience. We'd all thought it was just a tumor that would be operated on and removed.... Yes, it was surgery and a big deal, but it wouldn't be complicated...or so we thought. Kate's tumor is wrapped and winding around arteries, veins, and organs; and it is likely to be fused with these parts as well. Turns out to be more complicated and much more risky than we realized. It will be a grueling 3-6 hour operation, and they are hopeful to get 50% of the tumor removed, leaving the rest to the chemotherapy. We are all a little scared.

Please Pray for Kate with us this week. Kate has surgery on Wednesday. We pray that Kate will be strong and recover well. We also pray that her medical staff will be inspired and very much in tune to Kate and her body and what will be best for her.

*Neuroblastoma: a cancerous tumor that develops from nerve tissue most commonly found in the abdomen. It is the most common extracranial solid cancer in childhood and the most common cancer in infancy.

And I have I ever mentioned that I have awesome friends??? Because my friends love me, they automatically love my family. When they heard about Kate, they all started praying for her. Jacob, who is 5 years old, prays daily to "Bless baby Kate that her cancer will all go away....for AT LEAST 300 years." Elliott, who is 2 years old, carries around a baby doll that she has named "Kate" and Elliott tells her mother that "Baby Kate is feeling better." These little ones do this because they have learned it from their parents....I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.