Crap

[dancerjodi]

More news on Katie. Not good. Chances are this little girl will not be around for much longer :/


We met with the doctors on Wednesday to discuss the recent PET scans.
The information confirmed that the gray masses in the MRI scans are
indeed cancerous. The tumor has been growing aggressively and now
threatens Katie's life. The doctors were very direct with us, telling us
that the chemo and radiation could be considered a failure, and that now
medical science had nothing more to offer Katie. We have been told to
prepare for the end. Referrals have been made to Hospice and we are
making arrangements for how we want to treat Katie with 'comfort
medicine' in the final stages of the disease.

We have not been given a concrete timetable. Katie might have weeks, she
might have months. But due to the recent degeneration we've been seeing
in Katie's physical condition, we have to work fast if we want to do
anything special for her. I contacted Make-A-Wish and we have been
granted a Disney trip for the week of June 29th to July 4th and staying
at the village "Give Kids the World". We will be flying Katie's
step-sister down on Monday so she can participate. The cost is
unexpected, but the trip should be much more economical than we'd
normally have to consider, thanks to Make-A-Wish. We will be out of
touch for this week. We have successfully moved into the new house. Our
new address is ________________________________. All phone numbers are
the same. Please forgive us as we move in and out of touch.

I want to thank everyone who has prayed and supported us through this
ordeal. I ask that you continue your prayers and think of us as we are
about to enter the roughest part of this experience. Katie will be
treated for pain and discomfort as the cancer spreads, so it is our hope
her suffering will be minimal. The hard job will be for all of us, as we
try to keep a strong face and stay by her side through this.

I am not giving up on God. He is in control. I still believe in
miracles. God will take care of Katie and all of us no matter what the
outcome. By the same token, I am also wise enough to prepare for
whatever contingencies might happen. So preparations are being made.
Again, I would just ask that everyone pray for Katie and our family. If
there is anything you want to do for Katie, I would suggest doing it
sooner rather than later. I promise you we will do whatever it takes to
make her a happy little girl for as long as she is with us.

Thank you and God bless you all.

- Albin Johnson
Katie's dad

Comments

[rubicat.livejournal.com]

That is so very sad. Hopefully she will be happy and not be taken over by the pain in these last months. It sounds like her family is handling this as best as they can, given the certain outcome.

Man, it puts things in perspective. :(

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

Heartbreaking.

[bedhoppngothboi.livejournal.com]

word

[coffeekitty.livejournal.com]

even with the minimal information about her that i've read, i feel saddened that i will never have a chance to meet her. she sounds like a wonderful kid. i'm at least glad to hear that given the prognosis, her family is concentrating on making sure that she has the best possible quality of life through it all.
but this is sad :-(

[eeyrg.livejournal.com]

you know, i'm not sure if this is something she'd like but perhaps a pony visit?

Pony Visit

[dancer.livejournal.com]

I'm sure she'd love it. She lives in South Carolina, though . . .

Re: Pony Visit

[eeyrg.livejournal.com]

No problem!

This is the South Carolina state director's contact info. If you want, I can contact her about this. Otherwise, Victoria would know where the closest ponies to Katie would be.

Victoria Priest, State Director
Red Hill Farm
172 Fair Bluff Drive
Orrum, NC 28369
(910) 628-5245
dtpriest@bellsouth.net

Re: Pony Visit

[dancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! They are apparently in Columbia, SC (wherever that is). They'll be going to Disney this week through the Make a Wish Foundation, but I'll e-mail Albin and see how Katie would like a visit when they get back.

I can contact Victoria, but do you think it may be better coming from you?

Thanks!

Re: Pony Visit

[eeyrg.livejournal.com]

No, it should be fine. Feel free to name drop and let her know how you got her info. We're all used to being randomly contacted by families needing some help, so this is fine. I don't mind helping out if the family needs any questions answered immediately. Please send them my best!

Re: Pony Visit

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"Feel free to name drop and let her know how you got her info. We're all used to being randomly contacted by families needing some help, so this is fine."

I just mailed her dad to see if she'd be up for it. It sounds like her symptoms are getting pretty bad. Once I hear back from him I'll mail the NC person. Thanks for the info!

Its hard enough to hear stories about sick kids in general. Knowing all of the work that Katie's dad has done in helping out other kids through visits, charity fundraising, etc I'd really like to find a way to make Katie's days as happy and fun as they can be. I think a mini pony would put a smile on her face :)

Re: Pony Visit

[eeyrg.livejournal.com]

I think a mini pony would put a smile on her face

yes, certainly! this is one of the bigger reasons i joined up. even children that are too sick to travel, well... we bring the ponies to them. some hospice let us bring them indoors to visit.

my heart goes out to everyone who loves Katie and to Katie herself, i never like hearing about children who are so sick. but... i try to make them smile as much as possible :)

Re: Pony Visit

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

What a great thing you do.

[legitimatelove.livejournal.com]

Guh. There are tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry for her, for her family.

[denonymous.livejournal.com]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Pardon the language, but I fucking hate cancer.