Nattie Writes

Natalie was moved to ICU on Sunday night, June 3, 2007, after an emergency episode with her blood pressure. On Monday morning I met her oncologist, and first impressions were not good. Until that moment, I had not heard the word “hospice” used in regard to her prognosis.
“She doesn’t want to be here. She wants to go home,” he said. What I heard was, “Get her out of here; she’s wasting my time.”
From his detached position, he could see that the end was near and providing for her comfort was not the hospital’s job. They had plenty of patients who might yet respond to their ministrations. I, on the other hand, refused to see the hopelessness of the situation that stared me in the face.

(more…)

(Originally published on Sunday, June 03, 2007)
Natalie was transferred to ICU with an elevated heart rate early this (Sunday) morning. As she had a blood clot in her lung a couple of years ago, that was a concern. Accordingly, CT scans were ordered. Her mom also asked that they do abdominal X-rays in hopes of detremining the source of the back pain that has plagued her for almost a week.
Sorry this is rushed, but that is all that I know this morning.
Marie, and others: I cannot tell you here and now whether Nat would appreciate visitors, though my guess is probably not for at least a couple of days. The best thing I can tell you is, if you know where she is, call her room and talk to her mom. If she has stepped out of the room, please try again later. At thte very least, she will relay your message.
Thank you, everyone! Don’t stop praying now!—Nattie’s Daddy

(more…)

(Originally published on Friday, June 01, 2007)
(Note: Although Nattie is still in the hospital in Indianapolis, she dictated the following this afternoon for her daddy to share with you.)
“While my mom was reading to me from my Bible, she came across a highlighted passage—Isaiah 61:3. There, God talks about trading pleasure for our pain, and to this truth I’ll hold.
“I have people praying for me from coast to coast and around the world. I want to thank you for being some of those people.
“No matter what happens, it’s going to be OK. This is just a twinkling of the eye, a mere moment of pain…In a little while we will all see our mourning traded for ‘oil of gladness.’”
Copyright Natalie Rose York

(more…)

(Originally published on Wednesday, May 30, 2007)
Got some time with Natalie this evening. She is to be moved from the surgery floor to the oncology wing, probably tonight, and chemotherapy could start as early as tomorrow. It is good to hear from doctors with positive plans.
She is still very weak and uncomfortable. Of course,that is to be expected just three days after major surgery, but we who are demanding miracles would like to see one soon!
Nattie wants to see her children, and they need to see her…well and strong again!
Still, she has not lost her resolve to fight with whatever strength she—with God’s help and yours—can muster.
We also need to thank everyone who has been such a help to all of us lately. Some of those I can remember are cousins Allen, Jill and Joy; aunts Anne and Marty; Wes and his family, Karla and Elaine; Pastor Mark and Tammy Deimer and their entire praying congregation, and especially her mom who flew out from California the day after she got the news, and is staying as long as she is needed, even though her vacation days are long gone.
And all of you who continue to stop in here and leave your words of encouragement, and pray for Natalie’s strength and miraculous healing. Don’t stop now!
Thank you so very much!—Nattie and her Daddy

(more…)

(Originally published on Monday, May 28, 2007)
Yesterday, Natalie was under the influence of drugs, and could not be reached for comment, leaving her helpless Daddy no choice but to listen to her doctors and update you accordingly…silly me!
When they returned this morning and repeated their verdict for the patient, she chased everyone out of the room for a few minutes. Then she laid down the law.
“There will be no crying in my room. I want no one’s pity. I am not going to die. I will fight this thing until I beat it.”
Just returned from a nice long visit. She is very tired and weak. Regardless of the outcome, she did have major surgery with appropriate painkillers. But she is already promising to shave her head rather than let the hair fall out in clumps, and find some scarves that Jonathan and Anna can’t use to pick up dead animals.
This is where the real praying work begins! Thank you!—Nattie’s Daddy

(more…)

(Originally published later on Sunday, May 27, 2007)
The surgeons report that Natalie’s cancer is inoperable. She will be offered chemo as a means of extending her life. No cure is promised.
Please, God…that’s all I’ve got!—Nattie’s Daddy

(more…)

(Originally published on Sunday, May 27, 2007)
Nat went to the operating room at 8:00 o’clock this morning. The doctors met with her yesterday. They explained all of the risks to such major surgery.
The good news/bad news for today: If they are able to successfully remove all of the cancer, the surgeons anticipate that she can recover fully, without further treatment, chemo or radiation. On the other hand, it will cost her at least part, if not all of her stomach.
I promised myself that I would not make Nattie?s blog mine, so I shall cease my commentary and conjecture there.
We continue to pray that the physicians will be given extraordinary wisdom, skill and strength as they operate.
I thank you, Natalie thanks you, we all thank you!—Nattie’s Daddy

(more…)

(Originally published on May 25, 2007)
Just thought you’d want to know that Natalie spent Thursday night in the local hospital for observation and hydration. Although her blood pressure was elevated at the time of her admission, it had retreated to proper levels by Friday afternoon. She had lost another six pounds in the last couple of days, so she also benefitted from intravenous fluids overnight.
This evening she is being transferred to a hospital in Indianapolis. It is hoped that they are better equipped to obtain the scans that the surgeon wants before beginning his work
Please continue to pray for my little girl’s healing, and that you will soon be reading her words, here, again.
Thank you, from Natalie, her family and friends!

(more…)

(Originally published by Nattie on May 24, 2007)
I know people think I’m crazy. I have cancer, but I have oodles of things to be thankful for.
1. My mom is here doing all my laundry. lol
We joke that I got cancer so I wouldn’t have to do housework. It is all part of my evil plan. bwahahahaha
2. I’ve got great friends and family. Really. I can’t describe the outpouring of love and help I’ve gotten from them.
3. I have cute new fuzzy flip flops to wear around the house.
4. I have new pjs to wear post op.
5. I can move my laptop and sit in my comfy chair so I can be online a little longer.
6. My ipod. Last night I couldn’t sleep so I listened to an audio book.
7. Even though I can’t handle any “hardy” reading right now…I have oodles of “friends” (i.e. old books) that I can reread.
8. I am allowed to eat as much ice cream as I want. Never mind that I can only eat half a cup. I can eat ice cream whenever I want. The only time I was allowed to do that before was when I had my tonsils out.
9. When people come visit and ask what I want I can say, “Ice cream” and not feel guilty.
10. The most important thing of all is that God is by my side through this all. I don’t know how people handle tragedy without their Heavenly Father. I know I couldn’t and for this I am very thankful.
Copyright Natalie Rose York

(more…)

(Originally published by Nattie on May 23, 2007)

~Pampered~

(more…)