From: R. Robinson [reeny13@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 11:38 AM
To: reeny13@msn.com
Subject: Sign up for September (9/1/08 -9/29/08 only) for dinner delivery to Pastor Yu's family
The September calendar is now open. The Yu Family continues to need our prayers and support. While Melissa is starting to make very small steps of improvement (more alert, some movement with left side, ability to shake head yes and no), she has a long way to go. Marlene and Michael are strong in their faith, but physically are weary and need our continuing support. If you can provide a meal, it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
Robin Robinson
Dear all,
Another month has gone by. Maybe you are a bit weary. But we must press on! Thank you for providing dinners for Pastor Yu's family in the past. If you don't know what to cook, being a driver will be helpful also.
Vicky, the owner of Chef Chen's has been gracious to donate dinners for the Yu family. However she does not have time to deliver. So a new option is to sign up for a date, then call Vicky around noon on that day and tell her the time you’d like to pick up dinner for pastor Yu's family.
Chef Chen's
5408 Walnut Ave # B
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 786-8898
(714) 878-3910 (Cell)
To sign up for the month of September, simply go to the following web site:
http://www.efci.org/EFCI-EM/Yu_scheduler.html
Click on the UPDATE and login to Google Calendar.
(Email: blessmyu password: efci4myu)
Click on the right arrow to move from August to September.
Remember to ONLY sign up for MONDAY/WEDNESDAY/FRIDAY.
If the calendar system is too time consuming for you, you may also simply reply this email and told me which day(s) you would like to sign up and I can update the calendar for you.
I can be reached at 949-856-3026(H) or 949-351-1274(C).
May the Lord bless you and continue to sustain Melissa and her family.
In Christ,
Felicia
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Update from Paul Bogenrief - Monday, August 25, 2008
Dear friends of the Yu Family,
I had a wonderful visit with Melissa at HealthBridge today. When I entered her room she broke out in a broad smile that just lit up the room and simultaneously reached over and turned off the DVD player she was using. She actually was able to say a few words, like "yes" and "no" and of course, “Mr. B” ... and even sang Happy Birthday. Though she can speak a little, it is hard for her so she prefers to answer yes or know questions by making hand/arm motions and by nodding or shaking her head. For “yes” she moves her left hand and arm up and down. For “no” she moves her left hand and arm in a sideways motion. She can also shake her head up and down for “yes” and back and forth for “no.” She has quite a bit of movement on her left side (arm and leg), but not so much on her right side. Her right arm is becoming constricted. Her elbow is bent so that her forearm is up against her bicep and her hand is curled closed. Michael took her arm and moved it down so that it rested across her stomach and unclenched her fist. We talked about all kinds of things … her family, the church and how soon it would be before she could return. She giggled when I told her I was keeping her Port Mariners photo I.D. taped to the wall in my office next to my desk so she’ll have it when she returns. When it finally came time for me to leave she genuinely looked sad, so I’m assuming she enjoys having visitors.
On Saturday, August 23, Marlene, Melodie and Mildred Yu joined me at the quarterly graduation/matriculation at Canine Companions for Independence (www.cci.org) in Oceanside. CCI provides service dogs to people with disabilities other than sight disorders. With a CCI service dog, Melissa could gain independence that she wouldn’t ordinarily enjoy. The family was excited about the prospect of getting a CCI service dog for Melissa. Melissa was especially excited about the prospect of having a dog to keep her company and sleep with her. Sunday at church Melodie proudly wore her CCI tee shirt that she got at the graduation.
Melissa said she is really looking forward to being able to eat an In-n-Out and pizza! We had quite a giggle over that.
All in all it was a positive weekend. Please continue to pray for Melissa and her family.
Paul Bogenrief
Student Volunteer Coach
Mariners Church, Irvine, CA
mrb@marinerschurch.org
I had a wonderful visit with Melissa at HealthBridge today. When I entered her room she broke out in a broad smile that just lit up the room and simultaneously reached over and turned off the DVD player she was using. She actually was able to say a few words, like "yes" and "no" and of course, “Mr. B” ... and even sang Happy Birthday. Though she can speak a little, it is hard for her so she prefers to answer yes or know questions by making hand/arm motions and by nodding or shaking her head. For “yes” she moves her left hand and arm up and down. For “no” she moves her left hand and arm in a sideways motion. She can also shake her head up and down for “yes” and back and forth for “no.” She has quite a bit of movement on her left side (arm and leg), but not so much on her right side. Her right arm is becoming constricted. Her elbow is bent so that her forearm is up against her bicep and her hand is curled closed. Michael took her arm and moved it down so that it rested across her stomach and unclenched her fist. We talked about all kinds of things … her family, the church and how soon it would be before she could return. She giggled when I told her I was keeping her Port Mariners photo I.D. taped to the wall in my office next to my desk so she’ll have it when she returns. When it finally came time for me to leave she genuinely looked sad, so I’m assuming she enjoys having visitors.
On Saturday, August 23, Marlene, Melodie and Mildred Yu joined me at the quarterly graduation/matriculation at Canine Companions for Independence (www.cci.org) in Oceanside. CCI provides service dogs to people with disabilities other than sight disorders. With a CCI service dog, Melissa could gain independence that she wouldn’t ordinarily enjoy. The family was excited about the prospect of getting a CCI service dog for Melissa. Melissa was especially excited about the prospect of having a dog to keep her company and sleep with her. Sunday at church Melodie proudly wore her CCI tee shirt that she got at the graduation.
Melissa said she is really looking forward to being able to eat an In-n-Out and pizza! We had quite a giggle over that.
All in all it was a positive weekend. Please continue to pray for Melissa and her family.
Paul Bogenrief
Student Volunteer Coach
Mariners Church, Irvine, CA
mrb@marinerschurch.org
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Update from Michael - Wednesday, August 13, 2:15 a.m.
HealthBridge Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
393 South Tustin Street
Orange, CA 92866
Room 6
Dear Friends,
I’m sorry I haven’t updated Melissa’s story for a while. It has been very busy for us. Here is the latest:
1. Melissa experienced a high fever (105°F) from 7/22 to 7/27. Lab tests revealed a bacterial infection in both her brain and trachea area. In addition to being treated with antibiotics for three weeks (ending 8/10), she underwent two surgeries - the first on Monday, July 28 to remove the shunt and clean out the bacterial infection, and the second on Monday, August 4 to replace the shunt. Both surgeries were successful.
2. For five days (8/4 - 8/8), Melissa suffered continuous vomiting … losing all her food and medicine. Following prayer and an adjustment in her feeding speed and volume, she improved completely.
3. Her neurosurgeon says that her brain is stable and she can go home in the very near future.
4. Cardiologists continue to evaluate her heart (one of her heart valves was damaged by the endocarditis she suffered at the beginning of the year). At this time, a heart surgery to replace the damaged valve may not be possible. Simply put, her body is too weak and this surgery poses too great of a risk. The CHOC team is referring her case to UCLA for a second opinion. If the mitral valve cannot be replaced, her high heart rate could cause death within 1-2 years.
5. Many arteries in her brain appear to be narrowing. This is definitely not a positive sign. At this point we’re not sure what can be done about this.
6. Melissa was discharged from CHOC on Monday, August 11, and transferred back to HealthBridge Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital to continue her rehab. journey.
7. Melissa has shown great improvement in physical therapy, occupation therapy, and speech therapy.
Praise and Thanksgiving:
1. Melissa is smiling her great smile every day since last Saturday (8/9).
2. Even though Melissa has suffered great damage to her brain (50% damage), her memory is totally preserved … she remembers and recognizes everything.
3. Through therapy she has gained strength in both hands and legs. She has been able to push her DVD player’s start and stop button by herself.
4. She played Connect Four checkers game (the vertical four-in-a-row) and won the game.
5. She can give you high five and shake hands.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for strength and that we will not grow weary physically.
2. Pray for Melissa to sleep. She has not slept, or even closed her eyes since last Saturday (8/9).
3. Pray for the medical teams at CHOC and UCLA as they evaluate Melissa’s eligibility for a mitral valve replacement
4. Pray that Melissa’s heart will remain strong.
5. Pray for a miracle … that the mitral valve will grow back and heal itself. This is impossible from a medical point of view, but we know nothing is impossible for God!
6. Pray for her cramps to stop. These are very painful for her.
In Him and In Love,
Michael
393 South Tustin Street
Orange, CA 92866
Room 6
Dear Friends,
I’m sorry I haven’t updated Melissa’s story for a while. It has been very busy for us. Here is the latest:
1. Melissa experienced a high fever (105°F) from 7/22 to 7/27. Lab tests revealed a bacterial infection in both her brain and trachea area. In addition to being treated with antibiotics for three weeks (ending 8/10), she underwent two surgeries - the first on Monday, July 28 to remove the shunt and clean out the bacterial infection, and the second on Monday, August 4 to replace the shunt. Both surgeries were successful.
2. For five days (8/4 - 8/8), Melissa suffered continuous vomiting … losing all her food and medicine. Following prayer and an adjustment in her feeding speed and volume, she improved completely.
3. Her neurosurgeon says that her brain is stable and she can go home in the very near future.
4. Cardiologists continue to evaluate her heart (one of her heart valves was damaged by the endocarditis she suffered at the beginning of the year). At this time, a heart surgery to replace the damaged valve may not be possible. Simply put, her body is too weak and this surgery poses too great of a risk. The CHOC team is referring her case to UCLA for a second opinion. If the mitral valve cannot be replaced, her high heart rate could cause death within 1-2 years.
5. Many arteries in her brain appear to be narrowing. This is definitely not a positive sign. At this point we’re not sure what can be done about this.
6. Melissa was discharged from CHOC on Monday, August 11, and transferred back to HealthBridge Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital to continue her rehab. journey.
7. Melissa has shown great improvement in physical therapy, occupation therapy, and speech therapy.
Praise and Thanksgiving:
1. Melissa is smiling her great smile every day since last Saturday (8/9).
2. Even though Melissa has suffered great damage to her brain (50% damage), her memory is totally preserved … she remembers and recognizes everything.
3. Through therapy she has gained strength in both hands and legs. She has been able to push her DVD player’s start and stop button by herself.
4. She played Connect Four checkers game (the vertical four-in-a-row) and won the game.
5. She can give you high five and shake hands.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for strength and that we will not grow weary physically.
2. Pray for Melissa to sleep. She has not slept, or even closed her eyes since last Saturday (8/9).
3. Pray for the medical teams at CHOC and UCLA as they evaluate Melissa’s eligibility for a mitral valve replacement
4. Pray that Melissa’s heart will remain strong.
5. Pray for a miracle … that the mitral valve will grow back and heal itself. This is impossible from a medical point of view, but we know nothing is impossible for God!
6. Pray for her cramps to stop. These are very painful for her.
In Him and In Love,
Michael
Prayer Request
Marlene is asking for prayer for Melissa today. Melissa has not slept since Saturday. She looks great, but none of the family feels very good. Please pray for rest for Melissa and her family.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Update from Michael - Sunday, August 3, 2008
Dear friends,
Melissa’s fever continued for 6 days (above 105F), before it normalized on July 27.
On Monday noon, July 28, Melissa had two surgeries. One was to remove the shunt in her brain, due to bacterial infection. Lab results show her brain and trachea area are okay now.
Praise the Lord, the antibiotics worked, so for the past 5 days, blood and brain fluid lab results were negative.
Tomorrow morning, August 4 at 10:30 a.m., Melissa will have her 14th surgery. This time the doctors will put in a new shunt (her third).
On Wednesday, August 6, her medical team will meet discuss Melissa case. During this meeting they will finalize her heart valve replacement schedule. Following that, she will have surgery to replace her skull (removed early in her treatment to allow her brain to swell without creating too much pressure against her skull).
Please continue to pray for Melissa. Ask God to strengthen her body so she can tolerate so many surgeries and medications. Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint her with a joyful spirit; that she may understand that God has wonderful plan in her life.
May His name be glorified!
In Love,
Michael
Melissa’s fever continued for 6 days (above 105F), before it normalized on July 27.
On Monday noon, July 28, Melissa had two surgeries. One was to remove the shunt in her brain, due to bacterial infection. Lab results show her brain and trachea area are okay now.
Praise the Lord, the antibiotics worked, so for the past 5 days, blood and brain fluid lab results were negative.
Tomorrow morning, August 4 at 10:30 a.m., Melissa will have her 14th surgery. This time the doctors will put in a new shunt (her third).
On Wednesday, August 6, her medical team will meet discuss Melissa case. During this meeting they will finalize her heart valve replacement schedule. Following that, she will have surgery to replace her skull (removed early in her treatment to allow her brain to swell without creating too much pressure against her skull).
Please continue to pray for Melissa. Ask God to strengthen her body so she can tolerate so many surgeries and medications. Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint her with a joyful spirit; that she may understand that God has wonderful plan in her life.
May His name be glorified!
In Love,
Michael
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