Dear Friends,
I had a brief update from Marlene tonight.
1. Melissa is progressing well. She has her temperament like a normal teenage kid. Praise God!!
2. Anticipated date of discharge is October 6. She is deemed medically available to be discharged. Paperwork for this process is about 2 weeks.
3. Melissa is able to stand for several seconds which will help greatly when transitioning from the bed to the wheelchair and vice versa.
4. Ramp at home is almost ready. Her room is almost ready.
5. Michael and Marlene are seeking care giver agency. The costs associated with this are not covered by insurance. This care giver will have a live in arrangement.
6. All scheduled therapies are going well. Melissa has a strong desire to improve.
7. She has private tutors for school subjects.
8. Strength on the left side of body is getting strong. Continue to pray for the right side which is still experiencing very little strength.
9. Melissa has quick responses and still smiles a lot. I'm sure she can't wait to go back to the comforts of her own home.
10. Can't remember which movies but Melissa has favorites.
Let's continually be thankful and remember the mercy and grace God has shown to our family and especially watching over Melissa.
Thanks,
Steve
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Update from Michael - 9/16/2008; Comment from Robin
INTRODUCTION BY ROBIN
We continue to thank God for the miracles in Melissa's life and pray that her healing and recovery will progress. Thank you Lord for such patient and wonderful parents! Please grant them peace, guidance, courage & strength and all the support they need from family and friends. Special thanks to those that have provided meals and resources for the Yu family. It is all appreciated beyond words we can express.
Robin
UPDATE FROM MICHAEL:
HealthBridge Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
393 S. Tustin St.
Orange, CA 92686
Dear friends,
Melissa was discharged from CHOC today and went back to HealthBridge to continue her rehabilitation.
Last Tuesday (09/09/2008) she had undergone her 15th surgery, this time to replace the shunt in her brain. Following the surgery she experienced three days of vomiting. For the past two days she has not been able to sleep. The doctors don’t know why but will give her a sleeping pill if she cannot get to sleep tonight.
Things For Which We Give Thanksgiving to God:
1. Melissa is more alert and more able to communicate clearly.
2. She smiles every day.
3. She always shows “thumbs up” when asked how she’s doing.
4. She is ready to start drinking some liquid.
Things to Pray for:
1. That the rehab. program can fit her needs and help her recover better.
2. Her heart can tolerate her current heart rate.
3. That she will be able to sleep well every night. This is very important for her recovery and so that she has sufficient strength for the next day’s rehab. program.
4. That she can have at least 30 minutes of school time every day at rehab. center, that she will enjoy the class, and that the school district will assign a special teacher to come every day.
5. That she will either gain sufficient strength for her damaged heart valve to be replaced or that God will perform a miracle and heal the damaged heart valve so it can close properly and tightly.
In Him,
Michael
We continue to thank God for the miracles in Melissa's life and pray that her healing and recovery will progress. Thank you Lord for such patient and wonderful parents! Please grant them peace, guidance, courage & strength and all the support they need from family and friends. Special thanks to those that have provided meals and resources for the Yu family. It is all appreciated beyond words we can express.
Robin
UPDATE FROM MICHAEL:
HealthBridge Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
393 S. Tustin St.
Orange, CA 92686
Dear friends,
Melissa was discharged from CHOC today and went back to HealthBridge to continue her rehabilitation.
Last Tuesday (09/09/2008) she had undergone her 15th surgery, this time to replace the shunt in her brain. Following the surgery she experienced three days of vomiting. For the past two days she has not been able to sleep. The doctors don’t know why but will give her a sleeping pill if she cannot get to sleep tonight.
Things For Which We Give Thanksgiving to God:
1. Melissa is more alert and more able to communicate clearly.
2. She smiles every day.
3. She always shows “thumbs up” when asked how she’s doing.
4. She is ready to start drinking some liquid.
Things to Pray for:
1. That the rehab. program can fit her needs and help her recover better.
2. Her heart can tolerate her current heart rate.
3. That she will be able to sleep well every night. This is very important for her recovery and so that she has sufficient strength for the next day’s rehab. program.
4. That she can have at least 30 minutes of school time every day at rehab. center, that she will enjoy the class, and that the school district will assign a special teacher to come every day.
5. That she will either gain sufficient strength for her damaged heart valve to be replaced or that God will perform a miracle and heal the damaged heart valve so it can close properly and tightly.
In Him,
Michael
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Post Surgery Update from Michael - 9-11-2008
Update from Michael Yu 9/11/2008 @ 9:00 a.m.
Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the post-surgery update for Melissa.
The replacement surgery lasted 90 minutes, concluding at 9:15 p.m. last night. When Marlene and I were finally allowed to visit her in the recovery room at 10:00 p.m. her face looked weak, swollen and pale.
Praise the Lord, however, over-all the surgery is went well. Melissa did not sleep very well last night due to pain and bleeding in the surgery area as well as in her G-tube area.
Thanks to the Lord, her spirit is still very positive even though she is really uncomfortable. Melissa is very quiet today. I held her hand and we prayed together. She felt comforted and closed her eyes immediately, then we concluded the prayer and she said “Amen” with me.
We trust in our Lord to do impossible and miraculous things in Melissa's life through your faithful prayer.
Please continue to pray that her spirit, mental and physical conditions all stay healthy by God's mercy and grace.
In Him,
Michael
Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the post-surgery update for Melissa.
The replacement surgery lasted 90 minutes, concluding at 9:15 p.m. last night. When Marlene and I were finally allowed to visit her in the recovery room at 10:00 p.m. her face looked weak, swollen and pale.
Praise the Lord, however, over-all the surgery is went well. Melissa did not sleep very well last night due to pain and bleeding in the surgery area as well as in her G-tube area.
Thanks to the Lord, her spirit is still very positive even though she is really uncomfortable. Melissa is very quiet today. I held her hand and we prayed together. She felt comforted and closed her eyes immediately, then we concluded the prayer and she said “Amen” with me.
We trust in our Lord to do impossible and miraculous things in Melissa's life through your faithful prayer.
Please continue to pray that her spirit, mental and physical conditions all stay healthy by God's mercy and grace.
In Him,
Michael
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Update from Robin and Michael - 9-9-2008
Dear family and friends,
Please urgently and earnestly pray for dear, sweet Melissa as she undergoes yet another brain surgery. My heart is heavy as I send this email. Melissa has made progress and we have rejoiced during the last two weeks. Lord, we ask for your mercy on this family and your healing powers over Melissa. I pray that in the morning I'll be able to share good news.
Thank you all,
Robin
-----------
Dear friends,
Melissa will undergo her 15th surgery tonight (9/9/08) to replace her brain shunt for the 4th time. Her surgery will begin at 7:00 p.m. Please pray for her surgery team and for neurosurgeon Dr. Loudon, and that this surgery will be the last one needed to replace the shunt.
After my last update, Melissa began vomiting every day, felt dizzy, and had an upset stomach. These symptoms lasted a week. This morning the doctors conducted a nuclear shunt test which revealed that her brain pressure was very high, the shunt was completely clogged and her left brain was swollen and very firm. The doctors felt the shunt needed to be replaced immediately.
Melissa will stay at CHOC for one week to recover and be observed.
Thank you for praying for her recovery.
God bless you all.
In Him,
Michael
Please urgently and earnestly pray for dear, sweet Melissa as she undergoes yet another brain surgery. My heart is heavy as I send this email. Melissa has made progress and we have rejoiced during the last two weeks. Lord, we ask for your mercy on this family and your healing powers over Melissa. I pray that in the morning I'll be able to share good news.
Thank you all,
Robin
-----------
Dear friends,
Melissa will undergo her 15th surgery tonight (9/9/08) to replace her brain shunt for the 4th time. Her surgery will begin at 7:00 p.m. Please pray for her surgery team and for neurosurgeon Dr. Loudon, and that this surgery will be the last one needed to replace the shunt.
After my last update, Melissa began vomiting every day, felt dizzy, and had an upset stomach. These symptoms lasted a week. This morning the doctors conducted a nuclear shunt test which revealed that her brain pressure was very high, the shunt was completely clogged and her left brain was swollen and very firm. The doctors felt the shunt needed to be replaced immediately.
Melissa will stay at CHOC for one week to recover and be observed.
Thank you for praying for her recovery.
God bless you all.
In Him,
Michael
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Update from Michael - Monday, September 1, 2008
Dear Friends,
Three weeks have passed since my last update. Time is just flying by now. In this update I’ll tell you about some exciting things that have been happening as well as ask for your continued prayers.
Things For Which We Praise and Give Thanksgiving to God
1. Melissa has gained weight and grown taller! Her weight is now 97.9 lbs. as compared with May 13 when her weight was only 89.76 lbs. She is now 167 cm. tall (5’ 5.7”)as compared with April 7 when she was 162.56 cm. (5’ 4”).
2. As “Mr. B” reported to you, she can now sing “Happy Birthday to You” all the way through, loud and clear. Singing is one of the speech therapies they use here and she can now sing three songs.
3. She can speak few words and count numbers. She can say a few words clearly: “Mama,” “Amen,” “Hallelujah,” “uno” (Spanish for one), “bye,” “no,” and of course, being a teen, “money!” The last time Mr. B was here she recognized him and when asked who he was, said “Mr. B” very clearly.
4. She smiles and giggles every day.
5. She can sit upright in her wheelchair 2 hours every day.
6. Her neck muscles are getting stronger and can support her head for half hour periods.
7. Her memory is about 95% or above. She is very sharp and can remember all her friends, schoolmates, etc. She can also recognize photos and when we say the name of the person in the photo she can recognize it right away. Also, when we say a word she can point to it on a sheet.
8. Her swallowing has improved. Beginning this week we will begin feeding her apple sauce.
9. Even though she can’t eat solid food yet, she really wants to and begs us for it … that’s a very good sign.
10. She now sleeps very well, from 10 p.m. to the next morning at 8 or 9 a.m.
11. She likes jokes and wants me to tell her a new one every day. If you have any good jokes I can tell her, please e-mail them to me (2michaelyu@gmail.com).
12. Her right hand and right leg are just beginning to regain some feeling. Even though it is very little, it is an important beginning. And for this we raise the LORD.
13. The doctors have told us many times that Melissa’s left brain was totally damaged by the two aneurisms and that she would never speak or be able to learn ever again. But God has answered our prayers, and we thank the many of you who have been diligently praying for her. The doctors are amazed that she can speak and is learning.
Pray Requests：
1. It is our dream to bring Melissa home this month. Please pray that we will be able to get the special bed she needs, a wheelchair, medical supplies, a nurse and therapist so we can get her home this month.
2. We are preparing our side yard for wheelchair access. Please pray that we can finish this project within 2 weeks.
3. Pray that Melissa’s heart valve damage can be healed or that she will become strong enough to receive a replacement heart valve. We are in the process of obtaining a second opinion from UCLA.
4. School starts this Thursday. Pray that the school district can send a teacher to tutor her and that she can maintain enough energy to learn.
5. Her brain continues to recover well. Pray that we will be able to put her left skull back within 6 weeks.
Since her condition is a lot of better, we more than welcome you to visit Melissa to offer prayer, jokes and encourage words. She especially misses her schoolmates, friends and her church small group.
May God bless you, and His name be glorified.
In Him,
Michael
Three weeks have passed since my last update. Time is just flying by now. In this update I’ll tell you about some exciting things that have been happening as well as ask for your continued prayers.
Things For Which We Praise and Give Thanksgiving to God
1. Melissa has gained weight and grown taller! Her weight is now 97.9 lbs. as compared with May 13 when her weight was only 89.76 lbs. She is now 167 cm. tall (5’ 5.7”)as compared with April 7 when she was 162.56 cm. (5’ 4”).
2. As “Mr. B” reported to you, she can now sing “Happy Birthday to You” all the way through, loud and clear. Singing is one of the speech therapies they use here and she can now sing three songs.
3. She can speak few words and count numbers. She can say a few words clearly: “Mama,” “Amen,” “Hallelujah,” “uno” (Spanish for one), “bye,” “no,” and of course, being a teen, “money!” The last time Mr. B was here she recognized him and when asked who he was, said “Mr. B” very clearly.
4. She smiles and giggles every day.
5. She can sit upright in her wheelchair 2 hours every day.
6. Her neck muscles are getting stronger and can support her head for half hour periods.
7. Her memory is about 95% or above. She is very sharp and can remember all her friends, schoolmates, etc. She can also recognize photos and when we say the name of the person in the photo she can recognize it right away. Also, when we say a word she can point to it on a sheet.
8. Her swallowing has improved. Beginning this week we will begin feeding her apple sauce.
9. Even though she can’t eat solid food yet, she really wants to and begs us for it … that’s a very good sign.
10. She now sleeps very well, from 10 p.m. to the next morning at 8 or 9 a.m.
11. She likes jokes and wants me to tell her a new one every day. If you have any good jokes I can tell her, please e-mail them to me (2michaelyu@gmail.com).
12. Her right hand and right leg are just beginning to regain some feeling. Even though it is very little, it is an important beginning. And for this we raise the LORD.
13. The doctors have told us many times that Melissa’s left brain was totally damaged by the two aneurisms and that she would never speak or be able to learn ever again. But God has answered our prayers, and we thank the many of you who have been diligently praying for her. The doctors are amazed that she can speak and is learning.
Pray Requests：
1. It is our dream to bring Melissa home this month. Please pray that we will be able to get the special bed she needs, a wheelchair, medical supplies, a nurse and therapist so we can get her home this month.
2. We are preparing our side yard for wheelchair access. Please pray that we can finish this project within 2 weeks.
3. Pray that Melissa’s heart valve damage can be healed or that she will become strong enough to receive a replacement heart valve. We are in the process of obtaining a second opinion from UCLA.
4. School starts this Thursday. Pray that the school district can send a teacher to tutor her and that she can maintain enough energy to learn.
5. Her brain continues to recover well. Pray that we will be able to put her left skull back within 6 weeks.
Since her condition is a lot of better, we more than welcome you to visit Melissa to offer prayer, jokes and encourage words. She especially misses her schoolmates, friends and her church small group.
May God bless you, and His name be glorified.
In Him,
Michael
Melissa and Jana 8/29/08
Melissa is still in Healthbridge Rehab center, but as you can see by these pictures, she is doing so much better. She is completely alert and she can even talk a little. She says thank you, goodbye, and closes her eyes when we pray! It's so nice to see her smile! She loves visitors, so keep them coming! Love, Jana
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