Dear Friends & Family,
We had a short visit last night with Melissa, Michael and Marlene - it was wonderful to see Melissa alert and responding through her eyes as we shared stories of love and care on her behalf. Marlene and my daughter, Marissa, both saw Melissa try to mouth "thank you" as we told of the many acts of kindness and generosity.
Following our visit, I asked Marlene and Michael for their needs and as they always say, "we only ask for prayer for Melissa". They remain selfless, lovely, secure in their faith and confident that Melissa will heal in God's timing. When I prodded further, they shared three prayer requests:
• Wisdom in making decisions concerning Melissa's care (they have several critical decisions to make and this is all very new to them);
• Natural absorption of all fluids and reduction of swelling of Melissa's brain;
• Healing of the soft tissue on Melissa's brain
I would also ask for prayer for Marlene as she has returned to work part-time (9-1 daily) and it's been difficult for her not to be by Melissa's side and participate in all the conversations with doctors & nurses. Although she does feel assured knowing that Michael is there when she can't be.
Please continue to lift the Yu Family up in your prayers. Michael and Marlene also thank you for your generosity and acts of love - many from people they don't even know. Marlene is worried about thank-yous and keeping track of everything that everyone has done - I assured you would be fine and understand that she needs to concentrate only on her family.
Many of you have asked how you can help. Here are some ideas:
• Meals are being provided 3 days a week through May and the June calendar will be released shortly. If you would like to participate, just let me know (reeny13@msn.com) or use the website sent earlier by Elder Joe.
• Marlene did receive paid family leave for 5 weeks (she wants to save a week in case Melissa needs heart surgery later this year), but they still have many financial needs. You can send a check payable to Marlene Yu or to Asia Fellowship Foundation and send to my home address, 21 Springflower, Irvine, CA 92614. If you write check to the AFF, please be sure to note "Michael Yu Living Expense" on the check’s memo line.
• One of the small groups at Mariners would like to sell t-shirts to raise money for the Yu Family. On front "We love YU", on back "Melissa's Fight". Of course, being teenagers they didn't realize that you need to have money, to make money and that there would be expenses upfront. If you have a source for inexpensive t-shirts or would like to help "sponsor" this endeavor, please let me know. Melissa's small group at Mariners had a bake sale last Sunday and raised over $500, and an anonymous donor matched every dollar raised!!! The kids have many wonderful ideas.
• Continue to pray faithfully. This is our biggest resource!
Thank you again for the outpouring of love and support!
Robin Robinson
reeny13@msn.com
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Updates from Michael and Steve - 5-5-2008
Melissa Updates as 2008-05-05 Mon
Day 46 in PICU of CHOC, Orange, California
Dear Friends,
We celebrated Mother's day one week early yesterday, thanks to Sheue-Ling, my sister-in-law, who came to stay with Melissa to enable us to have wonderful dinner with my Mom and family.
Since yesterday afternoon, Melissa has made great improvement. Her fever is gone, H/L blood pressure is normal, brain pressure ICP index is normal, heart beat is back to 110 and below. Around 4:00 p.m. she awakened and was very conscious. She responded clearly to my questions by moving her eyes and squeezing my hand.
I said to her, "Melissa, you mention earlier you plan to go to Hong Kong to learn Cantonese dialogue during the summer. When you get up, do you still want Dad to take you to Hong Kong?" Melissa squeezed my hand in response. "Melissa, you had asked me to buy a convertible BMW for you when you get your driver’s license. I told you no way … you’d better work and save money buy one for yourself. Now I’ve changed my mind. I will buy one for you when you get your driver’s license!" Again, she squeezed my hand. "Melissa, when Dad grows old in the future, you will take care of me, okay?" Melissa looked at me with great concentration without responding. I asked this question three times, but she still didn’t answer. Sheue-Ling (my sister-in-law) stood by my side and said, “Melissa, when your Dad grows old, you’ll take care of each other, okay?" Melissa squeezed my hand again! Oh, I thought, now I’ll have to prepare to keep in good shape and excellent health.
After dinner, Marlene, Melissa’s older brother, Maurice, and I went back to the hospital. Maurice reached down and took her hand. Melissa held his hand very tightly because they are very, very close to each other. Both of them were crying. Maurice told her he will come every Tuesday and Thursday after school to stay with her. Melissa squeezed his hand and blinked her eye in agreement.
I give all the thanks and praise to glorify our Lord Jesus, also thanks for all of you involve the prayer.
Michael
Dear Friends,
Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Today's updates from Marlene seem to be more positive beat.
1. Melissa's weaning from Fentanyl is progressing smoothly. Symptoms are minimal. Melissa is awake but still tired.
2. Doctors are concerned with the shunt. Since it has been exposed for quite some time, the possibility of infection is present. The options are either remove it or place it inward. If removed, it suggest her body is capable to absorb and drain naturally. This would be great progress.
4. G-Tube may have to be done as soon as next Wednesday. The NG was switched from left nostril to right because there are signs of infection forming.
5. A dentist came and provided a new mouth guard/retainer to prevent Melissa from biting her tongue. Her teeth positioning has been altered because of the severe biting.
6. A new pick line on her right arm will be placed tomorrow.
7. The strength in her arms is still weak. Continue to pray for healing as the weakness was primarily caused by seizures.
8. Overall, her condition seems to be improving and her body signs are returning to near normal. What she needs now is plenty of rest.
9. Melissa misses her friends dearly. Marlene will be arranging some visits from her friends.
10. Blood pressure appears to be normal.
11. Temperature is still low grade fever at around 100° F or 37° C. During the day, the fever naturally decreased slightly without any Tylenol. This is good news.
12. Blood drain is yellowish … not redish. Let's pray for clear fluid.
Other Notes:
1. Although family visits are great, Melissa wants visits from friends, her peers. So please respect Melissa's request as her energy is limited and adequate rest is imperative. We need to allow her to gain enough strength to see her friends.
2. Continue to pray and see what time frame we can help out during the week so Marlene and Michael can take care of their daily errands and tasks.
3. Pray that her brother, Maurice, and sisters, Melodie and Mildred, will remain strong.
Thanks,
Steve
Day 46 in PICU of CHOC, Orange, California
Dear Friends,
We celebrated Mother's day one week early yesterday, thanks to Sheue-Ling, my sister-in-law, who came to stay with Melissa to enable us to have wonderful dinner with my Mom and family.
Since yesterday afternoon, Melissa has made great improvement. Her fever is gone, H/L blood pressure is normal, brain pressure ICP index is normal, heart beat is back to 110 and below. Around 4:00 p.m. she awakened and was very conscious. She responded clearly to my questions by moving her eyes and squeezing my hand.
I said to her, "Melissa, you mention earlier you plan to go to Hong Kong to learn Cantonese dialogue during the summer. When you get up, do you still want Dad to take you to Hong Kong?" Melissa squeezed my hand in response. "Melissa, you had asked me to buy a convertible BMW for you when you get your driver’s license. I told you no way … you’d better work and save money buy one for yourself. Now I’ve changed my mind. I will buy one for you when you get your driver’s license!" Again, she squeezed my hand. "Melissa, when Dad grows old in the future, you will take care of me, okay?" Melissa looked at me with great concentration without responding. I asked this question three times, but she still didn’t answer. Sheue-Ling (my sister-in-law) stood by my side and said, “Melissa, when your Dad grows old, you’ll take care of each other, okay?" Melissa squeezed my hand again! Oh, I thought, now I’ll have to prepare to keep in good shape and excellent health.
After dinner, Marlene, Melissa’s older brother, Maurice, and I went back to the hospital. Maurice reached down and took her hand. Melissa held his hand very tightly because they are very, very close to each other. Both of them were crying. Maurice told her he will come every Tuesday and Thursday after school to stay with her. Melissa squeezed his hand and blinked her eye in agreement.
I give all the thanks and praise to glorify our Lord Jesus, also thanks for all of you involve the prayer.
Michael
Dear Friends,
Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Today's updates from Marlene seem to be more positive beat.
1. Melissa's weaning from Fentanyl is progressing smoothly. Symptoms are minimal. Melissa is awake but still tired.
2. Doctors are concerned with the shunt. Since it has been exposed for quite some time, the possibility of infection is present. The options are either remove it or place it inward. If removed, it suggest her body is capable to absorb and drain naturally. This would be great progress.
4. G-Tube may have to be done as soon as next Wednesday. The NG was switched from left nostril to right because there are signs of infection forming.
5. A dentist came and provided a new mouth guard/retainer to prevent Melissa from biting her tongue. Her teeth positioning has been altered because of the severe biting.
6. A new pick line on her right arm will be placed tomorrow.
7. The strength in her arms is still weak. Continue to pray for healing as the weakness was primarily caused by seizures.
8. Overall, her condition seems to be improving and her body signs are returning to near normal. What she needs now is plenty of rest.
9. Melissa misses her friends dearly. Marlene will be arranging some visits from her friends.
10. Blood pressure appears to be normal.
11. Temperature is still low grade fever at around 100° F or 37° C. During the day, the fever naturally decreased slightly without any Tylenol. This is good news.
12. Blood drain is yellowish … not redish. Let's pray for clear fluid.
Other Notes:
1. Although family visits are great, Melissa wants visits from friends, her peers. So please respect Melissa's request as her energy is limited and adequate rest is imperative. We need to allow her to gain enough strength to see her friends.
2. Continue to pray and see what time frame we can help out during the week so Marlene and Michael can take care of their daily errands and tasks.
3. Pray that her brother, Maurice, and sisters, Melodie and Mildred, will remain strong.
Thanks,
Steve
Update from Michael - 5/4/2008
Melissa Update as 2008-05-04 Sun
Day 45 in PICU of CHOC, Orange, California
Dear Friends,
1. Melissa started withdrawing from Fentanyl today (05/04 Sun). This drug is 10 times stronger than morphine. Therefore, pray that her body can adjust smoothly from withdrawal of such strong drug. Some of the symptoms could be fever, sweat, shakes, diarrhea.
2. She still has a fever of around 38.6° C/101° F. Doctors still don't know the cause and how to decrease this fever except by Tylenol at this point.
3. When Melissa was awake during today, she was very weak. Hardly any strength in her arms.
4. Melissa has lost quite a bit of weight. The concern of the doctors is so much weight in such a short period of time. She just started back on the tube feeding.
5. Heart rate and brain pressure appear to well within the comfort level.
6. Pray for healing on her tongue as she bit very hard and the cuts are rather deep.
7. The blood drain in her brain did show improvement today as it appeared yellowish which suggests the bleeding in the brain has decreased. Let's continue to pray that the bleeding will stop completely.
Michael
Day 45 in PICU of CHOC, Orange, California
Dear Friends,
1. Melissa started withdrawing from Fentanyl today (05/04 Sun). This drug is 10 times stronger than morphine. Therefore, pray that her body can adjust smoothly from withdrawal of such strong drug. Some of the symptoms could be fever, sweat, shakes, diarrhea.
2. She still has a fever of around 38.6° C/101° F. Doctors still don't know the cause and how to decrease this fever except by Tylenol at this point.
3. When Melissa was awake during today, she was very weak. Hardly any strength in her arms.
4. Melissa has lost quite a bit of weight. The concern of the doctors is so much weight in such a short period of time. She just started back on the tube feeding.
5. Heart rate and brain pressure appear to well within the comfort level.
6. Pray for healing on her tongue as she bit very hard and the cuts are rather deep.
7. The blood drain in her brain did show improvement today as it appeared yellowish which suggests the bleeding in the brain has decreased. Let's continue to pray that the bleeding will stop completely.
Michael
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Bake Sale for Melissa --TOMORROW!
I wanted everyone to know that Melissa's small group is doing a bake sale for the YU family tomorrow 5/4 before and after the high school service at Mariner's church. We will be set up in the community center from 9:45-noon, so please stop by and help us to raise money for the YU family. We will also have a donation box.
Thank you so much, Jana (Melissa's small group leader)
Thank you so much, Jana (Melissa's small group leader)
Update Saturday May 3 - 1:00 p.m.
Dear Friends,
Many people have called and e-mailed me to check Melissa's status. They have told me that checking on Melissa's progress has become their daily must-do. I am so touched by all of your support.
On Thursday, May 1, Melissa began biting her tongue and bleeding badly after withdrawal from induced coma medication. On Friday, May 2, she did it twice again, deeply. A dentist was called in to make a bite mold so he could fashion a retainer that will prevent further tongue biting.
Melissa has had a high fever for three days now, between 38°C (100.4°F) to 40.6°C (105°F).
Today we ask for special prayers that the retainer will solve the tongue biting issue and that her fever will return to normal.
Thank you for your faithful continuing prayer for Melissa's recovery.
May God reward you with us together on Melissa's recovery journey.
Michael & Marlene
Many people have called and e-mailed me to check Melissa's status. They have told me that checking on Melissa's progress has become their daily must-do. I am so touched by all of your support.
On Thursday, May 1, Melissa began biting her tongue and bleeding badly after withdrawal from induced coma medication. On Friday, May 2, she did it twice again, deeply. A dentist was called in to make a bite mold so he could fashion a retainer that will prevent further tongue biting.
Melissa has had a high fever for three days now, between 38°C (100.4°F) to 40.6°C (105°F).
Today we ask for special prayers that the retainer will solve the tongue biting issue and that her fever will return to normal.
Thank you for your faithful continuing prayer for Melissa's recovery.
May God reward you with us together on Melissa's recovery journey.
Michael & Marlene
Friday, May 2, 2008
Melissa Update as of Thursday Evening (5/1/2008)
Hi Friends,
Some updates from Marlene tonight.
1. Melissa is waking up but still appears to be very tired.
2. Since she has been awake, she has been biting her tongue, which has resulted in significant bleeding. They will be putting in a mouth guard to protect her tongue from biting.
3. Fever is still slightly elevated at 38° C (100.4° F). She's been receiving Tylenol but this cannot be a long term solution due to the potential for liver damage.
4. Melissa was able to respond to Michael this morning and Marlene this evening. Both of her arms appear to show movement.
5. Both of her arms are pulled to her chest at times and no one knows what this means. Melissa exhibited this position prior to her seizures last week. Let's pray that this does not indicate further complications.
6. Brain drain still reddish. Keep praying for yellow fluid which will indicate normalcy.
7. Marlene is back to work on a 20 hour/week basis. Pray for her endurance as well as Michael's.
Thanks,
Steve
Some updates from Marlene tonight.
1. Melissa is waking up but still appears to be very tired.
2. Since she has been awake, she has been biting her tongue, which has resulted in significant bleeding. They will be putting in a mouth guard to protect her tongue from biting.
3. Fever is still slightly elevated at 38° C (100.4° F). She's been receiving Tylenol but this cannot be a long term solution due to the potential for liver damage.
4. Melissa was able to respond to Michael this morning and Marlene this evening. Both of her arms appear to show movement.
5. Both of her arms are pulled to her chest at times and no one knows what this means. Melissa exhibited this position prior to her seizures last week. Let's pray that this does not indicate further complications.
6. Brain drain still reddish. Keep praying for yellow fluid which will indicate normalcy.
7. Marlene is back to work on a 20 hour/week basis. Pray for her endurance as well as Michael's.
Thanks,
Steve
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Update from Michael - 5/1/2008, 9:08 a.m.
Day 42 in CHOC PICU, Orange, California
Dear Friends,
Yesterday afternoon around 2:45 p.m., a group of 7 specialists (neurologist, cardiologist, hematologist, Director of PICU, social worker, case manager, and nurse) sat down with Michael and Marlene to go over some Q & A. According to Marlene, the answers and time line were satisfactory.
Melissa is trying to wake up today. Her eye lids are extremely heavy but she is trying to wake up. The medication is a very heavy dosage and therefore, is taking a longer period of time to wake up.
1. Seizures are affecting the right side of the brain which includes speech, learning and physical capacity. The extent of the potential impairment is uncertain until Melissa is able to respond. Seizures can be controlled by medication.
2. The cardiologist was rather surprised that Melissa's heart is relatively stable given the tremendous pressure of the past several weeks. The heart valve damaged by the endocarditis still needs to be replaced in due time. Currently, the timetable is at least 3 months to allow the heart to stabilize. This is the most optimistic time frame for the heart valve replacement. Further questions concern the ability of the heart and the brain to coordinate functions. In other words, can the brain tell the heart what to do?
3. The Director of PICU wants Melissa to be off the ventilation machine. The tracheotomy will be kept open for near future access. A humidifier will be added in order to moisten the air intake.
4. Currently, NG (nasal gastro...) is implemented for her feeding tube. In due time, she will need a simple operation called gastronomy which includes placing the feeding tube near the stomach. There is no time urgency or pressure for this. Given the lack of coagulation, this procedure will be put off until it is absolutely necessary.
5. The hematologist states the platelet count is abnormal, causing the inability of her blood to clot. Therefore, any unnecessary procedures will be placed on hold.
6. Around 10:00 p.m. last night, Melissa had been totally taken off Pentobarbital. Because of the heavy dosage, some adjustment symptoms are visible, such as fever 38.5 C (101.3 F), increase in brain pressure (went from 4 to 11), some diarrhea, and slight shivering. Pain relief medicine is being used to counter.
Please pray for smooth transition from total withdrawal of Pentobarbital.
In Him,
Michael
Dear Friends,
Yesterday afternoon around 2:45 p.m., a group of 7 specialists (neurologist, cardiologist, hematologist, Director of PICU, social worker, case manager, and nurse) sat down with Michael and Marlene to go over some Q & A. According to Marlene, the answers and time line were satisfactory.
Melissa is trying to wake up today. Her eye lids are extremely heavy but she is trying to wake up. The medication is a very heavy dosage and therefore, is taking a longer period of time to wake up.
1. Seizures are affecting the right side of the brain which includes speech, learning and physical capacity. The extent of the potential impairment is uncertain until Melissa is able to respond. Seizures can be controlled by medication.
2. The cardiologist was rather surprised that Melissa's heart is relatively stable given the tremendous pressure of the past several weeks. The heart valve damaged by the endocarditis still needs to be replaced in due time. Currently, the timetable is at least 3 months to allow the heart to stabilize. This is the most optimistic time frame for the heart valve replacement. Further questions concern the ability of the heart and the brain to coordinate functions. In other words, can the brain tell the heart what to do?
3. The Director of PICU wants Melissa to be off the ventilation machine. The tracheotomy will be kept open for near future access. A humidifier will be added in order to moisten the air intake.
4. Currently, NG (nasal gastro...) is implemented for her feeding tube. In due time, she will need a simple operation called gastronomy which includes placing the feeding tube near the stomach. There is no time urgency or pressure for this. Given the lack of coagulation, this procedure will be put off until it is absolutely necessary.
5. The hematologist states the platelet count is abnormal, causing the inability of her blood to clot. Therefore, any unnecessary procedures will be placed on hold.
6. Around 10:00 p.m. last night, Melissa had been totally taken off Pentobarbital. Because of the heavy dosage, some adjustment symptoms are visible, such as fever 38.5 C (101.3 F), increase in brain pressure (went from 4 to 11), some diarrhea, and slight shivering. Pain relief medicine is being used to counter.
Please pray for smooth transition from total withdrawal of Pentobarbital.
In Him,
Michael
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