Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors:
Thank you for your love and prayers for Melissa. She is now expected to have heart surgery to repair her damaged heart valve this summer, so we ask that you continue to pray for her.
Taiwan's GOOD TV produced a special program "Miracle Girl – The Melissa Yu Story" which aired on May 13. You may view the program (it's in Chinese) by using the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjFFukWZeE0
May all the glory be to the Lord our Savior Jesus Christ. May the Spirit touch your heart and bless your life. Let us trust in the Lord our Savior. Never give up. Always believe that God can and does work miracles. Keep a joyful heart all the times under any circumstance and receive comfort from our Counselor through His Word.
God bless you and have a wonderful journey in life.
Michael Yu
Friday, May 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Happy 18th Birthday Melissa!
Melissa's family hosted a beautiful birthday party in the park for Melissa last Saturday! Here are a few pictures of the big event. Her actual birthday is April 28th, so make sure you wish her a great day!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Update from Michael and Marlene February 3, 2010
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your faithful prayers for Melissa. Thanks to your prayers and support, her 18th surgery went very well last Wednesday.
We checked into CHOC last Wednesday morning at about 7:30 a.m. and went through all of the required pre-operation examinations. At about 10:30 she was anesthetized and the surgery began at 10:45. The surgery lasted about two and a half hours and was completed by 1:15 p.m. She remained in recovery until about 3:00 p.m. and then was transferred to her room. When she awoke, she was in some pain but, praise the Lord, the pain did subside. Melissa was discharged Thursday afternoon. At her doctor visit on Friday everything was fine. We will visit the doctor again this Thursday (2/4).
During the surgery, the doctor inserted a tiny telescope through her mouth into her throat. Then, he cut her neck skin about 10 cm to cover the hole and stitched the opening to close it.
Once again, thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Melissa as she still faces two more surgeries: the first to close the G-tube hole in her stomach, and the second to replace her damaged heart valve.
Emmanuel,
Michael & Marlene
Thank you for your faithful prayers for Melissa. Thanks to your prayers and support, her 18th surgery went very well last Wednesday.
We checked into CHOC last Wednesday morning at about 7:30 a.m. and went through all of the required pre-operation examinations. At about 10:30 she was anesthetized and the surgery began at 10:45. The surgery lasted about two and a half hours and was completed by 1:15 p.m. She remained in recovery until about 3:00 p.m. and then was transferred to her room. When she awoke, she was in some pain but, praise the Lord, the pain did subside. Melissa was discharged Thursday afternoon. At her doctor visit on Friday everything was fine. We will visit the doctor again this Thursday (2/4).
During the surgery, the doctor inserted a tiny telescope through her mouth into her throat. Then, he cut her neck skin about 10 cm to cover the hole and stitched the opening to close it.
Once again, thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Melissa as she still faces two more surgeries: the first to close the G-tube hole in her stomach, and the second to replace her damaged heart valve.
Emmanuel,
Michael & Marlene
Friday, January 29, 2010
Melissa Update - Friday, January 29, 2010
Dear friends,
Melissa was admitted to CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) on Wednesday morning for her 18th surgery to close her tracheocutaneous fistula, the opening created during her tracheotomy, which has not closed on its own.
Schedule:
1. 2010-01-27 (Wed. 7:30 am [23:30 pm Hong Kong; Beijing; Taiwan]). Check in and pre-op test and exam.
2. 2010-01-27 (Wed. 10:15am [2010-01-28 Thu. 2:1 5am Hong Kong; Beijing; Taiwan]). Surgery begins.
3. 2010-01-29 Fri. Noon. Check out; return home.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray that the operation is successful and without further complications;
2. Pray that God will provide Melissa peace, comfort and strength, and will relieve her fear;
3. Pray that Melissa’s recovery will be smooth and normal;
4. Pray that the Holy Spirit anoints her with joy.
Emmanuel,
Michael Yu
P.S. CHOC prohibits visitors due to H1N1
Melissa was admitted to CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) on Wednesday morning for her 18th surgery to close her tracheocutaneous fistula, the opening created during her tracheotomy, which has not closed on its own.
Schedule:
1. 2010-01-27 (Wed. 7:30 am [23:30 pm Hong Kong; Beijing; Taiwan]). Check in and pre-op test and exam.
2. 2010-01-27 (Wed. 10:15am [2010-01-28 Thu. 2:1 5am Hong Kong; Beijing; Taiwan]). Surgery begins.
3. 2010-01-29 Fri. Noon. Check out; return home.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray that the operation is successful and without further complications;
2. Pray that God will provide Melissa peace, comfort and strength, and will relieve her fear;
3. Pray that Melissa’s recovery will be smooth and normal;
4. Pray that the Holy Spirit anoints her with joy.
Emmanuel,
Michael Yu
P.S. CHOC prohibits visitors due to H1N1
Friday, November 13, 2009
Update Sunday, November 8, 2009
Dear Friends,
Fall is here, the weather is getting cooler, daylight savings time has just ended, the days are getting shorter and Thanksgiving is approaching. Many of you have been e-mailing me since my last update on March 1 asking how Melissa is doing. I am more than happy to share with you all the joy we have in her progress.
HEALTH
Melissa continues to receive physical therapy (“PT”) and occupational therapy (“OT”) three times each week and acupuncture treatments twice each week. Her physical condition is stable. Two weeks ago she began walking with a cane unassisted and can walk upstairs about 5 steps. We are so thankful and joyful for these amazing improvements. Her appetite is good and she can eat almost anything now.
Melissa visits her cardiologist once a quarter. Her heart has enlarged a bit, but the good news is her cardiologist believes it’s probably due to her walking rather than relying so much on a wheelchair.
On Friday, July 31, her Mickey Button G-tube was removed. Praise the Lord, no more tubes are attached to her body. In past 8 months she’s visited her pulmonary and otolaryngology specialists several times for follow up examinations of the open hole in her trachea (this hole is referred to in medical terms as a “cutaneous trachea fistula post tracheostomy”). Though the trachea tube was removed on December 15, the hole still has not yet closed. On Monday, October 19, at her last visit to her otolaryngology specialist, it was decided she would need to be re-admitted to CHOC for surgery to close the hole. This will be done as soon as we can schedule it.
Power Chair
After waiting more than 3 months, Melissa finally received her power chair on Wednesday, October 21. She is so excited! This improves her mobility so much that she’s able to ride her power chair from home to the therapy unit located at University High School! Last Saturday, November 7, she even rode her power chair to school to attend some activities.
School
During the spring semester, Melissa was able to increase her time at school from 3 to 4 periods. She loves math and photography and is eager to learn. She is an aggressive learner and is determined to improve in all areas. By June she was finally able to write all 26 letters of the alphabet with no mistakes. She spends a lot time doing homework and studying, and is very serious about studying every subject. Her new photography class presented a challenge with a really heavy assignment. Melissa needed to take a lot of photos, so we spent a lot of time taking her to the park, mall, shopping centers and other places. It was so much fun for all of us.
Melissa’s Story TO AIR on Radio and TV!
GOOD TV is a 24-hour television station in Taiwan. In early September the station sent a team from Taiwan to Irvine to film Melissa’s story. The program is scheduled to air in April, 2010 in a “Real Story Blog” broadcast. On Friday, November 6, Los Angeles local radio stations AM 1300 and AM 1600 interviewed me to share Melissa’s story. This program will air on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 at 10:00 pm. Both of these programs will be broadcast in Chinese. Our prayer is that Melissa’s true story will touch many souls, and give encouragement and hope to families and patients. May God be glorified!
Prayer Requests
1. That Melissa’s heart can tolerate her increase walking, and her damaged heart valve can be repaired.
2. That Melissa will be able to walk without assistance more and be able to walk upstairs to her own room by the end of the year.
3. That the surgery to close the hole in her trachea can be done by December.
4. That her spirit, knowledge and physical capabilities will continue to improve daily.
5. That her transition from high school to college will be smooth.
YOUR Prayers ARE Working
With the help of your faithful prayers for Melissa, we are experiencing how God works to answer prayers for Melissa. Let His power continue to overflow in her life to shine for Jesus. We all dare to ask this without ceasing.
In this Thanksgiving season, I would like say thank you sincerely and humbly with all my heart. Without your prayers, love, and support, we don’t know how we could have made it this far through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. May God bless and empower you and continue to enrich your life.
In Him,
Michael
Fall is here, the weather is getting cooler, daylight savings time has just ended, the days are getting shorter and Thanksgiving is approaching. Many of you have been e-mailing me since my last update on March 1 asking how Melissa is doing. I am more than happy to share with you all the joy we have in her progress.
HEALTH
Melissa continues to receive physical therapy (“PT”) and occupational therapy (“OT”) three times each week and acupuncture treatments twice each week. Her physical condition is stable. Two weeks ago she began walking with a cane unassisted and can walk upstairs about 5 steps. We are so thankful and joyful for these amazing improvements. Her appetite is good and she can eat almost anything now.
Melissa visits her cardiologist once a quarter. Her heart has enlarged a bit, but the good news is her cardiologist believes it’s probably due to her walking rather than relying so much on a wheelchair.
On Friday, July 31, her Mickey Button G-tube was removed. Praise the Lord, no more tubes are attached to her body. In past 8 months she’s visited her pulmonary and otolaryngology specialists several times for follow up examinations of the open hole in her trachea (this hole is referred to in medical terms as a “cutaneous trachea fistula post tracheostomy”). Though the trachea tube was removed on December 15, the hole still has not yet closed. On Monday, October 19, at her last visit to her otolaryngology specialist, it was decided she would need to be re-admitted to CHOC for surgery to close the hole. This will be done as soon as we can schedule it.
Power Chair
After waiting more than 3 months, Melissa finally received her power chair on Wednesday, October 21. She is so excited! This improves her mobility so much that she’s able to ride her power chair from home to the therapy unit located at University High School! Last Saturday, November 7, she even rode her power chair to school to attend some activities.
School
During the spring semester, Melissa was able to increase her time at school from 3 to 4 periods. She loves math and photography and is eager to learn. She is an aggressive learner and is determined to improve in all areas. By June she was finally able to write all 26 letters of the alphabet with no mistakes. She spends a lot time doing homework and studying, and is very serious about studying every subject. Her new photography class presented a challenge with a really heavy assignment. Melissa needed to take a lot of photos, so we spent a lot of time taking her to the park, mall, shopping centers and other places. It was so much fun for all of us.
Melissa’s Story TO AIR on Radio and TV!
GOOD TV is a 24-hour television station in Taiwan. In early September the station sent a team from Taiwan to Irvine to film Melissa’s story. The program is scheduled to air in April, 2010 in a “Real Story Blog” broadcast. On Friday, November 6, Los Angeles local radio stations AM 1300 and AM 1600 interviewed me to share Melissa’s story. This program will air on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 at 10:00 pm. Both of these programs will be broadcast in Chinese. Our prayer is that Melissa’s true story will touch many souls, and give encouragement and hope to families and patients. May God be glorified!
Prayer Requests
1. That Melissa’s heart can tolerate her increase walking, and her damaged heart valve can be repaired.
2. That Melissa will be able to walk without assistance more and be able to walk upstairs to her own room by the end of the year.
3. That the surgery to close the hole in her trachea can be done by December.
4. That her spirit, knowledge and physical capabilities will continue to improve daily.
5. That her transition from high school to college will be smooth.
YOUR Prayers ARE Working
With the help of your faithful prayers for Melissa, we are experiencing how God works to answer prayers for Melissa. Let His power continue to overflow in her life to shine for Jesus. We all dare to ask this without ceasing.
In this Thanksgiving season, I would like say thank you sincerely and humbly with all my heart. Without your prayers, love, and support, we don’t know how we could have made it this far through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. May God bless and empower you and continue to enrich your life.
In Him,
Michael
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Update from Michael: Sunday, November 8, 2009
Dear Friends,
Fall is here, the weather is getting cooler, daylight savings time has just ended, the days are getting shorter and Thanksgiving is approaching. Many of you have been e-mailing me since my last update on March 1 asking how Melissa is doing. I am more than happy to share with you all the joy we have in her progress.
HEALTH
Melissa continues to receive physical therapy (“PT”) and occupational therapy (“OT”) three times each week and acupuncture treatments twice each week. Her physical condition is stable. Two weeks ago she began walking with a cane unassisted and can walk upstairs about 5 steps. We are so thankful and joyful for these amazing improvements. Her appetite is good and she can eat almost anything now.
Melissa visits her cardiologist once a quarter. Her heart has enlarged a bit, but the good news is her cardiologist believes it’s probably due to her walking rather than relying so much on a wheelchair.
On Friday, July 31, her Mickey Button G-tube was removed. Praise the Lord, no more tubes are attached to her body. In past 8 months she’s visited her pulmonary and otolaryngology specialists several times for follow up examinations of the open hole in her trachea (this hole is referred to in medical terms as a “cutaneous trachea fistula post tracheostomy”). Though the trachea tube was removed on December 15, the hole still has not yet closed. On Monday, October 19, at her last visit to her otolaryngology specialist, it was decided she would need to be re-admitted to CHOC for surgery to close the hole. This will be done as soon as we can schedule it.
POWER CHAIR
After waiting more than 3 months, Melissa finally received her power chair on Wednesday, October 21. She is so excited! This improves her mobility so much that she’s able to ride her power chair from home to the therapy unit located at University High School! Last Saturday, November 7, she even rode her power chair to school to attend some activities.
SCHOOL
During the spring semester, Melissa was able to increase her time at school from 3 to 4 periods. She loves math and photography and is eager to learn. She is an aggressive learner and is determined to improve in all areas. By June she was finally able to write all 26 letters of the alphabet with no mistakes. She spends a lot time doing homework and studying, and is very serious about studying every subject. Her new photography class presented a challenge with a really heavy assignment. Melissa needed to take a lot of photos, so we spent a lot of time taking her to the park, mall, shopping centers and other places. It was so much fun for all of us.
MELISSA’S STORY TO AIR ON RADIO AND TV!
GOOD TV is a 24-hour television station in Taiwan. In early September the station sent a team from Taiwan to Irvine to film Melissa’s story. The program is scheduled to air in April, 2010 in a “Real Story Blog” broadcast. On Friday, November 6, Los Angeles local radio stations AM 1300 and AM 1600 interviewed me to share Melissa’s story. This program will air on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 at 10:00 pm. Both of these programs will be broadcast in Chinese. Our prayer is that Melissa’s true story will touch many souls, and give encouragement and hope to families and patients. May God be glorified!
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. That Melissa’s heart can tolerate her increase walking, and her damaged heart valve can be repaired.
2. That Melissa will be able to walk without assistance more and be able to walk upstairs to her own room by the end of the year.
3. That the surgery to close the hole in her trachea can be done by December.
4. That her spirit, knowledge and physical capabilities will continue to improve daily.
5. That her transition from high school to college will be smooth.
YOUR PRAYERS ARE WORKING
With the help of your faithful prayers for Melissa, we are experiencing how God works to answer prayers for Melissa. Let His power continue to overflow in her life to shine for Jesus. We all dare to ask this without ceasing.
In this Thanksgiving season, I would like say thank you sincerely and humbly with all my heart. Without your prayers, love, and support, we don’t know how we could have made it this far through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. May God bless and empower you and continue to enrich your life.
In Him,
Michael
Fall is here, the weather is getting cooler, daylight savings time has just ended, the days are getting shorter and Thanksgiving is approaching. Many of you have been e-mailing me since my last update on March 1 asking how Melissa is doing. I am more than happy to share with you all the joy we have in her progress.
HEALTH
Melissa continues to receive physical therapy (“PT”) and occupational therapy (“OT”) three times each week and acupuncture treatments twice each week. Her physical condition is stable. Two weeks ago she began walking with a cane unassisted and can walk upstairs about 5 steps. We are so thankful and joyful for these amazing improvements. Her appetite is good and she can eat almost anything now.
Melissa visits her cardiologist once a quarter. Her heart has enlarged a bit, but the good news is her cardiologist believes it’s probably due to her walking rather than relying so much on a wheelchair.
On Friday, July 31, her Mickey Button G-tube was removed. Praise the Lord, no more tubes are attached to her body. In past 8 months she’s visited her pulmonary and otolaryngology specialists several times for follow up examinations of the open hole in her trachea (this hole is referred to in medical terms as a “cutaneous trachea fistula post tracheostomy”). Though the trachea tube was removed on December 15, the hole still has not yet closed. On Monday, October 19, at her last visit to her otolaryngology specialist, it was decided she would need to be re-admitted to CHOC for surgery to close the hole. This will be done as soon as we can schedule it.
POWER CHAIR
After waiting more than 3 months, Melissa finally received her power chair on Wednesday, October 21. She is so excited! This improves her mobility so much that she’s able to ride her power chair from home to the therapy unit located at University High School! Last Saturday, November 7, she even rode her power chair to school to attend some activities.
SCHOOL
During the spring semester, Melissa was able to increase her time at school from 3 to 4 periods. She loves math and photography and is eager to learn. She is an aggressive learner and is determined to improve in all areas. By June she was finally able to write all 26 letters of the alphabet with no mistakes. She spends a lot time doing homework and studying, and is very serious about studying every subject. Her new photography class presented a challenge with a really heavy assignment. Melissa needed to take a lot of photos, so we spent a lot of time taking her to the park, mall, shopping centers and other places. It was so much fun for all of us.
MELISSA’S STORY TO AIR ON RADIO AND TV!
GOOD TV is a 24-hour television station in Taiwan. In early September the station sent a team from Taiwan to Irvine to film Melissa’s story. The program is scheduled to air in April, 2010 in a “Real Story Blog” broadcast. On Friday, November 6, Los Angeles local radio stations AM 1300 and AM 1600 interviewed me to share Melissa’s story. This program will air on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 at 10:00 pm. Both of these programs will be broadcast in Chinese. Our prayer is that Melissa’s true story will touch many souls, and give encouragement and hope to families and patients. May God be glorified!
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. That Melissa’s heart can tolerate her increase walking, and her damaged heart valve can be repaired.
2. That Melissa will be able to walk without assistance more and be able to walk upstairs to her own room by the end of the year.
3. That the surgery to close the hole in her trachea can be done by December.
4. That her spirit, knowledge and physical capabilities will continue to improve daily.
5. That her transition from high school to college will be smooth.
YOUR PRAYERS ARE WORKING
With the help of your faithful prayers for Melissa, we are experiencing how God works to answer prayers for Melissa. Let His power continue to overflow in her life to shine for Jesus. We all dare to ask this without ceasing.
In this Thanksgiving season, I would like say thank you sincerely and humbly with all my heart. Without your prayers, love, and support, we don’t know how we could have made it this far through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. May God bless and empower you and continue to enrich your life.
In Him,
Michael
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Update From "Uncle" David - 5/19/2009
Dear Friends,
On the road home tonight the light turned red at the corner of Campus and University approaching UCI. Sitting on the bridge over the Santa Ana creek there is a momentary respite watching the water fowl play in the placid waters of the creek. You can almost hear the deep throated chirping of the bullfrogs, except for the air conditioner, the country music station playing Willie Nelson, and the intrusion of the white van pulling up on the right side of my car.
A square faced, jutting jawed and cheeky smile of a Chinese man resting his chin on the door frame starring in my direction jolted me back to reality. It was my friend Michael Yu, and his 15 year old Melodie with a Cheshire grin waiving at me. Behind them, a wheel chair was bolted into the middle row: Melissa was waiving as if with pom-poms to get the attention of her "Uncle David."
They were on their way home from an acupuncture appointment after a full day of high school classes. Next it was gas for the van, feed the kids, then off to Awana Girls Club at the church. Life seemed almost normal.
The light turned green and a waft of fresh cool air blew through the window, along with wonder and amazement at the events of the last year and a half.
On the evening of Good Friday, 2008, Melissa Yu was struck with the first of two grotesquely debilitating brain aneurisms. That evening, life changed forever in the Yu family. The doctors said she would not live. Michael and Marlene clutched steadfastly to their faith and hope that God would bring their daughter back to them. Every minute of every day, Michael and Marlene were at the her bedside, never flinching, never failing in their belief. Not only has Melissa recovered, she returned to her high school classes in mid-March, 2009.
Life has seemingly returned to normal at the Yu household. Except that Melissa's bedroom is now in the family room just off the dining room and next to the kitchen. It is the only room in the house large enough for the hospital style bed and medical equipment necessary for Melissa. It is also the social and emotional center of life for the Yu family now. Not only is it Melissa's bedroom it is still the family room with the big screen TV and X-Box for everyone to come and play, including Melissa.
Each morning after washing her face and arms, Melissa wheels herself to the breakfast table, feeds herself and talks to her sisters. Bah-BAH then piles everyone in the van, locks the wheel chair into place and its off to school. At the end of classes Melissa clamors for more. She loves school and her friends.
In the evening, Melissa demands that she help with dinner, and sets the table from her wheel chair. I spoke to her in Chinese, and she immediately responded in English. If you Listen intently you can discern through her slurred speech that she is quick, bright and articulate.
Doctor Louden calls Melissa his miracle girl. There are many miracles of which to tell, not the least of which is the steadfast love and devotion the Yu family has for each other.
Thank you for your prayers and concern for Melissa and the Yu family over the last year and a half. Please continue to pray for them as the next stage of their new journey unfolds.
- David Hosmer
On the road home tonight the light turned red at the corner of Campus and University approaching UCI. Sitting on the bridge over the Santa Ana creek there is a momentary respite watching the water fowl play in the placid waters of the creek. You can almost hear the deep throated chirping of the bullfrogs, except for the air conditioner, the country music station playing Willie Nelson, and the intrusion of the white van pulling up on the right side of my car.
A square faced, jutting jawed and cheeky smile of a Chinese man resting his chin on the door frame starring in my direction jolted me back to reality. It was my friend Michael Yu, and his 15 year old Melodie with a Cheshire grin waiving at me. Behind them, a wheel chair was bolted into the middle row: Melissa was waiving as if with pom-poms to get the attention of her "Uncle David."
They were on their way home from an acupuncture appointment after a full day of high school classes. Next it was gas for the van, feed the kids, then off to Awana Girls Club at the church. Life seemed almost normal.
The light turned green and a waft of fresh cool air blew through the window, along with wonder and amazement at the events of the last year and a half.
On the evening of Good Friday, 2008, Melissa Yu was struck with the first of two grotesquely debilitating brain aneurisms. That evening, life changed forever in the Yu family. The doctors said she would not live. Michael and Marlene clutched steadfastly to their faith and hope that God would bring their daughter back to them. Every minute of every day, Michael and Marlene were at the her bedside, never flinching, never failing in their belief. Not only has Melissa recovered, she returned to her high school classes in mid-March, 2009.
Life has seemingly returned to normal at the Yu household. Except that Melissa's bedroom is now in the family room just off the dining room and next to the kitchen. It is the only room in the house large enough for the hospital style bed and medical equipment necessary for Melissa. It is also the social and emotional center of life for the Yu family now. Not only is it Melissa's bedroom it is still the family room with the big screen TV and X-Box for everyone to come and play, including Melissa.
Each morning after washing her face and arms, Melissa wheels herself to the breakfast table, feeds herself and talks to her sisters. Bah-BAH then piles everyone in the van, locks the wheel chair into place and its off to school. At the end of classes Melissa clamors for more. She loves school and her friends.
In the evening, Melissa demands that she help with dinner, and sets the table from her wheel chair. I spoke to her in Chinese, and she immediately responded in English. If you Listen intently you can discern through her slurred speech that she is quick, bright and articulate.
Doctor Louden calls Melissa his miracle girl. There are many miracles of which to tell, not the least of which is the steadfast love and devotion the Yu family has for each other.
Thank you for your prayers and concern for Melissa and the Yu family over the last year and a half. Please continue to pray for them as the next stage of their new journey unfolds.
- David Hosmer
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