- April 21, 2010: Katie Moore really is the "World's Toughest Kid."
Katie is now home, again.
The Moore family has asked the Dream House organization to provide updates on Katie's condition. Please check back, and share this web site with others.
June 1, 2010 @ 1:20 p.m.
Katie continues to gain strength daily, venture out more frequently, and is finishing out her school year. She was able to attend her brother's wedding, May 22, much to everyone's delight! Each week, she goes for bloodwork to help regulate the effectiveness of her medications. We are so amazed and awed by the miracle of this child's life and recovery!
May 13, 2010 @ 5:45 p.m.
Katie's recovery is nothing short of a miracle! Based on results from her most recent scope and biopsy procedure, there are no signs of rejection. Even more exciting, her blood work is clear of the EBV and CMV infections! Since this episode began, she has never had a clean blood report...so this is very significant progress. Still pending are her tissue pathology reports, which should be available early next week.
Katie has lost a lot of weight, has a low protein levels and is anemic. This is a result of her organs healing and not able to do their jobs at full capacity to absorb nutrients during digestion. Her spirits are very high and she is keeping up with her school work. She is so excited when cards and letters arrive.
A new update will be posted early next week to let you know further progress.
May 7, 2010 @ 10:50 a.m.
Katie is home - YAY!!!! She continues to improve, although she daily receives IV treatments for the two active infections (EBV and CMV).
May 5, 2010 @ 1:15 p.m.
Laura and Katie Moore will be flying home this afternoon, leaving Miami at 2:30 p.m. Once home and settled, Laura will provide a diagnostic update and Katie's path to recovery.
May 4, 2010 @ 1 p.m.
BIG NEWS!!!! Doctors made their rounds this morning and said there is no sign of rejection! This is THE MIRACLE everyone has been praying for. Thank you! Katie's doctor wrote her discharge order at 12:30 p.m. They will be coming home tomorrow (Wednesday, May 5th).
May 4, 2010 @ 9:35 a.m.
Message from Laura Moore: Katie had a great evening yesterday and a wonderful night. She tolerated a regular diet and formula feedings last night without problems. This morning she was craving a pastrami sandwich for breakfast, so guess what!?! She got it :o) Still waiting on biopsy results from Sunday, but expect them to be better than we thought. Only disappointing news is that the EBV (virus) counts are continuing to rise :o( Will know more about this when the docs make rounds later this morning.
- Katie eyeing her breakfast wish.
- Katie's response to her pastrami sandwich!
May 3, 2010 @ 9:40 a.m.
Message from Laura Moore: Whew...Katie had a rough night, but we made it through. Her blood levels for one of the anti-rejection medications (Prograf) has been very low, so they increased the dose and added another medication to potentiate the effects of the Prograf. The added medication worked so well that the blood levels went too high. Katie began experiencing hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, weakness in her extremities, headache, tremors, lethargy and got scared with all of it. Needless to say, we are exhausted this morning and will definitely be taking naps this afternoon! Otherwise, we just wait on the pathology reports from the biopsy and wait to see if the high Prograf levels did any damage to Katie's kidneys. Then, we will know more about what we are dealing with and what needs to be done to treat it. Will keep you posted.
May 2, 2010 @ 7:15 p.m.
Katie made it through the scope/biopsy procedure with no problems. Her bowels are very inflammed, but do not look as bad as feared. Specifics about this rejection episode will be more clear after her bloodwork and pathology reports come back late Monday or Tuesday. The good news is that Katie has been feeling "fine."
May 2, 2010 @ 9:40 a.m.
Message from Laura Moore: Thanks to Georgia Jets, we made it down here in under 2 hours! We got through the ER in less than an hour and up to the room they were holding for us.
Katie is stable, but it appears that her rejection has taken a turn for the worse. Her colonostomy (stoma) is very pale and has 'blisters' which is a sign of poor bowel health. She is having a scope and biopsy sometime today (its hard to know what time on the weekends, especially Sundays).
I promise to let you know as soon as we have definite findings.
I have warned the doctors that they only have ten days to 'fix' everything for the following reasons:
1- My son Hayden graduates from Auburn in Aerospace Engineering on May 14th (he really IS a rocket scientist! And YES, I am VERY proud) and gets married to one of the world's most beautiful young ladies on May 22nd. So we have to be home!
2-It is unbearable to go more than a couple of days without seeing my daughter, Anna. She is my sunshine!
3-I can't live without my husband-he is the wind beneath my wings.
4-Kim Marks, though absolutely wonderful, may have a stroke if I don't get back to work and help her @ the Dream House office!
5-My neighbors, Don & Del Haws, may eat all of my tomatoes before I get back and I don't want them to be the only ones to enjoy my flowers!
By the way, I didn't bring the car this time-we will fly back-that way you all don't have to worry about how fast I drive :o)
Before we went to bed last night, Katie and I read our devotional. It is perfect for our situation and I wanted to share it with you. It is titled, "Prayers Are Precious Jewels."
"You and I live in a loud world. To get someone's attention is no easy task.
He must be willing to set everything aside to listen; turn down the radio, turn away from the monitor, turn the corner of the page and set down the book.
When someone is willing to silence everything else so he can hear us clearly, it is a privilege.
A rare privilege indeed.
Your prayers are honored in heaven as precious jewels.
Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord...(Katie loves this line).
Your words do not stop until they reach the very home of God...
Your prayer on earth activates God's power in heaven, and 'God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven'...
Your prayers move God to change the world.
You may not understand the mystery of prayer.
You don't need to.
But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth.
Thank you for your prayers. They are precious jewels to us, too. They are powerful and activating for the most wonderful purpose in the world-To accomplish God's will and bring a little bit of heaven to all of us. L&K
May 1, 2010 @ 2:10 p.m.
Katie's rejection has significantly worsened. She is being emergency transported to Miami within the hour thanks to the generosity of Georgia Jet. Updates on her condition will be posted as we receive them. At this time, we do not expect to receive and post an update until sometime Sunday, May 2.
April 28, 2010 @ 6:30 a.m.
The results of Katie's last two scopes and biopsies reveal that the rejection continues to resolve...slowly. She is feeling better, eating more and getting stronger each day. Thank you for the cards!
April 21, 2010 @ 11:55 a.m.
Message from Laura Moore: The results from Katie's scope & biopsy are trickling in. The rejection continues to resolve slowly, but the CMV & EBV infections are still there. Plans are to continue current treatment for 7-10 more days. Katie will have blood work, scopes & biopsies every Monday to check her progress. Will keep you posted with new updates each Wednesday.
Keep those prayers going! We need another miracle to resolve the rejection in the colon and banish the CMV & EBV! Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOO much.
- April 16, 2010
April 19, 2010 @ 1:35 p.m.
The doctors expect Katie's recovery from this episode to take 4-6 months. Beginning today, and for the next four weeks, each Monday Katie will be at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Scottish Rite for bloodwork, scope and biopsy procedures. Otherwise, she will be at home. Her continued course of treatment will depend on what they find visually and from the tissue pathology. Katie continues to deal with three issues: 1) CMV and EBV infections for which she receives IV medication daily; 2) the rejection caused by infection is slowly resolving, however she is still on high doses of immunosuppression; 3) infection will be a higher threat the next 2-3 months until the rejection resolves. Please continue sending cards and letters! Note the new address at right.
April 16, 2010 @ 11 a.m.
At 8:36 a.m. today, Laura and Katie began their journey home. They are driving 670 miles and hope to be in their own house tonight! "We are in the car and I am almost dizzy with excitement!" was the message that Laura sent.
April 15, 2010 @ 12:45 p.m.
Message from Laura Moore: Guess what! We slept a solid 7 hours and Katie woke up with an ostomy bad full of thick poop!!!!! Hallelujah! Praise God! I know thick poop is not something most people get excited about, but to us it is a MIRACLE!!!! Even the doctors are amazed :o)
I have already started packing the car and telling the nurses to start the discharge papers. I told my other daughter Anna this morning that it helps to give the staff a reason to want us to leave :O) She said I was smart 'to be so proactive' LOL! :o) I'm sure my husband, kids, office staff and board members can imagine vividly what is going on around the nurses station this morning! I can also imagine they are LOL at this message! You may be laughing now, but as soon as you realize that this means I am coming home and back to the office, you may not laugh so hard (but I am!)
We love you all and will never be able to tell you how much you mean to us. As always we are very grateful for all you do. Please know that you are the wind beneath our wings and our loud and clear voice in Heaven. We know without a doubt that Katie is better and I have 'held it together' because of the grace and healing touch of our Heavenly Father petitioned through your love, care, and prayer. May God bless you all in return.
Love, Laura & Katie
April 13, 2010 @ 7:20 p.m.
Message from Laura Moore: Guess what!!!?!!! We are officially being discharged on Friday!!! THANK YOU GOD AND YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were hoping for tomorrow or Thursday, but it will take two days to get the Home Health Company to get the IV fluids, medications and equipment delivered to the house. Mike is working from home on Thursday to make sure everything arrives. Katie and I should be home by late Friday evening. Halleljuah!!!!!
Thank you all for hanging in there with us. I know it has been a roller coaster ride (for those of you who know us well, this is no different than any other time in the Moore Family life, right? ! :o) I can't tell you how much all of the emails, cards, letters, and prayers have meant.
You all have been a tremendous blessing and support that has really made a difference for us. Thank you neighbors, Don and Del, for helping take care of our house. Thank you Terry Walls for providing foster care for our bunny and guinea pig. Thank you Karen and Kathleen Murray for helping us get the house clean-especially Katie's room. Thank you Mtn Park Baptist SS Classes for helping to re-stock the pantry for our arrival. Thank you Kelly Coker and Family for helping us get an air purification system for the house and Katie's room to keep the air clean for her. Gosh...how much you have done for us. I am eternally grateful for your friendship, love and care. I pray daily that your kindness will be returned to you in blessings ten-fold.
Hugs & kisses from Laura & Katie! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
- April 12, 2010: Crowned Princess, Katie
April 12, 2010 @ 7:05 p.m.
Message from Laura Moore: The scope/biopsy went VERY well. According to the visual report from the GI surgeon, the intestines AND colon are almost back to normal in appearance!!!! Praise the Great Physician and way to go, Prayer Warriors!!! They should get formal pathology reports on the tissue samples by tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday). Once they have these results, they will come talk with me about the future, and waht we will need to do to try and keep the CMV and EBV (see explanation below) under control. The doctors were so pleased with the visual results that they have discontinued all IV fluids and changed all medications to be taken by mouth. They have also restarted Katie's G-tube feedings at full strength and told her she could start a regular diet!!! (FYI, she hasn't eaten real food since March 17). Yahoo and Hallelujah!!! Should hear aabout a discharge date Tuesday morning and I will let you know as soon as I do :0)
p.s. See the April 12 photo of Katie. She took the sponge 'donut' they used for her head during surgery and she made a crown out of it! Forget the lemonade out of lemons. Being a princess is a lot more fun!!!
- April 11: Puzzle Master!
April 11, 2010 @ 9:50 a.m.
Message from Laura Moore: Katie was tired yesterday, but feeling better today. She is tolerating her G-Tube feeds very well. We are both working on puzzles this weekend to pass the time. Scope & biopsy still on for tomorrow. Once biopsy results are known, we should get a discharge plan. Katie and I send our love and gratitude for all of your cards, letters, thoughts and prayers!
April 9, 2010 @ 7:30 a.m.
MESSAGE FROM LAURA MOORE: Dr. Tzakis, head of entire Transplant Program down here, comes into the room today and asks.... "Want to go home?" Katie and I both screamed "YES!" So, he outlined what needs to be accomplished in preparation:
1. Scope on Monday (4/12) or Tuesday (4/13)-they hope to find that colon is healing. Citrulline level (an enzyme that indicates bowel health) is gradually increasing. Katie's normal range is 25-35. It dropped to 2 on March 20th. It is now 4, indicating that the bowel is beginning to heal.
2. Start g-tube feedings tonight, slowly (1/2 strength at 20cc/hr).
3. Gradually increase concentration and rate of feedings every 12 hours until we get back to where Katie was before she got sick (full strength @ 100cc/hr).
4. At the same time they increase her feeds, they will decrease her IV fluids and watch her nutrition and hydration balance to make sure she is absorbing appropriately.
5. If all goes ok, and Katie's gut tolerates the feeds, they will start talking about a discharge date!
Dr. Tzakis says that Katie's intestines/colon have sustained severe damage and will take many weeks/months to heal (~6 months). Once a repeat scope/biopsy has confirmed that the rejection is indeed resolving in the colon, the greatest threat to Katie will be infection. The effects of the immunosuppresive drugs they have given Katie will last for several months and make her extremely susceptible to every little germ. Even the common cold will be life threatening.
Since hospitals are full of sick people and lots of germs, it is safer for Katie to be at home while her gut heals (as long as everything else is stable). We also know that the CMV and EBV (see updates below), although currently dormant, are still present in the tissues. We will have to be continuously on alert for signs/symptoms that an active infection or PTLD may be brewing/increasing. This situation would be very agressive and very life threatening. This will mean frequent bloodwork and routinely scheduled scopes & biopsies at Scottish Rite.
Regardless, we will sure be glad to be have a target time to come home! Yahooo! :o)
- April 6, 2010
April 7, 2010 @ 6 p.m.
Test results as of 5 p.m.: The lab reports indicate that although Katie's bowel tissue is positive for CMV and EBV (see below), her bloodwork is negative. This may mean that the Gancyclovir medication that she is receiving is working to keep these viruses from growing and spreading. Other biopsy test results are pending.
The rejection in her small bowel is slowly improving, but her colon is worse-now in severe/Grade 4 rejection.
Katie is receiving a unit of packed red blood cells right now to replace some of the blood she has lost. The doctors have scheduled another scope/biopsy procedure for this Friday, April 9. Hopefully, the colon will show some improvement by then.
April 7, 2010 @ 9:50 a.m.
MESSAGE FROM LAURA MOORE: Yesterday was a big day for Katie and our family. We celebrated the sixth anniversary of the day we brought Katie home with us! How blessed my family has been :o)
Katie continues to be stable, although there are still some serious concerns. You may remember my update from last week where I explained how the docs were trying to determine how much of Katie's condition was being caused by rejection and/or infection. I also explained a condition known as PTLD (Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease-which is essentially a lymphoma or cancer). More recently I told you that the docs have determined that Katie is experiencing an infection from CMV-Cytomegalovirus.
The latest test results show that Katie is positive for both CMV and EBV-Epstien Barr Virus :o(
EBV is the most common cause of PTLD. Although it has been determined that EBV is present, the docs think that it is currently in a dormant phase (hiding in the tissues-just like herpes zoster does after you have had chicken pox-the threat is that later in life, when your body experiences trauma or stress, herpes zoster reactivates in the form of shingles).
The risk for Katie is that with all of the immunosuppression being used to treat the rejection, the EBV will activate and the CMV will get worse. The treatment for EBV and CMV infection is to administer a drug called 'Gancyclovir' and reduce the immunosuppressive drugs so that the body's own defenses can attack the EBV and CMV.
Unfortuantely, due to Katie's moderate to severe case of rejection, reducing the immunosuppressive drugs is not an option. They have been administering Gancyclovir for two weeks now, and plan to give it by IV for at least three weeks. Then, they hopeful to switch it to Vancyclovir, which can be taken by mouth.
The scope and biopsy performed on Monday, April 5, did show where the upper part of the small intestine, the duodenum, was improving. However, upon review of the tissue slides, the lower part, the ileum, and the colon are not showing much improvement. Katie continues to have very bloody ostomy drainage and her Hematocrit and Hemoglobin are falling (she is loosing blood). She is quite pale and tires easily. They have considered transfusing her with some blood, but this too has its risks in an immunosuppressed condition.
The docs are very disappointed that the rejection has not shown more resolution after 14 days of aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. There is one other drug that they can try, OKT3, which is quite powerful and makes Katie very sick. I expect that after their weekly pathology review at noon today, they will come back to tell me they want to try this. We will post another update when I know what they want to do.
Please keep the prayers, cards and letters coming. They help Katie so much.
Thank you to Camp Creek Elementary and Tucker High School! Katie was thrilled to get the packages with dozens of cards from the students. She read every single one of them. It really makes her feel so good to know that so many people care.
Katie has a joke for those who sent her one....
'Why was Tigger playing in the toilet? He was trying to find Pooh!' :o)
Hugs and kisses to you all. We are truly grateful for all of your support.
- April 5: Katie visiting with Memaw & Peepops
April 6, 2010 @ 9:45 a.m.
"Katie is loving her time with Memaw & Peepops! They went exploring and found a coco'nut'- must be part of our family :o) We will let you all know as soon as we recieve any biopsy results- will be late today or tomorrow morning. Love to all" from Laura and Katie
April 5, 2010 @ 5:30 p.m.
Katie made it through the scope/biopsy procedure and visually everything looks much better! They are waiting on the pathology reports tomorrow afternoon to determine the plan of action.
April 5, 2010 @ 6 a.m.
Katie did so well Easter Sunday that she got to go outside! Your prayers are definitely working!
April 4, 2010 @ 8:35 a.m.
"Guess what?" said Laura. "They have finally decided what has been causing Katie's infection!" The infection is from a nasty little virus called Cytomedgalovirus or CMV. This virus is a member of the Herpes family of viruses. People who are immunosuppressed, like Katie, are very susceptible to this virus. Once infected, they can exhibit a variety of symptoms. If the CMV infection targets the intestinal tract, the person experiences gastritis, intestinal ulcers, abdominal pain and diarrhea. This type of infection is treated with a drug called Gancyclovir, which Katie has been on for twelve days, now. Laura said, "We still have to wait to get the results of the scope and biopsy on Monday, but the thought is that we will complete the course of Gancyclovir and immunosuppressant therapy this next week. If there are no other complications, we might be able to come home next weekend. Please keep saying those prayers! XOXO"
- April 4: The Easter Bunny found Katie!
- April 1: Katie making faces at the fishies!
April 2, 2010 @ 9:15 a.m.
Katie had a great day Thursday and a good night. The doctors will continue the same treatment over the weekend, and have scheduled Katie's next scope/biopsy for Monday, April 5, to evaluate her progress. Mike Moore will fly home today, and Laura's parents are arriving in Miami for the Easter weekend. Laura and Katie send this message, "On this very special weekend, please know that you will all be in our prayers! We will be celebrating life renewed and the many blessings and miracles our heavenly Father has so graciously bestowed upon us...including our wonderful friends like all of you! Much love and many blessings in return!"
April 1, 2010 @ 3:50 p.m.
Katie had a good night...no fever. She felt good enough this morning to do some school work. Katie says, "Thank you!" to all the children in the Mountain Park United Methodist Church Choir for the poster (pictured in the photo). She really appreciates all the cards, notes and comments you have been sending! According to Laura, receiving them "sure brightens our days :0)"
- March 30: Katie holding a card her friend that Starla Wood made for her. We second the command Starla!!!!
March 31, 2010 @ 5:45 p.m.
The results are not definitive. Overall, the medication is helping Katie's transplanted organs make positive progress toward recovery. However, the doctors feel there is an underlying "issue" that is causing the problem. That is still a mystery, therefore treatment is by process of elimination. The plan is to continue the anti-rejection medications through Monday, April 5. They will perform another scope/biopsy procedure either Friday, April 2 or Monday - TBD.
March 30, 2010 @ 7:25 p.m.
Message from Laura Moore: I know you have all been waiting on pins and needles to find out the biopsy results-us too! Dr. Island, Katie's transplant doctor, came by at 5:30 p.m. to say that he had some good news and bad news.
The good news: The lower part of the small bowel (ileum) and colon tissue (which both originally showed the most rejection) showed almost no rejection (there is our miracle! Praise God!). The duodenum (upper small bowel) still shows some mild rejection, but it is definitely resolving. Hurray! He felt that three more days on the heavy anti-rejection medication would probably be enough to clear up what was left. Yeah!
The bad news:
1) They will not be able to review the tissue slides from the biopsies until tomorrow (Wednesday) so they won't have 'for sure' answers until then.
2) They believe that the rejection was caused by either an intestinal infection or what they call PTLD (Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease). Here are the two scenarios:
a. We are hoping for the lesser of the two evils...infection. If it is an infection, they will run a few more tests to pinpoint the bacteria or virus that is causing the infection and aggressively treat it over the next 7 days. Then we can come back to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite (maybe by the end of next week...April 9th?) for the last week or two of treatment.
b. Worst case scenario is PTLD. This is somewhat common in transplant patients who have experienced high doses of immunosuppressant drugs for many years. The term 'Lymphoproliferative' means that one of the lymphocytes (from the lymph/immune system) are over-producing and out of balance (same as with Leukemia). As this condition progresses, lymphoma or cancer develops. This may present as widely spread deposits in lots of tissues (disseminated) or clumped together in tumors (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma). Milder cases are treated by lowering the doses of immunsuppressive drugs (the body naturally restores the balance and the cells stop proliferating). Moderate cases are treated with 4-6 doses of 'light' chemotheraputic drugs that specifically target the cells that are proliferating with frequent follow-up testing to make sure it doesn't come back. More aggressive cases must be treated as a primary cancerous condition with aggressive radiation, surgery and/or full course of chemotherapy.
Should they determine that Katie has PTLD (either mild or moderate), we would have to remain in Miami for a while longer :o( I know you are all as anxious as we are to find out what is going on. I promise to send an update as soon as we know something tomorrow afternoon!
Thank you all so very much for your prayers!!! Keep them coming please! They are working :o) And please know how much we appreciate all of the cards and letters. Katie gets so excited every day when they deliver a hand full!
- March 30: Playing a game of "Sorry" with Dad!
March 30, 2010 @ 8:45 a.m.
Katie is feeling much better this morning!
- March 28: Katie at fish tank.
March 29, 2010 @ 3 p.m.
Katie made it through the scope and biopsy procedures. "Thank you all so much for the prayers," said Laura, "We just have to wait on the pathology reports and will let you know as soon as we know something."
March 29, 2010 @ 9:10 a.m.
Yesterday afternoon and evening went very well. Katie felt better and her ostomy output was much less-Hurray! She had enough energy to walk to the fish tank. Her scope/biopsy is scheduled for 10 a.m. today, with results on Wednesday. The Moores request prayers for a miraculous healing as a testimony to God's mighty healing hand.
March 28, 2010 @ 12:55 p.m.
Katie's scope/biopsy procedure will now be Monday - time unknown. There is not sufficient staff on duty today to perform the procedure. Please continue to pray for a miracle healing!
March 28, 2010 @ 9:25 a.m.
Katie had a very rough night and is trying to get some much needed rest this morning. No specific time has been set for the scope/biopsy procedure rescheduled for today. We will provide an update this afternoon.
- March 27: Art time with a hospital volunteer.
March 27, 2010 @ 1:20 p.m.
Due to another emergency in the PICU, Katie's scope/biopsy procedure has been postponed until Sunday, March 28. She felt a little better mid-day and then received a temptation she could not ignore - a chance to paint!
March 27, 2010 @ 9:40 a.m.
Katie's scope/biopsy procedure has now been scheduled for later this morning instead of Monday. Her medical team is concerned that she is not responding as quickly to treatment as they had hoped. Katie's condition is stable. However, she does not feel well today.
- March 26: Felt well enough for 2 laps around the nurses station.
March 26, 2010 @ 3:10 p.m.
Katie is now in room 6063 on the PTSU (Post Transplant Unit). She is feeling better! Keep those prayers coming...they are working! Also, this morning her notebook arrived, full of all your well-wishes. Katie LOVES it! She sends her, "thank you," with XOXO's.
March 26, 2010 @ 8:37 a.m.
It is a very hectic day already...Katie continues with various medical tests and will move from the PICU into her own room. Your prayers and well-wishes are so very comforting to the Moores. Please note that cards and letters should now be directed to Room 6063-Katie Moore (address posted at right).
March 25, 2010 @ 5:10 p.m.
It has been a really tough day for Katie. The next four days promise more of the same regimen. Monday, March 29th, she will have another scope/biopsy procedure to evaluate how well her organs are responding to treatment. Please keep Katie and her parents in your prayers. She does have one thing to look forward to tomorrow...the first notebook FULL of your well-wishes should arrive in Miami.
March 25, 2010 @ 7:30 a.m.
Laura reports that Katie's heart rate and blood pressure are slowly improving. Today will be filled with more tests. Yesterday afternoon, they finally were able to access the hundreds of emails containing your well-wishes. Laura sent back a message that, "having this connection with home and the outside world is so important and helps tremendously!"
- March 24: Katie is multi-tasking to keep her mind off being hungry!
March 24, 2010 @ 1:05 p.m.
The medical team has determined that Katie picked up a GI Virus last week that caused the symptoms putting her in the hospital Thursday, March 18. Then over this past weekend, that virus threw her into rejection. They are currently awaiting the pathology reports from yesterday's scope/biopsy procedure that will more fully reveal how well her organs are responding to treatment. However, it will be at least one week before they are able to finalize results and map out the treatment plan. The Moores have been advised that Katie may be in Miami at least four weeks, or possibly longer. Again, that is not definite, but a target expectation.
March 24, 2010 @ 8 a.m.
Katie's condition is still stable. However, her heart rate and blood pressure remain low. They will draw blood work this morning to see if medications are causing this.
- After about 18 hours in Miami, March 23.
March 23, 2010 @ 5:15 p.m.
"Praise God and Hallelujah!" is the message from Laura. The scope and biopsies today revealed that Katie's organs are already responding to treatment. Can you hear Laura's, "Yahoo!!!" all the way from Miami?
Katie says, "thank you for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers!" The Dream House staff is compiling a notebook of all the well-wishes that have been pouring into the office since Monday. Also, as your comments are posted, we forward them to Laura so she can read the messages to Katie.
The past 48 hours have been overwhelming for this child and family. As more news becomes available, we will post it. Check tomorrow morning.
- Katie on Sunday, March 21, 2010
March 23, 2010 @ 7:20 a.m.
After a delay in leaving Atlanta, Katie's air ambulance landed in Miami at 11 p.m. last night. She "made it through the night" and is in stable condition. However, her heart rate and blood pressure are low. Katie has now started immunosuppression therapy. She is getting your "well wishes" as they come in, and Laura is reading them to her when Katie is awake.
March 22, 2010 @ 5:18 p.m.
The flight is now scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tonight (Monday).
March 22, 2010 @ 5 p.m.
The decision has been made to transport Katie to Miami Tuesday morning, March 23. No other change in status at this time. Please continue to pray for Katie, her family and the medical teams assisting her.
March 22, 2010 @ 3:45 p.m.
Katie is in acute rejection. She will be "life-flighted" by air ambulance to Miami either late today (Monday) or first thing Tuesday morning, March 23.
Thursday, March 18, Katie was admitted to the hospital. Her medical team initially thought she had contracted a virus. However, by Saturday morning, March 20, her condition began to worsen. She then began receiving treatment for a possible organ rejection and/or bacterial infection. Although she appeared to be responding to treatment late Saturday into Sunday, her condition dramatically worsened Monday morning, March 22.
