Katie'sBirthday!!!

Greetings All KO fans,
Today is Katie's birthday! We started off with strawberry and yogurt waffles and yummy left over apple pie. Around lunch time she gets to open presents! Fischer and I have been busy shopping, wrapping and making cards while Kurt and Rebecca Spears hang out with Katie and walk Ziggi. We spent turkey day with Bill and Melanie Schell and Katie would not relinquish the cooking of sweet potato pie and corn pudding so she was very tired the rest of the day, though it was a wonderful day!

Unfortunately we have some unsettling news to mix in with the good news. The cytology report came back with the results we did not want to hear. The report showed that there are still microscopic cancer cells present in Katie's brain and spinal fluid and there is nothing left to try via traditional medical treatments short of putting a port in the top of her head and dumping chemo directly into her brain. And the doctors say that would immediately turn her quality of life to crap and likely be ineffective.

So there you have it: the news we have been wrestling with for a week and it's still not sinking in. There is no crystal ball so we don't know exactly what this news means other than it wasn't the best news. The counselor from the cancer clinic has met with us and shared some wonderful suggestions like legacy books, a video interview, etc. Some wonderful photographers (and they are wonderful people too) volunteered to take our family portrait last weekend. Katie got a new wig and someone came in to do her makeup... it was a great photo shoot and life experience. We will post some photos when we get them. They even let Fischer shoot a couple hundred pictures with their fancy camera.

sorry to drop a bomb like this on everyone, but it's just too intense and heart wrenching to tell the story to each individual that cares so deeply for M'lady.

As always, we sincerely appreciate all the love, support, food and offers to help with anything we need. I honestly don't know where we would be without all of you!

To end on a high note, we finally have internet access at home again so Katie will be able to read and respond to e-mail and blog correspondence when she is feeling up to it during the day.

We love you all so much and look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon.

Bobby O.

...10 days later

T back, again. Well that was a really long day - so much for "more tomorrow"! Sorry it's been awhile, Katie & Bob are still waiting for internet access and have not been able to update. So, KO asked if I would mind updating the blog a bit while they are still offline. It's great to see her back home! The first week's challenges were to get from-bed-out-to-couch...rest...back-to-bed-again. By the end of the week, she was mostly out at the couch and fending for herself during the day. Her appetite is coming back big time, good thing, too - she got kind of scrawny after all that time not being able to eat. She's beginning to eat well again and, moreover, can enjoy what she's eating! So, for week two, she's had plans to go to the grocery store and went out to lunch on Sunday (only 1 week after getting out of the hospital!). She's been helping Bob get more things put away and organized, and putting finishing touches on Fischer's room. She's also starting to get some of her old sass back - she may be tired and not as strong as she likes, but she's already made great strides just since getting home.

So now in a few more days she is hoping to update you all, herself. I know you're all looking forward to that and she and Bob again say huge thank you's to everyone. I'll keep you updated until they're up & running. All for now, T

Update

Just a quick note for tonight - KO is very happy to be home and in her own bed. She makes forays out to the couch on occasion and her appetite is coming back. She feels a bit better everyday and seems to be getting some strength and spice back - go Katie, go!! The climbing benefit was quite a success as many people attended and had a great time connecting, renewing old friendships and acquaintances, and meeting new people, too. Lots of folks seemed to be enjoying the venue, but I think the kids had the best time swinging around upstairs. Thanks to everyone for help making it such a great time for Katie, Bob & Fischer. I saw KO today and she's beautiful as always - tomorrow I'll stop by in the morning and help her post tomorrow's note, so stay tuned for that!

For now, I'll sign off - more tomorrow...
T

She's home, she's home, she's HOME!

Yep, it's true - Katie is back home. She was discharged yesterday and Bob, Fischer, & Rickie brought her back to Olive St. She was tired and going up the stairs to the apartment was more exercise than she's had in at least 2 weeks. But, she's back in her bed and hopefully slept well last night. Bob & Fischer are looking forward to meeting everyone at the climbing gym tonight for the benefit. As for KO showing up...unlikely, but you never know with Katie - where it would be a "definitely not" for most mere mortals, she could rally...? If not, I'm sure there will be lots of photos and she will rest and recover some more.

See you tonight if you can make it to the gym. Otherwise, thanks and keep checking for more updates. T

Sassy Lassie

Hey O ! Time for the daily update. As we are all digging out of mounds of snow up here and thinking of powder days and cold smoke, KO is in her lovely room with a view and is eyeing tomorrow as a possible discharge day! Bob reports that she took a lap around ICU with her walker, sassed and joked with the nurses (really - true story!) then was whisked in a wheelchair to the room she's in tonight. Yes, KO is out of ICU! She's feeling much better with the shunt in and as long as her stomach behaves, they'll let her come home. Now, the question is if Mother Nature will. We have had well over 2 feet of snow in the valley and at the moment the pass is closed to westbound traffic from Livingston. Pretty sure that should be open by morning, though. It's been a slippery, snowy mess, but everything looks great in the snow and it'll be a great welcome home present. So when they set her free, Bob & Fischer will be there to pick her up and get some great family time coming home. Woo Hoo, KO!

Thanks for tuning in, more tomorrow - T

Smooth Sailing

Well - evening, everyone! Sorry for the late post, but was just waiting on some news back from Billings before I got to writing. Bob called to report the shunt placement went well - KO said it felt like the whole thing happened really fast and was over in no time at all. She's feeling well and is back in her ICU room for hopefully only one more night. If she's doing well in the morning, they'll step her back down to the room she was in before - the one with all the windows and the nice little couch : ) Then, providing there are no setbacks and all is well enough - she'll probably be able to come home on Friday...WooHoo!

When we left the hospital on Monday, it was into the full on beauty of a Montana, blue sky, autumn day. The simple act of being able to walk outside, feel the warm sun on my back, and smell the fresh air was suddenly a very big and real thing. Something to be treasured and enjoyed - for Katie in her windowless room, and for me - a gift of now. It's a gift I want to remember every day, Katie...thank you. Come home soon. We love you.

Thanks for tuning in, more tomorrow. T

It's Shunt Time

Welcome back to the KO Blog - and the latest update for Katie. She hasn't had any big changes today but the big decision today was to opt for the shunt to be placed. So, tomorrow Katie will have a little more surgery and the shunt should do the job of keeping that CSF fluid from backing up and causing symptoms. The hope is that if everything goes well, she might come home as early as Friday, but possibly Monday. After that, it is time to recover amongst friends and family. Fischer told me today he really hopes she comes home on Friday, but then said he knows it might be Monday. He was very excited, though that Ziggi was coming home tonight! Bob will head to Billings tomorrow to be there for the operation. Hopefully everything will go smoothly - this is a pretty common procedure, and certainly not as complicated as the other neurosurgical stuff Katie's already been through, so here's to smooth sailing tomorrow!!

For those who are wanting to send something Katie's way,(unfortunately no flowers in the ICU) the biggest help will likely be needed when she gets home. Well wishes, cards, flowers, the Benefit Fund (see upper left of blog for details), and there is a fund-raising event for Katie this weekend at the Spire Climbing center in Bozeman, and anything else people can think of they want to do I bet would be welcome. the climbing benefit is on Saturday, November 14 from 5-7pm. It is a potluck, climbing fest with all gym fees going towards the Katie Ossa Benefit Fund. Those with questions can see the attached info or call (406) 586-0706 for details. Otherwise if all you can spare right now is good chi, prayers, hugs, love - that currency is equally important and will help Katie, Bob, & Fischer tremendously.

For tonight, I hope you rest well Katie, and I will write more tomorrow. Thanks for tuning in. T