Kateen Solberg
This web site has been developed in an effort to keep friends and family updated as to Kateen's progress as she battles Necrotizing Fasciitis (The Flesh Eating Bacteria)
***Latest update on Kateen***June, 13, 2008
Up date from Kateen
Hey Everyone, .... Wow where to begin?!
Let's start with prayer request updates. I would like to thank you all for your prayers that my lower back would be healed, although I have an occasional muscle spasm, it is basically back to new!......(more below)
Kateen now has an interactive page on Carepages.com where you can leave her a message. Carepages.com is a site devoted to Support and Community for people coping with illness. Read the April 23rd, 2007 pm up date for instructions on how to use the site and leave Kateen a message.
Scroll to the bottom to read the latest full up date!
The past chronological updates have been moved
to make it easier for those following Kateens progress
Click here to read chronological updates --- 2-25-2007 through 3-18-2007
Click here to read chronological updates --- 3-23-2007 through 10-18-2007
Scroll down for the most up to date news about Kateen
Kateen, as you may know, was in England (Holmsted Manor) volunteering for"Youth with a Mission" (YWAM). She had participated last year and was asked to return this year as a group leader. Kateen is 19 years old and a Graduate of Tonasket High School, in Washington State.
Sunday (2-25-07) she was admitted to the hospital in England with pneumonia and about the same time a suspicious area of her leg was discovered. By Monday (2-26-07) morning it was identified as Necrotizing Fasciitis ( www.nnff.org ~ see what is NF??) and her leg was removed above the knee. She spent several days in an induced. As of Wed. (2-28-07) there has been no sign of further infection, including today's procedure. They had intended to return her to consciousness today, however it was late, she experienced significant pain and they elected to wait until tomorrow. On Sunday (3-04-07) They brought Kateen out of her induced coma, removing her feeding tube and oxygen tubes and began the next stage of her rehabilitation, confident that there was no further sign of any infection.
Kateen was admitted at Harborview Medical Center, where she has and will undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries over the next months.
The full chronological diary of her past year have been moved so to make this page more manageable for those looking for the newly posted updates about her progress.
Click here to read chronological updates --- 2-25-2007 through 3-18-2007
Click here to read chronological updates --- 3-23-2007 through 10-18-2007
1) How did Kateen get this? Unknown at this time. There was no know surface wound or place of introduction.
2) Why? A mystery that may someday reveal itself. Yet everyone that knows Kateen believes she will become an example for all of us.
3) Which leg? Left. We are searching for an automatic transmission to replace her clutch Toyo PU.
I just wanted to end the year letting each and everyone of you who check this site, know how much of a blessing you have been to Kateen and the family in whole. I am confident that we would not be in this place of God's peace and strength if it had not been for the corporate prayers that globally were raised during this journey we have been on. I am overwhelmed to think of how many of you we have never even met, yet you were led to remember Kateen throughout the year, and pray for her.
It has been awhile since I have written. Kateen has given you updates here and there on her progress, but I know many of you continue to think of her and her emotional, spiritual and physical progress. So I hope to fill in some of the blanks for you. In the beginning of November, Kateen had developed a blister on her limb from the rubbing of the prosthesis. This in itself would be nothing more than healing, but the blister became infected with MRSA. Initially this was a easily treated form of MRSA, but it evolved into a MRSA that was resistant to most antibiotics. This was a major set-back for Kateen, in all aspects. She had been wearing her prosthesis 8-10 hours a day at that point, but was now told to not wear it at all till there appeared to be some healing. As of this week she is just now starting to wear it again. In not wearing her prosthesis, she needed to once again learn her balance with one leg. She also felt once again dependent, and that weighed on her mentally as well as physically. When the Dr's at Harborview evaluated the blister, after it became resistant to most antibiotics, her surgeon actually called in her superior, Dr Smith, to get further advice. He put her on a "big-gun" antibiotic that she will need to take through March. The next round, if that doesn't clear it up, sounds like it would be another hospital admit for IV antibiotics. Kateen had had the blessings of the Dr's prior to this, to go back to England to staff the January DTS at YWAM. She asked once again, if that was do-able and was told that it would not be good for her to go. Dr Smith stated that her leg was still to fragile from all the grafting, to be too far away from Harborview. Kateen had felt somewhat confirmed that she was to go to England, but now the door had been closed, and this was extremely difficult news for her. Once she picked herself up from the initial harshness of those words, she composed herself and stated to the Dr that if she couldn't go to England, then she wanted to be running by June. He smiled and stated that depending on the healing that was do-able, at least to be starting the process of learning to run. The Lord has given her the spirit to fight and I know that that has driven her to the progress she has made.
If I may ask, when Kateen crosses your mind, could you take a moment and pray for her? She has many anniversaries to get through over the next few months. Today was a year ago she boarded the plane to serve at Holmsted Manor @ YWAM UK. She greatly misses her "family" of co-staff members. Charlie, Daniel, Rachel, Jodi, Hannah S. Hannah B, Cherry.....(and the list goes on) they all have been such a huge encouragement and support, and have often been the words she needed to hear on the days they connected. I can't express in words the huge support they were to our family as we were beside Kateen in the UK not knowing what the next day would bring. They have been our "treasures" on earth, and we love them dearly. There will be anniversaries of tragedy as well as ones of celebration, but they will all have an effect on Kateen. Thank you so much for checking this web site now and again. I am always welcome to hear from you at rhobwal@yahoo.com. Kateen has dropped her AOL account, but I will be happy to forward any emails that you would like to send her.
I pray that this coming year is one that the Lord reveals His continued grace and peace in your daily activities. You have been all that to us.
Blessings
Rhonda
February 26, 2008
Hello my dear friends,
So much has happened, yet at the same time so little has happened, since I last wrote to you all. The last few months have been very emotional months. In November my Grandmother passed away, and shortly after I contracted MRSA, a form of staff infection. I am pleased to report that the "big-gun" drug my Mom told you that I was on, has had a huge effect on the MRSA and the open-wound is now closed! I am on my last month of those antibiotics and then I will be tested to see if I am still carrying the bacteria or if I am bacteria free. On the last update my mom gave, she also shared that I was not going to return to the UK this past January. That was hard for me. But I understand the reasons and still look forward to the day that I will be able to return and work with the base I was originally with. In the meantime, I am seeking the Lord on His desires for this season in my life. I have a few ideas as to what He may have planned for me, other than recovering. But as of now nothing is concrete. One of the hardest parts of this whole process has been to have patience. Though I am learning.
Last week I received a new socket for my prosthetic. My residual limb has shrunk in size since my original socket was casted. The new socket fits more snugly and gives me more control over my actions. While I was getting re-casted for my socket my prosthetist, Ryan, asked me if I would like to have a trial knee. It would be the exact same knee model I have but with a few improvements. All I would have to do was give him my feed-back. I agreed, and now have a new knee. It actually does have a smoother feel than my other knee had. I'd say it was a great trade-off! One new thing I learned was that the hard plastic on my leg is actually made of fabric covered in a resin to make it hard. So I was able to go to a local fabric store and choose the fabric for my leg! I kind of chose a crazy pattern! Hey, if you can choose, why not be a little different?!
Just this past Friday I finalized plans to move to Spokane, Washington and begin a more intense physical therapy at St. Luke's Rehab. My goal to be running by the end of the year is finally on it's way! This is the first step. I meet with the physical therapist on Tuesday the fourth of March for an evaluation. She will be looking at where I'm at and I will have a chance to let her know where I want to be. We will then work together to come up with a plan of action that is best for me. I am nervous and excited for this change. Nervous, because once again something is changing (and I will be the first to admit that I am not a person that is fond of change.) Yet excited because this change will allow me more freedom of mobility as well as more independence. I will be moving in with two girls I graduated with, and we are all looking forward to it! One of my big concerns about this move was how I was to support myself. Although my living expenses won't be extravagant, they will still be more than they are at the moment. And I am still unable to work. In the Lord's always perfect timing, He has blessed me with a donation that will allow me to move to Spokane with no immediate concern as to money. I am always floored by how the Lord's timing is the best. It came to my attention that the same day the arrangements were finalized was the day this donation was finalized as well. I thank those that gave it, as well as all those that have given monetarily to me, profusely. You will never understand how your donations have humbled, awed and blessed me. Thank you.
"Please, Lord, teach us to laugh again; but God, don't ever let us forget that we cried."
-Bill Wilson-
Tomorrow, Tuesday the 26th of February, is the one year marker for me entering the hospital. Wednesday the 27th, is the day that my leg was amputated. I cannot believe that a year has passed. In many ways I can say that this has been the longest year of my life. Yet, in others I can't believe that it has already been a year. So much has been crammed into a mere 365 days. And I don't just mean physical experiences, although they are many. I also mean emotions, lessons, trials and triumphs. This past year for me has been one rich in love, pain, and growth. When, over a year ago the Lord asked me to live by faith, and to trust Him, I never would have guessed the outcome of obeying. He has been so gracious, so kind, so trustworthy and, more than anything, so very, very, faithful. Never once has He left my side. There are times I have asked for a response and He has remained quiet, but He was still there with me.
I am having a hard time writing this part of my update. Not because of my emotions, but because I wish to share with you what this past year has been for me. And to do that in words is, I am finding, much harder than I thought it to be. The quote I included above, is a quote that I found on a card that my mom had. I immediately identified with the speaker. This past year, at times, I wish I could have erased from my memory. But if I were to erase it, I would erase a huge part of who I am. The loss of my leg has rocked the very foundations of who I am. It has made me question everything I have ever believed to be true, and good, and right. It has made me question who I am in Christ, and how I see myself. It has made me question who Christ is and if I want to follow Him. And yet, in all that chaos, there has been an ever present calm. I couldn't always see it. Those of you who know me well, can attest to that. But still it was there.
A good friend of mine, wrote to me and said that she prayed that I would find, and receive the Joy of the Lord. Ever since she said that I have been pondering on what the "Joy of the Lord" actually is. And so far this is what I have come up with: In today's society we correlate the word joy to be happiness, laughter, smiles, lightness of mood etc. But what I think Joy is meant to mean is the hope we have in the fulfillment of the Lord's promises, which is Jesus Christ. To have the "Joy of the Lord" is not necessarily to be "happy" all the time. But instead it is to have a deep and solid indwelling of hope. Hope knowing that Jesus Christ is Savior. And that all of the Lord's promises are to be fulfilled. Every single last one of them. What I am trying to get at is that if I lost my leg for no other reason than to know the Lord deeper, than I should count myself blessed. For even in the snippet of what I just shared with you of what I have learned, there has been so much change in my heart, and the way in which I view the world. This past year has been hard (that's an understatement!) and I wouldn't want to relive it. But, I am thankful for it.
Which brings me to you. I don't know many of you. The majority of you I will never see face to face on this earth. But without your prayers, and encouragements, and even your monetary gifts, I would not be in the place I am today. Which makes this story not mine, but ours. And above all, this story is the Lord's. I thank you for all that you have done for me and my family. Everything. I will never ever be able to thank you enough. Just the thought that you have been behind me this past year has helped me to continue to put one foot in front of the other (literally!). So, I have one request. That you would share this story. Share how the Lord has been glorified. For in every single word of this epic He is present. And His hand is present in every single situation. I thank you again for your continuous prayers. They, above all else, have meant so very much to me. I can only hope that I will be able to spend eternity letting you know how much you have meant to me.
Love,
Kateen
April 10, 2008
Hello Again my Friends, The past month has been filled with alot of change! I now understand why they nicknamed the month of March, March-Madness!
First of all I would like to thank all of you for your prayers concerning my one year marker of losing my leg. My mom took the day off and spent it with me. It was by no means an easy day, but it was easier than it might have been. And two days later I got a wonderful surprise from my friends at Holmsted Manor! They had sent me flowers and a card! It was such a blessing! As the time continues to move on into this new year it seems to me to be flying by. Last year was the year that would never end but this one...I don't know where it has gone!
A little over a month ago I moved to Spokane, WA. for physical therapy. It has been challenging yet rewarding. On March 4th I met with my physical therapist for the first time. Her name is Aimee and I work really well with her. I told her that I wanted to learn to walk without the aid of a cane and that eventually I would like to run again. To play soccer again. She was very eager to work with me on all of my goals, and we have been toubleshooting ever since. Our first aim is to strengthen my core muscles so that I can walk properly. This has been a challenge! I have to say that it is a good thing that we learn to walk before learning to talk! For it is a very frustrating thing to learn and needless to say alot of foul words want to be voiced while learning! It requires much more concentration than I would have ever imagined. Yet the end results are also much more gratifying than I would have imagined. About three weeks ago we were trouble shooting my limp. We finally pin-pointed the muscle that I wasn't using at the proper moment and after figuring that out, I was able to walk with barely any limp at all! Aimee and I were both so excited we started to laugh! So now that we have it down a bit better we are also working on balance and endurance. Using all these muscles in new ways tires me out very quickly. And as for balance, well let's just say I hope a cop never asks me to walk a straight line, because I won't be able to!
Unfortunatly with all the great progress there has been one set-back. Just about a week ago my lower back started to hurt quite a bit. I hoped that it would go away, but instead it became worse. This past Friday, when it took me five minutes to get out of my car, I decided it was time to go to the doctors'. The doctor told me that my back was going into muscle spasms and gave me a muscle relaxant to help. I am now feeling a bit better. But in order for me to continue at full speed with my physical therapy I need my back to get better all the way. Please pray that my back is strengthened and that the spasms would go away. I would really like to get back to working on my walking.
About the end of February I strarted the process of applying to a School of Biblical Studies, in Lakeside, Montana offered by YWAM. A School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is a nine month program in which the student goes through all 66 books of the Bible and studies them inductively. Many of you were asking me what my next step was after physical therapy and I am pleased to say that I was accepted and will be attending the SBS in Lakeside, Montana this coming September! I'm very excited and I'm really looking forward to stepping back into the role of a student! I'm eager to better learn how to study the Bible and to take some serious time and devote it to studying the Bible. I am a little nervous because it has been a few years since I was in a school setting, but I'm more excited than anything else!
There is one more thing I would request your prayer on. My family and I have been working to clear up the remainder of my hospital debt in England. They at one time had told us that if we made an offer for final payment (even if it wasn't the entire amount owed) and they accepted, then our debt would be considered paid in full. Well, we have recently come up with a large amount of the money owed and made an offer. Unfortunately they denied that offer and have requested payment in full and have threatened to send me to collection. My family and I have felt that under the circumstances, it is time to seek legal counsel on these matters. So our first meeting with the attorney is this coming Monday. My request for prayer is that these matters would be resolved once and for all and that all parties would be happy with the end result. I have no doubt that the Lord has a plan in all of this, and will resolve it in His timing. But I know that I would like to have this debt cleared as soon as possible.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, words of encouragement and just general support. You always seem to be working with the Lord's ever perfect timing, for all of the encouragements and support come right at the exact moment I need them most! I pray that the Lord continues to work as evidently in your life as He has in mine.
Thank you again, for everything.
Kateen
June, 13, 2008
Hey Everyone,
So my monthly updates seem to be coming more like every other month and I apologize. Wow where to begin?!
Let's start with prayer request updates. I would like to thank you all for your prayers that my lower back would be healed, although I have an occasional muscle spasm, it is basically back to new! I also asked for prayer concerning my medical bill in the UK and although it is yet to be cleared we are making significant steps in that direction. Thank you for your continued prayer.
Now how about a praise report! Last month on Friday May 23rd I was discharged from physical therapy! I am now walking more often than not without the aid of a cane or someones' arm! It was awkward at first not to be holding on to something while I walked but I've been finding ways around it! My physical therapist felt that I had learned everything that I could with the leg that I have. She spoke with my prosthetist and they both think that I am ready to move on to a more advanced leg. From the sounds of it I would be recieving a leg that has a computer chip in the knee allowing me to walk more quickly and to be generally more active and agile. So now I am on a hunt for funding for this new leg. My insurance will pay for a new leg every two to five years. I have only been using the leg I have for eleven months, so they won't consider paying for one for another thirteen months. My prosthetist has given me a few avenues that may pay for a leg sooner than my insurance would, and one of them looks promising. But we'll see what happens. In the meantime I am continuing to excercise my leg daily and working on increasing the endurance levels. Maybe by the time I actually get this new leg I can really hit things hard again!
It has been wonderful how the Lord has opened doors for me to stretch in new ways. Just recently I became involved with an organization called Young Life. It is a christian organization focused on reaching highschool age students. I am going to be participating over the summer and have had a very fun time getting to know the other leaders and students! I was asked to share at the last Young Life meeting for the school year. I was nervous to do this because James, the director of this Young Life group, asked me not to share only my experience but my heart as well. Although I have shared with many youth groups and churches and individuals, I have always only shared what happened and how God provided. I very rarely share how God's provision and the circumstances I was in affeccted my heart. But as always I felt led to share so I agreed to do so and as always the Lord came through and gave me the perfect words to share what I felt needed to be shared. All the students asked wonderful questions and it went off as quite a success! From that I was asked by James' wife if I would be inteseted in sharing at the highschool. It turns out that the seniors had an extra day and no teachers had anything planned so they were bringing in guest speakers. I thought about it and agreed to share at the highschool. That was a very new experience. Since the highschool is a public highschool I was limited in what I could say about my faith and the circumstances in which I saw the Lord at work. I think it went well and again the students asked wonderful questions! But I think that I am definitely going to talk to someone who has been a guest speaker at a public school before and get some pointers on how to speak about God without getting those who invited me to speak, and myself, into trouble. Bot all in all these experiences have been new and somewhat difficult, but I guess that's the point of being stretched!
Family life has been kinda crazy this past month! My brother Leif went into the hospital about a month ago with severe abdominal pain. It turns out that he had an extra bit of tissue on his small intestine and it had worked itself in a way as to twist around the small intestine cutting off circulation to the bit right above the colon. He is fine now, but he had to have surgery and spent about a week in the hospital. I was lucky and was able to spend a good amount of time with him while he was in the hospital. But now the joke in the family is that we could right a book called "Hospital Survival for Dummies"! But other than my brother working to give my parents more gray hair, my family has been doing well.
I am still living in Spokane and enjoying it more and more! One of my room-mates, Olympia, is getting married August 2nd so life in our household is soaked with wedding decorations, invitations, and all the other million things that go into planning a wedding! It's keeping us crazy but laughing!
Well I can't think of anything else to share at the moment. I know that I will most likely send this off and will all of a sudden think of something I forgot to share, but such is life! I hope that life is treating you well, and that you are learning and growing more in faith everyday.
My love and thanks to you all,
Kateen
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Thank You Note to EveryoneThe level of support (financial, prayers and love has been HUGE, we're talking world wide here) and your prayers have truly been heard. There are no words to describe the families appreciation for this support and they will be responding and giving thanks when they are able.
I have not a clue as to how great the financial burden of this will be and I have established an account with :
Wells Fargo Bank, under the account name; "The Family of Kateen Solberg."
This account is accessible from any Wells Fargo Branch (listed as a Donation Acct), for anyone who wishes to contribute.
Those of you who are outside the Wells Fargo Bank service area you may make contributions by check or money order, payable to:
"The Family of Kateen Solberg"
and mailed or wired to:
Wells Fargo Bank
Tonasket Branch
PO Box 667
Tonasket, Wa. 98855
My e-mail is hink@nvinet.com for any one who would like a contact for any reason. Keep checking back to this website as we will keep it updated as soon as new information about Kateen's progress is available.
Thank You
Craig Hinkley