Kristin "Kourageous" Katich

Kristin continues to climb any mountain that is in front of her, even mountains in Nepal! She continues to thrive and move ahead with her life. What an honor this trip was.  Hear it loud and clear for those battling cancer...."HOW THINGS ARE TODAY ARE NOT HOW THINGS HAVE TO BE TOMORROW!"

HERE IS A LINK TO ANOTHER GREAT STORY ON THE TREK! Cancer Survivor hiking Himalayas to raise awareness

KRISTIN AND I ARE TREKKING TO THE HIMALAYAS.  WE WILL BE CARRYING TIBETIAN PRAYER FLAGS IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO ARE IN THE FIGHT/FIGHITNG.  YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE JOURNEY AT THE LINKS BELOW.  http://www.radiatinghope.org/ http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1010&sid=21958689  

Kristin went to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for her followup appointment recently.  Her labs are great. WBC 8.3 good, HGB 14.7 good, Platelets 224 good.  Pretty much normal would sum it up.  She still deals with the late effects that are inevitable. Life is good, very good.  Kristin and Nate will spend the summer with us while he works with a local judge and laywer. She hopes to spend time with me at the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation. School is going great and she loves focusing on her art.  She was 1 out of 10 students accepted into the visual arts program and she loves it. Her talent continues to amaze us.  The pictures above are from when we were fortunate enough to hear Mitt Romney speak when he came to town.  The drawing is of our dog Lucy. The bird is a piece that she worked on all last summer.  I wish you could see the detail as it is made up of tiny pieces of beautiful paper and then highlighte...

A December to remember sounds so cliche but my reflections on December 17, 2007 run so much deeper. In fact, I often find my self at a loss for the words to adequately express the depth of gratitude for the most precious treasures in my life. They seem so intimate, that at times I feel the only one who truly knows the depth of my gratitude is my Father in Heaven. Where is all this going? It was just four years ago that Kristin was officially diagnosed with A.L.L. She continues to live by her motto of ...you guessed it..."Live Happy." School is going great and married life is beautiful.....as things should be. Late effects of childhood cancer are what they are. She is learning to deal with them as any responsible young adult would.....(you can interpret that any way you choose) On her official "D day" she was running on a beach in southern California...quite appropriate. Back in 2007, the day was gray, chilly and drizzling a miserable rain that chilled you to the bon...

Here are the cliff notes, up-dated version, of what is going on in our home. 1 . Kristin is doing great. Labs are great, late effects are....well, it is what it is and that is all I have to say about that . 2. Junior at BYU . 3. Married the the talented and amazing Nathan Sumbot . 4. HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYHAPPY! 5. She blogs her little heart out at www.bite-ology.com You should check it out. All those days watching Food Network in the hospital and spending days on end at home with me in the kitchen has inspired a new passion in her...cooking. As for myself....I have taken on a new career. I never thought I would love anything as much as teaching, but I do. I now work passionately for the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation. Each day I am blessed to assist other families as they journey through childhood cancer. It is humbling to say the least and I absolutely love every minute of it. ( www.northernnevadachildrenscancer.org ) I posted a promotional movie I helped produce. I wrote...

The following is a promotional video which we unveiled at our 7th annual golf Tournament of Hope. It was my goal to depict life before a diagnosis, the devastation and then the mission of the foundation. I penned the script from my heart as only a parent who has traveled this road could. A big thank you to Kelly Dack for his talented skills and to Paul Cardall for his permission to use his beautiful music. Kristin spoke at the tournament's reception. She has amazing. Her closing remarks to the 150+ crowd...."Now I am doing great. I am happy and this is all my own hair!" She received a standing ovation. I wish you all could have been there. I will post pictures soon. I promise.

I am happy to report that Kristin was released from the hospital yesterday. The pain is not as intense, sores appear to be retreating, fever has subsided, and she seems to be slowly improving with the exception of some sore gums. It seems the worst is over. I was able to talk to the doctor and asked what exactly she has. She said it was the hand, foot and mouth virus...aka coxsackie. Who knew? A big thank you Grandma Inza and Nate for their TLC . Thank you for the prayers offered on her behalf. X & O to everyone .

"Mom, I have this sore throat, but don't worry, I can handle it," Kristin reported earlier in the week. Well, I have no doubt she knows exactly what to do and that she is more than capable. Unfortunately the unassuming sore throat turned into much more than anyone expected. While visiting her Grandma, the pain became severe and they went in for a strep test Friday afternoon. The test was negative and some meds were prescribed but by Saturday the pain became unbearable (on the handy dandy pain scale she put it at a 9, which is pretty bad) making it too difficult to swallow the meds, and fever reared its ugly head during a nap. A trip to the ER was necessary. Some iv pain meds, other "stuff", fluids and labs were ordered. I was anxious to see the numbers. (and yes, I am hundreds of miles away, but I know Kristin is wanting and learning to take on more of her care herself, it still is hard to be so far away) At first we were told that her WBC (white blood cell coun...

I think my heart skips a beat or two as the days approaching Kristin's clinic visits approach. Restless sleep consumes the nights preceding the checkup. A simple song on the radio brings torrents of tears . My mind races through all the fears of the unknown, oh no's and what-if's. Am I the only parent who feels this way? I do not think so. I know there are thousands of us who live this scenario every day. I pray that as time and research marches on, that there will be fewer parents who are members of this not so inclusive club we are a part of. I have hope that this day will come. Well, all sentiments aside, Kristin's clinic visit was, " STELLAR! " I was terribly anxious until I had the much anticipated labs in my hot little hands. This was with good reason as Kristin had some crazy bruising going on. Our dog had jumped on her while she was visiting. This, in and of itself, should be of no concern, but the naughty pup left some alarming bruise...

Hello everyone! Kristin has had two clinic visits since April. I am happy to report all is going well thus far. For those of you who speak the language, here are the labs from May and June. May WBC 5.0 HGB 15.8 PLATES 182 ANC 240 April WBC 5.0 HGB 13.6 PLATES 200 ANC 360 What do all those numbers mean? She is doing great. Notice how stable the numbers are from month to month, remember having absolutely no ANC whatsoever(is that one word or three?), or hemoglobin and platelets so low she needed a transfusion? She still tires easily and has mentioned several times that her knee is bothering her. After a trip to some national parks it began to flare up and was causing her some significant pain on the pain scale. I know....knee pain!!!! Gasp.....Yes, I had my moment, as those were the words that started this ordeal. We both felt the fear for a short time. Luckily her clinic appointment was just two days away and she checked out fine. She will be seein...

The title is so true. During the good and the bad, life marches on. I find myself picking up the pieces of the "fallout" from the last few years. First, I am happy to report that all is going smoothly thus far. Kristin is due for labs next week and I am anxious to see them. I wonder if she is? As for the fall out...aside from the wreckage, I find myself grateful for so many things. The many meals brought to our home, mysterious envelopes of money in our mailbox, the sale of the Live Happy t-shirts, loaning of prom and homecoming dresses, free wigs, donations, care for the boys....not to mention the many scholarships and grants Kristin has received making it possible for her to attend college, and of course the prayers of faith, comfort and hope. I find myself sifting and sorting the still growing pile of bills....ugh! Cancer really knows how to break a bank in more ways than one. Never-the-less, life goes on ....as it should and I trust in the Lord that we are in his...

beautiful! Tia was there on day 1 with a hug and 828 eight days later also. I know this will not be the last. She wears the shirt well.... Connie, Kristin, Dr. Raphael, Tia, and Sandy Everyone loves a cupcake! She decided on strawberry - lime . Kristin made the flowers and they were so cute. We had Martinelli's to toast to the occassion. Kristin's much anticipated visit to the clinic was joyous. There were hugs to cherish, and pictures to capture the memories. Here counts were all good, the physical went well, and she is to have followup appointments and labs once a month for a year. Then, every six months... Our family celebrated quietly with each other. The weekend was magical and emotions came full circle. This is the real test folks. There is no more chemo to keep things at bay. Never-the-less, I have no doubt that the leukemia has been irradicated from her body. We know all too well things could have been different. I simply know that Kristin's time here upon this ear...

828 days...is a very long time. Our hearts are full of gratitude for this day, and humbled beyond description by the monumental tasks which have lead us here. This has been no small undertaking and should rightfully be shouted from every roof top. Well,that is a little dramatic, but honestly, I am overwhelmed with joy! If you have read our blog from the beginning, you know the story, the heartache, struggles and triumphants. All 828 days of them. Most importantly you know the kourage children living with cancer posses. It is humbling to say the least. Hopefully, one day, children will not have to live with cancer. They will be free of cancer. For those families who have lost their child to cancer, life without them is apparent as the "sun failing to rise." A heartache no one should ever know. If you find yourself privileged to know of a child suffering.... l ove them dearly, hold them tightly. Look into their eyes.You have touched a piece of heaven and I promise you will nev...

If " every man assumes the color of his surroundings " then I believe the days ahead are filled with bright smiles, and colorful promises of a very blessed life. PS tune in to this blog Thursday morning for the big reveal! And, does anyone comment anymore? if ever you do, we would love to hear from all who read and are sharing this journey, on this big day..... # 827!

2 days! I can hardly sleep at night Kristin!!!!!!!!

I have waited for 824 days to write this. Let the count down commence! 3 What have you done with the last 824 days? I feel like I can recall each and day, each moment.  We are not the same people, emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially...... But, which ever way the dice may roll, we are much closer to the things that truly matter in this life.  Amazing what 824 days can do. ps I have a special post ready for Thursday morning....can't wait.

Dear Readers, We are anxiously awaiting the big day. Many feelings are floating around in my head, I can only imagine what is going through Kristin's mind. She is doing well. Problems with her feet still haunt her, but all things considered, "well" seems most appropriate. She has enrolled in a CNA course. She passed with a 97%. Not too bad. Then again, she is getting straight A's in school also. But who's bragging? If you know me at all, you know I love to bake. I have come to realize that this has been my coping strategy and therapy. For those of you close by, you are the ones who have benefited from my obsession. Anyone who comes to the house always leaves with sweets. It is a pleasure for me to give something that puts a smile on some one's face and happens to make their mouths happy at the same time. From complete, all out disasters to "Oh my, that's a good one honey!", I think I am getting better. I am asking all of you who read this blo...

Well folks, this is really big! Kristin has her second to the last push of chemo this week. I know, could it be so..... 27 days left and counting...... Labs are good. I assume. I am not sure Kristin relayed me the correct numbers. She said her hemoglobin was 3.1. (this is terribly low for anyone with a breath left in them and there was no word of a transfusion) Salt Lake never talks to me,which really gets me and I find completely beyond reason, but at this point in the game I will let it be. I find myself terribly anxious and at the same time elated. I have been told the anxious part is normal. But really, what part of any of this has been normal? PS It is that time of year for Saint Baldricks . If you wish to donate to an outstanding and worthy cause, please do so.

Things have been wonderfully quiet the last two weeks. Kristin had labs done and her meds are being bumped up to 100%. I called the student health center for results and talked to someone who normally does not report them. Based on those results, her ANC is only 1364. These results were wrong....which I suspected when he said her platelets are high at 17. Salt Lake called Kristin and said her ANC is in the 3000 range and that her meds need to be bumped. At those counts, yes they do. So, at 1:21 a.m., with the preface of " I know you are sleeping but ," Kristin sent me a text letting me know the status change. Given the time change, it was 2:21 a.m. her time.....I know, what ever could she be doing at that hour! Having FUN. Good for her :-) She is very concerned about another neutropenic episode and the ensuing consequences. I do not blame her one bit as they have landed her in the hospital one too many times with some serious complications. shingles, pseudomonas, etc.... I...