In 5 hours I will be headed to the hospital. Soon after, Katy will head to the OR for her follow up surgery. Please keep her in your prayers. I know that once we get through this surgery, and the following week of recovery, we can then begin the true uphill journey to her recovery. Thanks to all of your for your messages. Your words help keep me going. I will update once I get a chance.
Love to all,
Al
I will make sure we are praying all day long. God is gracious and I pray for victory over the infection and swift recovery and healing from the surgery today. Stay strong and let Katy know she has a huge fan club and alot of cheerleaders rooting & pulling for her! Nashville Tn says “Awesome job Katy ;)”
It seems that faith and love can conquer almost anything! I am sure all decisions you have made have been incredibly stressful and difficult…you as well as your wife are incredible people…..prayers are continuing for you and your family!!!
If words help, then words you will have. The McMillian family (you will surely remember Drew’s large “posse” at Castaways) is holding you and Katy and your wonderful family in our constant thoughts and prayers. We have spread the word to so many other prayer groups and caring persons to add in some small part to this blanket of love that surrounds you.
I hope today goes easy for Katy and I’ll pray for both of you. It’s going to be a long road to recovery but keep your thoughts positive. She has a lot of living to get back to doing.
Continued prayers for you all, and for Katy this morning. Prayers surgery goes well, and for her speedy recovery.
So glad you got to see her smile! wishing you many more smiles in the days to come.
Al, Katy will be in my thoughts & prayers all day. So hopeful & “ready” for her to get this surgery done & to move on! I was thrilled to hear you got to see her smile & so happy for her to have you constantly there. I truly believe Katy & you are changing people’s lives. No one can listen to her story and not be moved to do better in their own lives. You are a talented writer and I admire your ability to be so open to all about the steps Katy is going through. Sending all our love & hope for today’s procedures. Love, Laura
Al, we are here for you if you need anything. You, Katy and your family have been in our prayers every day. Katy is going to be a stronger woman from all of this. Love, The Braley’s
We are praying for Katy-God Bless you with strength and how wonderful to read that she is laughing and smiling! Praying in Tatum,Tx:)
You all are in my thoughts an prayers. Al, let me know if you need anything at all. I am so happy to hear Katy is up and smiling. All my love.
Al – my heart hurts for all that you are going through – Katy is & always will be an inspiration to everyone!! She touches your life & your heart in a special way like no other. My prayers are with you both and your precious family. I wish we weren’t so far away so I could do more to help. Looking forward to the updates & when I read her surgery & recovery are successful 🙂 !! Stay strong and know how many people care and love you all – Let God hold you all up during this difficult time……Love & Hugs to you all from Larry & I!!
I’m praying for all of you every day. Thank you for the updates. I am excited for her recovery. Blessings, Lisa
Dear Al, please know that Katy, you and your family are in my prayers. God will give you the strength to get thru this ! May God bless you !!! Love Dottie
Al — I hope you know you and yours are very much in the minds of all of us here at Pin Oak. Katy has all been in my prayers continually since this started. I find myself in awe of your bravery — the fighting spirit that seems to be inside you and Katy is bound to win. Al, may you be at peace as you continue to make such terrible, tough decisions. I hope today brings with it some more good news and true progress for Katy! ~Jan Meek
Praying that all of the infection would be gone and she would have a swift road to recovery. Praying for God’s presence to be powerful and real to all involved. Blessings, Dianne
Katy is very blessed to have such a wonderful, kind, sensitive and caring husband. You saved her life, Al. Thank you from her cousin and relatives up North.
Sending you love and blessings, strength, wisdom, grace and power that can only come from the Lord Jesus Christ! We are excited to hear your updates. Thank you for taking the time to do so. We are continuing to pray for Katy, you and your children. What a wonderful community God has placed you in.
Let me echo Kathy Fillmore’s comment – as we are more of the cousins “up north”. Al, we are anxiously waiting for the news every day through your postings, and Jenny has done a great job with the emails.
You had the toughest decision to make that anyone has to make. I know, as I had to participate in the same decision myself concerning my mother’s amputation. It is so hard to cope with no sleep. You did a great job of checking with the doctors at other institutions. Unfortunately, there are often no alternatives in some cases if the decision is to live.
It is great to hear that Katy is responding and we hope that there is further improvement.
Lori, Steve, and Gabriel (Ferns)
Hi Al, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so saddened by trials you are going through. If it is okay with you, I will post a link on the Northwoods UU Church facebook page and also send it on the Beacon Bits email. Please let me know if that is alright to do and if Northwoods or if I can be of any help.
Much love to you, Katy, and the kids,
Shirley Locke
Northwoods UU Lay Ministry Coordinator
and loving friend
I am praying and thinking of her & your family!
Both you and Katy are in our prayers. Many people behind the scenes both in Dallas & at Parkland who you have never met are cheering her on. She must be a strong & remarkable woman, I would be honored to meet on day when all of this is behind her. All of us in surgical pathology are pulling for both of you.
Ylana
My daughter teaches kindegarten at your sons school and I have been following Katy’s reports. I have been praying every day and will continue to ask for God’s healing.
Al –
Thanks so much for the updates. I am so happy to hear that you got to see that beautiful smile again! It is one of many many more to come…I am just sure of it.
We will be praying that God work through those doctors today and pour his healing powers over Katy. That he give you strength and wisdom and faith, and that he continue to work miracles in your lives that man cannot explain. I thank him in advance for the recovery Katy is undergoing and will continue to succeed through. His word says that where two or more gather he is there…and we all know that he has angels all over praying for Katy. Much love to you guys!!
Sonia, Makaila & Family
Al,
I know this is a difficult time for you and your family. Katy and you family will be in my thoughts and prayers and I’m asking you to stay strong for her and the kids. Please keep us update….and please let me know if I can help with anything.
Mihaela,
BBVA Compass Bank
Al,
You and yours are truly in my thoughts and prayers. You will all have a long row to hoe in the next couple of weeks and months. I have not been in your shoes, but my shoes have walked heartbreak and struggles for the last eight years.
When you are in the pit, know that Jesus is there with you. He suffered a pit greater than ours. You are not alone. He is faithful and has made promises to you specifically.
He will never leave you.
He has walked in your shoes and knows what you are suffering.
He loves you.
He carries you when you can walk no further.
He has claimed you as His.
He will wipe away your tears.
I do not know you, Al. But you and yours are on my heart.
Judy
Hey Al thanks for the updates! It may be sinking in now just how many people are praying for you all…. but know this too- God loves you and he loves your family- He WILL provide and it will work out! Katy IS strong and I believe with all my heart if you let HIM he will work miracles for you all!!
I can’t wait to see you all again!
Love, Paula
I hope all has gone well today. I called my daughter who is homed schooled to find out how Katy was. I am glad to hear that she is smiling and that things may be looking up. She is being prayed for by the small community church that I belong to. Kingsley United Medothist Church only has about 200 or so members and they all are being sure that we are heard. I dont know if you and your family believe, but at times like this it is hard not to hope that there is someone out there listening. I know that prayers work. I know they will help you and your family.
Prayers to you
Lisa Ralph
We are praying for you all!!
Dear Al, Lucille and Other Family and Friends:
You now should have a larger circle of people who are aware of Kathy’s health crisis and are thinking good thoughts for her recovery. With permission from Lucille McNaughton (Katy’s mom), I e-mailed about 1,200 people in Michigan information about about Katy and encouraged them to be supportive. It is so encouraging to hear that Katy opened here eyes and smiled!
Our network of Unitarian Universalist justice advocates has been working for comprehensive health care reform that would make quality health coverage more affordable to more people. Unfortunately, millions of other people besides Katy don’t have coverage. If you believe this reform is needed, please call your Senator (toll-free) at 1-877-264-4226.
Lucille has been chair of our Health Care for All Task Force for several years.
Best wishes,
Randy Block, Director
Michigan UU Social Justice Network
Dear Katy and Al,
I look forward to seeing you two back home again — how about I bring supper for your first day home from the hospital?
I want to meet Arielle and celebrate everyone being back together again. William and I are rooting for the entire fam.
Love, Lucy Goodrich
We have been praying and thinking about Katy & your family all day today. Thank you for the updates you share with all of us!
~Kim
Al, I only know you through friends of friends. My husband and I are Christians and we are in daily prayer for Katy and for you and your family. We will continue to pray everyday. We will be part of the Kingwood family that jumps in to help, to pray, to support you guys.
I just heard a comment in a sermon about a tragic situation in which the mom commented that she couldn’t understand why her two teenage son’s had both died of unrelated and unexpected illnesses, especially since she and her husband were pastoring a church and had for 20 years. The husband told her “this is not a time for understanding, it is a time for trust”. Trust and faith in God. Harder to do than say at times.
My family and I are praying for you and your family. We are smiling when Katy smiles………GOD BLESS YOU!
Dear Al,
I have never met you, but I am Katy’s cousin, Marti from Colorado. We have been in prayer for you these past couple of weeks. Scriptures and memories of Katy have flooded my mind as I have prayed. I’m so thankful for how God is answering those prayers. This situation is bigger than big. I pray that God will be glorified through you and Katy.
I’m so glad to get to know you through your blogs. The love you have for Katy is really evident. May God give you strength in the coming week. You have done a great job in the midst of difficulty.
Sincerely,
Marti and Jerry Begly
Marti
Dear Al, Katy and family,
I only have come to “know” y’all thru FB and KU stories but you are in my prayers daily. I have even called my family members to pray for you (something I have never done before). I am so glad to hear that Katy is doing better and opening her eyes. Our continued good thoughts are with you!!!
I’ll be saying a prayer for y’all.