this is a video that we put together for prayer requests.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvDsIs0aeYI
Rebecca got her first wheelchair this week. She seems to like it.
She is still in alot of pain and her second birthday is coming up in April, so please keep her in your prayers. She is still blind, but she seems to respond to our voices more.
Thanks for all the prayers.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Birthday Invitation
Happy Birthday Gatti Girls!
Katherine (9) and Elizabeth (6)
Bring your family and friends to celebrate with us!
Sunday January 18, 2009
5:30-7:30
Hot Wheels Skating
Old Minden Road, Bossier City
Skate, Cake, Pizza, Drinks
Instead of a gift, please bring a new or used item as a gift for the Biedenharn Center for Women. The Center needs all household items to help establish homes for women and their children who are in the program.
Here is a list of specific needs that they have:
Used Kitchen Items
Used Clothes all sizes (women and children)
Toys for children all ages
Towels, Blankets, and other dry goods
Children’s Bibles - Kid’s Books
**Last year the Biedenharn Center used the toys collected to allow moms in their program to pick a birthday gift for their kids. Household items were used to help these women start a new life in their own apartment.
Katherine (9) and Elizabeth (6)
Bring your family and friends to celebrate with us!
Sunday January 18, 2009
5:30-7:30
Hot Wheels Skating
Old Minden Road, Bossier City
Skate, Cake, Pizza, Drinks
Instead of a gift, please bring a new or used item as a gift for the Biedenharn Center for Women. The Center needs all household items to help establish homes for women and their children who are in the program.
Here is a list of specific needs that they have:
Used Kitchen Items
Used Clothes all sizes (women and children)
Toys for children all ages
Towels, Blankets, and other dry goods
Children’s Bibles - Kid’s Books
**Last year the Biedenharn Center used the toys collected to allow moms in their program to pick a birthday gift for their kids. Household items were used to help these women start a new life in their own apartment.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A Reason for the Season . . . and for Blogging Again
Last week Katherine independently came to the computer telling me she wanted to make a Christmas card. She wrote this without assistance, without prompts, and without a recent conversation to spark these ideas. She even independently searched for the perfect picture to accompany it. I am posting this on the blog with her consent; however, she did not want me to credit her for the message. This message was truly heaven sent and warmed her parents' hearts. I hope it will do the same for you.
Merry Christmas! I hope you haven’t forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ our savoir. You should never think that Christmas is about toys or presents or that god doesn’t love you because you know he does. Think about others and what you could or to help them meet Christ or make someone have the best Christmas ever! So don’t just sit around and play with toys, go spread God’s word.
Happy Holidays!
Katherine Gatti
Happy Holidays!
Katherine Gatti
Monday, September 29, 2008
Appreciation
Our appreciation goes out to the many who keep apprised of our family through this blog. I know that many of you are reading and watching to stay informed. Many of you have watched the video clip that Ryan composed of family pictures and events. As a result, you have gained a small glimpse into our world. We have stayed relatively secluded in hopes of preventing any unnecessary exposure to illness for Rebecca. As a result of this and of the overwhelming responsibilities in a typical day, we have not stayed as close to many of our dear friends as we would have liked. For those of you whom we have failed to keep in touch with, our apologies to you.
I know that Ryan has shared with you information in reference to Rebecca's seizures. It is difficult to understand how someone so little can be so strong. The seizures come in all different forms. The worst is the one that he described where her head whips so strong that she could have concussions. These can occur up to more than one per minute. This is horrible to watch her experience as she always concludes them with her bottom lip sticking out and looking terribly scared and pathetic. The others range from her eyes jumping to her eyes staring off. She also just has minor jerks to the head. Most people who watch would not know what to make of them if they notice at all. And it is always entertaining to see people's reactions to her as they do not know what to make of her. We are grateful that she does have content moments, especially when she is rolled up in a fetal like position. We often wonder how long she can go on, but she proves to us that she is purely of God and has a strength that can only come from Him. I am certain that the Lord has a greater purpose in mind for Rebecca and am grateful that she belongs to Him. We appreciate all your prayers that God's will may be realized in her. For those who continue to pray, please send a thank you for the blessed doctors who are closest to her who have helped us advocate our wishes for her, even when they go against medical mainstream thought.
For Katherine and Elizabeth, the busy life of school-aged children is here. They are both enjoying their dance class. They are currently enjoying their freedom and comfort with a studio and staff so familiar with them. Thank you to the staff for letting them know how special they are on a regular basis. Elizabeth will begin to venture into the run and reading club at school with her big sister and others "in charge" of her and other Kindergartners. That should be interesting. Elizabeth also had her first soccer game on Saturday. We were very proud of her and how she played. We are also grateful for an enthusiastic and praising coach. It is not often that you come across one that remembers all their names after 1 practice, lets them all play, and praises each by name several times. Lastly, Katherine's piano skills improve every week. It is amazing to think of the progress that she has been able to make with a teacher who is ever patient and kind. I am grateful to all these persons who encourage my children and teach them how to work through frustration to the enjoyment of success.
Ryan, Katherine, Elizabeth, and myself were fortunate enough to have a mini-break to New Orleans while Rebecca was spoiled and loved by Ms. Cathy at home. While daddy worked, the girls and I enjoyed Cafe DuMonde, Jackson Square, the Aquarium, the Insectarium, a rooftop pool, and the Audubon Zoo. Best of all, we all got to play with our honorary family Aunt Denise, Uncle Kyle, Clare, and anticipated baby. It was a wonderful, fun-filled trip. However, I know it would never have been as huge of a success without our dear friends. Hotel rooms and children were not made for one another. I will post pics later that will speak for themselves and be sure to ask the girls about their adventures next time you see them.
Heads up for kids in grades 3-5. It is Pine Cove time again for church camp (First Bossier). I am very excited that Cathy is with us and is willing to stay with Rebecca. That's right - look out - I'm coming along this time! I hope all of you will consider coming and enjoying this with friends in Christ.
I know that Ryan has shared with you information in reference to Rebecca's seizures. It is difficult to understand how someone so little can be so strong. The seizures come in all different forms. The worst is the one that he described where her head whips so strong that she could have concussions. These can occur up to more than one per minute. This is horrible to watch her experience as she always concludes them with her bottom lip sticking out and looking terribly scared and pathetic. The others range from her eyes jumping to her eyes staring off. She also just has minor jerks to the head. Most people who watch would not know what to make of them if they notice at all. And it is always entertaining to see people's reactions to her as they do not know what to make of her. We are grateful that she does have content moments, especially when she is rolled up in a fetal like position. We often wonder how long she can go on, but she proves to us that she is purely of God and has a strength that can only come from Him. I am certain that the Lord has a greater purpose in mind for Rebecca and am grateful that she belongs to Him. We appreciate all your prayers that God's will may be realized in her. For those who continue to pray, please send a thank you for the blessed doctors who are closest to her who have helped us advocate our wishes for her, even when they go against medical mainstream thought.
For Katherine and Elizabeth, the busy life of school-aged children is here. They are both enjoying their dance class. They are currently enjoying their freedom and comfort with a studio and staff so familiar with them. Thank you to the staff for letting them know how special they are on a regular basis. Elizabeth will begin to venture into the run and reading club at school with her big sister and others "in charge" of her and other Kindergartners. That should be interesting. Elizabeth also had her first soccer game on Saturday. We were very proud of her and how she played. We are also grateful for an enthusiastic and praising coach. It is not often that you come across one that remembers all their names after 1 practice, lets them all play, and praises each by name several times. Lastly, Katherine's piano skills improve every week. It is amazing to think of the progress that she has been able to make with a teacher who is ever patient and kind. I am grateful to all these persons who encourage my children and teach them how to work through frustration to the enjoyment of success.
Ryan, Katherine, Elizabeth, and myself were fortunate enough to have a mini-break to New Orleans while Rebecca was spoiled and loved by Ms. Cathy at home. While daddy worked, the girls and I enjoyed Cafe DuMonde, Jackson Square, the Aquarium, the Insectarium, a rooftop pool, and the Audubon Zoo. Best of all, we all got to play with our honorary family Aunt Denise, Uncle Kyle, Clare, and anticipated baby. It was a wonderful, fun-filled trip. However, I know it would never have been as huge of a success without our dear friends. Hotel rooms and children were not made for one another. I will post pics later that will speak for themselves and be sure to ask the girls about their adventures next time you see them.
Heads up for kids in grades 3-5. It is Pine Cove time again for church camp (First Bossier). I am very excited that Cathy is with us and is willing to stay with Rebecca. That's right - look out - I'm coming along this time! I hope all of you will consider coming and enjoying this with friends in Christ.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Rebecca
Rebecca is having a seizure that causes her head to jerk side to side. It is painful for her.
Please continue to pray for her.
Please continue to pray for her.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Update and Request
Rebecca is about the same. She is having seizures, but she is able to rest when she is medicated. We have to make a decision on a medicine change.
Please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvDsIs0aeYI for our video prayer request.
We have to give her a medicine that will cause her to be relaxed all the time and we most likely will lose any small steps that we have gained in strength, but it will help her muscle tone by making it less rigid. This is hard for us as parents to decide. She has no control over her muscles and basically is a quadriplegic, however, she is not paralyzed. This means that although she has no control over her muscles, she feels them. It hard to imagine this state, but once you wrap your mind around it its only more painful. We are meeting with the pediatric neurologist tomorrow and we will discuss treatment plans. Please pray for us.
Our OT has suggested several appliances to help Rebecca. Her little legs are starting to remain rigid and crossed at the calves. This makes it very hard to change her diaper, but I am not sure if pain causes the rigidity or if pain is caused when you try to relieve the stiffness. So hopefully a specially designed chair and wheel chair will help her. She has no control over her muscles, so we will have to basically strap her in the chair at various points of her body, starting with her head and ending with her feet. Her mouth will need a bite guard because she has a new kind of seizure that causes her to bite down and grind her teeth together. She only has four. Her feet, we are told, will need removable casts that will have to be monitored for blisters and sores. Please pray for her during this time.
This has been a tough week. Elizabeth started kindergarten this week and she impressed her teacher by doing math problems in her head and saying her alphabet backwards. She is dressed and waiting for the big girl bus before day break. This is going to be a fun year for her.
Katherine is restarting piano lessons and wants to learn how to play the guitar. She is enjoying being a big sister to Elizabeth at school.
Thanks
Please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvDsIs0aeYI for our video prayer request.
We have to give her a medicine that will cause her to be relaxed all the time and we most likely will lose any small steps that we have gained in strength, but it will help her muscle tone by making it less rigid. This is hard for us as parents to decide. She has no control over her muscles and basically is a quadriplegic, however, she is not paralyzed. This means that although she has no control over her muscles, she feels them. It hard to imagine this state, but once you wrap your mind around it its only more painful. We are meeting with the pediatric neurologist tomorrow and we will discuss treatment plans. Please pray for us.
Our OT has suggested several appliances to help Rebecca. Her little legs are starting to remain rigid and crossed at the calves. This makes it very hard to change her diaper, but I am not sure if pain causes the rigidity or if pain is caused when you try to relieve the stiffness. So hopefully a specially designed chair and wheel chair will help her. She has no control over her muscles, so we will have to basically strap her in the chair at various points of her body, starting with her head and ending with her feet. Her mouth will need a bite guard because she has a new kind of seizure that causes her to bite down and grind her teeth together. She only has four. Her feet, we are told, will need removable casts that will have to be monitored for blisters and sores. Please pray for her during this time.
This has been a tough week. Elizabeth started kindergarten this week and she impressed her teacher by doing math problems in her head and saying her alphabet backwards. She is dressed and waiting for the big girl bus before day break. This is going to be a fun year for her.
Katherine is restarting piano lessons and wants to learn how to play the guitar. She is enjoying being a big sister to Elizabeth at school.
Thanks
Monday, August 4, 2008
Back to the Hospital
Rebecca was having some trouble with the feeding tube, so we were back in the hospital for a few days. She was released on Friday August 1st.
She is at home and getting used to her feeding tube.
Katherine and Elizabeth have some new puppies. Brownie and Spot have been a great diversion and they are great pets.
Thanks for all of your prayers.
Also, my nephew JR is having a birthday party at the Skating Rink in Bossier Wednesday Night at 6:00 pm. Everyone is invited to skate and have pizza for free. Don't bring a present, just bring some used sports equipment. He is going to donate it to a local charity. Not to bad for a first grader.
She is at home and getting used to her feeding tube.
Katherine and Elizabeth have some new puppies. Brownie and Spot have been a great diversion and they are great pets.
Thanks for all of your prayers.
Also, my nephew JR is having a birthday party at the Skating Rink in Bossier Wednesday Night at 6:00 pm. Everyone is invited to skate and have pizza for free. Don't bring a present, just bring some used sports equipment. He is going to donate it to a local charity. Not to bad for a first grader.
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