Katrina Just

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.


January 2018:
What a journey Katrina is taking again in her life!  Last fall, we noticed Katrina's right eyelid seemed to be drooping.  Her optometrist felt it was enough of a concern for a referral to MN Eye Consultants, who ran quite a few labs and eye exams.  Her blood work showed a positive reading for antibodies that attack the connector found between her muscles and nerves.  The name of this condition is Myasthenia Gravis.  With this diagnosis, we were referred to Mayo Clinic because it is a rare auto-immune disease, especially in pediatric patients.  
We have been nothing but impressed with Mayo Clinic.  We know why they are the best of the best!  Since Monday, she's undergone numerous tests. We have learned the muscle weakness is currently limited to her eye so that's a blessing!   We are still waiting to hear back from her lab work, which could take up to one week.  Besides retesting for Myasthenia Gravis, they are also checking her thyroid gland.  An  "incidental finding" was made during an  MRI, which is why we are extending our stay.   We were pretty shocked to hear Katrina has two masses growing in her chest cavity.  They are believed to be benign and will just need to be monitored throughout her life, but due to all the radiation she has been exposed to throughout her osteomyelitis diagnosis,  more tests have been ordered.  
Let the journey continue....
Thank you so very much for all your support, prayers,  and kind words.  :)







May 2016:  
Katrina's story begins back this winter.  While running a relay in a contest at school, she fell and injured her wrist.  A trip to the clinic and an x-ray revealed a greenstick fracture.  Since the fracture was close to her growth plate, we were referred to a pediatric orthopedic specialist.  He recommended a brace for 4 weeks.   Katrina followed the orders and went back to her busy life of playing basketball and volleyball this spring. 

A few weeks ago, Katrina's wrist started to bother her again.  It started to swell and cause her quite a bit of discomfort.  Another trip to the clinic and an x-ray showed an unknown mass on her bone.  We were sent to Fargo that same day for further testing.  After three days of crossing conditions off the list of what the mass could be, we finally received the call late Friday, May 27th. 

Katrina has been diagnosed with Osteomyelitis.  This is a rare and serious bone infection that affects 2 out of 10,000 people each year.  Katrina's case is a little more complicated than most because the infection has spread into her growth plate. 

Normally, surgery would occur as soon as possible; however, with it being the weekend and Memorial Day on Monday.....the team of physicians have scheduled Katrina's surgery for early next week. 

A lot of unknown questions will hopefully be answered during the surgery.  We have no idea what caused the infection.  Once the cause is determined, a route of treatment will be determined.  We have no idea how damaged the growth plate is.  Once we know this, it will be determined how to "fill in" in the area of the infected bone that will be removed. 

We know Katrina will be staying at Sanford Hospital for 4-6 days following surgery and she will most likely have a long road of recovery.

Through this all, we are staying positive and placing our trust in God's Hands.  He has blessed us with so many amazing gifts....family and friends being at the very top of the list. 

Thank you so much for caring and for your prayers.  All mean so very much. 

Will keep you posted....