Katina’s Story

Site created on December 30, 2020

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Kat had cancer of the larynx which was treated with surgery to remove a polyp that was obstructing a large portion on of her airway. She received radiation treatments for 2 months in Sioux Falls. On December 21 she had her last radiation treatment. she was so anxious to return home again to spend time with her sweet dog, Bear. Yesterday (December 29), after going outside to smoke and let the dog out, she collapsed. Her roommate Chad heard her coughing and watched her go down. fortunately, he was able to call 911 and start CPR. When the ambulance arrived, they were able to continue compressions and get her heart restarted. She was intubated by the paramedics and taken to the Spirit Lake Regional hospital and assesed. It was unclear why she collapsed, so she was transfered to the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls. There she had all of the tests done to rule out a brain bleed or a heart issue. Both of those tests came back good. So for now, they are still trying to figure out what caused this event. Currently she is on a ventilator to regulate her breathing. She is sedated, so it's likely she won't remember much if this. They are also cooling her body temperature for 24 hours with a catheter in her groin running cool solution and with a cooling blanket. This is being done to aide in reducing the chance of brain damage due to the lack of oxygen. We appreciate your prayers and love. I will update on this site anytime I get anything to report.

Newest Update

January 19, 2021

Journal entry by Lisa Van Der Brink —

Kat is going home to Spirit Lake today! She feels more confident about taking care of herself and is feeling good. She is now able to breath around the tracheostomy so there is less fear about not being able to breath. She will still be getting home health care and PT at her home in Spirit Lake so that gives her some comfort. We are very grateful for all of the prayers and cherish each and every one of Kats friends. Praise God for His mercy and healing!
Read More of the journal titled "January 19, 2021"
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