MEMORIAL INFO UPDATE & CORRECTION

Hello, Hello!

I just called the funeral home to confirm day and time for Katie's services.

Friday 5:00-8:00pm visitation and a service 10:00 am on Saturday.

This is from an e-mail I received from Katie's mom: For anyone who might want to share an object or a photo memory, we will have a table set up with photos and some of Katie's favorite things.

Carnes Funeral Home
3100 Gulf Freeway
Texas City (409) 986 - 9900

If any one has any questions, please feel free to call me. I'm Leslie and can be reached at 281-217-4916

Novena for Katie's passing

Catholics have the beautiful custom of gathering each day for nine days after the death of a loved one. The practice of saying novenas is derived from Scripture. After Jesus's Ascension into heaven, he told his disciples to pray together in the upper room and devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14).

Please join us at 7:00PM for the next nine days at 905 Vincent Houston, TX 77009 (Katie and Miguel's home) starting Monday, November 30. The novena will last approximately 45 minutes.

Please feel free to contact me for any questions.

Thank you,

Melina Ledezma

832-704-4936

Memorial Info

A memorial will be held for Katie on Saturday, December 12 at 10 am.
It will be held at Carnes Funeral Home 5410 FM 1765 in Texas City. (409) 933-4300

Please remember that as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to The American Cancer Society or The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The family is still working on a fund in her name.

I will let you all know more as I find things out.

Say your prayers,
Leslie

Thanksgiving

When I found out about Katie being ill the first things I asked was, "What can I do?" She said, "I just need you to be you. Keep things light and fun just like you always do."

The following day I visited her in the hospital. As I was leaving I handed her an Essence magazine. She looked bewildered. I said, "Katie, you are pasty, white and very much married. Essence is for the modern black woman and what I just gave you is the bachelor issue. Helloooo, it's not all about you, Foolio. Find me a man!" She had a hard time breathing but we had a good laugh.

Katie passed on a day where we take pause to give thanks. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are are not just thankful, we were blessed to have known our Katie.

Arrangements are being made and should be finalized by Monday. Her family is setting up a memorial fund and is asking that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the memorial fund, The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or to the American Cancer Society.

Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and I will update you all as soon as I know more.

Love & Light,
Leslie

Her Angels.......

Today is Thanksgiving and today we must be thankful for allowing God to have let us be apart of Katie's life. The Angels that Katie talked about have taken her pain away this morning at 7:15AM. She is now resting peacefully in God's arms. She put up a good fight. I will update the funeral arrangements as soon as they get planned.

Up Late Update

Hi di ho neighbors!

Just wanted to let you all know what is going on with our girl.

She is at MD Anderson and they are taking mighty fine care of her. I delivered what I was calling Katie's Basket of Healing on Saturday. Lots of sugar free Jello, a journal to write in, a sketch pad and Crayons (because really, who doesn't love the smell of a fresh box of Crayons), S Factor t-shirt and g-string (so she can be Super AND Sexy and a much better choice than the smut we were planning) and an ipod filled with the most random play list ever.

San Antonio Patty made a cameo appearance! It was lovely to meet her. She and her family drove down for the day just so she could spend time with Katie.

Speaking of...Katie has her good days and her not so good days. It's really hard for her to talk but she is always aware of her visitors. So if you visit know she won't be a chatterbox.

Well I think that is it for now. Remember that 8:00pm is Say A Prayer For Katie time and prayers is what she needs the most right now.

Hey there!

I had the pleasure of chatting with Patty from San Antonio last night and she is good peeps! Not only is she super sweet she came up with one of the best ideas...

Since the best thing we can do right now is pray and send Katie positive healing energy why don't we all try to say at little prayer or send some mental yummy goodness to Katie at the same time?! How does 8:00pm sound? Good for you? Great!

From now on 8:00pm is Katie Time! Kind of like Hammer Time but without the baggie pants! Just in case you forgot about Hammer and Hammer Time, here is a video to jog your memory!

Love you Katie!

Katie Update November 10, 2009

Please be strong for Katie. She is truly fighting this cancer. Nobody said it would be easy but she is being tough. I can see it in her as she lays there looking tired. I hear people saying "she is not doing good"....or "poor Katie".... but she WILL be fine she is a Warrior!!! After all this Katie will be more Beautiful then she has ever been. Just think of it as " Every Beautiful flower has to go through a lot of dirt'

You might be asking....what can I do.....well reality is that the best thing TO DO is to:

Keep her in your thoughts....your prayers....and keep my uncle Miguel in your thoughts and prayers too!!!!

LOVE YOU Auntie Katie and Uncle Miguel Keep up the fight!!!!!

HI Everyone

Okay--I am getting my technology more up to date--Sorry for the confusion on the blog.

I sent everyone a New link today that takes you to set up an account so you can sign in an Blog.

Good NEWS: I will be released as an in patient at MDA tomorrow sometime!!!

My breathing is still difficult and I still have no voice but they want me home so I can begin moving around and building strength while I continue with treatments.

If anyone want to come by on Sunday between 3-6pm..I am going to do the head shaving ceremony ;-) Got to get my Fall look going. Cool, fun hats welcome but not required.

As for my voice--they will not know for awhile how permanent the condition is until they start on the Chemo treatments. It may be some what reversiable but they are not sure at this point.

Why A Blog

Hi there!

My name is Leslie and a few weeks ago I found out that a very dear friend of mine has cancer. My first reaction was a very colorful string of expletives. My next reaction was, "How do I fix this?" Then someone reminded me that I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. So I did what normal people do in these types of situations: I asked Katie what I could do to help. Novel, yes? Katie said, "What I need is for you to be you. I need your energy, your positive attitude and I need you keep things fun." That I can do!

One night I was hanging out in Katie's hospital room and noticed that she had to explain her diagnosis, her treatment plan, what she ate for dinner (that night was Chipotle) etc to everyone who came to visit. It was exhausting to watch so I could only imagine what it was like for her and that is when I came up with the idea for the blog. One stop shopping (or in this case reading) on all things Katie! Her only request was that I keep it big, bright, loud and fun. Uh, I think we can manage that.

Today Katie Takes On: Boredom.

Ever been home sick? It's bad enough your ill but you add insult to injury by mixing in bad daytime television and feelings of isolation because everyone you know is at work and you are at home...sick. Well multiply that by a zillion and you have Katie's days.

So here is the deal, Katie can't do a whole lot of talking these days. She loves the well wishes and positive thoughts but talking takes a lot out of her. Our Katie is a lean, mean, typing machine and the best way to show her some love is to leave a comment on this blog. We'll update daily and it's our intention to make this THE place to come to for updates on the gal we all know and love.

Let the healing begin!
Leslie