Katie Update — August 7, 2026
In support of
Katie (Kohlbush) Lynch
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Katie (Kohlbush) Lynch
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1–2 (ESV)
This is Katie’s seventh week in the hospital. Thankfully, it has been a fairly quiet week. After everything that has happened since we came to UCLA, we’re grateful for a week that has been a little boring.
The main thing the doctors have been watching this week is Katie’s ANC, or Absolute Neutrophil Count. When I taught fifth grade, the circulatory system seemed pretty simple. We learned about red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma. It turns out that’s only the beginning. There are several different kinds of white blood cells, each with a different job. One of those is called a neutrophil.
Neutrophils are the white blood cells that fight bacteria. Chemotherapy knocks those cells down along with the cancer cells, so we’ve been waiting for Katie’s body to start making more of them. Thankfully, day by day, her counts have been moving in the right direction. By Friday, her ANC had reached about 1,000 cells per microliter. She is still considered mildly neutropenic, but her counts have recovered enough for her to be cleared for surgery.
While her neutrophil count is recovering, everyone who comes into Katie’s room is required to wear a mask, and she remains on a restricted diet to reduce the risk of infection (among other things, no sushi, no soft-serve ice cream, and no loose-leaf tea. Who knew?). Even though she’s still not eating much, we’re looking forward to the day when those precautions can be relaxed.
Katie’s orthopedic surgeon came in on Friday and talked with her about her recent CT scan. The scan identified new fractures in several ribs and in her left shoulder, which was a little disquieting. There was some encouraging news as well. Katie has been upgraded from lifting no more than a coffee cup with her left arm to lifting up to five pounds, and her left leg has been upgraded to partial weight-bearing.
Her left leg may eventually need surgery, but for now we’re holding off. Her right leg, however, does require surgery to stabilize the bone, and that is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Prayer Requests
For Katie’s orthopedic surgery. On Monday, August 10, Katie is scheduled to have a rod placed in her right femur to strengthen the bone and reduce the risk of fracture. Please pray for a successful surgery and for protection from complications and infection.
For Katie’s post-surgery recovery. Physical therapy will begin almost immediately after surgery. After seven weeks in bed, Katie has lost a great deal of strength in her legs. Her first goal will be to safely transfer from the bed to a chair and begin bearing weight again. Please pray for safety during her recovery, that there would be no additional fractures or injuries, and that she would have the strength and determination to keep making progress.
Thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, and support. We continue to see God’s faithfulness one day at a time.
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