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Recent Updates - Round 5 (most recent) To have the most recent updates, join me on Facebook as a friend...Kenneth P.Cardell. I can update that from the Clinic. Thanks.
test _____ Anne D Dickinson May 13 at 8:19pm Reportby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 9:21pmI wanted to REPOST this because it' who Connie is...thanks Anne
Ken- I would appreciate it if you read this note to Connie. I want her to know how much she means to me! Dear Sweet Connie- I want you to know how blessed I am to have your beautiful daughters in my life, especially Kellie. She has been my best friend my entire life through thick and thin. She's always been there for me. I will continue to be here for her, please always know that. She learned to love from two of the most amazing people I know, you and Ken. Your girls have your beauty, grace, love, smile, compassion, and I know you will continue to shine through because they have the best of you in them! I will never forget the love you and Ken have shown me all my life. You welcomed me into your home and made me part of your family when I was dealing with some of the roughest times of my life. I appreciate so much the love you continued to show me! I practically lived at your house on the weekends in high school. I don't know what I would have done without those weekends. They are some of my most treasured memories. Thank you for loving me like a daughter, Connie! I always felt at home and at peace in your house. I will never forger waking up in the morning to a big breakfast prepared by Ken; it was always something to look forward to. I had some of the best meals of my life in your home. Connie, your cooking is out of this world and your ability to whip something up out of nothing and make it taste simply amazing will never cease to amaze me. You not only have taught your girls well, but all of their friends too! I will never forget you telling me what to always have on hand in your pantry because you never know when you might unexpectedly be entertaining! Always the hostess and always with a smile. I love the way you plan your big family meals and lay out the recipes. It is truly amazing and you enjoy every moment of it. That must be why the food tastes so good, because you have put your love and joy in the ingredients! I truly treasure every memory I have with your family. You all have been such a big part of my life. I can truly and honestly say my life would not be the same without the Cardell family! I love you dearly sweet Connie. I am thinking about you, Ken, and the girls daily. I pray the peace and love of our Lord is with you. Love, Anne
____ Cathy Garcia- JohnsonGOD HAS GOT THIS AND MORE! "He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth. . .Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, he makes sure they make their mark." Job 37:12May 13 at 5:03pm_____ Robin Masters Elliott 5/13/11 I'm praying for you, Cardells! I remember meeting Connie when we ordered wedding napkins from her in 1989 and little did I know I would be so blessed by her at Heartland and in MOPS after I had my three kids! I loved seeing her smiling face at MOPS. I think she was mostly a Mentor at MOPS but she also had a little one, so she was th...e perfect resource for encouragement and parenting advice! I continue to be blessed by hearing about her determination and courage and grace in this season of her life. I am amazed but at the same time not at all surprised by it. It's how she's always been. :) I love you, Connie! ______ Ted Murray -Cards, please let Connie know how much I think about her every day.And you my friend are a true saint!May 13 at 3:44pm ·
______ Update: Friday Afternoonby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 3:31pm We’ve had a couple pain episodes today where we thought it would be hard to get Connie comfortable. After calling the hospice nurse and administering some meds, Connie is calm, happy and breathing restfully. She, of course, is zonkered but in the moments she wakes up…she is just so sweet to everyone who is in the room. Her best bud, Carla was over this a.m. and brought everyone Starbucks in a box. Somehow, Connie must’ve heard that and when the hospice nurse was kneeling by her bedside, giving her drugs, she said, “Cheryl?...do you want a cup of coffee?” The consummate hostess!~ All she cared about was making sure we shared our coffee with Cheryl. We all looked at each other in amazement! She is resting comfortably. A pump (another PUMP!) is coming this afternoon to administer small doses of medicine to her to try and even out the pain. Perhaps it will allow us to keep her home for another night or two. We’ll see. It’s calming to just know that GOD HAS GOT THIS!!! Always. Kenneth P. Cardell Connie had some significant pain last night. We spent an hour trying to get her comfortable. The hospice nurse is coming soon. Pray for her today...she wants to stay home and is fighting for that...Friday at 10:17am________ Thursday Blessingsby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:57am Today was another good day for Connie. Had the hospice nurse evaluate her and she’s still "stable". Also had a hospice aide come in and help her bathe, change linens and give her some personal care. She liked that. She got two foot rubs from family members and even sat up and watched American Idol tonight with the fam. She is having more trouble breathing and walking is almost too difficult. She is not eating solid foods but seems to like her protein shakes which is good. She is coughing a lot and her ability to talk seems to be waning a bit. She still has things (in her mind) to accomplish. She is fighting hard for each day. We will keep her home and comfortable as long as we are able. My sister Karen has been at the house non-stop. What a blessing from God she is! Food is being delivered here almost daily by committed friends and loving family is always close by. We are being carried by God’s grace and the love of his people. It is totally astounding how much family and friends love this little gal! You all have been sending numerous notes, email, fb messages and cards about what she means to you and it's so encouraging! Keep it coming! I read them all to her each morning! Connie November 2010. 
_____ OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2010 _______ Connie Stayin Strongby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 7:12pmI’m beginning to think I’ve had this wrong all along. Throughout this ordeal, it has always been my job to say, “C’mon honey…you can do this!” or “I don’t care what news they give us, our God is bigger than all this.” Believe me, I’ve said those kind of things all along. I’ve even said them when I don’t even believe myself! Whatever it takes to keep her focused. Now, I think I may have had it all wrong. I should have been saying, “The docs don’t think you are going to make it”. Or “There’s nothing we can do for you!” I say this because our Connie-girl just may want to prove them all wrong. Today, she did two (count em’) two photo shoots that involved both families. We carried her out to the front step and took photo’s of the Cardell clan. Then moved her inside and did it again at the fireplace. Later in the day, we did all the McHale clan and cousins. She sat upright for over an hour. I finally looked over and noticed she was dozing off and came and rescued her. She slept for 2 hours after that. Earlier, she did several “taping” session for legacy reasons with Krista and also wrote Maddie a beautiful letter. Tomorrow, she will transfer it into her own handwriting. I keep talking to her about the fact that she’s done her work, that she has accomplished her goal, she had prepared all of us for the future…all things she lived for. But, doesn’t matter. This girl will go when this girl is ready. Today, she was counseling our life-long friends to make sure that they don’t forget Ken and invite him to all their BBQ’s! Yeah…they probably all went home and said, “Crud – Now we HAVE TO invite Cards over!!!” Her breathing is now more labored. Her naps are longer and deeper. Her thinking skills are becoming impaired at times. Even her speech is slowing some times. She has trouble finding oxygen when she walks now. She coughs often and sometimes it hurts. Hospice nurses are coming tomorrow for palliative care and they will do an assessment. But, as long as Connie can enjoy the hugs of her girls. As long as she can recognize the love of friends. As long as she can feel the love of family…she is enriched and enriches others. That is FINE with me! So, she continues to battle for every moment at home. I’m so cool with that. I will battle with her. Soon…days probably…we will be moving her from here because she wishes to pass at the hospice facility and NOT at our house. She doesn’t want that thought to be in the girls heads. When she is ready…I will be too. For now, I enjoying watching her defy all the odds again and she’s showing us her inner strength to be with her girls as long as she can make this beat-up-old-body hang in there!!! ROCK ON - CONNIE ANNE MARIE CARDELL !!!!
_______ SHE'S NOT DONE FIGHTING!!!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 4:29pm Received more devastating news today and we are certain now that Connie’s time this side of heaven is very short. Nurse Wendy called today to say that the “leuk” blasts in her blood has now gone from 8% to 30% in a very short window. Means that it looks like the leukemia will get her before the pneumonia will. Wendy said if she was asked to choose, she’d have it this way. When I finally stopped blubbering and told Connie this, she said, “O.K. So we don’t have much time? “ I said, “Right” and she said. “I’m not ready! I’m not as sick as they say I am.” I said, “O.K. Honey…you are in charge!” She’s really not but, I’m giving her that illusion right now. Without going into all the details, we are anticipating entering Hospice by the end of the week. We will continue to keep Connie at home as long as we can but, there may come a time where that is no longer possible. Hospice is holding a bed for us. Connie however, is NOT going to occupy it until she’s good and ready! You know, in many ways, we have turned the corner. In some ways it’s easier. I KNOW you all will think I’m nuts but, we now are not concerned with “cure” but are now turning our efforts towards “comfort”. My girl who had NO SAY in anything regarding her care, now is CALLING ALL THE SHOTS! The docs used to decide everything! The whens, the wheres, the meds, her schedule. She lived by following their direction. NOW - She will not go anywhere unless SHE wants to. She doesn’t have to go to clinic anymore unless she wants. She doesn’t even have to take her meds unless she wants. It’s all in her court. Connie has decided to make several decisions regarding her situation. She does not want to pass at home. She only wants to go to Hospice at the very last minute because she said, “If I last two weeks…I’d rather last my two weeks at home.” Only wants to be in Hospice for two or three days TOPS!! She has had precious moments with all the girls and finished a couple “legacy” projects today with them. Anyone who knows Connie – knows she makes “lists”. And I swear, if she has items on her list, she is not going anywhere until she completes that list in her mind! We want a final family picture. We want to record a few voice books for the future grandkids. She wants to give away all her clothes and jewelry. She wants to give Maddie college advice. Krista and Kel wedding advice. She EVEN sent our friends out to Social Suppers right now because she had a GROUPON that was about to expire because she wanted ME to have some meals after she is gone!!!! What??? So, although the situation seems very dire…finally, the uncertainty of the past 7 years suddenly becomes more certain. In some ways, we’ve been preparing for this day for a long time. We are rocked with where we are but not shaken. We have NO REGRETS! We just want to finish strong. We want our kids to know that Mom fought as hard as she could and for every minute she could. That’s what she is doing. She’s doing it HER WAY and I’m all about that. I have a feeling that when the time is right for us to make the move to Hospice…she’ll have a written game plan stashed somewhere to hand to me! Love you all. Hang with us as we usher this sweet one to Glory!!! More to follow… ________ The Day Afterby Kenneth P. Cardell on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 5:52pm It’s been 24 hours now since we heard the news that “shall not be named!” (a little Harry Potter lingo there). It is just amazing what kind of care we have been receiving and what kind of LOVE people are showing us. The nurses and aides at the clinic are AMAZING! Nurse Wendy, who holds a special place in Connie’s heart, came in ON HER DAY OFF to care for her today. She made sure that all the arrangements for her care were done. She counseled her (and me) and made sure all the details were covered. She then went home around 1:00 p.m. She even told Connie that once we stop going to the clinic, if Connie asks, she will come to our house to help her bathe, do her medicines, rub her feet or just to talk! What kind of people ARE these?? At first, I hated going there…now in many ways…it’s HOME to us. We so love the people there. Every ONE of them. Enough of that…I’ll start crying again. As we sat in our room today, I read all your posts and messages to Connie. I cried thru them all. She still cannot believe that people love her like this. I don’t think she has ANY IDEA how much you all care about her. She knows but…I just don’t think her little brain will allow her to think that way…so, she’s always shocked as I read her your notes and cards and messages. Keep em’ coming because it is breathing life into her – they sustain her. Today we got our standard infusions and we’ll be back in there tomorrow for a bit. We will spend the first part of Mothers Day at the clinic and then come home as soon as we can. Blood is needed tomorrow. Fortunately, we were able to bring the pump home again today- it saved us 4 hours of precious time Connie can spend with her babies! Thank YOU ALL!!! When we got home today, we were blessed by all three girls at home…and they were CLEANING! Yes…CLEANING! They had cleaned the whole lower level where their Mom resides. It was an awesome blessing. Right now, as I type, my four girls (including Connie) are sitting on the couch, holding hands, watching the “Wedding Planner” movie. C’mon…we’ve seen it 100 times! It’s medicine to Connie’s soul ! We also have been blessed by friends who are just “showing up” and doing things for us. Mike and Bev who are fixing our upstairs bath. My fishing buddy Larry came over to repair a pipe on my back deck that froze this winter. My buddy Greg who dropped by two DVD’s for Connie and words of hope! It’s hard to handle all the calls coming in so please bear with us for a few days. Tomorrow, I will try to post the “game plan” for going ahead. Things have changed quite a bit. For everyone who reads this – please know that our God is a God of miracles. We know this. We also know that He is a sovereign and merciful God. I have posted this before but, it is also true today. God will either take the cancer out of Connie – or – He will take Connie out of the cancer”. Either way, she is in His hands and she’s comfortable there. She’s in HIS GRIP right now- more than ever! P.S. If any of you have pictures of Connie that mean something to you…could you post them with a note? I’m downloading them and showing them to Connie at clinic. It makes her smile! :o) _____ Kenneth P. Cardell was tagged in Bill Cardell's album. _____ SADDEST OF ALL DAYS 2732by Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 5:59pm Another way to say 2732 is 7 years, 4 months, 5 days. . When we first got “the call” back in November 2003, I wasn’t sure we’d see November 2004. We have now made it 2732 days on this sacred journey. By God’s grace…we are here. Yesterday, we were done with our clinic visit, got all her fluids and began to head home. Connie was loaded up in the wheelchair and we made our way to the parking garage. Sitting in the car ready to go home, without results, we got an urgent call. Come back, results are in and I’m sorry, but they are bad. I had to tell Connie and get her back in the wheelchair. Scared to death, we made our way back inside to meet with the doctors. We could taste the dread at the back of our tongues. We sat on a clean bed in Treatment Room 8 and heard what we have been trying to avoid for 7 years. Her x-ray showed that the pneumonia has spread to both sides of her lungs and is about twice as bad as the last scan. They also informed us that her counts are not coming back like expected. Means she has no inflation fighters coming back to fight the lung infections. They will try to treat it again but, we all know what this means. It was written on Dr. A’s face as he relayed the news. A simple x-ray -A changed life. She is coughing regularly and is short of breath now. She can’t walk more than 10-15 paces without difficulty. The final blow came when we found out they suspect the leukemia is causing her low counts and not allowing her to get better. We got the confirmation call today…Her leukemia is back. There were blasts in the blood. It is through sadness and tears that I write this: We have come to the end of our options. I sat two feet away looking at this weak, pasty-faced, gaunt beautiful woman as she faced this news with grace and class. She looked up at Dr. A. and sweet Nurse Wendy and smiled. The first smile I have seen in a long while. With courage, she said, “Well, we sure gave it a good run…didn’t we?” Dr. A. has been there from the beginning and he said, “Yes, we sure did!” Because of her shortness of breath, they did an oxygen stress test on her and her sats were much lower after walking which means they are sending some oxygen to our home. She looks forward to this because it will bring her more energy. Today, I will administer her meds at home and wait for the oxygen. I will try and make her comfortable. I will hold her when she coughs. I will try and get her to eat. Mostly, I will cry and hold her when she cries. We have told the girls now that Mom is not going to get better. They get it and will cherish every last minute we get now. We are entering the final turn of our journey… may the love of our Lord and the angels carry us.
________ Connie Eyesby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 4:24pm Have you ever been able to think another persons thoughts? Ever had a friend where you could finish their sentences for them? Have you ever been in a situation where you just “knew” how a person would react to something? Have you ever known a person so well that, you think the same thoughts even though you can be in a completely different place? Connie and I often do that. Sometimes, when I hear people talking to her I think, “Oh, she’s NOT gonna like that!” Sure enough, more often than not, I hear about it later. It happens all the time when we deal with the kids – I can usually tell when she’s about to launch and she knows my triggers too. I guess that’s what comes with being married for almost 30 years. It’s hard to describe what I saw today. This time there were no words. No great proclamations. Nothing said in a profound way. All I saw were Connie’s eyes and it broke my heart. So much can be said with your eyes. They occupy a really small space but, they have tremendous communication abilities. They can show happiness, joy, hope and life. They can also show boredom, aimlessness, despair and fear. They sit on our faces in an area of about 2 inches by 5 inches and yet, they can say so much just by looking into them. Since Connie has lost most of her hair now, she wears cute little hats to the clinic. They come down over her forehead and conform to her head. They keep her warm. Also, whenever we go anywhere inside the clinic or out, she is supposed to wear one of those “masks” for protection. They are light blue and have two little elastic bands to hook around her ears. She tucks them under her hats and the cover almost all of her face. All, that is, except her eyes. Because of the surprise x-ray today, Connie didn’t plan well. She had a metal clip on her camisole. Can’t take an x-ray with any metal close by. So, she had to lift her arm up over her head. She was cold. She was alone (except for the tech) and she had to lay mostly exposed on a cold table. Her I.V. pole was wheeled in there because she was hooked up with 3 bags of various fluids. Her wheelchair stood close by to wheel her back to me (waiting in the lobby). An x-ray – what’s the big deal? Have had a hundred of them?! When they wheeled her back to me…I saw the “big deal” in her eyes. They were red from tears. They were filled with fear. They were pleading to me to get her out of here. They were filled with despair. They were reaching out to me. She said that raising her arm up like that caused her not to be able to breathe. The movement from the wheelchair made her short of breath. The fact that she even needed an x-ray put thoughts of death in her mind. She was hyperventilating under her mask. The tech dropped her off at my chair and then…I MADE HER look into MY EYES! I wasn’t going to let her spiral down. Look into MY EYES. I said, “Take my hand…LOOK at me!’ She kept looking away. She kept saying, “I couldn’t breathe…I couldn’t breathe. Kenny, this was the hardest x-ray I have ever had”. But, from her eyes…I knew…it was MUCH MORE than that. She was thinking that if her lungs fail – she will fail. I KNEW what she was thinking. Her eyes were telling me. I made her look at me again. I took her hand…she had to focus. Hopefully, she knew she wasn’t alone anymore. She was with me…she was with God! She calmed down immediately but, she cried all the way back up to the 3rd floor. She is safe now and is sleeping but, I know the mental journey she is now on. I know she needs hope. She needs good news. She needs to know her lungs will not fail her. She needs to know she CAN get better. Right now, it’s a tough battle to get her there. In the Bible, Paul prayed in Philippians “I pray that the “eyes” of your heart might be enlightened”. Today, I am praying that the “eyes of Connie might be enlightened” that God is good and He won’t abandon her, even when it appears dark and scary. Pray with me for our gal.
_______ Cinco de Connieby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 11:47am Many of you may not know that today is one of Connie’s 5 birthdays. This is the anniversary of one of her lymphocyte pushes. She celebrates this day. Yesterday was another one. That is Jason’s birthday and so, she celebrates that as well. Unfortunately, it’s a bit scary today. Dr. A. came in and reviewed her symptoms and ordered an immediate chest x-ray. Connie has developed a pretty strong cough and is having fatigue and shortness of breath issues. Dr. A. listened to her chest and then decided to order a new scan. As for me, as I wait in the x-ray lounge area, the emotions can run wild. What was supposed to be an “easy” day now might have “news” in it! It could be really bad news or it could be encouraging news. I am praying for the latter but, I’ve also heard her cough at night and struggle to walk 20 paces without resting. Thoughts of the pneumonia taking over and getting worse. Thoughts of additional medications or treatments. Thoughts of how much more this sweet girl can take? She’s so frail right now… Whatever the outcome…I have to have faith. Faith that God is still on the throne and He hasn’t once forgotten about us. Faith that He is working His plan. Faith that the doc’s are doing what is best for her. Faith that we can withstand the moments of darkness like this. The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear!” I believe that. We are praying for God’s perfect love to carry us today. Hopefully, we will get good news and be back celebrating Cinco de Connie day! Pray with us. ______ On Suffering....by Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 10:36amI remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love [I am] not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Jeremiah 3:19-2 _______ Light at the End of the Tunnel- Mon/Tues/Wed. reportby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 4:23pm You know how you can work, work, work for like 12 days straight and not even know that you are “tired”? Then, one afternoon, you decide to just lay down for about 10 minutes and you sleep for 4 hours??? That’s what it feels like to be us! Someone send us a card and said it’s like a “gauntlet”. It really is. Some days you know you only have enough energy for a few more hours and then, you seem to make it all the way to evening. Today is one of those days... Well, here’s the good news…I’m seeing some rays of sunshine peering through the dark clouds. It seems like there always are good and bad things going on but, maybe the tide is starting to turn. Connie has a tad bit more energy. She dressed herself completely today. Picked out her own clothes, brought them to the bed, and put them ON…all by herself. I walk in to help – and she’s ALREADY DONE!!! She even got up and brushed her teeth and got slippers and a hat to wear. Then, I brought her some cut up apple and she ate the whole thing. She took her pills and walked all the way to the car without a stop. Now folks, I know this isn’t a big deal for most of us but, in Connie-world, this is huge! Today, we were at the clinic and they gave her the once-over. She needed potassium (of course!) but, no anti-fungal meds and no blood products. We got out of there in about 4 hours and they sent us home with the pump (4 more hours of potassium). So, by 5:00 pm, I can unhook her. BUT – keep in mind – YOU ALL are making it possible for her to come home early and to miss a day here and there. This is changing the dynamic. She is smiling again and even joked with Wendy today at the clinic. Two nurses said she “looked better” today. “More vibrant”. And she is starting to care about things again. Like, her little hat didn’t match her shirt today…so I had to find another one. Last week, I was just lucky to get her to the car without severe nausea. She also appears to be dreaming about things in the future again. Her counts have been holding but we want to see them gain some steam this week. She was “cleared” to eat very limited restaurant food and this also, has helped her spirits. She sleeps about 15 hours a day now, but that too, is an improvement. Soon, we expect her energy to increase. Her back is still spasming and she is very uncomfortable when she sits up. We’ve got heating pads and pain patches and electric massagers we use from time to time to try and make her comfortable. I truly believe that the Connie Medical Pump fund is the difference maker. Right now, she gets to look forward to a full afternoon and evening with the girls AND then A FULL DAY OFF tomorrow. It’s the best medicine she can get right now. It’s been absolutely astonishing to Connie and I the response you all have given us. It helps her fight. It helps her know you love her. It helps her realize she has a reason to keep up the battle. That’s exactly what we need! We cannot THANK ALL OF YOU enough! Ever…  _____ Sunday Blessings Everyone,by Kenneth P. Cardell on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 3:03pm Pretty uneventful today at the clinic. Yay! We got outta there in about 3 hours…a record! Our sweet nurse Lori had potassium in her hand when she greeted us and started before Connie hit the bed. Usually, they have to go to the pharmacy, get orders, check her counts and then…get the potassium. They have gotten a lot smarter and it’s easier on the weekends to get things done. Anyway, what a blessing! OUT IN 3!!! Health wise: Connie is having two issues. 1) Her back is still acting up! Painful to sit up, painful to lay down. Is on a heating pad constantly and rolls around on the bed to get comfortable. I’m using these lidocaine patches for pain but, it moves on me! Now, we’re trying muscle relaxers but, they zonk her so, I just cut one in half. We’ll see. 2) Second problem now is her coughing. Because of her lung problems, she coughs often. This causes her back to spasm more and it makes her move too often. Dr. M. said to expect this but, it’s not pleasant and hurts her to cough. Pray for some relief for her. She needs it. The good news is, she’s finally eating more. I’ve got her on this “Boost” stuff which is a protein drink. She drinks one a day. Also, she ate a fried egg yesterday and had some fruit. Today, she had some noodle soup and another protein drink. Doing better. Last week, she couldn’t eat ANYTHING!!! So, here’s the story for the day. I get Connie home and she wants her muscle relaxers from the pharmacy. I gotta go out. In the meantime, our buds the Bernards come over and bring me this great BBQ lunch. I’m starving! I walk in and they are waiting but, over on the floor is a HUGE pile of something! It’s dog puke! YEP! Sierra the wonder dog decided now would be a good time to dispose of her food! ALL OVER THE CARPET!!! In front of our FRIENDS!!! So, I send the Bernards in to see Connie for a bit while I did the dutiful and responsible thing…cleaned the mess up!!! Ugh. So, I finally finish and decontaminate myself and see that they brought me a big 16 oz. Coke too! I’m sooo thirsty!! Cleaning up dog puke makes you that way. So, I take my Coke into Connie’s room to visit with our guests. I place it between my knees to get something off the couch…YEP! It hits the floor and 16 oz. of Coke goes flying!!! All over the place. So, we hop to it and get THAT all cleaned up only to find the OTHER dog getting a bone out of the TRASH!!! Bad TAHOE! BAD TAHOE!!! She never does this??? What is going on here? I should have stayed at the clinic!!! Anyway…all is good now. Connie is sleeping soundly and I’m going to open all the mail today (from this past week) and pay a few bills if I have time. All is good at the mansion tonight! Thank you all for praying us thru this week! How can I KILL this sweet thing!??? 
--------------- Million things to say...by Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 6:12pmO.K. A million things have happened and there is not enough space here to illustrate. So, if you will bear with me, I am going to do it in bullet points. Friday: Connie fund set up/Kellie takes Connie to clinic/Ken tag teams and takes her home after a long day. Saturday: Fill er’ up day: Started early at the clinic and stayed late. Got her “ready” to take her first day off in 82 straight days. Got home late and got her to bed. Sunday: Easter – Blessings flowed and home health infused in the a.m. Connie and I prayed she’d be ABLE to sit up and enjoy meeting Jason and family. She did! For several hours she sat upright and ate two helpings of food. A miracle. We were blessed by Jason and Lisa and the kiddo’s. Pictures posted. Monday- Tues- Clinic visits and minor problems, just time and fatigue-long days. Wednesday- DAY #2 OFF- Connie fighting painful back spasms. Moving from lower back to center back to shoulder blades. Heatg pad. Ice packs. Nothing works. Takes oxycodone for first time…is totally high all day. Sleeps. Ken spent day trying to track down Fed Ex. Delivery of home drugs. Supposed to be there at 10:30 a.m. priority overnight- NOPE! Delivered after 10 phone calls at 4:20 p.m. Rough day. Connie infused at 5:00 p.m. and spent most of the day in bed. Nausea all day. Thursday- Today- Clinic day. Over 45 minutes waiting in the lobby. Connie almost passes out from sitting in wheelchair too long. Nurse Wendy walks by and sees her, and runs to get cold compresses. Connie barely responds. Lips are white – face is pale. Hops to action and finds a bed really fast to get her into. Blood pressure was low but, once laying down, does much better! No fever. Connie needs lots of fluids, is dehydrated and anemic. Needs blood and anti’s. Visit is lasting from 9:45 to 7:00 p.m. She hasn’t eaten since Easter. Only sherbert and water. Been throwing up for 5 days. Met w/ Dr. M. He said he’s moving all her meds around to get rid of nausea. Says he’s encouraged that her counts are starting to rise. Dr. M. says “food” is the best medicine right now for her. She is wasting away. Said she can have “limited” restaurant food. Could be HUGE! We’ll see. Said he thinks her lung pneumonia is more bacterial than fungal so, can back off one of the anti’s. Still needs the antibiotic injection each day. Met with a fellow-sufferer in the clinic that we’ve come to love. Total surprise visit - he lifted Connie’s spirits. Connie is lobbying anyone who will listen for a 3 day/wk off schedule. Dr. M. said it would be expensive but, he’ll try and make it happen. Prayer requests: Connie’s back spasms, fatigue- can’t go more than 15 steps w/o a rest, food- pray she can eat…anything! Mental anguish- pray for her to keep fighting. Pray for Ken…getting pretty overwhelmed. Pray for her counts to recover. Pray for her lungs to clear. Pray for light to shine in our room. Every day is a blessing but, some are just rougher than others. NOTE: for those of you who have sent in funds to get Connie home for a few days, you HAVE NO IDEA what you are doing for her. It is giving her life…giving her a spirit back…giving her the ability to fight again. A quick story: I saw Dr. M. later in the day and I said, “THANK YOU! You spoke LIFE into her today!” He smiled at me and said, “No, the LIFE was in there…I just had to REMIND her!” Love to you all. On to the weekend…. 
----------------------- Connie and I are humbled…to the point of tears…because of all of you.by Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7:47pm “Think too of all who suffer…as if you shared their pain.” Heb 13:3 Yes, we are oppressed with sickness right now. Yes, we are battling the forces of the flesh as her body tries to recover. Yes, we are oppressed in our finances. Yes, our daily routines are not of our own choosing. And Yes, we hold on to the sliver of hope our doctors and nurses give us. But, what humbles us the most…is ALL of YOU! Never in a hundred years would I ever expect an outpouring like we are seeing now in an attempt to get Connie some “relief” from her depression. Her spirits are so low because she has not had “a break” in almost 8 weeks. Sunday (Easter) was her first day off in 82 days (I just counted). None of those days have been “easy” but, some were better than others. Some were not very long – some were 12-14 hours. Some were comfortable and cozy and some were filled with pain. Some were quiet and contemplative – others were filled with fear and thoughts of death. Some were sunny and pleasant while others were stormy and confusing. Her ability to remain pleasant under this duress is amazing and astounding. I’ve said it many times on this site and on our website…there is NO WAY we could have made it this far without ALL OF YOU!!! You have given us a tremendous gift! Jason,Connie’s donor, has given us a tremendous gift! But, so have you all. Let me just illustrate what people are doing for us: Meals, 3 times a week – regularly Treats delivered without names on them. Laundry – 2 times a week- it’s picked up, cleaned, folded & brought back in baskets Coffee- people meet me at my front door and hand me cups before I go to clinic Clothes- Pj’s, socks, slippers, robes, underwear, scarfs, lap blankets, hats…sent to us. Candy, cookies, brownies, flowers, books, magazines, puzzles, crosswords…sent. Cleaning – beds made, vacuuming, countertops cleaned, baths cleaned, windows… Organizing- clothes put away, closets organized, help with mail, straightening… Home projects- ceilings fixed, baths painted, vanities stained, tubs caulked, plumbg Spa days for my girls, special gifts for them, baked goods for them…love for them Cards, letters, emails, FB messages, calls…notes, artwork, poems, scripture... Dog sitting, dog walking, take my dog to the park, get them vet care, return them Shopping for us, errands for us, picking up prescriptions, rides and deliveries Cleaning supplies, napkins, paper towels, cleaning products, wipes, cups. Decorating for holidays, sewing things for Connie, buying cute wall hangings, jewelry Prayers, messages of encouragement, being available and on-call, counsel Clinic visits to give Ken a break, sitting with Connie when lonely, cooking for her. This is NOT a full list by any measure… And now… Cash… You people want Connie HOME!!! One post…one request…and you all are responding. Because of all of you, our doctors are willing to try and get her home three times a week. It’s expensive but, they are trying to get it done. Means they “fill er up” with blood, platelets, and potassium on our clinic days and do antibiotics and antifungals on our “off” days. Of course, it’s all dependent on her counts and fevers, etc. but…as long as we can do it…YOU have all made it possible. Even the nurses and staff at the clinic have touched us. We can NEVER repay all this kindness to all of you. Just KNOW…please KNOW …that every kind gesture is written down. Connie feels each one deeply. You have touched her more than you will ever know. It has given her hope and I’m seeing the “fight” come back a bit. No matter what the future holds…we KNOW that you love us and you have lifted us up in a way we would never have imagined!!! God Bless All YOU PEOPLE!!!! 
---------------- Kenneth P. Cardell OMG!!! The nurses and staff here at the clinic just handed me an envelope of cash to help Connie get her meds at home. They took a donation... How am I supposed to react to that??? ...omg....tears....-------------------- EASTER BLESSINGS!!!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 8:47pm First, let me just say that the nurse staff and the doctors down at the clinic are AMAZING! They moved mountains so Connie could have the day off on Easter. Also, the social worker assigned to Connie did wonders with Home Health to get us the day off. The really good news is that it went so well, the doc’s are considering a 3 day off schedule for Connie now. A lot of it depends on her counts and the cost of the meds and treatment, etc. EASTER- Amazing again!!! Jason and family arrived in KC about 1:30 p.m. and we met them at Bob and Carla’s. Imagine this. For 20 some years, we’ve spent Easter with our buddies, The Schocks – The Brawners and The Blumes. Jason and his family joined us and we got to LOVE THEM for about 4 hours! They fit RIGHT IN!!! Their kids are adorable and Jason & Lisa couldn’t have been more gracious. Connie sat in a chair most of the day and Jason just held her hand. He is a gentle giant and an amazing man. His family is DELIGHTFUL! It was just what she needed. There was a moment when we got to give him his “gift” from us. A good buddy gave Jason a new Bible – the same one Connie reads each day. Our gift to him was a DVD. You see, three weeks ago, when we suspected he was coming gave us an opportunity. Cindy P. jumped to action. She organized about 9 couples of our very best lifelong buddies and they recorded a “legacy” DVD for Jason. Our friends each recorded a message about what Connie means in their life and what Jason means to them for his gift. It was in the Bible Connie gave Jason. Hopefully, he will be touched. We just wanted him (and his kids) to know what an amazing man he is. The day ended with me pouring a very TIRED but very HAPPY Connie into bed and she slept for about 14 hours. She did GREAT!!! She even ate two plates of food. (not Ken plates…but small Connie plates – but who’s counting?) Our friends got to love on Jason and his family, Connie got to hold his hand and eat, and Jason and family got to meet our friends and celebrate Easter – Kansas Style! It was GLORIOUS!!! So, I’ve attached some pictures of Connie with our buddies from Michigan. Please join in our joy and celebrate what an amazing gift all this was for Connie. see below 
____ 4/23/11- LOOKS LIKE ALL SYSTEMS A GO FOR EASTER!!! ... Ken from the clinic. WOO HOO.____ Connie Pump Fund Infoby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 1:50pm As you all know, I have never once asked for money from anybody during our 7 year battle with this disease. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was my own need for self-sufficiency. Maybe it was just my stubbornness. Some people HAVE sent us money and I’ve used it to cover her care. But, if asking for donations means that Connie can spend more days at home…I’m going to ask! She needs to be home. To me, it’s part of her medicine. Connie is already lobbying Dr. G. for a schedule of Sunday/Wednesday/Friday for the Home Infusions. I’m not sure if they will let her but, she’s pretty persuasive. Some sweet friends have already helped to get the account set up. The bank wouldn’t let us set it up as a “charitable donation” because we’d have to go thru the legal things to set up a charity (means weeks). So, sorry your donations won’t be deductable. We also tried to just set it up as a “fund” but, they wouldn’t do that either…then we’d be an organization and I’d need corporate doc’s or a business license, etc. So, we had to set it up under my name. So, if you want to help with the cost of Connie’s treatments… Here’s where you send it: Connie Medical Fund C/O Ken Cardell 8915 High Drive Leawood, KS 66206 The fund will be set up at Intrust Bank in Prairie Village, Kansas. I promise I will never disclose donor’s names and I will be discreet with all information sent. When Connie gets healthy again, we hope to donate any left over funds to a charity to fight cancer. Thank you all so much for considering this!!! ____________ Good News /Bad Newsby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 12:24pm Let’s start with the bad news. CT scan showed a “new pneumonia” developing. It’s bilateral meaning it’s in both lungs and they are reviewing it further. The fungal part of the pneumonia is showing improvement so, doc’s think this is “bacterial”. Not a good thing. Means that antibiotics must be started immediately (they just took her off them!). They have to be administered every day for a few weeks. She also must stay on the “anti’s” for the fungal and that’s what drains the potassium. We are on such a tightrope here. Since she has no immune system, pneumonia is quite serious. But within 7-10 days, her counts should be rising and that’s the infection fighters! We need them to ward off the pneumonia. We have to keep her safe until she can fight this herself. My biggest fear with all this news was how Connie would take it. She has been so broken lately. She was a CHAMP!!! This girl has stared down some of the worst news anyone could ever get and still remains pleasant and positive. I don’t know how she does it. She is truly my hero. Anyway, we will treat the pneumonia as aggressive as we can and pray, pray, pray. She’s not contagious or anything, what is happening in her lungs is sometimes caused because of lack of movement. The chemo and after affects have her sedated quite often so she lays around a lot. She doesn’t feel like moving. Moving makes her ill. So, we now have to work in some mild walking all the time and some breathing exercises. And I thought just getting her pills down her was tough. So, here’s the good news. Her potassium levels held last night. It was almost at the low end of normal. She only has to have 4 bags today. We would have been out of here by 2:00 p.m. until they found out she needs platelets. Crud! Probably will need blood tomorrow. But, we will get her all filled up and we are still ON COURSE to have Sunday off!!! Woo hoo. Nurse Wendy is scheduling Home Health to come give Connie her antibiotics on Easter in the a.m. Then, we will be totally free to enjoy Jason and our friends for the remainder of the day. It will be a miracle if all this happens. Things that could stop us are fever spikes, the pneumonia getting worse, lung and chest pains, etc. etc. etc. We will leave the miracle part to God and just work on the breathing stuff down here. It is very possible they could admit us to the hospital if any of it gets worse. That would be a terrible blow to the both of us. Many of you have asked how you can help us with the PUMP FUND. I am going to post information on that in about an hour from now. It has been amazing what people are doing to make our lives bearable. Tears are in my eyes just thinking about it… We love you all more than we could ever say … Lord, please keep fevers, pains, and pneumonia at bay !!! Bring her back Lord!
________ KU Clinic Shift: Where my Prayer Warriors at!by Kellie Cardell on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 1:48pm It's a gorgeous day at the clinic. Pretty woman was the movie of choice for Connie and Kel today. Mom mostly just listens while she's being pumped with things. Her potassium is up today, Praise Jesus! This blessed piece of information was used as Mom's bargaining chip with "Doctor G" to only get 4 hours of potassium bags instead of 6 like he insisted. He lost the fight, which was surprising to his staff but not to me: nor would it be to anyone else in my family. Her endurance in that battle is getting her out of here around 4:00 today! Not tooo bad. Papa Cardell is coming around 2:00... Another stubborn soul in my family. I insisted that he take the day off, but the most I got out of him was 4 hours. That's probably for the same reason that he has been texting me ever since Mom and I got here this morning. His morning system is flawless: A perfectly planned and executed assembly line of necessities and goodie bags for the "just in case" moments of life at the clinic. He made it so easy for us to get out the door as if he's done this before. As of right now, we are spending some momma-daughter time together before Dad gets here and Momma gets prepped for a CT Scan. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOOD RESULTS! Small Battle Prayers-> That she gets the day off this Sunday to praise God with my family for Easter. Big Battle Prayers-> That her scan goes awesome today, and she keeps gaining speed on her potassium levels. I am expecting my father any minute now, so it's time for me to sign off! I love you all very much! ________ OMG!!! Relief is coming!!!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 11:24am Connie gets EASTER off !!! This is HUGE !!! Turns out that almost EVERYONE at the clinic wants Connie to have a break! They are moving mountains down there for her. Of course they wouldn’t ever do anything to jeopardize her health but, there comes a time where the mental aspect is just as important as the medicine. So, here we go. We don’t know how they are going to do it yet but, we do know they have worked a deal with Home Health and they will be at our home Sunday to work it out for us. There is a cost involved but, we don’t have to buy the pump. We can rent one. The costs of the meds are high but, we might be able to do two days at clinic then a day off once in a while. Again, it all depends on her counts and the “anti” fungal needs and schedule. Here’s the deal with the pump. Even if we could buy it and pay the exorbitant fee, the clinic/hospital doesn’t feel real comfortable using a private pump. It has to work perfectly, and if it needs maintenance, they want hospital people maintaining it. There’s a liability issue with using our pump and then there’s the medicine issues. That doesn’t even address the insurance issues. So, that was a “no go” for buying it. Yesterday, I posted that I was praying for a solution to get Connie some days off. Her spirit is almost broken and everyone sees it. She’s been doing this for almost 7 weeks straight. I knew God would find a way for us. Yesterday, He has answered. I am constantly humbled by acts of kindness from friends, way beyond the call of duty. Some sweet friends of ours are opening up a bank account today and funding it with some money so Connie can get some days off. Our friends have stepped in to help. At least that will get us started. Today Connie is scheduled for her CT scan. Pray for improvement in her lungs. Then they can lower her meds that drain the potassium out of her. Could be a major help. Also pray for Connie at the clinic. Kellie just texted that Connie has a slight fever. We hate fevers. Pray it’s just an anomaly. More tonight. I’m heading down to meet them soon. Love you all. ------- O.K....we're good. Connie is in a bed and getting her fluids. All is well, she was just distressed for a while...is fine now. More tonight! Have PUMP news...Wednesday at 2:24pm------- APRIL 20TH- Our buddy Lisa took Connie to clinic for me today, I will tag team her later in the day. Bad news was that they SAT in the lobby for 1 1/2 hours before a bed was ready. OMG...that's never happened before. Connie has to be a basketcase... I will update later... please pray for them!Wednesday 12:12 pm--------- Another Long Dayby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 7:30pm Will they ever end? Today was an “easy” day. Easy that is…for ME to say! It’s certainly not easy on Connie. We had the anti’s as usual and potassium out the “ying yang” again. Wanted to keep us there for 8 bags, Connie talked them into only six. We got home at 5:30 p.m. Didn’t get great news on the pump so we are still exploring “options”. This is so difficult. The pump will cost between $ 1800.00 and $ 2000.00. Seriously???!!! For a pump that is smaller than a shoebox? O.K. so, what if we bought the pump? We could donate it back after we used it for the next person…right? Well, that’s not the only problem. We’d also have to pay for the medicine to put in the pump. Evidently, if you take it home, in any way…it’s YOUR COST. If we infuse in the clinic…Insurance pays. Unbelievable! Cost of meds… $ 180.00 to $ 220.00 per day! Totally unacceptable. So, for now, I told them I wanted to think about all this. By the way, all the Doc’s, all the nurses, all the aides…all want Connie to have a day off!!! It’s not their fault… we just have to find a solution. Honestly, we have been in this position before. It will be interesting to see how God solves this. Seems like all options are ridiculous and then, out of the blue, something just happens. We are going to sleep on it and address the issue afresh tomorrow. And YES, I KNOW all you would chip in to buy the pump RIGHT NOW if I asked, because that’s the kind of friends we have. But, let’s allow some time here and see what they can come up with. By the way, YOU ALL ROCK!!! On the Connie-front, she is excited to see her donor on Sunday and to spend time with friends. She’s been feeling pretty puny as her body tries to shake off the effects of the chemo. She has multiple body issues but is managing them. The hardest ones mentally is the non-stop clinic visits and the loss once again, of her hair! It’s really falling out now and the scarfs and hats have come out again. It’s hard for her. We will have a CT scan on Thursday now to check her lungs and will do a bm test in about a week to check her marrow. Right now, our biggest fight is mental. I have to keep pointing her to the prize. It’s hard to do right now without any breaks. Lord, we need a break! Love you all. This is Connie doing Krista's hair about...oh...20 yrs ago!!! ______ Monday - Good News 4/18/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, April 18, 2011 at 2:07pmNo, it’s not about TAXES…it’s about Connie. Finally, some light has shined in the room! We just found out that the bacteria in her blood that we’ve been treating is NOT serious. Means that we DO NOT have to pull her port (pik line) in her arm. Means no additional procedure at the hospital and no need to keep two of the antibiotics going. Woo hoo.. We take good news where we can find it…right Bob? Next, we got several new ideas today on how to handle Connie’s puny tummy. She seems to have problems anytime we move her. It creates nausea. Thanks to our great nurse Abby, we have several fronts to attack this. New meds, but it’s giving Connie real hope! She is soooo tired of being sick to her stomach. If we can stop this…we can get her appetite back- which will help with her strength and help with the potassium loss. Etc. Etc. This might stop the cycle. Huge help! Next, I’m still waiting on the pump info!!! Our social worker is working on it but, I haven’t seen her today in the clinic. Might be her day off. (?) Connie needs blood AND platelets today so, hopefully we can “fill er up”. This will also give her more energy. She’s a bit weepy today but, she finally has some hope to combat all this tummy stuff. Long term, she needs to have another CT scan for her lungs. This might be next week. If it shows improvement, then they may be able to stop the main drug that drains the potassium. That’s our hope. We’ll see. Looks like next week we will have another b.m. test too. This will show us if the marrow is clear (means remission- a sweet sweet word!). If you want to start praying for that…we would be so appreciative. We don’t know what is after that…we are trying to stay in denial about it until we have to. Future hardships would be too much for Connie to consider right now. We just have to handle today. So it might be another long one today but, it’s fine. Tomorrow might be short. We just need to get our gal some “home time”. She does better there. She is going on 7 strait weeks with no time off. I’d be weepy too! She’s a rock star…now- I just need to convince her of that! Love you all. 
______ Weekend Post- Sorry it was late.by Kenneth P. Cardell on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 7:47pm So much to report, so little space. First, Connie is doing a bit better mentally but still needs a break. We got out of clinic at 2:00 p.m. on Sat. and 1:00 pm. on Sunday. This was a huge help. Her potassium level held a bit so, we are going to see what Monday brings. On Monday, we will find out if the bacteria in Connie’s system has caused them to pull her port out or not. If so, we head to the hospital. If not, we stay the course. Right now, she is on several anti-fungal meds and several antibiotics. All pumping in to fight lung issues and chemo side effects. Her hands and feet are almost healed. She even walked all the way into clinic both days on her own (no wheelchair). And – she is eating. Not much but, she’s eating little bits. Yay. She’s down to 116 lbs. but she went a week almost eating nothing. So this is encouraging. The issue that is keeping us at the clinic so long is the potassium. They infuse them in one-hour increments and she needs 6-8 per day at this point. If her body holds it, she can leave earlier. Most days it doesn’t. Since we are there every day for 2-3 hours for the “anti’s”, it’s usually not a big thing to throw 3-4 bags of potassium up. However, one day…she needed 12! Many of you have asked about “the pump”. Since our insurance won’t cover it, we are looking into what they cost and maybe we will buy one! We are checking on the cost (Monday) and if the clinic will let us use our own equipment legally? Also, I promise you, as soon as we buy one…things will change and her counts will come back and she won’t need potassium as much. Ha. Anyway, we are looking into it and if it’s no big deal…we’ll figure it out. Another option is oral potassium, we are trying it but, last time...it tore her stomach up so, we'll see. I just can’t believe how many people are wanting to help Connie spend more time at home. It touches her. Last night, we had a little hair cutting ceremony. :o( Krista helped her Mom and cut most of the length from her hair. The chemo is once again claiming Connie’s follicles. We started finding hairs on her pillow so, she took control. It looks cute but, Connie said it makes her head colder. Ha. Here’s the big news: On Easter, we are going to be BLESSED with a visit from Connie’s donor Jason and family! They are coming to KC from Jeff City where they are going to a wedding. They will head back to Michigan after our visit. We are not sure how long they can visit, but every minute will be a huge blessing to us!!! This is our target day for NOT going into clinic. A whole day off and a visit from Jason?...just what Connie needs! At this point, I don’t have enough space to tell you all what people are doing for us. From buying us a bed frame, to raking out our front landscaping, to planting pansies for Connie to look at, to running errands to making amazing meals. If there is a way to serve us, you all are doing it! No family has ever had more support than us. We feel humbled…you make us cry. Happy cries. More tomorrow. I will resume my prompt posting duties!!! Love ya. Stupid Insurance Issues! 
_________ Sorry I haven't posted. Actually, I've been finishing three big projects. One of them is our taxes. Uncle Sam does not care that we are sick! I'll post soon..tonight. Love you all. Connie is doing o.k....April 17 at 5:22pm______Tough Day. :o(by Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 2:30pmAs I mentioned, we got home around midnight last night and got back to the clinic early 8:30 a.m. and immediately got hooked up to stuff. At least we got to sleep in our own bed. Potassium, magnesium, caspofungin, saline, d5w, dapthomiacyn . Many problems have arisen now. They are all showing their ugly heads. We are trying to battle on many fronts now. Her lungs, her counts, the bacteria, fatigue, depression and a sense that things aren’t going to get any better. We know that’s not true, it just feels that way. Connie can get so depressed about being here. The bacteria they found was from a “stick” and that’s causing the fevers. Means that somehow it entered her thru a blood product needle or taking blood for labs. They have to find out what kind of bacteria so they can fight it. She may have to have her “port” taken out again and replaced (at the hospital). Not a fun procedure but, been-there-done-that. We will find out Monday if we have to do this. We also have to fight fevers, diarrhea and nausea from time to time. Always the fear of one of these getting out of hand. Then there’s the “sameness” to her movements and the places we visit. Same clinic room, same drive home, same car, same home, same food, same husband all the time. It just wears on you after a while. Her potassium is still not holding so, they are keeping us here to 7:00 pm again. Another 12 hour day. Food is becoming an issue. Nothing sounds good to her and her taste buds are all affected by the chemo. Getting protein in her is so hard. She’s been spitting up a bit so, keeping food and meds down are tough. Movement causes her to be nauseated but, she has to get up to go to the bathroom or from the car to the clinic or from clinic to home or to her bed. It all is a shock to her system. Feet and skin issues seem to be abating a bit. Her hands are working o.k. Sweet Kayla stopped by the room to pray for us. We needed that! We will keep working on getting her a day off. She so needs that. Are considering buying that stupid pump that insurance won’t cover. Maybe then she can get a break. How she keeps doing this I don’t know. My job is to keep her focused on the prize. The prize is the leukemia GONE!!! On that front…we continue to have hope! One friend described what we are going thru as “Season Tickets to hell”. Some days it feels that way. I prefer to remember Romans 8:18 which says, “For I consider the suffering of this present time, incomparable to the glory that is to be revealed.” "The glory is a healthy Connie with 5 grandbabies climbing up on her!” It’s my greatest wish. We can do this…. We have to! God bless all you for praying.
Kenneth P. Cardell Emergency trip to the Hospital 10:30 p.m. Evidently they found some bacteria that is causing the low grade fevers...gotta get an Antibiotic asap! We are hopefully, in and out! Pray they let us go! We don't want to be here._______ Thursday Clinic Reportby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 2:46pm Greetings everyone. We are staying the course. After a full day of potassium infusions, we got results and Connie is STILL LOW on Potassium!!! Ugh. It’s because of this one drug she gets for her lungs and the fungal problem previously. She still needs this anti-fungal until we see a CT scan that her lungs are clear. So, we keep on having to be at clinic for hours upon hours for this potassium. Today, she will have 8 bags. Means 8 hours spent in clinic. The doc’s are trying to see when the next CT scan can be so they maybe can stop the drug that eats up her potassium each day. Although we are physically comfortable and the people here have become good friends (ie: nurses, aides and docs), it’s mentally tough to keep coming in here with no break. Connie says she sleeps all day at clinic (because of meds) and then gets released to go home and sleeps all night at home. She has a few interactions with her girls and coworkers but, mostly she is in la la land. This is what is crushing her spirit. She just doesn’t like the feeling of being loopy and she’s constantly fighting these feelings now. Other than that, Connie developed a fever yesterday afternoon at about 6:00 pm and so they had to give her an antibiotic shot. This lowered her fever thru the nite but, protocol dictates that she now has to have these shots for 7 days in a row. There goes our attempt to get a day off on Friday! Ugh. Connie cried when she heard that. The semi-good news is that Dr. Al said he expects her counts to start coming back sometime next week (within 7-10 days) and she should start feeling better by then. They did blood cultures anyway to investigate what could be causing the fever. It was 101.3 yesterday. This morning it was 100.3 and seems to be under control for now. One final note: Remember the orange foot and hand disease? Caused by the H-Bomb of chemo? Well her hands and feet are fully operational now. She can walk gingerly and her hands are almost back to normal. Makes my life as a caretaker 100% easier. Here’s the weird news…her entire foot layer peeled off last night. It was like she dipped it in wax and the covering peeled off. It was a huge piece. The nurses were having fun with that today. The skin underneath is like a baby’s bottom. Connie feels so much better with her new feet! :o) She likes new feet! We are still trying to figure out how to get our gal a day off! There just HAS TO be a way…. Love you all. This is Connie with Krista, our oldest. 
_______ Clinic Marathon Has Begunby Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 3:26pmGetting our gal up and moving, the dogs fed, Con’s meds and Maddie awake all before 7:00 a.m. is no easy feat! It always takes longer than you think. I even did my “pre-planning” the nite before and had two of our bags packed with necessities. Still, we got here late…at 7:12 a.m. (still not bad by my reckoning!). They hung the potassium within 10 minutes of Connie hitting the bed. The plan is to give her 12 one hour infusions. They checked her temp, did vitals, drew some blood and checked her oxygen…all good. I think before they even left the room, she was asleep! I figure that’s good. The more sleep today the better. Upon arrival to our clinic room, I realized I had left some “essentials” home. Crud!!! Just then, really…just then…Our buddy Cindy P. called and wanted to bring me some Panera at the clinic. OMG! She is so amazing. She ran by my house and picked up Connie’s stuff and within minutes I had piping hot coffee (the good stuff!) and a totally unsolicited sandwich for lunch and all Connie’s goodies! Where do you find friends like this?? And she’s the gal who organizes all our meals for us! Amazing!!! Connie’s hands are much better but peeling like an onion. Her feet are also really doing well. Still hurts to walk on them but, very manageable now. They look like they have a “hard plastic cover” over them. She said they feel like leather. Dr. G. says that they too…will peel. Not if I can EMU them every hour or so…we’ll see. If there is one thing you can pray about for us now, it is the “mental game”. I’ve learned before that it is ONE THING to handle all the physical challenges with this illness, the home, the meds, the side effects, the transportation, etc. but entirely ANOTHER THING to manage the depression, anxiety, boredom and hopelessness. Connie has not had a break for 6 WEEKS! I have. I get to go to lunch every once in a while. I even have a day off clinic sometimes…she doesn’t. She’s so depressed. She wants off this ride. Today, she got a bit weepy because she can’t ever get away from this. Every day, the same thing. Every day…what do we get to look forward to?...Another procedure? Another day of infusions? Another scary “what if”? She told nurse Wendy, “She has no quality of life anymore and cried!” She needs to be home. She needs to see her kids for more than 10 minutes. She needs a break. I know it’s coming…we just have to stay the course. But, convincing Connie of this is tough. So, if you can…pray for her spirits! I guess this is just a tough day. I was just told they want us in here again tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. UGH!!! Don’t they know I am a NIGHT PERSON!?? When Connie awakes I’ll have to break it to her…she won’t like it but…she’ll hang in there. Wait!!! I was just told we can come in at 10:00 a.m. YAY!!! One victory...woo hoo. Love you all. _____ Clinic Update Tuesdayby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 6:30pmGreetings all. Things were going along just fine…just fine that is?…until they checked her potassium levels again. After going home with a pump and infusing for 8 hours yesterday…Her levels were still critically low. Ugh. Potassium is important for the heart so, bells and whistles go off around here when potassium levels are low. Connie always tries to eat bananas and coconut water, etc. to keep them up but…Not enough! Evidently, her anti-fungal meds drain the body of this essential nutrient. So, here’s the bad news. Evidently, our insurance WON’T cover the cost of the pump anymore. Something about inpatient vs. outpatient. Instead of a 3-4 hour clinic visit today…we were there from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ugh! And, that’s the GOOD NEWS. The bad news is that we have to be here at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow and we will get 12 bags of potassium (one hr each). A 12 HOUR day!!! Ugh and double Ugh!!! The docs hope to “get ahead” of this deficiency and pump her full and then just do “maintenance” infusions from that point on. We’ll see if it works. Unfortunately, we will have to endure a long day tomorrow. I guess I better bring some work from home…right? Anyone want me to do their taxes??? I’ll be here (at the clinic) all day. Other than that, Connie is doing good. She’s walking enough to get to the car each day and to the bathroom and back. Her feet and hands are peeling (expected) and we’ve had no fevers or other problems so far. We are keeping her isolated and trying to get her counts to recover. Next week at this time, she will be feeling better. Doctor G. said she is “healing”….his words! She liked that! Pray for her appetite. With all the meds we pump into her, she’s feeling a bit puny. There are very few foods that sound good to her and her taste buds have been affected by the chemo. We need to keep her strength up. Pray for me to keep her motivated to keep fighting. Sometimes…that’s the battle in front of me! Love you all. 
This will be ME all day!!!! Love you all. _____ Monday: 4/11/11 Had a good clinic appt today. Connie needed platelets and potassium again. Got them without incident. Was a quick appointment. Connie's feet and hands are now "sloughing" off. Means they are peeling. It's weird. The good news is she is walking better and handling everyday routines better. Bart and Kim leave tomorrow. Having a good dinner tonight and then...back to the clinic. Love you all.Sunday- Clinic Updateby Kenneth P. Cardell on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 11:16amAll is good right now at the mansion. Connie’s Brother Bart is here and we want to keep him! Also, today…his sweet daughter Kimberly comes to visit. She’s in the air right now on her way. We enlisted Bart to help us get to the clinic and he’s making the rounds with us. Met all our sweet nurses. The GOOD NEWS: Connie is WALKING. Yep- her orange angry feet are starting to work. Last night she went into the bathroom by herself and made it back to bed without even waking me! That is HUGE! Also, she walked to the car with the aid of Bart and I. Getting into the car was a bit more challenging but she did it! Got her into a wheelchair and made it to the clinic. Just having her put some weight on them is amazing. We are still doing the EMU thing often but, it appears to be working. Last night, I made some really good fillet of sole for dinner. She ate a whole piece of it with some asparagus. Perfect! She needs the protein. We also made her some of her protein shakes this a.m. Hopefully, that will help also. So, we are doing GREAT today in my opinion. Compared to last week at the hospital and earlier this week…we are so happy. We will keep plugging and watching our gal get better every day. You have to be praying…good things are coming. Love you all.
________ Saturday Clinic Praise Reportby Kenneth P. Cardell on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11:31amTwo HUGE blessings today. First: Connie is walking already. Not very well, mind you, but she actually walked from the bathtub to her bed. Then, she lifted herself into the car so we could get to the clinic. This is HUGE. Her feet are still red and angry but, she can put weight on them now. Also, her hands are better. I’m sure she will be pointing to things I need to do shortly! We are managing her pain pretty well now. Second Blessing: Her Brother Bart is coming in from S.F. to see her today! His daughter, Kimberly will be following him tomorrow. She is so excited to see them. Krista and Maddie are getting him at the airport. We should arrive home about the same time they do. What a wonderful reunion this will be. So, now we have had her Mom, her Sis Kathy, Brother Denny and wife Carol and now Bart and his daughter Kimberly! What a blessing family is at a time like this. It’s like a drink of cold water on a dusty hot day! Refreshing… We have many things to be thankful for today. In addition to the above, we are thankful we are HOME! Thankful that we have good care. Thankful that we have our girls around us. Thankful that we have friends that would “DO ANYTHING” for us. Where do you find friends that BEG US for things they can do?? Really?!! Please keep us in your continued prayers. Connie’s skin is still an issue as a rash had developed. It’s not bad yet but, could become bad. Her feet are still swollen and red and sensitive to touch. Her immune system is gone so, pray for disease and fever to be 1000 miles away…not anywhere near her! Pray for her business as we continue to keep it operational and functioning. And, finally, please pray for our family. On the surface – we are all doing well. It’s the “under the surface” stuff that I know my girls are dealing with that concerns me. We are holding our own but need to keep up the stamina. Sometimes, it’s hard to do all that’s needed to be done. Love you all. Enjoy this great day! _______ News from the Clinic (not the hospital! - Yay)by Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 3:05pmThings are going well. Connie is doing good. She still can’t walk on those orange feet yet but, they are feeling better. Still hot and angry but, not as bad as yesterday. We still had to lift her to get her to clinic but, this should only last for a day or two more. There won’t be any marathons in her future but, I’d settle for her putting some weight on them. Clinic went well today. Dr M. said that this was a “tough one”. We threw the H-Bomb of chemo at her. She’s doing remarkably well considering that. She has many minor complaints (throat, rashes, nausea, indigestion) but, Dr. M. is confident we can manage them. He said to expect some fevers, nausea, and other “hiccups”. Par for the course. He said not to be demoralized if she ends up back in the hospital for fevers and such. It’s also par for the course. He also said that some problems could intensify a bit in the coming days. Ie: her mouth sores, throat problems, skin issues and stomach problems. We will manage them and they are just “part of it”. The chemo affects the soft tissues of her body like throat, stomach, intestines, etc. He’s expecting within two weeks that her counts will come back up. She will feel better when that happens. For today, we have had to have 4 bags of potassium today (1 hr each) and they STILL are sending us home with a pump that will go all night. The chemo and the anti-fungal meds really deplete her system of that stuff! So, now we get to wrestle with a Connie AND a pump (backpack) as well all night. Fun huh? It will only be a few days and then her feet will be better. More EMU tonight for her feet! She says it really DOES work. Looking forward to the weekend at home. Maybe I can get some other (normal) things done!? I do know the Masters Golf Tourney is on… :o) _______ WE ARE HOME!!!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10:11pmEvening at the Mansion- Thursday We really battled the elements and finally got the o.k. to get out of the hospital. You just wouldn’t believe what all had to be done before we could leave. First was getting all her fluids, then doctor rounds – had to convince him. Next, meet with the discharge nurse, order all her take home meds, take vitals, two more infusions before we leave and then, check her counts one more time. If she’s good on Potassium…we could leave. But that’s not all. Ken had to make about 5 trips to the car which is NOT close to our room. I had to pack up her clothes, her blankets, her pillows, her bathrobe, shoes, socks, books, magazines, etc. etc. We had 3 suitcases and two satchels to take to the car. You just can’t imagine all the stuff you compile to make your life bearable. Ie: computers, radios, hair dryers, flashlights, eye drops, pillows, books, dvd’s, etc. It’s just amazing. Anyway, we were cleared about 2:00 p.m. and then had to get the final potassium count and all was good. Then, we had to wait about 45 mins for a wheelchair to take us down to the car. I ran ahead and brought the car to the front from the parking garage. The real trick was going to be getting Connie in the car because she cannot put any weight on her feet. You should have seen the wheelchair guy and I pushing and pulling Connie to get her into the back seat of the car without hurting her feet. We got her comfortable and then I drove her home laying down in the back. Got home at 4:00 p.m. and have been busy ever since. Once home, we had a challenge to get her into her bed. We had three of us carry her to her bed. We got her to the bathroom and then got her in the tub. She felt human again. We are not sure how we will maneuver bathroom breaks in the mid-morning but, hopefully we’ll figure it out. For right now, she is comfortable and cozy in her own bed and LOVING IT!!! She’s had her EMU treatment. I even made her a hamburger with tomato and lettuce and she ate almost all of it. Woo hoo. Protien. Thank you all for praying us home. Really. I don’t think it would have happened otherwise. There were too many things that had to line up for us to make it. We are here and I am so THANKFUL! Tonight…it’s my own bed. Tomorrow it’s off to the clinic. Pray I can get her there safely. Woo. Hoo We can sleep at the mansion tonight!
Kenneth P. CardellWE'VE BEEN CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF...GETTING OUTTA HERE! Hopefully before dinner time. I guess we complained enough! :o( but YAY!!!________ Thursday- Day 9 A.M. Postby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10:28amWell, we now are becoming “hospital weary”. Same room, same food, same routines, same interruptions, same BEDS! Last night was a bit rougher than the others. It’s amazing what a difference changing nurses makes. Our sweet “Robin” took a few days off…what??? Lights come on, doors open without knocking, the nurses & aides speak in loud voices and little care is given to the patients need for sleep. They are not quiet and in no hurry to leave the room. Since the new crew didn’t know us…we were just another patient last night. They roll around their carts and close the door loudly when they leave. At one point I had to get up and turn off the light over the sink! The experienced nurses figure out how to do the least amount of interruptions. They don’t wake you up at 11:30 p.m. from a sound sleep to put eye drops in, then wake you at midnight to give you a pill. They think about what would be best for the patient. Last nights crew was more interested in getting their shift over than caring for Connie. They also had a student in-tow and had to discuss every little thing they were doing. Connie had to suggest they do “labs” late last nite because they hadn’t yet. They ended up doing them early in the a.m. and I awoke to them giving her Benadryl at 6:30 a.m. really??? She needed platelets. And potassium. Then she thought she had an “itchy” (reaction) so they gave her another hit of Benadryl at 7:00 a.m. Connie asked for a lighter dose but, the nurse said that’s what the order was for! Now, she’s zonked. They, of course, are gone now…shift change. Connie wants out of here TODAY! On a better note: Connie was able to stand up on her feet. She still can’t walk but with help, we made it into the bathroom. She is determined today that she’s going home “even if I have to crawl”. She’s been having some food cravings but nothing in here sounds remotely interesting to her. Even the smell of the trays make her sick. So, she’s lobbying hard to leave. We’ll see if she can convince the doc’s.
________ Day 8 - Work in Progressby Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 11:55amJust had rounds and Dr. G. noticed immediate improvement in Connie’s hands. The “Mickey hands” are almost gone now and you can see her knuckles. She can also make a fist…huge improvement. She couldn't even bend them yesterday. Her feet are another matter. Dr. G. said that she can’t go home until she walks on them and she is not in danger of falling. We worked on that today. We dangled her feet off the bed twice this a.m. and it hurt but, not bad. The excruciating pain hit when she tried to put weight on them. Not gonna happen today. No going home today. Dr. G. is weaning her off the pump. Going to oral pain meds. He’s also noticing a rash on most of her body…it’s not real itchy, just blotchy at this point. They think that as her counts lower, the gvhd could be coming back a bit. That would be a good sign (really?...a rash is a good thing??). Connie is still in a state of sedation and only is awake for 20 mins at a time. That will probably improve as we move to oral pain meds. We are hanging in there. Even though our 5-6 day stay is now going to 9-10 days, we know that we are safe. They really DO take care of Connie’s every need. This place is awesome (except for the husband’s bed!). I have managed to sleep thru the nite and I never seem to miss a meal (surprise huh?). Connie’s bud Carla brought me a “Jimmy Johns” sandwich last night. Man, I needed the protein. Am reaching saturation on the hospital food. Connie can’t even let the tray in the room anymore. Even the smells are making her tummy turn. Hopefully, she will be eating something today. Pray for that…ok? Other than that…we are staying the course. We are being held up by our ARMY of people who are outside but praying for us inside. You are taking care of our kids, our home, our dogs and our business. What a testament to your love for us. We are truly humbled beyond measure. We feel the prayers. We will never be able to repay all of you. How bout I get her home and then we can start trying!!!??? Love you all.
________ Evening Post – Tues. Niteby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 8:58pmPretty uneventful day which is good. Dr. G. says to stay the course and just keep everything under control. Her hands and feet are a bit better and you can even see the lines in her palms. They are still “hot” but both are less sensitive and are not as orange. That’s good but she still can’t walk yet. She did dangle her legs over the bed today and it wasn’t excruciating. She is still using her pump and the pain is at bay for now. The problem is that she is not eating. Hasn’t eaten for a few days. She drank about ½ of a 4 oz. carton of milk and a small pretzel today. Yesterday, I think she only had water. She needs to get protein so, we will work on that tomorrow. So far, no fevers, no blood pressure worries or any lung problems. Just really swollen feet and hands. We will keep pushing through. Connie did get a bath today and clean clothes. She felt good. Hopefully, she can try and stand tomorrow and walk on Thursday? Then, we have a chance to go home. Otherwise, we have to persevere. One interesting hospital find today. Rumor has it that there might be a shower facility up on the 6th floor? I investigated…couldn’t find it. So, I called my buddy Kayla who works in Radiology and she was on the case! Within minutes she said, “Meet me at the elevators.” I did and Whala!!! We found it!! We’ve been here for almost 7 days and I’m finding this out now??? I’ve been rushing home all the time and I could have just gone up the elevator! Looks like I will be testing this out tonight!!!
------- Morning Postby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 8:30pmSent: Tue, Apr 5, 2011 10:41 am Subject: Some Improvement Kenneth P. Cardell Showing Improvement Although sedated a bit, Connie is doing better today. Much of the fluids have been taken off and the pain has been manageable. The pump is working and Connie is in and out of it most of the day. It’s a way of biding our time to let her hands and feet heal. It’s hard to describe what this chemo regimen does. She says her hands are like “Mickey Mouse” hands because they are ballooned up a bit. Her feet were like “Cankles” with no definition. Even her knees were kinda swollen. They are orange in color (like the barrels) and very sensitive to touch. They felt like one of the worse sunburns you could ever have felt and then take a few needles and stab them every once in a while. Then, hey!...you need to walk to the bathroom 4-5 times a nite. No way! Today however, she is less sensitive. You can see definition in her knees. Her ankles are less swollen and I can put socks on her feet without her wincing. We haven’t tried walking yet but, we are going to test it later. The plan is to hit the pain meds first and then give it a few minutes…then try. We’ll see. So for now, we are doing o.k. We can’t really have visitors but, we know you all are out there. The amount of cards, gifts, meals, kind gestures makes our hearts full. We just pray that God is covering everything else while we are in here. It won’t be long. In His timing we will be out! Thanks for continuing to carry our load on the outside. It means everything! P.S. Somehow, I slept, in the hospital, on the torture chamber couch, until 9:45 a.m.!!! Must be a “God Thing”!!! April 5, 2011 ______ Down…but not Out!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 9:10pmAfter the night we had last night, you can imagine we were disappointed after hearing we would be staying at Club KU for a few more nights. I’m over it! Like nurse Wendy said, “The options for managing the problems she has are so much greater than on the outpatient side.” I so agree. I’ve been watching nurses and aides pick up Connie and move her like a twig. I couldn’t do that. Also, for some reason, our gal decided to SELL OUR BED on Craig’s list one day and our mattress and box springs are on the floor (like in college). Evidently, she really didn’t have an immediate plan to get a new one…just thought she’d shop for a while? That was about 5 months ago. Can you imagine me picking her up at home to try and get her to important places? Like the bathroom? So yes, I’m over it. In addition, the pain meds here are so much more powerful and the constant supervision is what she needs. So, two or three more days might seem as torture, but it is the safest place for us now. We both agreed with Dr. G's advice. So, at 3:00 p.m, I left Connie in Nurse Robin’s capable hands and I took off for home. Here’s what I did. First stop – McDonalds…I just needed a burger! I know – Yuk! When I got home, I walked the dogs, fed the dogs, chased the dog with the car…(Sierra the wonder dog got out and TOOK OFF!) She always comes back to the car…so that’s how I got her. I did 2 loads of laundry, paid some business bills, entered some accounting information and made two deposits. I opened a weeks worth of mail and separated out invoices. I spoke to two vendors. Then, I took a bath and did two loads of Connie clothes. I found a suitcase that rolled and packed the new fresh clothes in it. We had clothes for 5 days -That's it!!! I then met with Krista and gave her my download of business agenda items and I mailed a few checks. I got the dogs watered, and locked them on the deck. I then prepared a cooler with two of Connie's frozen "protien" shakes. She thinks she could eat one. We'll see. I then, got dressed in fresh clothes, loaded up the car, grabbed a water and headed back. I made it back by 6:20 p.m. A break…YES…a rest?...NOPE!!!! When I got back, Nurse Robin totally had this in control. They even asked me to leave the room while they changed Con’s clothes and got her situated. They didn’t even need me! I went down and got a cup of coffee. They now have Connie on a pump for pain meds. If she is uncomfortable, she can hit it once. It’s hard because her hands hurt but, it’s better. At least we are out in front of the pain, not chasing it like last night at 3:00 a.m. What a battle THAT was!!! Dr. G. said that the cure for this malady is time. It's 100% curable, just have to get some distance from the chemo. Sometimes it’s 7 to 10 days, sometimes quicker. He’s almost leaving it up to us as to when we think we can go home. His opinion is it will be at least 2 before we will be “thinking” about it. We’ll see. They shouldn’t test our gal !!!! Anyway, we are hoping for a “sshhhh” quiet night. I’d love to have a pump of my own so I can sleep! But, first… It’s a basketball nite! I've got some watching to do. Don't worry, I've still got one eye on Connie! Love you all.
______ Tough Nite – Sundayby Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10:30amOur little gal had a really rough time last night. It’s the “swollen orange hands and feet thing”. It got really bad last night around 3:00 a.m. and then we were chasing it. It was so painful that Connie just moaned in between moments and we finally caught up with it around 5:30 a.m. Our nurse said she looks like one of those orange “under construction” barrels. The feet and hands get swollen, hot, sensitive and feel like needles are poking you. She can’t walk on them without immense pain and yet, she has to make it about 10 painful feet to the bathroom. Even with the Emu oil, the pain was almost unbearable last night. We kept giving her doses of meds but, we were behind it and the meds appeared not to be working. I sat at the end of her bed with wet washcloths and just draped them over her feet. At one point I had to switch to a wet pillowcase because the washcloths were too rough. She got some relief if I pressed lightly on the bottom of her feet. Problem was, at 4:00 a.m. I kept falling asleep and then I’d awake to a moan. I did it for a while until my back started killing me. Finally, around 5:30 a.m. she fell asleep! The meds caught up with the pain. I don’t even remember going over to my “couch” but, I woke up there. Connie is zonked. I think I heard the nurse say we just gave you Benadryl…if so…that means she needs platelets. Hopefully, we will get an update when the doc’s make rounds. The plan is to try and get all the fluids (the anti’s) she needs before we are discharged, if that is still the plan. I’ll find out soon. Pray for the go-ahead. It will just crush her if we have to stay another day. We heard word that some sweet friends have cleaned our lower level and prepared Connie’s bed for her return. Where did God find people like you all???? Love you all more than words….. _____ EMU FOREVER!!!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 3:47pmMaybe it’s supposed to be Me & U forever…? First of all, THANK YOU sweet Kellie for giving Dad a much needed break. I went home and ate an amazing meatball, had a beer and watched the 2nd half of the bball game. I pet the dogs, took a bath and hit the rack! A much needed rest. I slept like a mama Grizzly! Kellie…My back thanks you too!!! Connie’s condition: All systems are a go for release on Monday! Woo hoo. That’s what she is fighting for! Dr. G. said she is doing good and there is no reason she can’t go home on Monday (if there are no complications of course!). Her feet and hands have swelled up and they are painful to touch. As mentioned earlier, this chemo regimen can do that. They will swell, turn orange and then the top layer of skin will peel off. We think this process is starting with her. The SOLUTION? EMU OIL. Yep, oil from an EMU! So, every hour, she gets a very gentle foot rub of Emu oil and then some on her hand. They hurt to touch and make walking to the bathroom a bit of a challenge. It can happen for a week so, this might be our new “thing” to deal with. And, because of all the fluids, she has to go to the bathroom….OFTEN! It’s painful for her but, she knows there is only ONE DAY left and she will do this thing! Whatever it takes to get back home. The last two bags of chemo start in about two hours. She will sleep thru some of it. Because this chemo has a cumulating effect, we know this might be a tough nite. We pray it will go fast. In the a.m. - they will assess her and hopefully, clear us for takeoff. The good news delivered at rounds was the 15% blasts seen in her blood has now gone to 10%, then 4% and now 0%! That means the chemo is doing it’s job. The real test is in the marrow but, for now…this is great! When we get home, she will have no immune system. Her counts will be nearly zero and she will have no infection fighters. It will be a battle to keep her safe but, this isn’t our first rodeo. For now, we keep churning up time and praying for smooth sailing. One day at a time…right? Hopefully, if you all would keep praying…we will be driving in our car 24 hours from now to our own bed!!! Like Kellie said, “You warriors on the outside make it easier for us on the inside!” I love that! More tonight…love you all. _____ Sat Eve. Day 4 of 5by Kenneth P. Cardell on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 5:32pmSo far so good for today. Had a little eruption but, that’s expected with all the drugs pumping thru here. Today, I have been trying to keep our gal comfortable. Hot and cold, hot and cold. Doesn’t feel like eating. Back hurts. Doesn’t want to be here anymore. One more chemo bag tonight and then we round the corner. I will be going home tonight to check things out at the homestead. Kellie has volunteered to come and have a sleepover with her mom. Hopefully, it will be an uneventful evening and things will go as planned. This place can unnerve the strongest person if scary things start to happen. Please Lord…quiet nite. It’s amazing how you take things for granted like petting your dogs or taking a hot bath. It will be nice to get a break from all this but, my heart and thoughts will be right here in room 4101. I will remain “on call” if needed. So goodnight sweet friends. Maybe I will make it home in time to watch some basketball and spoil my dogs! Back at it again tomorrow. I only wish my girl could get a break! Love you all. ______ Friday Nite Updateby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 8:53pmMost of the day was pretty pleasant. Took a walk down the hall without the pole. Got Connie a shower and some clean bedding. Got her into new clothes. She even had visits from several dear friends today. One of her S.F. buddies surprised her and they got to get all caught up. What a treat! One of my best friends brought me some BBQ for dinner which was such a welcomed treat for me. No hospital food tonight! All was good til about an hour ago. Connie had the first bag of chemo hung and she started feeling puny. Didn’t want any dinner and was getting nauseous. Even had a small low grade fever. Most of it probably was caused by the chemo…we are now getting a cumulating factor on all these treatments. Each bag seems to be tougher than the last. Anyway, she threw up once and Carla was here to help her. Connie was feeling better after that but now has some other complaints. She’s convinced that her lungs are not doing well. She has back problems that don’t seem to be going away. Although the docs say her lungs sound great, she thinks they feel “heavy” and that’s the source of her pains. I think it’s laying around in a bed for 24/7 but, I’m not a doctor. Anyway, we are treating her pains with a lydocaine patch and heating pads. Then, the pain moves so, we go after that. Connie is convinced that her lungs are the problem…she’s just not saying so. I know this is what she is thinking. If we can make it thru the night in good shape, we will be 3/5 th done! Over the hump. It would be my greatest hope to be driving our gal home on Monday afternoon. Praying…praying… praying. Until then, we need to maneuver thru the pains, the fears, the “what ifs” of being in here. We can do this…our hope remains in our God. We couldn’t possibly do this without all of you doting on us like you are doing. Each kind gesture carries us along. We know we walk with hundreds of you supporting us! God Bless all you people. _____ Day 2 Almost Overby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 9:34pmWe have 5 days total of infusions. So, I guess tomorrow will be “hump day”? Connie is doing as well as can be expected. With this chemo regimen, there are all kinds of real and imagined side effects. With this chemo, one of the side effects can be swollen hands and feet. Red, hot, itchy swollen hands and feet…and then you slough off the upper skin layer. Not all people get this and it can happen up to 2 weeks after the chemo has been given. For now, every little ache and pain seems to “tease us” that something is coming…even if it doesn’t. This morning, Connie thought she had a sinus cold brewing (really bad news) but, it turned out that the “forced air heppa system” makes everyone’s sinuses dry and they feel heavy when you first enter the floor. When Connie gets infused- she feels a rush in her head and chest. Like they are pumping in too much fluid and her upper body is filling up too fast. Weird feeling. She also gets headaches easily. Has a pain in her back that seems to be moving around. Is fearful it’s something in her lungs. She has to take pre-meds for the chemo and they make her a bit loopy. She hates that feeling…I would just roll with it and sleep but…not her. She hates to feel like she’s out of control. She would have been a very bad hippy. There is also the daily fears of just being here. Waking up knowing that you are in a cancer ward with other cancer patients. How are we a member of this club? How did this become our life? Fears of whether the treatments suffered will actually work? All adds to the pressure of trying to take a day at a time. Every time vitals are taken, we check her temp? All ok? Thank God! Next, her blood pressure…way too low. Sit up please…ok…that’s better. Listed to your lungs please…ok…that sounds good. How are you feeling Mrs. Cardell? Why??? Do you KNOW SOMETHING WE DON’T???? Life in the cancer ward. Sometimes at night, like right now, I look over and see Connie sleeping and I’m thankful that her mind is at rest. I’m thankful that she has a warm blanket and a crappy pillow. I’m thankful that we made it thru today, with all it’s fears and all it’s worries. I’m thankful that we’ve had another day together…even if it’s in here. Love you all. Tomorrow is another day. Hump day! _____ News from the 4th Floorby Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 1:03pmGot checked in o.k. at KU Med. As usual, Dr. M. said, “Hurry up and get here BY 8:00 AM!!!! We want to get started right away!!!” Then… <span>we wait!</span> We’ve gotten used to this but, Dr. M. said he wanted us here early to start the chemo by 1:00 pm. Nope. Took a while to get us checked in, then we had to wait for “orders”. Then, "labs"… now…she needs blood – before the chemo can start. There is a 2-3 hour wait in between the two chemo drugs and blood runs for an hour once it is “typed and crossed” and reaches the floor. Needless to say, 1:00 p.m. isn’t going to happen! Especially since it’s 12:50 now…and they just determined she needed the blood, oh…and fluids. But, where are we going anyway today??? Connie was a bit weepy this a.m. when we got here. She knows the battle she’s in for. She would love to let this cup pass. But, she won’t. She just has to get her mind around all this AGAIN! Same rooms, same beds, same crappy food. You know the drill. We are at least in a room with a “not too bad” eastern view. I had my luxury 4 foot “torture chamber” (couch/bed) delivered to our room. It didn’t have one when I arrived. I often have to scrounge around a bit. So, so far so good for now. We are safe and hunkered down. Will make the best of it. I will try to only write once or twice a day. With 5-7 days of “nothing to do”, I will try not to abuse all of you. I’ll post once mid morning and once at night if that’s o.k. You can “de-friend” me if I’m being obnoxious. Keep us in your prayers. I know you will.
_____ 3/29/11 We will be in the hospital at KU Med for at least a week. Pray us OUTTA THERE!!! love you all... News mixed with HOPE!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 1:45pm Met with Dr. M. today. Of course, our stomachs were tied in knots. Please read ALL of this because there is HOPE in all this news. That is what we prayed for. HOPE. Here’s the news: The bone marrow showed the leukemia is still floating around in Connie’s blood. There are 12% blasts of the disease. Normal is 3% so, it is showing that it is still there. If there is a ray of sunlight in all this, it is that the leuk isn’t totally exploding and causing her counts to “crash”. This means that her leuk is there but, not being totally aggressive. Perhaps, this is good news because if it were really aggressive, and her counts were crashing…there would be no chance to beat it back. The lungs: Dr. M. said Connie’s symptoms were not those of someone who is deteriorating from fungal pneumonia. He’s seen many patients who are in that spiral and he doesn’t think Connie is there. He’s not guaranteeing all the fungus is gone but, he’s enough sure…that we can take the next step! Again, not great news but better than the alternative. The Plan: Because Connie is still 85% donor, meaning Jason’s blood is hanging in there fighting!, we are going to start chemo. Immediately. We check into KU Med tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. He said we are going to throw yet another chemo drug at this thing. It’s called Clofarabine. She will also have another drug called Ara-C with that. Dr. M. said there are many side effects and this can be very “dicey”. She will get the drugs in the hospital for 5 days straight and will lose her hair again. He was very clear to say that things can spiral fast and we could be fighting many unseen problems. Some could result in a very long hospital stay if they occur. In reality, there is a chance that this process itself could take her. We think the very best result will be for us to get out of there in a week. Dr. M. said that this is best case in light of all the side effects that could hit us. If all goes well, it will only be a week. He gave us no guarantees. Said it will be tough. We have to continue to get our “game face” on here because this is not easy. The plan is to change our focus and fight the leukemia now. The lungs have had their shot. She’s been on anti-fungal for over three weeks and Dr. M. said it’s a “tissue based” drug. Means the anti-fungal drug (which is stored in the tissues) will keep working even if they stop the drugs. She still will get anti-fungals in the hosp. but, not as often. Now we hit her with chemo again and beat back the disease and pray that the lungs hold. Again, no guarantees. Here’s where God’s light continues to shine. Today, although unspoken, Connie and I were bracing for the worst. Dr. M. could have come in and said, “It’s time to go home and get comfortable. We can’t beat this thing.” He didn’t. He said, “Let’s get this thing going and beat it back once more!” We know we are buying time but, we are so thankful for this. We have a shot! There IS a treatment. We know there are no guarantees but, we still have a chance to fight. For two weeks now, I have been trying to remind myself that our HOPE continues to be in God. Though we stand on sifting sand…God is our ROCK! He never changes course. He never moves from us. We are not looking forward to the road ahead but, we have prayed for this chance to fight. We prayed for an opportunity to have the chemo. Now. We Battle! I asked Connie, “Do you have another week of fight in you?” She said, “Of Course! ...I’m prepared. It’s better to go down swinging the bat than watching the pitch go by!” That’s my gal ! More later…we have to get ready. 
Kenneth P. Cardell 3/29/11 In the clinic now, scared but holding firm. Our hope is in our God. Pray for us as news arrives. Thank you for lifting this family up. We hang on every prayer.3/27/11 Two uneventful weekend clinic visits...we like that. Upcoming scary week as we face the results of the bone marrow test. We will keep fighting...until we can't. love you all.Sunday at 9:12pm
Kenneth P. Cardell 3/25/11 Connie's good buddy Lisa is taking her to clinic today. Praying no one gives her scary news today without me around. Pray for a quick day and smooth sailing for her as she heads to the weekend. Protect her Lord.
Kenneth P. Cardell 3/24/11 At clinic getting the "anti" fluids again.Trying to stay in denial for a day.Hoping that no doc pokes their head in and gives us bad news. We need a "day off from bad news". Is that bad? We just want to get in and out today and go home to our sweet fam & friends. We'd like a day with sunlight & goodness. Warmth & comfort. Peace & tranquility. Seems too much to ask for? Have about 1/2 hr to go and we're outta here.
by Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 8:24pm Things went fine today at the clinic. Connie got her I.V.’s and all went well. No fevers, no problems. She had her bone marrow test and, it too, went well. We both were exhausted after yesterday’s news but, other than that, it went fine. We know the results of the bm test will be not good but, they have to know where we are in order to determine the next path. We will get prelim. results tomorrow probably but, the real results won’t be back for a week. As always, it’s not the test but the results that are hard. We have been touched by many many people today. We were greeted this a.m. by our good buddy Mike who is fixing our bathroom upstairs. I love a friend who just walks in and makes himself at home. We didn’t even know he was here until he came down to give us some lovin. Then, the doorball rang and another sweet friend, Josh M. was standing there. He had a cup of Starbucks in his hand. Knew were heading to the clinic and just wanted to give me a hug. I SOOO needed a hug! I cried…it was so simple and yet so sweet. We must’ve looked funny. Two grown men hugging on my doorstep. That was it…just a hug. Then he drove off. It profoundly touched me. Then, at the clinic Carla called. She couldn’t bear not being with Connie during the bm test. She actually told her Principal that she HAD TO leave and got someone to cover her room and she rushed down to be with Connie during the test. She held her hand and comforted her. I went home and crashed for two hours. Finally, Bob (the other half of Carla) came over to make sure I was o.k. at the same time Cindy P. came by to make sure Connie was o.k. Each brought encouragement to stay the course and leave the rest to God. So that is what we will do. I heard a sermon once about darkness. A room can be pitch black and if you light one single little match, the light will fill the room. As we walk this road of darkness, we hope to be that one light that will push back the darkness. You all are setting the example. We pray we are worthy and can walk this path as light in a dark place. We know we don’t walk alone.
Day of Tears: Tuesday 3/22/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 10:25pm Started like a normal clinic visit but, was anything but. Connie was scheduled for her normal infusions but, Dr. M said, “Maybe we should put the Cardell’s in a private room? Is Ken here?” Connie knew, at that instant, that we were about to get really bad news. We had to endure another 45 minutes in a small room waiting to hear. Our arms were shaking and our hearts were breaking. You cannot imagine how difficult it is to sit in silence, in prayer, in tears…waiting to hear what would warrant a private room. We love Dr. M. He is our champion. When he entered the room, we immediately wanted to dispense with the small talk and get right to it. He explained the situation is troubling. Connie has been on anti-fungals for 2 weeks. His concern is that if the lungs don’t clear, they can’t start chemo. There were 3% blasts in her blood. Means the leuk is misbehaving. We can’t treat the leuk with fungus in the lungs. He was very honest with us. This is unchartered territory for us. He didn’t have any definitive data in his hands at that moment but, you could see in his face the concern. He ordered an immediate CT scan which was going to be tomorrow. He wanted to know results right away. We prayed. We waited. We cried. Here’s the dilemma, we are in a cruel race against time. If we don’t get a handle on the fungal infection, Connie will deteriorate into pneumonia. Pneumonia takes more lives than the leukemia itself. If we don’t start the chemo soon, the leukemia will take over and systems will shut down from the abnormal cells. Each day we hold off on the chemo lessens our chances of beating it back again. As we cried and prayed thru the scriptures, we realized how little we are. Why would our God reach down and rescue us again? Our faith is waning. Dr. M. came back with the results of the scan. There was some improvement. He was encouraged by that. Now, he wants another bone marrow test tomorrow. Connie’s 25th. This will show what stage the leuk is at in her marrow. We know it will be bad. We know our only hope is from above. It always has been. We met with our girls, we met with Connie’s Mom and Sis…we explained where we are. Lots of tears. Hugs. I love you’s. The rest is in God’s hands…we can only walk and hope. Tomorrow we will try to find the strength. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18 Kenneth P. Cardell 3/22/11 Dr. M. moved the CT scan to today. Connie is in it right now. PRAY for clear lungs. We need this fungal threat to go away. We should have results before we leave today. More later...let me just say we NEED to have a clear scan. Lord have mercy on our sweet gal.
Kenneth P. Cardell 3/21 11 Monday clinic was uneventful except it took 5 hours. Connie got her anti-fungals and her counts were where they wanted them today. Cat scan is on Wednesday so pray for clear lungs. Connie, although tired, has been better this week than she has been all last month. Thank you Lord for that. Hopefuly this sunny day will keep her spirits up!Sunday: 3/20/11 Sweet Carla took our gal to clinic today to give Ken a much needed break. How did I use it? Costco run! Oh well. Connie needed blood today so it might be a long one. God Bless friends who love us!!!Weekend News from the clinic. 3/19/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 1:04pmConnie is getting consistent care each day. Each appointment is 3-4 hours minimum. She get’s a two 2 hour anti-fungal meds. A one hour potassium I.V. and a usually some fluids. If they work it right, she can get out in 4 hours. On Sunday, sweet Carla is taking her. She will need some hemoglobin so, count another two hours for that. Ugh! How she remains positive is beyond me. But she does. The wonders of technology: while in the clinic today (Sat), Connie got an email from her buddy, Dory. Dory is in Lake Tahoe where it is snowing. She knows Connie LOVES Lake Tahoe so, Dory made a message in the snow. “X O Con” So cute! Anyway, since I have my laptop…I had Connie hold up a sign that said, “I love you, Dory!” and sent it back from the clinic. AMAZING!!! It’s cyber love going back and forth. Connie’s Mom and Sis are in town this week so, Connie is well taken care of. Next week will be the CT scan to see if her lungs are clear. Pray for her to keep positive and for these clinic visits to get shorter…It’s really tiring on our gal. Love you all.
Wednesday Clinic Update 3/16/11
FINALLY – Some GOOD NEWS walked thru the door!
There’s ALWAYS someone worse off
Day of Hell... 9:00 p.m. O.K. I've calmed down now. Blood is here. Finally! Got hooked up and they say it will only be a bit more than two hours. So, home by 10:00 ? 11:00? can't count anymore. Just hope it doesn't get worse from here.
4:40 p.m.. They've moved us to another room so they can keep an eye on us. Connie is tucked in bed with her blankets. Is very loopy from all the meds. They still have to give her benadryl before the blood to ward off "itchies" that she gets from blood products (if it ever gets here). She's really really going to be loopy then... Maybe we can get to know the night cleaning crew...
Not Great News: Wednesday 3/9/11
3/8/11 Clinic appt. today around 11:00 a.m. CT scan. Fluids. Dr. Visit. Probably a long visit. Praying for clear lungs and full steam ahead on her chemo. Tough days ahead. We don't walk alone.
3/5/11 Another uneventful clinic appt. wooo hoo. We like those. Enjoying our time at home on this Saturday. Had good friends bring a meal last night and today...my Sis brought over a crock pot meal. Keeping Connie eating well. Awesome. Kenneth P. Cardell3/4/11 Connie did good today. Quick appointment (we like) and back home. Is tired but doing great. Pray for a good CT scan next week and her lungs are clear so they can start the chemo again. Otherwise, the Cards are hanging in there. Trying to figure out what I can sell in Maddie's room to pay for meds!!! (just kidding...but don't tell her!) Love you all.by Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 8:13pm Everything went well today at clinic. We were in-and-out within two hours. Connie got her anti-fungal I.V. and it took about an hour. Connie spent the day on the phone trying to see if we can get some assistance on some of these meds. On that front, we got good news and bad news. The good news was that we got approved for assistance on the most expensive drug but, the bad news is... we are definitely in the dreaded “donut hole”. Because of Medicare rules, it means that the next $3,895.00 in medicines we need…we are on our own for. And it’s only March! What a stupid system! Fortunately, we can handle it but, can you imagine the millions of cancer patients who are sitting out there who can’t pay that? What do you say to them? Sorry, you can’t have this life-saving drug? Hope you make it?? Here’s the more stupid news…Once you reach the “donut hole”, the government will pay you $250.00 in aid. What? Supposedly, it’s Obamacare’s way of trying to “bridge the gap” for people in the hole. HA!!! That’s like presenting a national budget that cuts $4 Billion when the national debt is $ 14 Trillion….just sayin. It’s almost an insult - $ 250.00. Anyway, we will be o.k. Our Father’s streets are paved with GOLD! Connie is doing good and the fever is staying away. She still is tired often but, her head is clear and she can sit up longer and longer each day. News is that if her CT scan next week shows clear lungs (from the fungus), then they want to resume the chemo on Wed. We really want that to happen because, keeping the leuk at bay is more important than fighting a lung problem. So we need to keep that treatment moving forward. Tomorrow, our good buddy Susie is taking Connie to clinic. If you remember, she was our “point person” angel last time thru. She did EVERYTHING for us. She’s part of our family. Connie will love having time with her. God Bless you all. We are hanging in there. You must be prayin… 
Connie Wednesday report 3/2/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 4:39pm Clinic went o.k. today…I guess? Sometimes, you aren’t sure if everything is o.k. or not. She didn’t have a fever and got her fluids fine today. They were about to take her off “respiratory alert” which requires a special procedure for entry into the clinic. Basically, you don’t go in through the front office but are in isolated in private rooms in the back. Idea is to keep the respiratory problems isolated from the other patients since no one has a good immune system. Anyway, Connie mentioned to the nurse that she still had a slight nasal drip and was maybe(?) coughing a bit more than yesterday. That was enough. Still on “respiratory alert” and she got to get a free nasal rinse (which I’m sure wasn’t free). They took her blood and did her labs. Her counts were about where they expected them. So, we were good to go home…right? Nope! The Doctor came in and we started discussing Con’s meds and refilling some of them. Looks like Connie is in the Medicare “donut hole”. Last week, a two-day supply of this one drug cost us $ 108.00 out of pocket. Then, we found out we needed a 10 day supply…that cost $ 266.00 out of pocket. Now, as it appears, we are solidly in the “donut hole” and we are responsible for 100% of the next $ 3900.00 of Connie’s meds. What??? Whoever thought up this fine idea ought to be taken to Krispy Crème and held under the deep fryer! There’s nothing “sweet” about the donut hole! The Doc’s were discussing that we might now have to get a 30 day supply of this drug. Can you imagine??? Looks like we might have to sell the car…Connie won’t mind going to the clinic on the back of my Harley…will she? But, I digress…. Ultimately, that discussion took another hour and we finally got outta there. The insurance people at the clinic (our good buddy Rodney) is on the case. He’s an amazing man and said he’d look into it and find out what’s truly going on. We trust him totally. Will find out how broke we are… tomorrow. For tonight, we are safe and are home. Connie is feeling o.k. but feels a little bit more congested than yesterday. Very slight but…of course, she has herself all worked up. Pray against a worsening condition…pray against fevers…pray against having to go to the hospital. We are both kinda worn out tonight. Love you all. Connie Update: Tues Eve.by Kenneth P. Cardell March 1, 2011 at 9:15pmGreetings all. The Cards have had a busy two days. On Monday, we were expecting a quick clinic visit. Two hours max…NOPE! Connie had "critical low" phosphorus. They usually don’t even test for that but, a good catch. The problem was, by the time they figured we needed it…we had been there for two hours already. Then, they have to get it from the pharmacy. Infusion time: 4 to 6 hours. Bottom line, we were there from 9:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m . Long day ..huh? Connie did fine. But then, she gets the comfy recliner chair! As for me…NOPE…no recliner for the husband. He sits in the uncomfy side chair. Where have I heard THAT before??? Today was a much better day. We were in and out in a flash. Connie only needed her normal I.V. antibiotic. The really good news was that she is feeling fantastic today! Maybe it’s that phosphorescence! That new "glow" she has? We don’t know but, she’s got a lot more energy and she feels the best she has in weeks. At the clinic today, I had the pleasure to paint a “Tile for Life”. They have this little program going where patients and caregivers can paint a tile. They take these tiles and put them in a kiln. They eventually make a big wall out of them and display them throughout the clinic. It’s really cool. Of course, I couldn’t pass that up. I made a mountain scene with a sunset and quoted Jer 29:11. One of our favorite verses when we are in the heat of the battle. It talks about God is not a God of calamity, but one that gives us a HOPE and a FUTURE! Seemed appropriate. We’ll see how the tile turns out. In addition to all the clinic visits, we had the copier repair man over, had our house cleaned, took the car in to the mechanic, drove Maddie to dance class, went to Subway for dinner and bought soccer stuff at Dick’s for Maddie’s school team. Connie was left alone to make her own dinner. The first time in about 2 months. She had the energy to do it….woo hoo! It was a GOOD day today. Thank you Lord!  Kenneth P. Cardell 2/28/11Hey!- How cool is this? We need phosphorus! Here we are minding our own business at the clinic and they come and tell us this - phosphorus. Guess what??? It's ONLY a 6 hour infusion. How cool is that!??? I was worried we might miss out on dinner but, maybe we'll be home by then. I just think that Connie was needing to spend some more quality time with me... that HAS TO be it?? God knew...
Praise Report: Sundayby Kenneth P. Cardell February 27, 2011 at 12:21pm Clinic was uneventful today. Yay! Connie and Carla got home without incident. Now, on to the fun stuff… Two weeks ago, on February 14, 2011 at 9:33 a.m. I put out a “Needs List” for Connie. It took me a few weeks to get her to ask for any help…but she eventually did respond. So, I put it out there! Here’s the amazing thing… Almost EVERYTHING on this list…was provided to us over the past two weeks by numerous unrelated amazing people…who just wanted to reach out to us. See the list below. Every item, except those with an asterisk (*) have showed up at our house! You’d think God didn’t want us to do laundry because the laundry soap and the fabric softener didn’t materialize. Instead, He sent my Sister, Karen who comes over twice a week and gets our laundry, takes it home and does it for us at her house! Amazing. Even our dogs are getting care, thank you sweet Lisa F. Look at this list people! EVERYTHING! It made me cry as I reviewed it again today…. Home Needs: Wipes (yes) Paper Towels (yes) Plastic Cups (yes) Washcloths for her face (Yes) Hand sanitizers (sprays, gels, soaps) (yes) Dishwasher soap (Yes) * Laundry soap Small Dixie cups (yes) Kleenex (small purse-size would be great too) (yes) * Fabric Softener Small/Med. wastebasket trash bags (yes) Tub and bath cleaner (yes) Blank thank you notes and cards (yes) Gift cards: Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens (small amounts $10/$15) (yes) Home service: Vacuum/Dust: Two times/wk: (yes) Countertops/Appliances: Two times/wk: (yes) Dogs: Two days/wk (almost yes) Connie Wants: Notes, cards, letters of encouragement w/ pictures of loved ones. (yes) “Old” mags for the clinic – Home mags, cooking, Martha Stewart, Travel. etc. (yes) Two pairs of warm sweat pants- size Med. to wear to the clinic. (yes) Casual jump suits – size Medium (zipper tops/pants) to wear to the clinic. (yes) Ball caps for Connie (feminine) (yes) Soft, non binding P.J.’s – comfortable…warm for nighttime. (yes) Short sleeve cotton T’s – size Med – for wearing under sweaters. (yes) Cotton cami’s size Med. (yes) Zip-up hoodies – size Med. (yes) * Soft bathrobe – size Med. Athletic socks white – calf high (yes) 1 pair of slip-on slippers… (yes) Meals: Tues/Thurs schedule : (yes- thank you Cindy P.) I don’t know what to say except THANK YOU! THANK YOU !! THANK YOU!!! You all have lifted so many burdens on this family! It is a huge blessing to us! 
Kenneth P. Cardell "The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." E.M. Bounds
Sat: 2/26 Sweet Carla took Connie to clinic today. Connie needed blood but all is well. They should be home soon. Hopefully, no complications.Clinic Update: Friday 2/25/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 2:30pmGreetings everyone. Clinic went well today. Came in at 9:00 a.m. and left around 1:00 p.m. Normal visit. Connie developed a small fever last night around 8:00 p.m. Went to 100.5 pretty fast. Then, we checked it again in 30 minutes…100.5. That’s the cut off that the Docs want for us to call them. We waited another 30 mins (hate waiting!) and took it again. 100.7. Oops, gotta call them. Mind races…o.k. We’ll probably head to the hospital. Gotta get our "Go Bag". Get some water in there. Get some snacks for Connie. Don't forget eye drops, glasses and her cell phone. Gotta get Maddie taken care of. What about the dogs? It’s sleeting outside. Got 2” of snow on the ground. Have to get the car dug out. Warmed up. Should I bring Connie’s meds? How bout her clothes?…she’s in her P.J’s right now. Probably go to KU Med Hospital …better bring money for parking. Bring her book and her Bible, she’s gonna want that. What if we stay overnight? Who will wake up Maddie? Better call Aunt Karen. Dr. A. called back. Asked Connie two questions and then said, “You’re o.k. Take two Tylenol and I’ll see you in the morning at clinic!” It was like the warden said, “Go ahead and have a day off…relax!” Maddie had just gotten home and was kinda unaware that all this was going on. Once we got the reprieve, she agreed to shower and give Mom cuddles for about an hour! That was the best medicine our gal could ever get. Connie got to watch “Idol” and “Survivor” all in one night and then went to bed. She woke up with NO FEVER and she slept all thru the night. She hasn’t done that in weeks! We are home now and Connie didn’t need any blood products so, she’s clear headed. She gets extremely tired these days because of low hemoglobin. She can only sit up for a couple hours before she needs a rest but, we’ll take it. Beats lying down getting fluids all day. That’s for sure. So, it was a good day today. And it’s not even over yet. Thanks for lifting us up y’all. I'm trying to remember that God has us in his hands even when we don't feel like He does. Thoughts of today: Thursday 2/24/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 11:30am At the clinic – Connie hooked up to an anti-fungal, an antibiotic and some saline. They have already drawn blood and are looking at her chemistry to see if she needs any blood products. She is warm, comfortable and snug in her recliner. Looks so peaceful as she sleeps a bit. I know, inside…she is not peaceful. I know that she struggles to fight off the “what next” of our journey. Today, I pulled up my I-tunes and am playing soft music in the background as I type. People, nurses and doctors and patients, are swirling around our room. It looks chaotic but, we know that help is here! Other people are having their own walk of fear. We are inside finding peace in scripture. Each day, we try to read a passage from the book – JESUS CALLING. Sweet friends gave this to us at the start of this current leg of our journey. Each day, it’s like food to our souls as I read it to Connie. We look up the verses they recommend. We try to understand why it is “this vessel” that God has chosen to carry such a burden? She looks so sweet and comfortable as she sleeps. Can such a strong person really be inside this little body? She would say she is a “wimp”. I would say she is a "warrior". So, today, we hope for an early release. It’s cold outside and is sleeting in KC. Yesterday, it was 70 degrees? The weather is like our walk. We never know when it will be sunny and wonderful to be out walking or if her body will betray her and we are in the coldness of the hospital. Last night, I was thanking God for electric blankets because it provides so much pleasure to our gal. Right now, Connie is covered in a warm “heated” blanket they provide you at the clinic. Connie is always sure to ask the nurse for one of these because it gives her so much joy. I have to learn to thank God for both the warm and the cold days. They are both in His plan. Love you all. More later. Find a moment to pray today. 
by Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 5:23pm More on suffering.... "Perhaps the way you or I hold up under suffering may be instrumental in the conversion of someone who in turn brings up his family in the fear of the Lord, so that his daughter's son becomes the next Whitefield, Spurgeon or Carey or Wilberforce. There comes a time when by rereading the Scriptures it dawns on us that God frequently utilizes small acts of faithfulness in the context of deep misery to bring forth blessing we could not possibly have asked for, but would have been happy to suffer for it." DA Carson, How Long O Lord Connie news: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 4:00 p.m. Another long day of procedures and infusions. Started in the a.m. and hopefully, home by dinner. Met with the pulmonary people due to lung concerns and at the same time, the dermatology people came over and removed Connie’s biopsy stitches. We... Kenneth P. CardellMonday update: Clinic went well today. Sweet Cindy P. took Connie. She is starting on a heavier antibiotic to try and quell the slight fevers. Pulmonary appt. ahead. Didn't need any infusions. She's feeling pretty good today (yay). Our gal likes being clear headed...it's a good day.
On Suffering....
Kenneth P. Cardell
Kenneth P. Cardell Kenneth P. Cardell Kenneth P. Cardell Thursday Updateby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 4:34pmThursday – 2/17/11 Clinic was non-eventful today…yay. We thought it would be a long one and it wasn’t. Doc’s looked over Connie and said to “stay the course”. Tomorrow, we have a BM test (bone marrow) in the a.m. That’s where they drill into her hip and get a piece of bone to analyze. We won’t have results until next week. The plan is to start Connie on infusions of chemo again on Monday. They go for a week. Means we will be going into clinic every day (ugh). We keep trying to keep our heads above water…sometimes we feel like we are bobbing… thank you all for the various means of support you have been giving us. We are blessed by each one. Love you all.  Connie & Carla in hospital -April 09
Yesterday at 10:48am ·
Kenneth P. Cardell Wed- No clinic appt. today. woo hoo. Gonna help my Dad do his Quicken today. Laundry. Bus. stuff. pretty normal...heh? Tomorrow...back in the battle. Hopefully, all you KC people are enjoying this 50 degree weather! Tuesday at 8:31am · Kenneth P. Cardell Tues - Today is a DAY OFF for us. 55 degrees. Sunny. No appointments. Gonna be a great day. Am getting the treadmill and our refrigerator fixed today. Kinda feels kinda like a kinda normal day. Think it will be?
Sunshine...finally!by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 7:24pmAmazing Day Started out early with a clinic visit. Connie has been doing sooo much better. Her itchies are disappearing pretty fast. You can still see them but, they are “pinkish” now and they aren’t itching anymore. Yay. We were prepared for a long appointment. Thought we’d be there for about 5 hours but, they came out and said we didn’t need any transfusions or blood products and we could go home. They usually dope Connie up before infusions because of her allergies and she’s out most of the day. Not today!!! It was like the Warden came out with a pardon. It was about 50 degrees outside and the sun was shining and here we were…getting to go home. We went for a drive and then got the car washed. Woo hoo. We got home around 11:00 a.m. and then all kinds of things happened at once. My eye glasses had broken 2 weeks ago. I was keeping them together with rubber bands. My Sis said I looked like “such a nerd”! O Well… anyway - they called…"if you come right over, we can exchange your lenses for you right now". Off I went. Then, while I was gone. The wireless guy came over. I had no internet this weekend. One hour before he got here…it ALL started working again. (of course!) So, instead, I used him to connect 2-3 printers for the business to wireless and he got them all working. He even checked my router and it worked like a charm. Awesome! Then, my Sis came over and vacuumed for me and cleaned the kitchen. She also did a load of laundry. Man…that was like a breath of fresh air. Tonight, the plumber comes over and I have him fixing a tub for me. I scheduled this last week. The fixture broke off in my hand when I was trying to give the dog a bath about two months ago. We have two days off now and Connie is excited. She feels good and is eating good. No chemo this week and we have good weather here in KC. Thank you everyone for getting us thru last week. It was a tough one. The plan now is a week off chemo. On Friday, another bone marrow test. Then we repeat. One week of chemo infusions, two weeks of chemo pills. Hopefully, NO ITCHIES this time. Long road ahead but we are taking it one day at a time. Today…that one day was a good one! Love you all. 
Kenneth P. CardellDidn't have internet since Sat. nite...all is good. Itchies in full retreat! woo hoo. More later.Kenneth P. Cardell Saturday - I'd estimate that Connie is about 50% better today...yay. The splotchies are now pink freckles! She feels so much better. Maybe she'll sleep tonight.
Connie “Needs/Wants” Listby Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 9:33am Please Note: Trying to get this list from Connie was very difficult because she doesn’t want to ask for things. She doesn’t want to have all this attention put on her. She cries when people do things for us. Every kind act, every gift…gives her heart a lift. Thank you all for holding this family close as we try to deal with this difficult time. Home Needs: Wipes Paper Towels Plastic Cups Washcloths for her face Hand sanitizers (sprays, gels, soaps) Dishwasher soap Laundry soap Small Dixie cups Kleenex (small purse-size would be great too) Fabric Softener Small/Med. wastebasket trash bags Tub and bath cleaner Blank thank you notes and cards Gift cards: Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens (small amounts $10/$15) Delivery: If you can? Would you mind just putting your name and a note on the bag or box and leaving it by our garage? Connie shouldn’t be coming to the door if I’m not home. Since Connie has no immune system, we are constantly going thru many home products pretty fast. Home service: Vacuum/Dust: Two times/wk: We need someone who would commit to vacuum and dust our main level (should take about an hour). Since we have dogs, they kick up dust which is not good for Connie. If someone could do this twice a week…it would be a huge help. Please be careful not to have any sniffles, colds or flu’s when you come over. Thanks. Countertops/Appliances: Two times/wk: Wipe down counters with wipes, disinfectants and/or cleaners. All kitchen surfaces. Once or twice a week it would be great to keep them germ-free for Connie. General cleaning. Dogs: Two days/wk If someone would volunteer to take our dogs for a couple days each week, it would be a great help. Doggie Day Out… They need the attention and exercise and it would give us a great break. They both are adorable yellow labs and love people. Connie Wants: Notes, cards, letters of encouragement w/ pictures of loved ones and stories about what you all are doing out in the real world. It encourages her. “Old” magazines for the clinic – Home mags, cooking, Martha Stewart, Travel. etc. (you know…Chick mags. No new mags, just old ones lying around). Two pairs of warm sweat pants- size Med. to wear to the clinic or around the house. Casual jump suits – size Medium (zipper tops/pants) to wear to the clinic. Ball caps for Connie (feminine) Soft, non binding P.J.’s – comfortable…warm for nighttime. Short sleeve cotton T’s – size Med – for wearing under sweaters and cover-ups. Cotton cami’s size Med. Zip-up hoodies – size Med. Soft bathrobe – size Med. Athletic socks white – calf high (she has none) 1 pair of slip-on slippers… Meals: As mentioned, our friend Cindy Patricks is helping organize us for a Tues/Thursday schedule. This is working really good. There are only 3 of us and Connie eats like a bird. She does have some food restrictions about eating “leftovers”. She can’t due to the bacteria. If it’s been cooked already, she won’t be able to eat it. So, frozen prepared foods that we can cook and serve will work. (ie: casseroles, lasagna, spaghetti dishes, etc. Fresh foods that can be added together easily will work if we can cook them here. Hot foods delivered directly can work too but that’s hard to do. Ingredients with instructions for Ken to make would work also. Remember, there are only 3 of us most nights. Feel free to email Cindy at cindypatricks@sbcglobal.net if you want to help with that. Cookies and treats are always welcomed. :o) Our Address: 8915 High Drive, Leawood KS 66206 Thanks everyone! You all have been amazing!
Help for the Cardsby Kenneth P. Cardell on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 12:00pm Cardell “Needs” list - Saturday 2/12/11 Many people have asked what they can do to make our life easier. It’s so hard to even express what we need because we are in “crisis” right now. With so many clinic appointments and hospital visits, we are lucky just to keep moving forward. Most nights we just hit the bed with indescribable exhaustion from the emotions of the day. In addition, the difficulty of preparing “fresh” meals and scheduling Connie’s medicines pretty much overwhelm us. Luckily, we have excellent staff in our business and it keeps running smoothly despite all our challenges (thank you Deb, Robin, Jackie & Kris). The business has been great for Connie because she can be involved as much or as little as she wishes and it gives her an outlet to use her talents. Having said all that, I have decided that it IS important to post what we need. We do have some food prep restrictions for Connie since she has no immune system but, our friend Cindy Patrick knows all about that. She can be reached at cindypatricks@sbcglobal.net for meal sign-up. We are on a Tues/Thurs. schedule for meals which is working great for us. For physical and home needs…I hope to be posting a list later today of how people can help. This is so hard…ya’ all. We just want to think we can handle everything but, I’d rather spend my time focusing on Connie than running all over town doing little errands and things. So many people have asked us if they can help. We would be so blessed by your assistance. So, I’m going to do it. Please don’t feel obligated. We just could use a few things… Love you all. Talk to you soon.
Itchie report- Fridayby Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 12:42pmFriday 2/11/11 Connie Update Itchies in retreat…kind of ! Had our clinic appointment today and Connie got the once-over. Dr. A. saw her and personally said to “stay the course” with the steroids, and the creams, and the drugs to fight back this reaction. Connie is still a bit miserable. Last night, she didn’t get much sleep. She awoke around 3:00 a.m. and had to just walk around for a while to get her mind off it. Now, the worst spots have moved from her trunk to her neck and face. Also, the spots around her “infusion port”, which has a bandage on it, is all red and inflamed. That was really bothering her last night. The Benadryl seems to have no effect now. I still am giving her a liberal dousing of steroid cream before she goes to bed but, not even sure if that is working. Dr. A. says she looks “much better” and I agree…but Connie doesn’t seem to believe us. Easy for US to say…right? Yesterday was her last day of the chemo pills for this go around. She will have a week off (yay) from them. Next Friday will be a bone marrow test and then on Monday, she starts the chemo all over again. Long days ahead. People have been great to us and many are lifting our burdens. I’ve learned thru this journey that people LOVE to give. They only will give however, if they know what our needs are. Sometimes it’s hard to explain all our needs, especially when you are taught to be self-sufficient all these years. I’m trying to reach out more. I know that there are people who would appreciate the chance to help us. Thank you all for that…I will try and post our needs more often. You all are amazing and we are blessed by your kindness and prayers.  Connie at the clinic
Thursday Itchy Reportby Kenneth P. Cardell on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 11:21amToday- No CLINIC…woo hoo. Still have a “million” things to do today to try and catch up and keep the house moving along but, NO CLINIC…woo hoo. Connie’s itchies are still there but, I’d say we have at least a 30% improvement. Some of the boils are looking like they peaked and some are the same. She is still not over the itchies and she’s still kinda miserable because when you put on the cream, she’s cold. Then, she’s taking meds all the time and it makes her tummy weird. So, itchy, cold, hot, sick, better…. then itchy, cold, hot, sick, etc. When she’s feeling better, we try to get her food in her and her pills down. Still- all this is better than shivering and fever like earlier this week. Her face looks like a bad sunburn only across her cheeks and nose. Her ears are still red but, I think they look better. Keeping her medicated, fed and somewhat comfortable is a 24 hr job. The dogs should be coming back today. My friend Mike is taking my car in to get tires on it and to fix the heater blower (went out right before all this started). It’s been very cold taking Connie to the clinic each day. Tonight, we have dinner coming from friends and as for me? Today is laundry, kitchen, errands and business stuff. I am so behind I don’t know where to start! Still, it’s better than going from appointment to appointment or to the hospital. Love to all of you. Connie lookin better! Wed Eve.by Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 8:52pmAnother long day but one of hope and optimism. Started with a sonogram for her liver at 8:30 a.m. The gal at the desk seemed perturbed that we were about 20 minutes late. Well…IT SNOWED 2" last night and I had to get the driveway cleared first. Then, we drove there and all these people were getting stuck on hills. We finally made it in there and I thought we did pretty darn good! She didn’t. So, after Connie came out from the sonogram…I said, “Well…Is it a boy or a girl?” I got the lady to laugh a bit…ha. See, she had to LIKE us! Next it was off to the clinic to check out Connie’s leprosy. She is covered head to toe in welts. She wants to crawl out of her skin. Dr. A. met with her and gave us his opinion. He said stay the course with the steroids, the Benadryl and the steroid creams. He also said he didn’t think the rash was a reaction to meds now. He thinks it might be an acute case of gvhd. Could be that Jason is fighting back…and if this is true. It’s good news. No way to tell. Just keep fighting. Next, we had a great surprise visit from one of our favorite docs. Dr. Casey. He’s has a PHD in pharmacology and is an M.D. as well in oncology. He’s amazing. He was the guy who found the “wonder drug” during Connie’s 2nd transplant. He’s also the author of this “study” that Connie is on. He KNOWS his stuff. He spent about ½ hour with us. We’ve known Casey for about 7 years. He so encouraged us. It was his opinion too that this breakout could be a sign that Connie’s T-cells are fighting back. Someone who has no immune system normally doesn’t break out like this…something in her is fighting something. He said he is inwardly “tickled” that this is happening. Doesn’t mean he wants Connie to suffer but his exact words were, “this might be good…very good!” He also said Connie had this one marker that makes the chemo she’s taking very successful. Regardless, it gave us HOPE. Such an elusive thing. After the journey we have been on, it’s so hard to be positive about anything because, it can change on a dime. But, like our buddy Bob says, “We take good news where we can get it!” right? Lastly, we went back to dermatology. They were WONDERFUL! They looked at Connie’s itchies and biopsy spot and gave her all kinds of meds to fight it. Finally! Relief. They also gave her some cream for her face. She was getting welts all across her cheeks and nose in addition to having these two big red ears! Ouch.. They told her what she could take to get a good nights sleep. Again…a good appointment. We are home now and sweet friends have done amazing things for us. Nancy D. loaded us up with paper products and goodies, new Sis-in-Law Christy dropped by with fuzzy socks, a pillow and other yummies. Sweet Cindy P. brought Maddie and I Starbucks and chatted at a distance with Connie. And…our dogs are still “on vacation” with Lisa F. It’s so nice to know they are taken care of. We are being continually uplifted by your acts of kindness and the plethora of prayers!
Kenneth P. CardellWe are in between appointments right now. Going to KU Med to see derm Doc. soon. Got some encouraging news at the clinic (for once)...more later. We might be getting the handle on this rash! More later...Nurse Wendy did say that in the entire history of the clinic... Connie wins the prize for "best and most comprehensive" rash. Really?..there's a prize for that?... I don't know how Connie does this. love to allKenneth P. CardellWed A.m. report. Connie's itchies are not much better. We are getting a sonogram for her liver right now. Have a clinic appt. around 10:00 a.m. and hopefully, they will access. Also have a dermatology follow up at KU med later today. Ugh. Long day. Pray for stamina for both of us and God's mercy! Thank you all for helping us!Connie Itchy Reportby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 7:22pmTues. Eve – We are home and exhausted. Connie is on steroids and I just slathered her up with this great antibiotic cream. She’s warm and toasty on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune. She is still covered in red splotchies but she is “less miserable” than she was. That is huge. It's still really awful but, she's not shivering and unable to think straight. Tonight might be another tough nite. She is also on steroids now and we are hoping it kicks this rashes butt! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Tomorrow we have a sonogram at 8:30 a.m. because they are worried about her liver counts now. If it’s enlarged, I’m sure that will be a huge problem. Then, we go from there to the clinic at 10:00 a.m. They will check her counts again and give her an I.V. antibiotic (at least an hour). Then at 1:40 p.m. it’s back to KU Med (hosp) for a follow-up with the dermatologist. Maybe we will be home by early afternoon? We’ll see. Connie only has two more days on the chemo pills – Thurs & Friday. Then, she’s off for a week from those meds. This will be sooooo welcomed for her. She needs a break. Maybe she can recover for a while and let her belly get better. Two amazing acts of kindness today: 1) Our friend Beverly N. brought over the MOST AMAZING chicken noodle soup and biscuits tonight. OMG! Connie ate a whole bowl. She hasn’t eaten like this in a while. And Brownies! OMG!!! Thank you Beverly! Next- Our sweet friend Lisa F. came over and took my dogs! I have been struggling for 3 months to get them into the vet for shots, for a bath and for grooming. Lisa’s husband owns a vet clinic and just came and TOOK THEM for me. She said she will deliver them back in a couple days all gussied up!!! Unbelievable!!! What an amazing act of love for us. Thank you Lisa! Thank you. Thowing BB’s at a Tankby Kenneth P. Cardell on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 2:07pmTuesday- 2/8/11 1:45 p.m. Connie woke up today feeling pretty o.k. She was clear headed and walked into the kitchen on her own. She was even hungry. She couldn’t eat. Had to fast for this one blood draw at the clinic. So, she decided to take a luke-warm bath to get all the creams off her. Bad mistake. When she got out of the bath…he skin erupted again. Splotchies everywhere. On her ear, her neck, her belly button and every other exposed skin area (and unexposed areas). We rushed to the clinic and sat for 45 minutes. She was miserable. We asked to see the Doc’s and Dr. A. came in and things started to happen. He whisked us off to KU Med (hosp.) to see the dermatologist. They were supposed to be waiting for us. Forget that I had to drop Connie off at the front door in subzero temps after drugging the crap out of her. The valet parking lot was full. The regular parking lot was full. I dropped her off and she had to make her way up to the 4th floor herself. I got to park about 3 blocks away and carry 3 bags back to the hospital. I finally made it to her room and she was sitting on the bed. Miserable. Although they checked her in and did vitals, there were no doctors coming. We then were told they had already made rounds and were looking for us but, we weren’t here! No S%#$ Sherlock! We were driving around the F&#%$# hospital trying to find a parking space! Then, they told us the soonest they could get a doc up here was at 3:00 p.m.! It was only 11:00 a.m. Connie girl – not happy. So we call her cancer doc’s and things start happening again. Turned out that the main derm guy was having his own “procedure” down on the first floor and he said, “If we can get Connie to him…he can look at her where he was!” So, off we go. Connie’s entourage…She ended up seeing him in his own little cubicle getting treatment. He said, “Yep- let’s biopsy some spots and get her some steroids!” So, that’s what happened. We are now home (8:30 a.m. to 1:45 pm) and I’m off to get Connie’s meds. She’s still miserable but…help…and steroids are coming soon. Lord give her relief soon.
Kenneth P. CardellFinally saw the Doctor and they are sending us to KU med to see a dermatologist. They may want to biopsy some of her itchies. They need to find the source of the reaction. Both ears are blotchy and itchy and her whole body is covered. Getting an I.V. right now and then down to the hospital. May have to put her o steroids to get relief. Fighting...we keep fighting. Pray us thru....Kenneth P. CardellMade it thru the night...long nite. Rubbed her back for over an hour and she fell asleep. Took many drugs and gave her steroid cream for the itchies. She's doing better this am. We are headed to the clinic. Thanks for praying us thru.Kenneth P. CardellIf any of you are still up at this hour...please lift Connie up. Her rash is miserable and she just wants some relief. Please Lord touch Connie today and make her rash disappear by the morning. Your mercies are new each day.Last 36 Hoursby Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:47pmComing up for Air The last 36 hours has been a whirlwind. Started when Connie noticed a low-grade fever yesterday afternoon. Nothing much, just felt a little hot. Our sweet friend Mindy was coming over to rub Connie’s feet and minister to her. She wasn’t feeling too good so it was amazing to have Mindy come and love on our gal. We thought we’d settle in and watch the Super Bowl. Right? NOPE! Connie’s fever went from 99.6 to 100.3 to 100.7% They’ve always told us that if it goes over 100.5, they want to hear about it. Our best buds, the Schocks had agreed to bring over dinner and watch the game with us. No big party, just a quiet nite and if Connie wasn’t feeling good, she could go lie down. NOPE. Dr. M. wanted her to immediately go to the hospital and get an antibiotic and take some cultures. They wanted to find out what was causing the fever. Off to KU Med. right during the first Quarter of the Super Bowl. We spent the night on the 4th floor and it took about 2 hours. She got her antibiotic and we got to leave. We got home for the last 30 seconds of the game. Good news…right? NOPE! When we got home, sweet Carla rubbed her feet and we said goodbye to the Schocks. Maddie got home at the same time. Getting Connie ready for bed, she noticed a small rash developing on the inside of her arm. Crud. Then when I checked her, it was in 3 different spots. We called the on-call Doc and he said, “take an antihistamine pill and come in to the clinic in the a.m. as soon as you can". She took yet another pill. Should have fixed the rash…right? NOPE. Woke up this a.m. COVERED in the rash. It wasn’t itchy but splotches everywhere. Her left ear looked like Will Smith in the movie (Hitch). It was on her thighs, tummy, neck and chin. She was miserable. The Docs at the clinic think it was a reaction to the previous nights antibiotic. So, they checked her vitals and her temp was fine. Prescribed Claritin and Benadryl and some Zantac for her tummy. They also switched her antibiotic and she got a new I.V. We were at the clinic for 3 hours today. Right before we left the clinic, they tell us that we “earned” an antibiotic every day now until Sunday. Means we have to go to the clinic every day instead of Mon/Wed/Fri. schedule. We even have to go in on Sat and Sunday now. Ugh! In addition, as they checked her counts, her LIVER counts were elevated. Almost double from last week. Now they want to do a sonogram on her liver on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. You never get to leave the clinic these days without something else to worry about…right? Of course, Connie is now thinking about that! Liver failure. We are home now and Connie just had some soup. She’s taken her chemo pills and is working on the Benadryl now. Hopefully, she will wake up tomorrow with the itchies sent back where they came from!!! She’ll be out cold in about 30 minutes. She thinks she’ll make it thru all of the Bachelor…ha….NOPE! So, we are back to an everyday regimen at the clinic. We are fighting scary things and there is no end in sight. She still has her normal aches and itchies from our last battle. Her eyes are still bothering her but, she has drops for that. She is maintaining her weight right now but, we envision that going down a bit. All this while she still keeps her company rolling. She is an amazing woman. We will keep walking if you all keep praying. That’s our deal. We won’t stop. You either! P.S. We are kinda chuckling at God’s sense of humor. You’d think her business activities would lessen a bit but, she’s been as busy as ever and some pretty good orders have rolled in here. Must mean that God thinks she can handle it! Maybe it’s a good diversion for her as she completes her meds.
Prayer time again: Last night when we got home, Connie developed a rash on her arm and back and this a.m. it is in multiple locations. We are headed into the clinic. We don't know what this means but, it can't be normal. Pray for us today (as you all have been). Hopefully, it won't be any big deal. Right now, it's one thing after another. We need a break.Kenneth P. CardellHOME and safe! They gave her some antibiotics, took some cultures and flushed her lines. Also a tylenol which she hasn't had one for over 2 yrs (because it affects the liver) but, all is well. We are HOME! thank you everyone for praying us thru... Got home with 30 seconds left in the game!Prayer Request: We are at the hospital (7:20 p.m.) . Fever went to 100.7. Connie talked to Dr. M. and he said we should come in and get some antibiotics. They will take cultures and then hopefully, we can come home. Pray us outta here please. Her fever here in the hosp. is only 100.0 even so maybe it's coming down. We are sustained by your prayers. love you all.Sunday Post: Connie is feeling pretty good today. Is not as weepy today. Thanks for everyones prayers. She IS running a real low grade fever today at 99.1% and could you all pray that it doesn't get any higher. Pray for a good day for our gal. Thanks so much. love you all.by Kenneth P. Cardell on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 9:08pm Weepy Saturday: Was a tough day on Connie today. Maybe it was the benadryl wearing off or the grayness of the day but, today was a hard one. It's so hard to stay positive after a 7 year fight and thinking you had it licked not once but, three times! Luckily, Bob and Carla just showed up and talked her off the ledge. Sometimes, when your legs are weary, you need others to carry you. We are lucky to have sweet people who will lift us up when we need it. Thanks to all of you who pick us up and carry us on-line! Friday Clinic report 2/4/11by Kenneth P. Cardell on Friday, February 4, 2011 at 5:08pmClinic was a bit tough today. 3 1/2 hours. ugh! Seems all the people who didn't make it because of the storm...were in the clinic today. PACKED! We ended up in the only room available for us which had no windows and was about 7x7 (tiny). At least it had a recliner for our gal. She won't even let me get one (a recliner) but, she sure liked the one she sat in today. So, Connie had to get platelets and they give her a benadryl appetizer first. Makes her loopy. They do that because of her allergy to blood products. After they infused her (1 hr), she got some small hives and we had to stay for "observance" for another 45 mins. We've been there before, she gets infused and then breaks out. If that happens, she can get miserable in just a few minutes. It's always better to be "in front" of an illness than "chasing" an illness. That's what we have learned thru all this. We are home now and I made Connie a small baked potato with cottage cheese on it. She ate almost all of it. She's feeling better...but tired. She's doing o.k. just out of it. Thank you all for praying us thru this. Two days off now. ...woo hooo. Connie, Krista & Kellie Feb 4th Clinic appt today at 10:00 a.m. Labs, check counts, platelets and fluids. 8 more days on these pills. They are doing a number on Connie's tummy. She's still eating but, not much. Gotta keep her strength up. Pray all goes well. It will be about 3 hours we suspect. She's weary please Lord give us strength today.Day Off from clinic today. Connie woke with tremendous head ache and a little nausea but overall...not doing too bad. Pray for a good day for her.Jars of Clay by Kenneth P. Cardell on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 3:32pmBut we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 O.K. so, we get HOME from clinic and we get a call! Gotta go back! Say what? Evidently, Connie's calcium was heading up and they said she needed fluids and her platelets were really low. So, today...come back and get fluids...Friday....come back and get platelets. Now, we are back at the clinic again. She's hooked up and the tubes are flowing. So much for an easy day. love you all.
Clinic appt. today if I can get the car out. Hopefully, just labs. Praying it's an uneventful appt. Connie still battling sour tummy. Says it's like "morning sickness all day long". Praying that means the pills are working.
Tuesday - 2/1/11 Update SNOW DAY. In KC we are snowed in. 10-12" expected. No school. We are staying in doing home chores today. Connie is on the couch wrapped in all her blankets. She looks very cozy! Maddie has me putting up pictures in her room. Think I can get her to shovel the driveway? I'm sure the chances are great! Connie is still feeling puny from the pills. 10 more days of them. We are changing her food strategy so she can keep it down. Last night, we weren't very successful. Problem is...when she has a sour stomach she doesn't feel like eating anything. Pray it works. We have to keep our gal strong. I'm trying to get her to eat smaller meals and spread them out. She has over 20 "regular" pills to take and then the "chemo" pill. We have to space them out because you can't pile all of them in her belly without them causing problems. This is not fun but necessary. We keep pushing thru. Love you all for your encouraging words. Each day they bring blessings to us! Also, just so you know...we are being blessed by so many of you. In one 24 hour period we had my friend Jeff bring a huge bag of ice melt to me. Maddie's B-study friends decorated her car and gave her a huge care box, we got 3 copies of the "Jesus Calling" book and friends are organizing meals for us. One sweet friend came over and rubbed Connie's feet and just hung out with her. Can't tell you what this means to us. Mary Grace & Maddie last year's snow day! ____________ Post 1/30/11 Mon. nite Kenneth P. Cardell"Blessed are those who trust in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the valley of Baka [weeping], they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, til each appears before God in Zion." ~ Psalm 84:5-7Post 1/30/11 Monday Kenneth P. CardellClinic appt. today. Connie feeling puny. Effects of the chemo pills we think? Today might be a long day but, then two days off. We will have a Dr. visit, labs and possible ekg. Hopefully, we won't be down there too long. Pray for our gal, she's not feeling very good today. Love you all.
Post 1/29/11 Kenneth P. CardellSunday- Sweet Carla is taking Connie to her appt. this a.m. Hopefully, she won't need any blood products. This gives me a chance to go see my Dad and do his meds for him. Thank you sweet Carla. Everyone should be so blessed as to have a "Carla" in their lives. Love you all.
_______ Connie Update : 1/28/11 Weekend We went to the clinic today at 9:15 am and got home around noon. They did another blood draw, checked her labs and gave her an EKG. All went well. Met with Dr. M. and he encouraged Connie to keep fighting…full steam ahead. This man breathes life into us. We also found out that we have other scheduled appts because we are in this study too. Means more trips to the clinic (ugh). The Dr.s want to see us for the treatment and the study people want to see us for the research. It’s part of the deal. Connie is feeling good. The meds are dropping her counts now. Pretty soon she will be in isolation. Right now she can still go out and do a few things. We still have to keep her away from sick people so, we are careful now anyway. We are on the pill regimen now for 2 weeks. She took her first one tonight. Although we are still trying to wrap our heads around this again, we seem to be coming to grips with it. We DON’T LIKE IT…but we are starting to realize there is but one path to fight this thing…move forward. When you go to war…you take a good hard look at your enemy and you develop a strategy. We have the strategy…now we need to go to war! Thanks for fighting with us! Our next appt. is on Sunday a.m. and then a longer one on Monday. Love you all. ___________ Connie Update: 1/27/11 At the Clinic Connie is having a “Cosyntropin” test today to measure how she is handling some drug? Anyway, it’s two hours. They do a blood draw every 30 mins. Our goal is to get her home by noon. She also is getting her regular labs. I’ve learned to be very afraid of “labs” now. Hopefully, she won’t need any blood products (ie: platelets, potassium, red blood cells, etc.) because that’s another 2 hours usually. Labs can result in horrible news or very good news. Waiting for them is part of the pain. After her treadmill today, she said she’s feeling a bit more “tired” than she has been. Could it be all the drugs they are giving her? YES. She still is exercising more than I do. Amazing woman. We start the “pill” (oral) part of her regimen tomorrow. Keep praying everybody…we feel them. Connie watching the storm come in. 1/26/11 post Kenneth P. Cardell" I'm going to badger the Lord for my life until He either gives it to me...or takes it away! " Richard Beach to Connie 2009.
Post 1/26/11 Kenneth P. CardellDay Off today from clinic (thank you God) and what happens? Internet goes down. No business for 4 hours! Cable men came over... fixed it! Amazing. Routers, modems, cable speeds, isp's, etc. what the heck! Just can you fix it?? today - yes. Thank God.
1/25/11 by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 8:12pm End of Day 4 - Things went well today. We were in procedures from 12:00 to about 4:30 p.m. But, no complications. No need for platelets or blood products. Her pik line went in well and her infusion was pretty uneventful. We have one more treatment of chemo tomorrow and then two days off. We still have to go into the clinic each day to check her counts but, they shouldn't be real long appointments. At the end of the week, we start the oral part of the regimen. We are at home for all of that. I think it's 12-14 days of pills. After all that, they check her with a bone marrow test to see if it's working. If it is, they might repeat the same regimen again until she's in remission. If she gets into remission again...it's possible Connie could have a 3rd transplant. It is very rare that they would allow a 3rd transplant but, that's where we hope to get to. Today was a good day. Now, Connie is nestled with the girls and their roomie Kayla on the couch and they are watching the BACHELOR! Perfect ending to a good day for Connie!
1/24/11 post by Kenneth P. Cardell on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 12:43pm Day 4 (of 5) At KU med now. Connie getting a pik line in her arm. Then, back to clinic for her infusion. Long day ahead. A pik line allows for infusions w/o having to stick her. Her arms look like pincushions now. She's in remarkably good spirits and is a fighter. Family and friends have been amazing to us. How is this possible that we are going thru this again? John Wayne once said something like, "Courage is being scared to death...and doing it anyway!" That's where we are today... 1/23/11 at nite Kenneth P. CardellI cannot possibly express to all of you who are praying and texting us what it means to this family. We are humbled and awed at your love for us. Every message we read, every text, every kind act...it touches Connie's soul. She needs that right now... Brother Bill -thanks for shoveling my driveway today in subzero temps! You rock!
Kenneth P. Cardell was tagged in Mary Cardell's album. Cardells Red Barn Farm during the Fall of 97
_______ by Kenneth P. Cardell on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 11:42am Day 3 (of 5) We are at the clinic today. It's our Church today. We have a new best friend "Gloria" who takes care of us. She is a sweet black woman (about 30) who loves the Lord and is a ray of sunshine to all she meets. Our sermon today from her was on "controlling anger". She ministered to us and brought joy to our souls. Also, we saw once again, one of our original St. Luke's nurses...Lori. She's been with us from the beginning and stopped in to hug us. Was like a breath of fresh air. Wanted to see pics of all the girls and I showed her. Amazing. God just keeps meeting us in our time of trouble. Where ever we go...He is there! Right now, on the home front, we are doing o.k. Everyone keeps asking, "Can we do anything for you?" and my answer right now is, "No, we are fine for now" but...I know there will come a time when we are overwhelmed with what is going on and I will ask..I promise. I will ask you all for help. Right now, we are still in the "grieving stage" and the "Oh Crap"! stage so, it's hard to think. It's also hard to talk sometimes...even to our closest allies. We can't articulate all that we are going thru or with all the people asking...it's too hard to repeat all the time. We want to...it's just too hard sometimes. So, please be patient with us. We will get back to everyone when we can. Right now, it's just tough to juggle all the balls in the air at once. Other than that...we are doing the best we can. Connie is not in pain. She's not had any side effects of the chemo. We have been taking the meds and going home. That's it. The girls have been wonderful and they have been rallying around their Mom. It means the world to Connie. Every touch, every moment spent with them is a blessing and refreshment for her soul. She needs that right now. More later...Love all you people who read these posting. Means you love us!
1/23/11 post Kenneth P. CardellDay 2 (of 5) where we are at the clinic. Connie is hooked up to something with scull and crossbones on it -drips from a tube for an hour. Scary but, it's the course of action we are led to. Coming to grips again with where we are at. Can't believe we are here. Will stay strong with your prayers. God bless all you people. Connie is overwhelmed with your support! Keep it comin...
1/22/11 Post Kenneth P. CardellDay 1 of the first drug in the bag. Connie was poked, prodded and pinned at the clinic. Sat for an hour with the I.V. hung on the pole. Maddie was brave and joined us for the first time. Still can't get that putrid sick feeling out of my stomach that things ARE NOT all right. Hope we can get some sleep tonight. Back at it tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. Love to you all.
1/21/11 Post Kenneth P. CardellTough nite. I must've awakened over 30 times. Today we begin the battle anew. 1:00 pm. We start with a heart test and then to the clinic for her first I.V. of the experimental meds. Eventually, she will have a port put into her arm to make infusions easier. Maddie will be going with us for the first time. Please pray for her as well. Thanks.
____________________ Connie Update 1/20/2010 SAD NEWS. I am sorry to report that Connie has relapsed again and this blasted disease has reared it’s ugly head again. We so thought we had this licked. Dr. M. even said so at our last appointment. At least until her platelet count showed a deterioration at the last minute. Without a long-winded explanation, Dr. M. still had a couple options to throw at this thing and we are considering them. One of them starts tomorrow. The bottom line is that everyone is devastated at the clinic and the Cardell home. Everything can and will be done to give Connie a fighting chance. By everyone’s estimation, we are shooting for a miracle here and we know our God is a God of miracles. It’s been a long day of sadness, tears and tests. We spent the afternoon telling the girls. We will continue to look to the heavens for our help in our day of trouble. If you can keep us in your prayers as I know you have, we would appreciate that. Tonight, we will be hunkering down with the girls and enjoying a family nite at home. Tomorrow we will awake to begin anew this next leg on our journey. May God have mercy on us and give us strength. I’ve said this going on 7 years now, we can’t bear this fight without all of you fighting with us. We need your prayers and friendship more than ever and appreciate every thoughtful gesture. Thank you for enlisting once again with us. _______________ 7/21/10 Connie is home now and is feeling great! Her chest cold was zapped by a Z-pak and she said it went to work right away! thanks everyone for praying for her. every cold seems to put a scare into us these days. She's tired but home and thankful. thanks for checking on us again. Love from the cards to you all. ________________ 7/18/10 Prayers REQUESTED. Nothing major major but ...Connie has still asked for some prayer support. She is in California attending a reunion of her college buddies. She's developed a chest cold/heaviness and is a bit worried. She is scheduled to come back on Tuesday. Please pray that this doesn't develop into anything worse and that she can stay the full trip. She has some meds with her but is still a bit worried. Thank you for lifting her up during this trip. She so appreciates the prayer support!!! Love you all. KEN ________________ 7/7/10 Everything still going great. Just a quick update today. Next clinic appt. on Friday! Hoping for a good report again. :o) God Bless everyone. ________________________ Update: 6/21/10 Greetings Everyone!
Well, from the looks of the previous post, we haven’t posted for quite a while. Actually, I did. But, recent IT problems and a switching of my hosting company deleted many entries for the first part of the year.
Let me recap: First, all is going really well for our Connie girl. She is staying healthy and trying to manage all the “little” problems that being transplanted twice brings. She has skin issues, dry eyes, muscle problems (slight), she’s not as strong as she was and she must stay completely out of the sun all the time. From time to time, she has liver issues (on meds for that) and thyroid issues and other internal issues but the Doc’s stay way on top of that so we are blessed to be able to control all these.
The big news is that she was due for her bone marrow test last month and her blood counts were so good, the Doc’s canceled it. YAY! We don’t like those anyway although Connie has had almost 30 of them! So, we are doing really good considering.
Over the last 6 months we’ve had a few scares with pneumonia, breathing treatments, illnesses and flu. We even had to go into the hospital in Feb for a virus she contracted that could have been very dangerous. Fortunately, they jumped on it and she’s now past that. So, we are feeling so blessed to be in good health with no real signs of her disease in the blood. The Doc’s have now let us go a full month between appointments…that’ a huge blessing.
So, because of all the good news and because Maddie is at camp this week…WE are going to go to Boston for a few days. Just the two of us. We are going to fly into Boston, rent a car and eat our way up the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. Sound fun? It does to us. So, we are doing it! Don’t worry…I’ll keep her out of the sun.
I’ll update more when we get back but, if you want to follow our trip a bit, log on to Kenny Joe Cardell on Facebook and become my friend. I’ll be posting most days.
Love you all. Thanks for checking on us again and being a fan of ours. We never take that for granted. We love that you love us. Back at ya!!!!
______________ 12/15/09 Update: Connie got good news again from the clinic today. As usual, there is always some good news tempered with some “concerns”. Not “concerns” really but, just things they want to keep an eye on. Today…it was her EOSINOFIL levels. Her levels were high today. This means that she is more prone to getting Gvhd (graft vs. host) in a bad way. Dr. M. said they were just going to keep an eye on it but…he doesn’t want it to get any worse. The treatment is steroids and Connie-girl hates steroids. So, we are praying against that. Her liver counts were about the same so, that’s good. She does have to stay on her medicine for that. She is still popping about 30-40 pills (various) a day. So, what’s one more in the mix…huh? We now get two weeks off before we have to go back. Our next appt. is Dec 29th. This means we will have a wonderful Christmas with friends and family and then plan to hear good news right after that. At least, that’s how I’m going to choose to think about it. Love you all! And…Merry Christmas!!! ____________ 11/18/09 Update: Again, great counts! Connie is on a short leash these days (we want a really long one). They are watching her liver counts to make sure they are under control. All was good. Her main counts were all in line and her liver counts had gone down some. Everyone was pleased. For us, it’s kinda emotional sometimes. We sit there and they draw her blood. Then they come back and say they need more. Then…we….sit. Connie always wants to wait for the results instead of getting a phone call. When they don’t come, our mind wanders. “Did they find something wrong? Are they checking it twice? Are they getting a second opinion? Is it bad news again?” Nope… they were just busy. When nurse Wendy walks out the door, with a smile on her face, we know we are O.K. We take a deep breath and look over the results and then we feel 1000 lbs. lifted off us and we go. Unfortunately, as we walk down the hall knowing that we are O.K. for today…there still is a waiting room full of people dealing with horrible diseases . Their fate is not at all certain. We grieve for those people. We pray for those people. We love those people. Pray for them as well…will you? __________ 11/10/09 More good news at the clinic. Connie's counts were good yesterday AND her liver counts lowered. wooo hooo . The doc's are pleased. They are keeping a close eye on it however. They just told us we have to come back for a blood draw on the 17th...we thought we could go until the end of Nov. but, they want to watch her liver. We'll take that! Much to be thankful for ! God Bless everyone! __________ 11/6/09 Connie had a clinic appt. on Monday. Has good news and not so good news. The good news was that her counts were pretty good. No signs of any leuk coming back. The not so good news was that her liver counts were high again. Means that she has to go on some meds again. They had already taken her off them before so, she was a bit discouraged. The meds worked last time so, let's all pray that it works again. The liver is what cleans the body of all the toxic meds she takes all the time. Very important. She will have to return to the clinic on Monday to check it again. Also, her eyes are so painful. They are always dry and we are contemplating an expensive trip to Boston to try and get her some relief. Pray for that too if you will...love ya.. Oh - and here's an update on Joe (as written by Mindi - his wife): 11/6/09 Dear FOJ (Friends of Joe), good news! Joe was discharged yesterday and is now sleeping at home. I wish I could tell you he is sleeping comfortably, but that wouldn't be accurate. The pain down his legs is still quite intense, causing not only discomfort, but stress because it causes Joe to be concerned about what his future holds. Dr. Jackson and the other doctors and nurses who have been providing his care believe that the pain is partly structural. I think they mean that his body is having to adjust to the fact that so much of his musculoskeletal system was repositioned. They also believe that the pain is partly chemically triggered by a substance they coated over his nerves to stimulate re-growth. Their description caused me to think of a plant that has just been re-potted into a larger pot. Eventually those roots will spread out and the plant will flourish in its new, roomier environment. But at first, the shock to its system may put a strain on it temporarily. Thanks for Praying everyone! _______________ 10/30/09 Update: Joe McKenna Surgery Update From Mindi’s own words…
“Today was emotional (Fri). Early morning rise and shine: Joe wept tears of joy when he heard all the many things Dr. Jackson and the surgical team were able to do yesterday to relieve him from that constant excruciating pain. The description that follows is probably not very accurate clinically, but may paint a picture of what this tired wife thinks she heard in laymen's terms: Through the incision in Joe's back they removed the existing instrumentation, removed the degenerative bone fragments, addressed the scoliosis leveled L3 to help him stay straighter, and decompressed his vertebrae. Then through the incision in his belly they inserted spacers between his discs, addressed the stenosis by widening the space to free his pinched nerves, and re-fused L3, L4 and L5 to give him strength and stability. And they did all that without having to give him a blood transfusion because they were able to "recycle" his own blood cells! Amazing, isn't it? A medical marvel and a divine miracle - anyone who thinks faith and science are co-mingled is just nuts in my humble opinion.
Mid morning reality set in. The PT helped Joe get out of bed into a chair, then, when it came time to take a few steps back to bed, the journey turned out to be tougher than expected. He's fine, but we got a sobering glimpse of what Dr. Jackson means when he keeps say that we must strive for slow and steady progress, a little bit at a time.
Joe still isn't eating; in fact he isn't even drinking fluids yet. Just ice chips and lemon sponges to suck on. Which about sums it up. 48 hours without food or beverage feels like forever. But that gives us something exciting to look forward to tomorrow, right?
At this point Joe is quite uncomfortable, of course. Front and back incisions, and just 24 hours post-op after 12 hours of surgery. But as Randy Smith phrased it when he visited this morning: "Today is the worst day of Joe's life. Every day will get better from this day forward!" In terms of his back pain - that certainly seems like a great way of describing the situation. He's made it through the toughest part. Tomorrow will be a little less uncomfortable, and the next day will be a bit easier than the day before.
Please keep praying. For health, and healing, patience, joy, faith, hope and love. You know. You've been here. We lean on the Lord and on our loved ones and thank God for every single blessing. Every day is a gift!”
Let’s all support them as they begin the long road to recovery. P.S. Connie has another clinic appt. on Monday Nov 2nd. Simple check up and blood draw but, always is a bit scary. Thanks for your prayers for her. ______________
Joe is the one in yellow! 10/22/09 Prayer Request
My good buddy Joe McKenna is facing a pretty serious surgery next Wednesday, Oct 28th. He needs our prayers. As long as I have known Joe, he has had back problems. He just can’t shake it and is in chronic pain. This surgery is a big deal.
Here’s what his wife Mindi says about the surgery.
“They're saying 12 hours in the operating room, then 2-3 in ICU before I will be able to see him. They'll do an incision in his back, work on it a while, flip him over and do another incision in his belly, work on that a while, then flip again to do part 3 on his back. Joe is the best patient in the world - cheerful attitude and doesn't complain. But this is really major. So your prayers are certainly much appreciated.
In fact, although Joe doesn't normally like people to fuss over him, I believe he would actually welcome the prayers from your huge prayer chain that you've developed over the years while you all have gone through your health challenges.”
Joe and Mindi have been friends of mine for years. If you will remember all those Connie foot-rubs in the hospital?...that was Mindi. She was amazing. Joe too, was my champion while we fought our way out of the cancer ward. They mean a great deal to me.
If you would like to pray for them…please do so. If you can send him an email …please do. If you can send him a note…please do so. It’s all about being ABLE.
WHEN, WHERE, HOW…?
Surgery Wed - Oct 28th (Dr. Jackson is the main ortho surgeon). Probably there at the hospital a week in recovery.
KU Med Center: Mailing Address The University of Kansas Hospital Once Joe is home: Home address: 12203 Wyandotte Court, KC MO 64145. His email is jmckenna@kc.rr.com. Joe’s cell phone is: 816-213-0910. Home phone is: 816-943-1148. Thank You for caring everyone. We are all in this together. This verse I found says it all… Heb 13:3 “Think too of all who suffer…as if you shared their pain.”
That’s what we are doing.
__________
Here's some FUN NEWS!!!! Ken’s Brother Billy Bob is Engaged!!!! His new fiancé is Christy! She’s a doll! He’s been dating her for almost a year and they invited the family to the engagement “after party”. On Saturday, Sept 26th, Bill arranged a “covert operation” down at the Plaza in Kansas City. Christy thought that they were going to the Plaza Art Fair. He arranged for a horse-drawn carriage ride and they strolled around the J.C. Nichols Fountain. Little did Christy know that Bill’s friends were in the bushes videotaping the event. Myself and the fam. were across the street watching in between parked cars. Then it happened. He dropped to one knee and popped the question. Of course, we couldn’t see if she said yes but, she hugged him shortly afterwards so, we thought she gave him the “thumbs up”! and she did! She said YES! A group of about 20 of us were waiting at a restaurant for the happy couple after the event for drinks and dinner! It was a great night! CONGRATS BILL AND CHRISTY !!! WELCOME TO THE CARDELL FAMILY CHRISTY!!!! ______________ 10/4/09 Connie Update: All is good in Connie Land! Her counts were perfect, her liver function test was within range and they are letting us go for a MONTH now before the next appointment. She didn’t get any word on her Iron levels but, the Doc’s didn’t seem too concerned so , we aren’t going to be either.
Her Mom and Sister came to KC this weekend. We had a great time with them. Cousin Emille from Columbia got married and they all went to the ceremony. Our weekend was so full of family, Homecoming (Maddie) and visitors. It was awesome to feel normal and full. We are even having more family come over on Sunday nite for a huge dinner at our house. So, great times. Every day we have like this is a huge blessing and we do NOT take it for granted. Thank you all for praying us thru all this.
We will keep on walking. You keep on walking with us …O.K.???? Love you all. Many of you have asked how Lisa - Carla’s Sis is doing with her brain tumor. Here’s her latest update:
Well I hit the 2 week mark this week for my treatment. My first week was very rough. I was very sick and throwing up a lot. I wish that the nurse would have stress to take the anti medicine a little more. I guess some just go through treatment without it but I am on it 24 hours a day. My stomach must be sensitive to the Chemo. After a week of what felt like pregnancy sickness I finally got it all to calm down. I still do not fell well and my taste buds are not doing well with fool. I have been able to get by with eating what only sounds good.
I had my second visit with the oncologist yesterday and he was not pleased with my weight loss. With the sickness I have lost 15 pounds (not a fun diet at all). He said loose no more, or I will not have the energy to get through the remaining 4 weeks. He was surprised I was still working and thought I would be home resting. I have cut my hours back to 6 hour days, but I may need to go to 4 days a week very soon. I start out great but when I get home I hit the bed for a well needed nap. I am not sure if this is the chemo and radiation or my age!!!!!!
Some good news is there is a new pill out there for after my treatment. It is not any more chemo just a pill that he wants me to take for one year as a preventative. This new medication has had the great results for this type of cancer that I have. The issue is he had not had any luck getting me on the list to receive this because mine was 100% removed during my surgery and there is no more cancer there. The medication is only being approved to those that still have the cancer and unable to get to the cancer because of the location in the brain. I am very thankful that mine is 100% gone (with clean margins) but it has made it difficult for me to qualify. He did say that he is determined to keep trying. My insurance may not cover due to the fact that it is preventative and I have no signs of the cancer still there. The doctor said there are very few side effects and much easier to take. I could use everyone's prayer on this and lets hope that he finds a way to get me approved.
I am still eating very healthy, walking daily, juicing vegetables daily, and taking more vitamins than I can tell you. I honestly thing this is due to my still working and getting through this with little problems.
When I received my Chemo pills they were separated into 3 different containers. My big excitement came the other day when I threw away my first bottle that I completed. I kept telling myself only 2 bottles left to go!!!!!! I have started the dreaded side effects of chemo brain. I can see the word but I cannot say it, or forget what I was going to do when I get into the room that I walked to. I call one of the staff in to tell them something and have no clue what I was going to tell them when I get there, so I make something up. Kimberly, at work, said it’s not chemo Lisa it is our age!!!!!
Once again I want to say thank you to all of you that keep checking in with me to see how I am doing. The prayers are wonderful and I know God has been with me in so many ways through this journey. _____________ 9/17/09 Clinic Appt today. We are up to every two weeks now. Yay. Connie is doing good we think? She has energy, is fully engaged in life and keeps getting good reports from her Doc’s. We will never understand why God has blessed us this way, but…we are trying to live thankful lives.
She still has her “manageable” problems and they get tiresome. Eyes, skin rashes, hair, gvhd and puffy cheeks but, she’s here and we are so grateful for that! She got to see Maddie enter her Freshman year at High School. A HUGE milestone in her life. She just got back from Seattle for a one week “dream vacation” with our buddies, the Motts. (Become my friend on Facebook and check out our pics…under Kenny Joe Cardell). Again, a trip like this was only a pipedream a few years back. Someday, these types of things will become “normal” again but, for us, they are not normal…they are huge blessings.
Oh, and if you are in the KC area… come by our house on Saturday and help Connie fill over 80 shoeboxes she’s collected for Franklin Grahams Good Samaritan organization. It’s called Operation Christmas Child Saturday (Sept 19th) between 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
They go to poor kids all over the world. Come . We’ve got all the stuff, just need help stuffing boxes. I’m baking my world famous chocolate chip cookies. Bring your kids.
Pray for another good report today on her blood counts. Pray for her problems to become smaller and smaller. Pray for continued good health for her. And Thank God with us for His mercy…that’s what we do everyday! Also pray for Carla's sister, Lisa. She begins radiation today. God please bless this woman! ___________ 9/4/09 Update: ALL IS GOOD in Cardell land. Boy, what a great thing to be able to report. No crisis, no upcoming procedures, no looming doctor visits…just two weeks off! Wooo Hooo. Connie just had an amazing report from the clinic. Her counts were good, her liver function tests shows signs of improving and the best news was, her chemistry (donor blood) shows that she is holding at 100% donor. That’s HUGE! That means that Jason’s cells are doing their job and keeping the Queen Bee at bay. Amazing! We don’t have to go back to the clinic for two weeks now. Actually, that’s also great news because it means we don’t have to think about it very much for a while. And….We are going to SEATTLE! Wooo Hooo. Our buddies, the Motts will accompany us. We’ve been friends for over 25 years. Our kids grew up together. We just decided a while back that if we got the opportunity - We were going to DO IT! So, we are gone next week to sunny (or rainy) Seattle. It will be a dream trip. We are also going to go into Canada and see our exchange student son…Manny! He’s studying up there. It will be a great reunion! Carla Sister Update - Lisa is home recovering from her brain surgery. She has to wait a couple of weeks for the incision to heal a bit before they can begin the next stage of treatment. She will begin that in a short while. The biggest PRAYER REQUEST for Lisa (and Chuck- her husband) is for PEACE. Obviously, they are on new territory in their lives and they need to find their way. Pray for sleep for Lisa and for Peace for their family as they deal with this. Also, pray for their doctors and that they make wise decisions. Lord - Please lift up this family in your healing hands! Well, better go. Gotta get ready to get out of town. What an amazing thing to report! Love all of you!
___________ 8/19/09 Carla Sister update- News not good! They did the biopsy and the cancer is in stage 4. She needs our prayers asap! Carla is heartbroken and I am sure the family is devastated. Lisa is Carla's baby Sis and is 52 yrs old. Her kids are adults but, this has to be a terrible time for them. Please pray for Lisa...Pray for Carla. Pray for all of them! Thank YOU. 8/17/09 - Prayers Requested Connie’s best bud Carla is in Arizona right now for her sister’s brain surgery. They found a tumor last month and are operating today. Her name is Lisa. Bob just emailed me with this update: “Just spoke with Carla. Lisa is out of surgery and doing fine. They took out as much of the tumor as they could, without any problems. They are now going to biopsy what they grabbed and expect to know by Wednesday what the next course of action will be to treat the “brain” and some of the other minor lesions they had previously identified. But the main thing is, so far so good. No complications. “ If you have time to pray for Carla and Lisa and her family…would you please? Also, we just heard a childhood friend of Krista’s - Tess Sunderland was struck by lightning this past week and is in serious condition. She was on an archeological dig in Arizona as was hit. Her sweet family live in Leawood and are friends of ours. Pray for Tess, and her parents - Kate & Whitney! ________ 8/17/09 Greetings from the Cardell Mansion: Man! - Are we in full swing here!? Let me give you the update..... First- Connie had another clinic appt. last Thurs. Great news again! Jason and Connie are working well together. Her counts were very good! They are pleased. She got to stop steroids and she is delighted about that. They even told her not to come back for 2 WEEKS!!! That’s huge. Each time you have to draw blood, it takes it’s toll on us. It’s that “edge of the cliff” thing I’ve written about before. Next- Krista Leigh turned 25 Yesterday!!! Wooo Hooo. 25! Man…I still remember that little girl singing all the commercials on TV at four years old. Now, she’s a beautiful woman! Still barely been kissed and has a heart for God! I’d take 20 more like her! We had an awesome family time with her last night. She opened all her presents and we had CAKE! And…da la lap…da la lap….da la lap…This just in…. MADDIE IS IN HIGH SCHOOL!!!! What? How’d that happen? Today is her first day. She was nervous but excited. What a riot! When we were diagnosed in 2003 for the first time – Maddie was in 3rd grade. I grieved over what life would be like at her age if the Doctors were not successful. Today – another milestone for Connie – she (MADDIE) is in High School! Thank You God for your faithfulness! Oh- and this… we have rebuilt our aging garage and the new garage doors are coming this week. If you haven’t stolen my tools yet, you only have a few days left! Much love from us. Thanks for staying in the battle with us! We still need your prayers!
___________ 8/11/09 Long Update today – Connie is doing well. New clinic appt. on Thursday. Connie got to stop the steroids on Saturday and is now hoping they all worked. The side effects aren’t fun. She gets puffy cheeks, stays up all night, eats more and feels buzzed all day. It does help with the skin itchies but, she doesn’t like the way it makes her look. The good news is that she is seeing some of the puffiness in her cheeks going down now. Her mouth sores are beginning to wane a bit. She gets shots once a month in her mouth by her dermatologist. Last week she got several and they appear to be helping. Her mouth tightens because of the sores and it’s hard to eat sometimes. She also is losing some taste buds and that’s a problem for her because she “loves to cook!” Her eyes are still having some problems. She puts in drops constantly and has to have some pretty tough medicine to combat it. She is about 80% better than they used to be. The steroids however, make her sight blurry. She can’t really drive anywhere far by herself because the sun hurts her eyes. She also can’t see very well for distance. Not good driving conditions. Her skin is still itchy but she uses creams all the time to help. Some of the Gvhd (graft vs. host) stuff is really deep and the itchies are waaaaay down under the skin and she can’t get any relief on those. It takes her about 30 minutes of dousing herself at night before she can finally hit the bed. The spots they removed on her back for biopsy are healing but are sometimes painful. Remember, they took off about 5 spots that were cancerous? They burned several of them off and they are now healing but leaving a scar. She doesn’t have to bandage them anymore but, they are still sometimes open. Her hair is coming back slowly and she still needs the wigs for a while. She estimates about 6 months before she can fashion a hair style out of the real stuff. Her weight is still fluctuating because of the steroids and she never has clothes that actually fit her. It’s and up and down kind of thing. It’s hard for her to dress right for the right situation. She still has to stay completely out of the sun and will for the rest of her life. That’s hard because she so wants to take walks, go to the park, garden, go on vacations or play outside with Maddie. All is problematic but can be done. If she gets a sunburn, it can activate T-cells and mess up the transplant completely. We know of a man who lost his life from this. I have to tell all of you…despite all this….We totally consider every day a BLESSING! We are daily reminded that we are in “bonus time”. We know that our God has placed his hand on her and we are totally “in His grip” right now. It’s a good place to be. God Bless all of you for being on this journey with us!!! It means everything!!! _____ 7/31/09 Onwards and Upwards. Connie got more good news at the clinic this week. Counts good, liver good, chemistry good. She had to see the dermatologist to get shots in her mouth. Gvhd causes your mouth to tighten and there are some sores. Also, he froze her skin cancer spots and said they “looked good”?
Her face is still a bit puffy but her hair is getting thicker now. She still has to wear a wig but, it’s nice to see it’s coming back. She’s still on steroids but, they are weaning her off them. She doesn’t like steroids because of all the side effects. Once again, she is buzzed and was up at 3:30 a.m. She sure gets a lot of work done though! We appreciate every day God gives us. Now, she gets to work with Maddie as she prepares to enter High School. This was a pipe-dream a few years ago…now…it’s here. Yay God!!! __________ 7/24/09 Good Results! Connie’s counts were really good. Looks like we are keeping the Queen Bee at bay! She still has "manageable issues", probably always will but, it’s so good to hear her counts are right where they expect them. Sweet Nurse Wendy came and gave us the good news. We could tell she was having a bad day.
That is so hard on everyone! Not just the patients who have their world “rocked”! It’s also hard on the Dr.s and nurses who have grown to love these people! We understood and tried to lighten their loads with laughter a bit.
Anyway, all is good for the Connie counts. Her liver counts have also lowered. So, ANOTHER WEEK of freedom and keeping the scary moments away. Yay. Next week, Connie has another blood draw and Dr. visit. Carla is going to take her. Then, they hope to take Nurse Wendy out for dinner. These three are like “peas in a pod”! Love all around. Thanks for praying for us and checking in on us! ________ 7/22/09 Me and my Chipmunk are doing well! I call her that because her little cheeks are all puffed up because of the steroids. She's doing well however, and is really busy being "normal". Clinic appt. is tomm. so I will let you know the counts. We are not expecting any bad news! Thanks for praying and checking on us. We love that you do! Ken ________ 7/16/09 CLINIC UPDATE: ALL IS WELL. :o) After going to Carbondale, Colorado…then Aspen… then Buena Vista…then Trail West Young Life Camp…then Breckenridge…then back to Kansas…then to Clear Lake, Ca…then to San Francisco…then to Oakland…then back to Kansas…then to the Clinic…. ALL IS GOOD!!!! Wooo Hooo.
Her blood counts were good, the best we’ve seen since the L-Push. Her liver counts have come way down to the point where one is in the “normal” range. That’s huge! Her chemistry (the percentage of donor vs. host blood) is also good! So, the BIG picture items are all aligning up well. This is a huge blessing.
Connie is still dealing with many issues from her last procedure. She is on steroids still that cause her face to balloon out (puff up). She still is having trouble sleeping (steroids) and she is up at 4:30 a.m. most mornings. She still has itchies all over her body but, they are manageable. Her skin biopsies still need further attention (next week). Some have proved to be cancerous. She has developed eye infections in each eye and saw another Doc today for that! Got some medicine. And, lastly, she has to still wear her wig which is hot and sticky during these Kansas summers. (Maybe she needs to go to the mountains again!?).
Remarkably, thru all this…she still works, she is fully active in the girls lives and activities, she travels and organizes our household and…she never complains! I’d be a basketcase! She continues to maintain her faith and her love for others. She is my hero! Thanks for checking on us again everyone! We love you all! __________ 7/14/09 Quick Update today – Connie returns from CA. today. Ken is busy doing chores so the house is presentable. She said it’s been a great trip. I’ll get more details tonight. I’m sure she will be tired so, I made the bed with clean sheets and everything! What a great husband…huh?
I have to hide all the “junk food” too. Maddie and I have been fending for ourselves…ouch!
Thursday, she will have another clinic appt. They will want to check her out again. She also has to have her skin biopsys looked at when she gets home. She seems to be managing all the Gvhd problems right now so, we’ll see.
All is good for now…will report more later. Much love everyone. The traveling gnome is coming home! __________________ 7/10/09 O.K. What are the Cardell’s up to now…it’s been 10 days since the last posting. Well, it’s not the Cardell’s but, Connie Cardell. She is in CALIFORNIA!
Yep, she gets back from the mountains where her heart gets filled up with friends and family and…that’s NOT ENOUGH! No, she has to jump on a plane and travel to Clear Lake, CA and spend a week with her college buddies. A Reunion! Don’t know if you remember her last reunion but, now it’s an annual thing. They’ve been to Tahoe and Chicago and now, she’s in Clear Lake. What a riot!
She was really tired after we got home from Colorado and she thought about passing this one up but, the gals are amazing and SHE LOVES THEM! So, she decided to go, even if she was tired! I’m excited for her. She’s even going to mix in some business while there. We have several clients in the Bay Area (S.F) and she’s going to call on them on her way out of town. See, she’s like the energizer bunny!
Dr. M. and Wendy cleared her for takeoff on Monday and she left on Tues, a.m. at 8:45 p.m. Yay!
I want all of you to know that I have my “to do” list, I’ve been doing my Fatherly duties and…and…so far, Maddie is still alive. We’ve had a few close calls but, so far she’s breathing. I figure my job is not nourishment, not life lessons, not even getting her to her umpteenth teenage activity! My job during this week is to make sure she is “alive” when Connie gets home. If I do that…All will be well. So, that’s my goal.
I also have to paint the entire upstairs. I try to do these projects while Connie is away because of the fumes. Hopefully, I will complete this project. I haven’t even started yet! :o( I will today – yeah sure!
Well, better go. Connie will be home on Tuesday nite. I’ve got work to do. Much love y’all! __________ 7/1/09 Greetings Everyone! O.K. O.K. I’m so sorry I didn’t update this! Woah… We’ve been on a whirlwind and it’s a good one. After our “good news” last week, we just lost our heads and took off to the mountains! Yes, the mountains!!!
We had some “behind the scenes” plans that if we got good news and Jupiter aligned with Mars, we’d take off and see our friends – The Owings – who live in Carbondale, Co. Remember? we tried to see them earlier when we heard of the disease coming back again. Well, this time…we were praying for “good news” so the Doc’s might give us the go ahead to take a quick trip. We got it and we TOOK OFF! Krista went with us for the first part of the trip. We spent 3 beautiful days with our friends the "O's". (scroll down to April to see a picture of their family skiing!).
Well, it was perfect. Maddie was at camp all week in Buena Vista, Co. and we thought we’d swing by there and pick her up after that. Krista returned home on Saturday for work but, we traded her with Maddie. Also, because we were in Buena Vista, we thought we’d look in on our friends up at Trail West Camp (a Young Life Family Camp). Our friends – The Johnsons – were working there on staff. They arranged for us to have a room at camp for a night and we got to spend two incredible days with them (more on that later).
After we picked up Maddie, we went to Trail West and then two days in Breckenridge on the way home. Connie and Maddie had some "Mom time" shopping. Arrived home after a 12 hour drive last night at 10:00 p.m. What a whirlwind trip! More on that later too.
Here’s the better news. Had a clinic appt. today because the Doc’s wanted to see Connie asap when we returned. We still have “good news”! YAY! Her counts were great! They are weaning her off the steroids as soon as they can. They looked at her skin biopsies we did before we left and she had two or three spots of skin cell carcinoma. They removed these and Dr. M. said that after what Connie’s been thru…these are like mosquito bites. He wasn’t worried at all about them. He did say her liver was still having problems but, he thinks it’s the meds she’s been taking. So, he took her off one of them to see if it improves. Her “itchies” are under control at the moment and her GVHD is also under control. Overall, Dr. M . was really pleased and it was great to see him! Connie loves her Dr. M.!
More on our trip tomorrow but, all is well! Thank you all for checking on us. Love you. __________________________ 6/23/09 10:00 a.m. WOOOO HOOOO !!!!! BM TEST…. GOOD ! LIVER COUNTS...IMPROVED A BIT ! BLOOD COUNTS…NORMAL ! Still awaiting some skin biopsy stuff but, good news from the clinic today! They are even starting to reduce her steroid meds. PRAISE GOD! more later...after I get the full report! _____________________ 6/22/09 Late nite update : Connie’s throat scan went well today. There were no complications and they did a full scope even down to the small intestines. The Doc said it looked good but, what they were looking for was signs of gvhd. They took some samples to biopsy but, they won’t be back until later next week. It always amazes me how God shows himself to us on our path. First, as we walked into the endoscopathy area, a sweet little gal greeted us at the front desk. As we filled out the numerous forms, we noticed the twinkle in her eye. We had seen it before, we just couldn’t place it. Turns out, the smiling face on the other side of the glass was a gal named Kristin. She was the daughter of our good buddies, Roger and Marsha. Roger and I roomed together at KU for one semester and were business partners in college with our wholesale school supply business we started. What a riot! She was adorable and immediately put Connie at ease. I sat down as Connie completed her paperwork and I looked to my left. I noticed another smiling face. There sat another angel – Janet. Janet is like me…another fellow-sufferer who is walking in the similar (very worn out) shoes. Her husband Greg (who Connie adores!) also has leukemia. Connie and Greg visit each other in the hospital. They need to find a more fun place to meet, don't they? Greg was in there THE EXACT SAME DAY AND HOUR as we were. He needed a scope for some lung problems he was having. Janet and I talked for about an hour as Connie and Greg got their procedures done. They woke up together. Greg came by to hold Connie’s hand. She scolded him for not wearing hats outside in the sun. It was love all around. They are very special people. Two gold nuggets God has given us along the way. I poured Connie into bed about 1:30 pm after feeding her some homemade egg salad and tomato soup. She loved it. Then she crashed for most of the afternoon. I finished watching the U.S. Open on my dvr and fell asleep myself for a bit. We both woke up about the same time. It’s amazing how emotional these things can be and how they take their toll on you. Sometimes I feel drained for no reason, Connie is the one doing all the work! She’s doing great though. Tomorrow a.m. (Tues) she will have a clinic appt. which sweet Carla will take her to. Hopefully, she will hear news about the BM test. Hopefully, it will be great news. Hopefully, her liver function will have improved some and Hopefully…just Hopefully….they will clear us to take a short trip to Colorado to see our dear friends. If they clear us…We’re outta here! We’ll see. I’ll update before we go. Pray! Thanks. __________________ 6/19/09 Update: (11:00 a.m.) Looks like Steroids are in the picture now. They are concerned about her liver so, they aren’t waiting for the biopsy results. They just called. Connie is crying. She just is so tired of going thru all this. As news comes in regarding her test results, things change. Then , we have to adapt. It’s hard.
As always, I try to talk her “off the ledge”. I try to remind her that, this is what the doc’s wanted. I tell her that by going thru this course, we have our best chance. She still suffers. We have been told by the doc’s that a good dose of GVHD is her best chance to beat this thing. We know that. This apparently is a good dose.
The fear for her now is that the GVHD will be the thing that gets her. It can attack the kidneys, the lungs, the stomach and yes, the liver. They are upping her dose of liver medicine and putting her on steroids immediately. Today, we will run our errands and then stop by CVS and pick them up. She doesn’t like them.
In our heads, we know that this is ultimately what they wanted. Perhaps, it’s what is needed? Maybe, just maybe?, it’s the path to never having to deal with this disease again!? We don’t know…but, God does!
So, once again. That is who we will trust! We will trust Him!
"approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). __________________ 6/19/09 Update – (10:00 a.m.) Well, looks like things are starting to get a bit hectic over here. Connie is starting to show signs of the GVHD hitting her. At the clinic, when they did her BM test, her liver function test showed very high results. One of the signs of GVHD is that it hits the soft organs and so they watch that closely. In addition, Connie’s throat was showing signs of tightening as she swallowed and ate food. Her back is also showing some rash activity. Because of all this…they wanted to see us in the clinic yesterday. We went down around 2:00 p.m. By the time we left, she had to have a skin biopsy at KU Med and they drew blood again. Her liver counts were still high. She is going to have a scope on her throat on Monday. This is all to determine if it truly is GVHD. If it is, she will be put on steroids in an effort to curb the effects. Connie doesn’t want to go on steroids. They make her face fat and she knows they are pretty strong. Most of all, she is worried now about all this. We are back in our “scary place”. They feel that because of her diligence, they caught this very early. Now, we just have to see if we can keep it at bay as we battle the “Queen Bee”. Pray for us to have courage, for good results on the BM test and for her upcoming scope. Of course, all this is happening when we were going to try and sneak away to Colorado to see friends again. Of course… Love you all. _____________________________ 6/17/09 Connie had an eye appt. today. They put another tear duct plug in. Her right eye has been really dry. Hopefully this will help. She went to KU eye center and once again, a teaching hospital, had and intern do it. Didn't work - tried 3 times - finally had to have the REAL Doctor do it. Now her eye is really sore from all the poking. Ugh. Otherwise, doing o.k. She has some rashes and still is concerned about her liver but, she's working! So, I guess she's doing O.K. Thank You Sweet Nurse Wendy for talking her "off the ledge" last night. We love you! Next report will be in about a week, when the BM test results come in. Thanks for hanging with us. _____________ 6/16/09 Noon – The BM Test went well and it was rather quick. Connie says they don’t even hurt anymore. This was her 21st gang! She's like a pin cushion now. She only takes a small amount of Demerol these days, so she wasn’t even loopy when she called. She didn’t get to see Dr. M. and she had some questions for him. That’s always hard because she functions better when she has his advice.
The somewhat scary news was that her liver function seems to be affected a bit. The nurse practitioner who did the BM test has prescribed some medicine she wants Connie on. Hopefully, that will help with the problem. Connie’s counts were good but, not perfect. No one seemed too concerned about them. (?) For us, of course, it’s scary again. Gvhd? No Gvhd? Liver problems? Not perfect counts? Etc. etc. It’s just always something…that’s the journey we have been on.
One sure thing always has to be remembered. Our Lord never changes…He loves us today as much as he did back in November of 2003 when Connie was first diagnosed. He is our refuge in times of trouble and it is in Him that we will find our strength. Pray for us as we await the results (takes about a week). God Bless you all. _______________ 6/15/09 Tomorrow is another BM test for Connie (8:30 a.m.). She is not real worried about the actual test. As I've said before...it's the results that are scary. She has seen very little of the Graft vs. Host symptions normally associated with a L-Push. We truely don't know if that is good or bad. They said she might not have any (and it can work) or she might have severe symptoms (and they need to be treated). So far, not much. She is experiencing a rash on her back and the top of her chest. Also, her esophagus (sp?-throat) is burning a bit. They said, GVHD can attack the soft tissues, ie: mouth, gut, throat and intestines. So, Dr. M. will check her out tomorrow. Pray, Pray , Pray. OH, and on the Contribute 3 deal? It all the sudden started working again. I'm not sure what happened? I did try to re-open a case with Adobe but, They never got back to me. So, if all the sudden...we go dark...go to my Facebook account. Look up Kenny Joe Cardell...I'll be there. But, for now...maybe they like me again? Who knows...I can't ever get a real person to talk to. ____________________________ 6/10/09 Looks like Connie has another BM test coming up. June 16th, Tuesday. Ugh. It's her 21st I think she said. What an amazing woman! Anyway, please pray for her upcoming ordeal. It's not so much the test, but waiting for the results that is hard. We will look to the heavens for good news again. Usually, the results take about a week. NOTE: NEVER buy ADOBE CONTRIBUTE 3!!! - which is my website update program! For the last three years, about this time, they shut me out of my editing program. I have to go thru two weeks of emails (because you can't get a person) to get it up and running again. It's RIDICULOUS!!! I have 10 days to accomplish this again. If I can't...I might be dark for a while. I will certainly be searching for another editing program! sorry...I needed to rant! Ken _____________________________ Thursday 6/4/09 (11:30 a.m.) Counts are GOOD AGAIN !!! Wooo Hooo. Yay God! Thanks all for checking in! Happy Happy! That's good right?...then they have to scare us with a bone marrow test next week! ugh... I guess we never can "just rest"!? Can we? Let's just pray that the BM test confirms perfect counts! Love you all ! ______________________ UPDATE: (5/28) 4:30 p.m. PERFECT AGAIN !!! Yay! Still no side effects from the L-Push. So far, she has energy (more than I do!) and feels great. We don't know if that's good or bad but, we're happy. We have another week to live without concern...yoo hooo! Thanks for checkin in everyone! It's good news so far! .... ________________________ 5/28/09 Connie and Carla at the clinic today. 10:00 a.m. Just checking counts. S/B o.k. Will post results when they get back. Love you all. ____________________________________ UPDATE: (5/21) 3:30 p.m. PERFECT AGAIN !!! Keep em' comin Lord!!! Yay! ________________ 5/21/09 Thursday. Clinic Appt. today. 1:30 p.m. S/B routine... hopefully. Carla is back and pressed into service today. Hopefully, those two will be "salt and light" down there today. Pray for steady counts! Love you all. KEN ________________ 5/15/09 The clinic appt. was PERFECT. Connie is doing great! wooo hooo. Her counts were right where they wanted to see them. She even got to see Dr. M! He's her shot of "encouragement". So, all is well! and yes, we are going to take a trip this weekend to Branson, to celebrate! Just the two of us~! How cool, heh? Love you all. KEN ____________ 5/13/09 All is well on the home front. Connie has a few “itchies” but, not too bad. We will see how things go at the Clinic tomorrow. Our appt. is at 9:00 a.m. Hopefully, we will be home with a “perfect” report before noon! I am always apprehensive of these “non-eventful” clinic appointments…because #$%$# happens…you know what I mean??? Thanks for checking in on us.
P.S. I’m picking up Carla today at the airport…Bob is stuck in a meeting. I’ll get an update on Lisa and post tomorrow if I can. Love you all. _____________________ 5/11/09 O.K. Got the report on Carla’s sister, Lisa. Thank You so much for praying for her. Looks like the Doc’s have ruled out a stroke (Thank God!) and also ruled out a heart problem. They thought it might have been something regarding her previous cancer diagnosis from many years back, but they ruled that out also. The fortunate news was that Lisa, who works in a hospital, was just getting off her shift. She went to the elevator and started feeling queezy. She returned to her bosses office and her boss said, “Lisa, you don’t look to good.” Shortly after that, Lisa collapsed. She was right there…in the hospital ( a God thing!). Her boss got help and they treated her right away. Lisa recognized Carla when she called but said that when her boss was talking to her, she could see her lips move but, nothing was registering. They did a host of tests and an MRI and there were no blood clots. The doc’s think now that she had an internal reaction to extreme low sodium. The symptoms mimicked a stroke but, are less serious. Again, thanks God. She may be able to go home soon from the hospital after additional tests. Carla flew to Arizona this weekend to be with her. It’s her baby sister. Hopefully, we will hear more good news soon. Go Lisa Go!!! ________________ 5/8/09 IMMEDIATE PRAYER NEEDED
This time, it’s not for Connie. It’s for Carla’s SISTER who live in Arizona. We just heard, Friday nite at 7:30 pm that she had a STROKE! We need to pray for her…ASAP. She is only Connie’s age, 52 and Carla just talked to her this a.m. It’s been awful! Please lift Carla up and her Sister – LISA ! She is an amazing woman. Pray for her treatment, her Doc’s and her family. Lord, YOU are a God who saves! Thank you. _________________ 5/7/09 Great clinic report. Counts were good and all is well. And, here’s the best news…Connie got to have her “pik line” taken out. She’s free! Yay. No more dangling tubes in her arm. No more daily flushing. She can now have a full emersion bath! That’s HUGE for her. So, it was a GREAT day! Next clinic follow up is in about 7 days. Yay! Thanks for loving on us and praying. _________________ 5/7/09 Follow up appointment today (Thurs) at the Clinic (1:00 pm). Carla is taking Connie. Pray all goes well! We know it will. Love you all. _________________ Pictures of the L-Push 5/1/09 Bob and Carla and Randy S. attended. Ken and Connie Connie and Carla Randy and Carla The cells arrive God Bless You Jason! An amazing gift! A beautiful sight! Connie holding the tube. Celebration! Connie with her best buds! ______________________________ 5/5/09 It’s CINCO DE CONNIE day!
Hope you all are enjoying it.
On this day, 3 Years ago, Connie received her second transplant. Because of this, we celebrate this as one of her many “birthdays”. She also celebrates 5/4/09 yesterday, which is Jason’s birthday (donor). We don’t steal his thunder, we just celebrate it as one of Connie’s special days as well! It’s because of him we can celebrate.
So, EVERYONE who is reading this has to DRINK A MARGARITA today for Connie and Jason!
Really, you have our permission! (Not that you need our permission but, go ahead and blame it on us!!!!)
Love you all. Happy Birthday Jason and Connie!!! Three amazing years!!! __________________ 5/4/09 Monday - Nothing much going on today. We are at home doing work and enjoying the day. Sounds normal, doesn't it? Clinic appt. on Thursday. Thanks for checking.... __________________ 5/3/09 Sunday - All is well. The push went great. We arrived sharply at 8:00 a.m. as instructed and, as is always the case, we sat around for two hours while they got organized. It was a wonderful day for us as “hope” arrived in the cooler.
We were blessed with this sweet nurse named “Judy”. Almost immediately, we knew she loved the Lord. She sat with us, explained things and made Connie’s nervousness seem to disappear. We were blessed with a couple of friends who got to see the cells arrive and they prayed over them for us.
We couldn’t help but thank sweet Jason who gave us an incredible gift of time and pain. Connie cried as his name was mentioned. She knows he doesn’t like needles and for him to do this for us…well, we can’t describe it. Someone asked, “If he doesn’t like needles, why would he sit and do this?” My reply was, “You don’t become a cop and not be afraid sometimes…and yet, still…you push thru to help others.” It’s in his makeup to help others. He’s amazing!
The push was about an hour long and Dr. A. said it was a full sample. They collected the maximum amount they needed. He said Connie looked wonderful…and she did. So far, there are no side effects and she feels great! The side effects could hit her within 4 -6 weeks if they are coming.
So for now, we are doing great and are happy and enjoying the weekend. We still have to be careful but, hopefully, the Queen Bee is on her last legs!!!! Pray that it is so! Love you all. I'll post some pics of the Push on the site on Mon/Tues. I got yelled at for taking so many. :o)
__________________________ 4/29/09 UPDATE Wednesday 5:30 p.m.
The Push is ON !!!
Got the call a little while ago. Looks like Jason is doing fine. His test was a “false positive” and so, he’s cleared to go. The cells will arrive sometime overnite on Thursday and we are to go into the hospital on FRIDAY early in the a.m.
It’s been a weird week or so for us as we have had to wait for God’s timing. I’m glad we did. We were confident that, at the exact perfect time, the push would happen. We are trusting God that this is true. Thank you all for praying for us and with us.
We have tonight and tomorrow off so, we will be enjoying that at home. We really don’t know what to expect with the push or if it will be difficult for Connie. If you would, pray that Connie is at peace with all this. That she accepts the cells in her body in a perfect way. Pray that the “Queen Bee’s” days are numbered and the push will eradicate this &%*$#! disease once and for all from her body.
The rest is in God’s hands. More after the push on Friday. Love you all. Ken ________________________ 4/28/09 Tuesday - No news yet. 4:20 p.m. Connie did get up enough nerve to call the clinic for an update. (Denial is sometimes a great thing!) They haven't called back yet. 4/27/09 Monday - Nothing happening today. They might call us today or tomorrow to tell us what the next step is. Connie and I feel like we are "circling the airfield" awaiting news that we can land. The good news is that we have an unlimited supply of fuel. Our God's grace is sufficient! More when we know... No news over the weekend...just doing the family thing! Maddie is awake now and already wants to go to a friends house and watch a movie!?! What??? Noooooooo.....! 4/24/09 Friday - Just heard (11:52 a.m.) on our voicemail that they are now shooting for Thursday, April 30th for the L-push. They are still doing testing but, they are getting everything ready now to "GO" for that date. We'll see huh? More later when they call back... We just got back from Maddie's oral surgery. She's groggy but doing well. Connie is excited to "dote" over her little one and care for her. She's not sick so, Connie can _________________________ 4/23/09 No news today. If they call us with a solution, we will post. Hang with us! _________________________ ON HOLD! (3:15 p.m. Wed.) Connie and I have learned that, as soon as things are set in place, they can change. They have! Evidently, Jason’s blood has tested positive for a virus. Because of this, they put Connie’s procedure on hold until they can retest. They are attempting to figure this all out now. We know that Jason has been healthy. He’s not been out of the country. He was tested two weeks ago and he was totally clean. But, now it is showing up! So, it is possible that it’s a “false positive” and everything is fine. It’s also possible that a virus does exist in his blood and the L-push wouldn’t be good right now. From what we know, the virus is not harmful to him, it’s just a positive result. Either way, Connie and I feel this is in God’s hands. As I said in our last post, we are counting on the Great Physician to do what is right for Connie and we know He is watching over this process. He is! As a matter of fact, Connie was praying about all this yesterday and she talked to God about it. She basically said, “Lord, this is going forward. The only way it would be stopped is, if you do it. The Doc’s are ready, I am ready and Jason is ready. Lord, if it’s not supposed to happen now, please stop it. Only you can do that now. If it be your will.” Well, it has been stopped…for now. We see that as a “God thing”. He is in control. We will know more later as to our schedule when they investigate this further. We are certain that the course God wants for us will materialize. He has shown us this time and time again on our journey. We are not saddened or worried. Just in our “trusting place”.
Pray for Jason and his family…and for ours. The Lord is still on the throne! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4/22/09 Wednesday Update - O.K. Here’s some details that everyone is asking about. First, being in remission is a great thing. It means that Jason’s cells have taken over at the moment and she’s 100% donor. It doesn’t mean however, that Connie is disease free or that she’s cured. Dr. M. did say that it was “very very good” that there were no leuk cells present in the last BM test. By being in remission right now, it positions us in the best possible way for the L-push. So, – Is the L-push is still needed? Yes. The way Dr. M. described it was that despite having the first full transplant, the particular strain of leukemia Connie has was not knocked out. The way he described it was as if there was this “Queen Bee” of stem cells lurking in the background. The first transplant killed all of it….for a while…but not the “Queen”, then it mutated and came back in two years. Then, Jason’s cells killed it all over again for 2 ½ years but, lurking back in her cells, the “Queen” regenerated and started back again. It was devastating to everyone. Jason’s cells killed everyone else but, missed the “Queen Bee”. By doing the L-push, they hope that this will knock the “Queen” out for good and no more leuk cells will survive. Connie asked, “Dr. M.? Why can’t I just stay right here and live like this? I’m feeling good. I have energy. Can’t we just fill me up again every three years or so?” To which, he replied, “Connie…I’m not going for 3 YEARS…I’m going for 30!” That’s why he’s her guy! So, if we don’t do the push, Jason’s cells will still kill most of the bad cells but probably not all of them and we’d have to repeat this again. I’m certain Connie couldn’t take that. Dr. M. said that the cells will probably arrive Thursday nite (around 9:00-10:00 p.m.) and we will have to go to the hospital for the infusion. It shouldn’t take that long but, as we know from the past…nothing EVER goes really as planned and we could be there late into the early morning. If they (the cells) get delayed, then we might have to stay “on call” and make a early morning road trip down to the hospital. We’ll see. They are being flown in by the Nat’l Bone Marrow donor program (they have their own plane- how cool is that?). He also said that any complications from the infusion won’t show up for a while. Usually 4-6 weeks. Mostly, the L-push can cause severe “graft vs. host” disease which can affect the skin, major organs and in severe cases can be fatal. To treat it, they use steroids (which Connie hates) and they can cause other severe problems. Another major scary thing that an L-push can cause is “marrow depletion”. Again, only in severe cases…it can wipe out the marrow in a patient and that is a “very bad” thing. Especially in a body that has already had two transplants. We must pray against these severe complications as we go forward. Finally, Connie asked Dr. M. her favorite question, “Dr. M. … if I was your wife, what would you do?” He replied, “No Question – I’d be heading to the push as fast as I could!” So, off we go! We know having Dr. M. (and the whole BMT staff) on our side is like having Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in the same line up (a little baseball analogy here – 62’ Yankees Dream Team!). But, ultimately…our faith remains in God – the Great Physician. Ps 121 – “ I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made the heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. “ _______________________________________ 4/21/09 Tuesday GREAT CLINIC REPORT!!! (3:00 pm) I know that there are people all over the country checking this site and lifting Connie up. So, for right now, let me just report that connie’s counts were very very good today. The doc’s are pleased. The push is on. More tomorrow (with details) but, all is good right now. The best news was that Dr. M. was there…he’s her guy! She relies on him and he was totally awesome …once again. Wendy was there also. All her favs. Thank you Carla for holding my girls hand today. Oh, one quick detail I can reveal… connie’s meds have been reduced to just one pill a day and that means….wait for it….. she can drink a Margaritqa if she wants!!!! Woah!!!! Guess what we’ll be doing tonight???? More tomorrow. _____________________________ 4/17/09 Friday - Sunday Just a quiet weekend at home! yay! Not much happening (hopefully). Just keep our buddy Jason (our donor) in prayer this week as he prepares another amazing gift for Connie. Lord, keep him healthy and Bless his sweet family! Amen. _____________________________ 4/14/09 - Evening Report O.K. Phew…regrouping here at the mansion. Connie and I got the news about the same time all you did. I was on the computer and she was with Debbie and Cindy (her coworkers) in the kitchen. I saw her dip her head and I heard tears…when I got there…she gave me the “thumbs up” sign and I knew. There was rejoicing in the kitchen again!
Now, several of you have asked us what this means? in a global-sense? In a micro-sense, it’s the best news we could have gotten. 100% grafted donor (Jason) cells. The Doc’s said that even if she wasn’t fully there, they would still do the push. It’s just a better way to go into the next treatment with no leukemia present.
In the global sense, we are not out of the woods yet. She still has to have the Lymphocyte Push on the 23rd and there are still serious side effects possible (a topic for another day). We know that her relapse was because her leukemia came back after 2 1/2 years. The Doc’s are pretty certain that if, left alone, the leuk cells would almost certainly come back again. What we are going for here is the “home run”. We are hoping that the push from Jason will be enough to knock this stuff back where it came from.
That’s the physical side, the natural. Now, let me tell you about the spiritual. There ALWAYS is a spiritual…some just don’t see it.
I’ve mentioned that our buddy Brent Bishop has been coming over and praying for our gal. He came again on Monday and we sat for 2 ½ hours. We laughed, we cried, we told stories and then Brent prayed for us. He prayed for Connie’s cells and that God would “right what was wrong” and that as Creator, He would “cleanse her impurities down to the cells and marrow”. At one point, he giggled during our “very serious” prayer because God gave him a picture of her. Here’s his own words in an email just a few moments ago:
“One of the pictures I saw in my mind, as I prayed for Connie yesterday is that she would be a woman who confounded her doctors and caregivers....because of her health. I started laughing while I prayed for her and saw this picture (and felt awful while I laughed by the way!) but could not help it. Remember, I told her after we were done praying what that laughter was all about?”
Well, that’s exactly what happened. Dr. A. was being very careful to tell us this was a tough case and that they still would proceed if she “wasn’t” in full remission. They would “try” this and if it didn’t work, they still had the full transplant as an option. The problem for Connie is one of toxicity (too much chemo) and how her organs could hold up. Well, when our sweet Wendy called Connie…she said that everyone down there was “totally surprised and delighted” at the outcome. As a matter of fact, when Wendy got the news…she didn’t believe it. She told the lab guy to go back and “check it again”! He said, “Hey, would you like to talk to my supervisor? It’s correct!” Sweet Wendy was NOT about to call her Connie-girl with a faulty report! I guarantee that she was going to be SURE!!!! It was obvious in her voice that NO ONE totally expected this.
I would call that “confounding” wouldn’t you?
After we settled down after the call, I went in and lay down on our bed. Soon after, Connie came in and snuggled in. The phone rang many times, we couldn’t answer it. We both were totally exhausted. A tired that we rarely feel. We couldn’t lift our arms or move our legs…we just held each other. We both slept for about 2 hours. For us, I guess we didn’t realize how much weight we’d been carrying around until God removed some of it. In a very real sense, it had blanketed us. We didn’t feel it until it was gone. We are lighter now.
So, rejoice with us today. Today, we are good. Today…we have received good news. We don’t need to go back to the clinic for a week! They will do one more blood draw and labs before the L-push. Today…we are rejoicing and praising and thanking you all for praying us thru this once again.
We’d be so lost without all you! Tomorrow is TAX DAY but, who the heck cares?!!? __________________________ 3:45 P.M. JUST HEARD ! 100% Donor cells. IN REMISSION!
The push is on!!! woo hoo that’s what they wanted! Amazing…thanks for loving us. Thank You Lord!
KEN 4/14/09 2:15 p.m. No news yet, UGH!!!
We are back from the clinic after 2 ½ hours but, results of Connie’s labs weren’t ready! They called down there twice but, the chemical part of the test was not available yet. It’s been a WEEK! So, we wait now for a phone call.
Other parts of Connie’s counts look good. Hemoglobin, platelets, neutrofils, etc. but, it’s the percentages that they need to analyze that aren’t available. So, we left.
If all goes well, meaning the percentages are favorable, we will proceed to the lymphocyte push on Thursday of next week. The 23rd. We await news…pray we can handle the wait. Thanks. Will post later… ________________ 4/14/09 Tuesday : Results Today - Appt. at 11:00 a.m. Thanks for lifting us up! ___________________ 4/13/09 Monday - Prayer day - Results of BM test tomorrow... ___________________ 4/10/09 God Bless Our Sweet Friends Is. 52:7 - “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…”
If you remember at the beginning of this newest part of our journey, we were about to head off to Colorado to see our great buddies, the Owings. They had just moved to Carbondale from Kansas City and we haven’t seen their new home. Our kids have grown up with theirs and we always have an awesome time with the “O’’s. Then, we got the news. We couldn’t go. Our hearts went, but we stayed home. Today, I received a great picture of them high atop one of God’s mountains. It warmed my heart. Just knowing that people all over this country are praying for the Cardell’s is humbling. Anita, shown below with her “boys” is a breast cancer survivor and “gets it” when we express our pain and struggles. Greg, the Dad has been my friend (and fishing buddy) for about 37 years. I basically taught him everything he knows about fishing! Friends like these are rare in this world. They would do anything for us and vice versa. Someday soon, we will meet again on a mountain close to them. Below is a picture of Greg and Bob Phillips. Bob was Ken’s college roommate and has also been a friend since High School at Shawnee Mission South. They both have aged much more than I have, but still look pretty good, heh? Along with his wife Cindy, Bob is counted as among our closest comrades! They hurt when we hurt and rejoice when we rejoice. We have been on many a trip with these folks and we know they are praying for us…daily! As we have a lull in the action at the mansion today, I just wanted to acknowledge a couple of old buddies who have remained faithful to us…and who we LOVE! God bless the Owings and Phillips! Everyone have a happy Easter! Our HOPE is in the fact that HE IS RISEN…INDEED !!! Now, we hope to hear Good News again next week. Love you all. __________________________________________________ 4/8/09 Connie is home…Thank You Lord! (11:00 a.m.) Having just endured her 20th hip invasion, Connie is home. Sweet Carla took her this morning. We were going to “tag team” it and I was going to go down around 11:00 a.m. but, they went really fast today. I didn’t even need to go. You all MUST be praying cause, that never happens.
Carla had been banned from the house for a while because she was around illness in her own family. For about 10 days, she couldn't come. Spiritual warfare I bet! Having her help is like giving Connie a bag of platelets…it just energizes her. Carla drove her home and now Carla is helping Connie put away all her clean clothes. There were 4 baskets full of clothes because Aunt Karen did it all this weekend for us. What a blessing! Connie didn’t need platelets or blood today. Just labs and a blasted BM test. Now, we wait. Our next appt. is Tuesday the 14th. I think that is when they will discuss the “results” with us. We might get a call earlier but, we’ll see. “They that wait on the Lord…” right? Is 40:31.
Last night, we received a knock on the door. It was Laurel Hadley, a sweet friend of ours. She gave Connie a small afghan for her lap and some cards. The women at Rolling Hills Pres. made it and Laurel brought it to Connie. They are praying for her. This act of kindness warms her heart and her lap! Cheryl, our neighbor brought over lasagna for us on Sunday. Hot and steamy! Awesome…once again Cheryl.
On Monday, my friend Brent Bishop came over to pray and minister to us. He’s done it before. He lives in Longview, Washington. His parents live in Lawrence. He has an international mentoring and prayer ministry. He loves Connie. He sits with us. He hears our complaints. He speaks words of encouragement and faith to us. He gives us “course corrections”. He listens for God to speak…then he speaks to us. Monday, we laid our hands on Connie and we prayed. Just the three of us. God was in the room. A while back, Connie had a moment laying face down in our master bath floor. She heard God speaking to her. Not audibly but, still very clearly. God spoke words of faith to her and the word that she kept hearing was that God was “going to restore her health”. She has never let go of that word…restore. Brent helped us focus again on what God said and he encouraged us that if God spoke it…It will be done.
In my study this morning…I was reading in James. It says…
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered IN FAITH will RESTORE the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much!’.
It amazes me that God keeps sending His people to our aid. They come bearing gifts, bearing prayers, bearing hugs, bearing friendship. Whatever we need …it is supplied. When we are weak, they are strong. When we hurt they bring comfort. When we are afraid, they give us courage.
Today, as I was sitting at my desk awaiting news from the clinic. I was fearful. Carla was with Connie. My thoughts chased the wind…a dark wind… “surely, the news won’t be good. Surely, we can’t beat this again? Who are we that God would care? What could His purpose possibly be in this? Why Connie?…why now? Hasn’t she been thru enough?” “Lord, forgive me for my lack of faith and trust in you!” Just then, sweet Debbie Babb walked in my office. She has worked with Connie for over a decade…she saw me…she asked if she could hug me? We both cried. She prayed for me and reminded me that even when we don’t know what to pray…God sends the Spirit himself to “intercede for us with groanings too deep for words”. (Rom 8:26). Once again, God had his angels standing by. They carry us as we journey. At the exact right and perfect moment...comfort and faith are RESTORED and we are ABLE to walk again. More later…______________________________________________ 4/7/09 These verses were sent to me by our good buddy Cathy Johnson... read them as if you had "Connie and Ken eyes"...you will see what they mean. Thanks Cath! Ken "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE! When you pass thru the waters, I will be with you... When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched... You are precious in my sight...do not fear, for I am with you... Is 43:1... "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5
“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is ABLE to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself." Acts 20:32
“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.” 2nd Kings 20:5 ___________________________________ 4/6/09 Monday – Update report Greetings everyone! We had an uneventful weekend. Yay! No fevers, no problems…just keeping our Connie girl from being bored. Right now, bored is good! I like that…she doesn’t.
O.K. Here’s the scoop. On Wednesday…we are going to need your prayers. We need them everyday but, on Wednesday…she is going to have her 20th Bone Marrow test. (BM tests I call them). It’s where they go into her hip and remove a piece of the bone and some marrow. It’s the definitive test to see what’s going on. The test itself used to be scary but now, Connie just sails right thru them. She's like a pin cushion I think!
It’s the results that we all need to pray for. Usually, we don’t hear until a few days after. What we want to see this time is that Connie is in “remission” again. That means that her orig. cells are beat back and there is no sign of the leukemia. We want to see Jason’s donor cells coming on strong! If that happens, and Connie is in remission…they will do what they call a “lymphocyte push”. That’s where they collect more of Jason’s cells and reinfuse Connie with them. The idea is to give Connie’s system a “push” of more cells in the hopes it wipes out the leukemic cells. There can be several unpleasant side effects of this approach but, we just want to face one thing at a time.
If Connie is NOT in remission, they have plan B and C, I’m sure. One of the plans means a full transplant again with another donor from the registry. This is a longer process and again, has it’s own pitfalls. We hope for whatever God wants for us. This approach probably means more chemo and another long hospital stay. Again, we take one step at a time.
The Doc’s are leaning toward the “push” but, when her counts come in…it can change on a dime. We really ARE living each day by faith. On the home-front, my goal is to keep her positive, get meals that are somewhat interesting to her and keep looking for God’s mercy. He has been showing Himself to us in His people! Thank you all for being willing to minister to us.
So, please PRAY on Wednesday morning, we go in at 8:30 a.m. and pray for the days after…they are so hard as we wait for news. Once again, you lift us up when we can’t lift ourselves!_____________________________________ 4/5/09 Quiet Sunday. Nothing happening. Woo hoo! Just enjoying a day at home! Love you._________________________ 4/4/09 Saturday
All is good here. Connie is enjoying a day where she doesn’t HAVE TO do anything. There are still the normal flushing of the lines, taking temperatures every hour and eating a neutropenic diet but, nothing scary today. She is dealing with having to wear a wig again and her real hair is barely hanging in there. Overall, it will be a good weekend.
We are going to get caught up on laundry, cleaning and organizing and then watch some basketball. Normal things. I have to throw in a trip to the grocery store but, again, normal stuff. Unless she develops a fever, we can look forward to being with family uninterrupted. Things we used to take for granted.
So, if you are reading this on Saturday…Thank YOU…for checking in on us. Our goal will be to have a “NORMAL” weekend.
NOTE: Ken needs friends…On FACEBOOK! Just kidding…I used to have like 20 friends but now, I looked and have 80! What’s up with that? Krista has about 1200… anyway…if you want to see more pics of the “fam” or if you want to send me a private note…that’s a good place to write to me. Fyi…it’s under "Kenny Joe Cardell". Let’s be friends! _______ Friday 1:45 a.m. Home already! - Con didn't need blood. Doing O.k. Looks like BM test next Wednesday. Mid next week Y'all...we have a few days more of freedom! Man, we need that! Love you all. KEN Everyone have a great weekend. Enjoy this spring weather! ________________________________ 10:15 a.m. Friday - Heading to the clinic. Love you all! Ken _______________________________ 4/2/09 - Evening at the Mansion – Thursday nite. All is good right now. No fevers. Two days of freedom. Tomorrow we go back to “ scaryland” but, for today…we are home. It’s been great. We are still fearful of all things “germs” but, so far, we’ve been keeping them at bay. Connie’s white blood cells are so low, even the slightest cold could be disastrous. If you are a regular visitor to our site, you probably have heard me talk about a “darkness” or a feeling of “morbidity” that sometimes creeps into your being and there is really no way to shake it. Well, on Wednesday, Connie woke up with those thoughts. We both have had them really, but luckily, usually not on the same days. Usually we can pull ourselves out of it but, on Wednesday… it took some special effort. Lately, it’s been real important for Connie to be ready to take Maddie to school in the morning (around 8:30 a.m.). This is no easy task for someone who can barely make it to her sink in the morning. I think she wants to take every chance she can get to put another memory in Maddie’s little tank . It was a beautiful clear sunny day so afterwards, I suggested we take a drive and look at all the flowering trees. We just drove around to some pretty places. Connie asked me to stop. We did. Just the two of us in the car. She proceeded to tell me that deep down she doesn’t “feel” like God is with her this time. She doesn’t understand any of this and she feels like God is silent on her sorrows and sufferings . There was much more said, but the sadness in her soul was palpable. We cried, we held hands, we pleaded with God. We prayed again…then drove some more. If it was up to me, I would ha ve driven her around all day. After a while, she wanted to get back to the house.
In darkness and in faith : I’ve previously called it a “ dry period ” or a “plateau” of faith. I’ve even referred to it as a “blackness of the soul” but, anyone who has had faith for a long time has experienced it. It’s not really a doubting of who Christ is, or what He came here to do…it’s more of a feeling that “ God has pulled away from you .” Never once have we doubted we’ve been redeemed. We have never once, questioned that we are in His hands. It’s just that we cannot fathom the mind of God and it feels like he can’t “ hear us” sometimes. I know thru scripture and His character that this never happens…it just feels like it does. Even Mother Teresa, struggled with spiritual darkness. Most of you know that she was called to minister to the lowest of the low in the gutters of India. People with leprosy, skin diseases - the social outcasts of their society . She ministered Christs love to them. It has been reported that she had “feelings of doubt, loneliness and abandonment. God seemed absent, heaven empty and the bitterest of all was that her own suffering seemed to count for nothing”. MOTHER TERESA! Despite her inner feelings, she continued to walk and do what God told her to do. In her loneliness and doubt, she continued to worship and glorify Him. I’ve read stories that Dr. Dobson – Founder of Focus on the Family and Chuck Colson – Founder of Prison Ministries each have had similar experiences. Both of them are cancer survivors as well. Dr. Dobson has had a heart attack, a stroke and prostate cancer…He knows about “darkness”. The key question here is not that we are experiencing it, but… how we are to react to it? How do we walk thru those soul-struggling times where we wrestle with whether we are worthy of Gods mercy? Do we denounce our faith and Gods sovereignty because we have experienced impenetrable darkness? I have asked before, “who are we”? that God should rescue once again? Do we just give up and say, forget it? May it never be! Connie has been reading a daily commentary by Oswald Chambers called, My Utmost for His Highest. Our buddy Richard Beach (who currently is in his own cancer battle) gave it to us. It’s brilliant and deep. He speaks of this dryness. He says, “Has God trusted you with a silence - a silence that is big with meaning? God’s silences are His answers…His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into a marvelous understand of Himself. If so…know that “you will find that God has trusted you in the most intimate way possible, with an absolute silence, not of despair, but of pleasure, because He saw that you could stand a bigger revelation.” So, as we walk and, sometimes walk in darkness , we know that our efforts are not in vain. God is not thru with us yet and someday we will know what He is teaching us. It will be for a greater purpose…one bigger than ourselves. We are His workmanship. One of my favorite verses in James says the same thing, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Our goal is to remain steadfast. To hold fast to what we believe. And to walk in faith regardless of the path He has chosen for us. Hopefully, prayerfully, we can do that. Good night. We love you all. _______________________________ 3/31/09 Update from the Mansion evening.
Phew, what a ride! I last left you all with Connie suffering a fever which is not good for her in her condition. It usually indicates an infection and she has no “infection fighters”. That was Sunday. Monday, we had another clinic ordeal. While Connie and Kris had their 26 hour adventure at the hospital previously, they removed her picc line (in her arm). They thought it might be causing the fever so they took it out. Later, we found out that cultures showed it was not the culprit. Anyway, due to all the meds needed, she needed to have a new picc line put in.
We were excited that they do these as an outpatient in the clinic vs. going into the hosp. for it but, unfortunately…it took 3 times to get it done right. Each time, Connie had to endure a painful procedure in her arm and then get up, and physically walk down to the x-ray area (third floor to first floor) and each time, she was exhausted!. I almost had to carry her down there each time. She was anemic and her lips were white. Then, we’d come back and start all over again. Three times! Ugh. That would have been bearable but, that waiting room was full of SICK patients! People were coughing and weezing all around her. She had a mask, but…man…I wanted to yell, “Hey, YOUR GERMS COULD KILL THIS GIRL – STOP COUGHING!!!” But I didn’t.
What amazes me is that inside the clinic all the techs and nurses have to put on yellow paper gowns every time they come in her room. They wash - every chance they get. They are total “germaphobes” and we appreciate that! Then, they send a neutropenic patient into an elevator with tons of strange people, janitors and other nurses and doc’s going up and down. (Pssst. - IT’S A SMALL ROOM WITH NO VENTIL-ATION!) We then, get to walk to a waiting room full of SICK PEOPLE?? What’s wrong with this picture?
Anyway, it took us 5 hours to get her line right and finally get all her IV’s done. She was trashed. We got home and realize we JUST MISSED our good buddies, the Owings who where here from Colorado. Crud again! Then, later that night, Connie had a low grade fever again. It just never stops. Luckily, the Doc’s let her have a Tylenol and the fever stayed under control.
Today (Tuesday), at our appt, we just needed antibiotics and her lines flushed. We spent most of the time talking to all our favorites down there. It was nice. No scary things today! No fevers, no weird procedures going wrong. We still were down there 3 hours. The good news is we don’t have to go back til Friday. Woo Hoo …two days off! That’s a lifetime for us. We are happy.
So, our plan is to stay in quarantine and keep fevers out of here! Do some work and run errands. We hope to have two days where we don’t think about being sick. It will be hard to do but, we are glad we get to try.
Able things: Our neighbor Rheta brought over sticky buns and a card. Her hug however was the best present! I found out it was Krista’s friend, Greg Buckman who shoveled the rest of our drive that night! So, it was a tag team effort between Jeff and Greg. Great job guys! Our friend Lisa B. brought a great mag for Connie and a subway card! Our sweet daughter Kellie is trying to help us with aid from the Leuk & Lymp. Society (a huge help with med bills). Neighbor Cheryl – pot pies for dinner and brownies. Courtney Schock, Carla’s daughter, sends me a magazine subscription with a note each time. This time it had an Itunes card in it for the girls. Cards and letters for Connie also. It’s just amazing! Thanks for loving on us everyone! ______________________________ The Cancer Road If you are reading this, you are going to be touched in some fashion by cancer. You will either have a relative or a friend or someone close to you who deals with it. Somehow, you will be touched by it in a personal way in your lifetime. To me, this is outrageous! For those of us that have personally received “the call”, it is life-changing for not only the patient but for their friends and loved ones. In our case, this disease has caused pain for not only Connie, but for over 50 of our relatives and hundreds of our friends. It’s awful. Troubling Stats:
This is outrageous! Cancer is about to overtake heart disease as the number one killer in the U.S. An estimated 565,650 people this year will die from this disease in the U.S. Now, with over 80 million baby boomers crossing over into their 60’s, these numbers will certainly be rising. Some good news is that cancer diagnosis and treatments are getting better. Survival rates are getting higher. Technology is doing amazing things to help people “live” with cancer once they get it. These numbers continue to rise because of new drugs and new treatment protocols. The problem is, research and technology focus on treating the cancer once it’s diagnosed…surprisingly little is spent on what is “causing” the cancer. With leukemia, they still don’t know what causes it. We still don’t know. Why am I telling you all this? Because I want people to know that when cancer strikes a family…they need SUPPORT! Support like we have gotten. It is impossible to deal with this disease without help. Many people are too proud to ask or too shy to let their needs be known. DON’T!!! People need to know when you are hurting. Not just for cancer…but for other stuff too! Our community needs to be better at meeting needs of the hurting. In our case, you all are doing it right. You have wrapped your arms around us. All of you! Hopefully, this website is an example of what can be done to help folks! Everyday on it’s pages, you will find people who are ABLE to help…and who do…without asking! It’s amazing. If you are hurting now…because of cancer or something else…please…let people know. They will help! ___________________________ 9:30 p.m. Sunday - Connie’s fever went to 100.3, then 100.8 and then 101.0. We called the Doc’s and they let her take a Tylenol. She’s back to 98.8…wooo hooo! If she stayed at 101.0, we were headed back to the hospital. Thank You all for praying for us. I swear to you…as soon as I post things…light flows in this place.! I know you are praying! THANK YOU!
P.S. Aunt Karen came over and we cut Connie’s hair. It was coming out in handfuls again. UGH! It was hard but, we left about 2” all around. She looks cute! always.... _____________________ 6:30 p.m. Connie is running a low grade fever…please pray with us it doesn’t get any worse. She will have to be admitted if it does. Thanks. Again, need your prayers. Thanks. Sunday Update: 3:00 P.M. Had our clinic appointment today. We got there around 8:00 a.m. We were the first in and last out! They close the clinic at noon but we took a bit more time. We got home at 1:00 p.m. Yesterday, Connie slept most of the day. She did wake up to eat dinner. Our sweet neighbor Cheryl and her twin boys brought over a hot steaming pot pie! Connie could eat it since it was freshly prepared. She said it was “unbelievable”. She’s so happy eating something that is hot and good. Her ordeal (with Krista) from the day before had totally exhausted her. This morning, she had trouble walking from our bed to her sink. I came in and found her hunched over the sink struggling to hold herself up. She didn’t have the strength to wash her face with a washcloth. The chemo has really kicked her butt this time. Dr’s say she is at her bottom now and her counts should rise here pretty soon. Hope her energy level rises too. After she got blood at the clinic, color came back into her face and she started feeling better again. She could barely hold her head up. This time, there was no reaction to the blood thank God. It has been a taxing few days for us. That’s the way this disease upsets a family. Went in for a routine appt. and 26 hours later , after being admitted into the hospital, she got to come home. As a family, it’s hard to function, let alone, get anything done. Sometimes we move from crisis to crisis and I thank God that we have people who will pick us up. As the 4-6 inches of snow came down, I looked out my window and there was Jeff Mott on my driveway shoveling again. He cleared a pathway for Connie to walk and for us to park. Within hours, it was covered again. He came back. Then, this a.m. when we went to the clinic…someone (?) had shoveled the walkways again and brushed off the cars. Amazing! Connie could barely walk to the car so, it was HUGE that he did that for us! Over and over again, God’s people come to our house and help us. There is no way we could make it without amazing people stepping in to help us. It’s overwhelming. Clinic again tomorrow, & Tuesday & Wednesday. Such is our life now… Love you all.__________________________________ 3/28/09 Update: Afternoon 2:00 p.m. O.K. Everyone, they are home! Thank God, and all of you for praying! What an ordeal! Seems like things just got going from bad to worse all night. Connie said about 2:00 a.m., she woke up in a drench. Her clothes were wet and her sheets also. Her fever broke. They replaced her linens and she got new P.J.s on and was better after that.
This morning, KC is experiencing a huge Spring snow storm. It has been sleeting all morning and tonight we are expected to get 3-6 inches of snow! Ugh. Krista had to drive Mom home in that. They arrived and I got them out of the car with an umbrella. Connie looked weak but good. She is in bed right now and is sleeping. She is so happy to be in her own surroundings. She even had a bit to eat…NOT hospital food.
We have to go right back into clinic tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. to check things. She had the line pulled out of her left arm and a new one inserted in her right. Now, she is sore in both. They were worried the left one was infected so, they took it out.
Tonight, she will rest in her own bed. Have Krista and I take care of her and she will be glad she is in the comfort of home.
Thank You’s : To the Smith (Randy & Deb) who rushed over to pray with me last night. And for being willing to give up their nite to take fresh clothes to Krista and Connie in the hospital. They were life savers last night! To Bob S. for being available to me 24/7 to “talk me off the ledge – again!” When things were going from bad to worse. To the Babbs for being willing to help despite having friends over last night. Even though we didn’t need them, they were willing to leave their guests for us! Means everything! Also, to Krista, who endured 26 hours of “fear” and “confusion”. No 24 year old should have to endure that. She was a “Rock Star” for her Mom. Connie is safe and at home. That is what it important! God Bless you all for praying her home! _____________________________ 3/28/09 Update: Morning Good News! Krista just called (10:00 a.m.) Looks like Connie improved over the night and they are going to let her go home. Woo Hoo. Don’t have any more details than that but, that’s great news! I am going to get the house prepared for her. More later. … THANK YOU all for praying us thru this!!! Ken
_____________ We Need Prayer Again Friday Nite Connie and Kris went down to the clinic today at 1:30 pm and they have run into complications. First Connie had to have platelets and then blood. The blood products caused her to have a fever and they thought it was perhaps from her line. Her line was replaced and they gave her two round of antibiotics. At 7:00 pm. She seemed to be doing better. Now, 8:20 p.m. her fever has spiked and they are admitting her into the Hospital! I can't go down there so this all falls on Kris. She's being so brave! Please pray. Krista is with her and is crying. They are going to the hospital now. Please pray for us! Thank You. ______________________ 3/27/09 Quick Update: 1:15 p.m. Connie had to go to the clinic without me today. Krista took her. It’s possible she might need blood products again. For some weird reason, I became sick last night. Now, I’m in isolation upstairs and must stay totally away from Connie. It’s tough not to be there with her. Hopefully, all will go well. I’m doing fine now, maybe just something I ate but, I still have to stay away from Connie for the next 24 hours. Ugh! So, once again, life is not dull at the Cardell residence. Please pray for today and that Connie (and Krista) do well down at the clinic. Thanks KEN _______________________________
Did I ever show you all the sweet picture that Kellie and Maddie made for us while in the hospital? I now have it as wallpaper on my computer..ha. See, even this brings us JOY...sort of ??? love you all. Ken
3/24/09 Tuesday – Clinic Day It appears we are on the “every other day” schedule for a while. It was so nice to have the weekend off. Today, our appt. is at 2:00 p.m. Connie is very tired. She gets winded now just getting up from bed and walking. They DO kick the crap out of ya. Despite all that, I came home from dropping Maddie off and there she was…on the treadmill ! Walking !!!! She was going real slow but it got her heart rate up and that’s good. Today, she might need blood products. That would mean several hours down at the clinic. Usually, that’s when I get caught up on my walk thru the Bible readings. Platelets take about 20-30 minutes but they have to give Connie Benadryl first. That’s what messes her up. They do that because she can be allergic to them and they try to head it off before it starts. She doesn’t like this because she comes home loopy and wants to sleep all night. If she has to have whole blood, then the process is longer. Usually 2-3 hours. So, it might be a long day. One of the things you have to battle with this disease is mental fatigue. All the appointments, the medicines, the trips to the drug store, the cleaning, the repetition, the boredom, the fear of the future. I could go on…. It’s a battle sometimes just to keep your head in the game. Instead of this process being one of “why me?” or “Oh crap!” which believe me, I was there. We are now trying to shift our focus to, “O.K. God has this on our plate. Let’s deal with it and try to find joy in each day!” The joy is there. It is the same for everyone. Sometimes you just have to slow down and see it. So, that’s our focus now. Each day is a blessing and God has placed special events in there to encourage and strengthen us…we just need to tune in. Maybe it’s an email from a friend, or a touch from a nurse. It can be the smell of a flower or even the sight of a daughter returning home from school. It’s there. We just need to see it. So, we walk again. This week in Kansas City will be the prettiest of the whole year! The Bradford Pears are blooming along with the crabapple trees. Flowers are springing up and the weather is warm. There is basketball in the air and God is still on the throne. We have much to be thankful and joyous about. Thanks for walking with us. _____________________________ 3/22/09 Weekend Update Not much to report except that we had a great weekend. Maddie is still on Spring Break until Tuesday and we have just hunkered down at the mansion. Lots of Bball, My Brackets are horrible this year. As a matter of fact, they are so bad that I ripped them up and they are now scattered all over my floor. It’s an off-year I guess. At least KU is still in the game. How bout that Sienna? They almost beat Louisville?! Woah.. Connie is doing good. The biggest challenge is eating right now. We have to be very careful and prepare food that is “safe” for her to eat. Variety is a challenge. Sweet Carla introduced some new food items to her. It seems to be working. Everything has to be fresh or frozen. No fresh veggies, no leftovers, no foods touched by other humans. Totally on a neutropenic diet. We have to go back into the clinic on Tuesday again. Probably will get blood products (ie: platelets or blood). That’ll be a long one. So, for now, we just try and stay safe and keep any illnesses away. Tomorrow is taxes day. I have about a weeks worth of work to cram into a few days. I’ll sign off but, first I have to say that we have the BEST friends in the world. I have two buddies who have undertaken projects for me that I in no way could have handled. One involves getting a roof put on my Brothers farm property and another is a carpet replacement project that I’ve put off for 2 months. These two guys have stepped in so I could focus on Connie’s care. I can’t believe it. So, THANK YOU Jeff M. and Mike M. for going waaayyyy beyond the call of duty for me. You have lifted a huge burden on me. God Bless you both. ________________________________ 3/20/09 Update – Friday nite Connie is home now. All is well on the sickness front. It was a weird couple of days. Maddie is doing fine. As a matter of fact, after the first 24 hours, it was as if she didn’t have a thing wrong with her. So, it’s safe for Connie girl to come home now. She is happy about that but, she said that Carla was an amazing caregiver. She even got Connie to eat (no easy task). It’s good to know that…if…for any reason…the husband cannot fulfill his duties in accordance with preferred Connie-care, the second runner up will be able to step in. Connie said Carla and Bob were awesome! Clinic appt. was pretty fast today. Con’s counts are doing what they are supposed to so far. She didn’t even need any blood products. That’s good news because it adds hours to our appointment times. Here’s the better news…we don’t have to go back until Tuesday! Wooo Hoo. Now we get to settle in for a weekend of Bball. The Plan – Looks like what they are considering now is called a “lymphocitic push”. This means they would go back to our buddy, Jason and ask for more cells to help Connie. He emailed her a couple days ago and said, “Of COURSE, I will help!” He is amazing and he loves Connie. We are sooo grateful to him. The key now will be to get Connie back into remission again. Means that her orig. cells need to be non-existent in the bone marrow. So, yet another bone marrow test will be forthcoming. I believe this is # 20 ! Ugh. Will keep you updated as we learn more. We are still in isolation and Con’s counts are way low. She has no infection fighters and must eat very carefully. She is on a ton of meds, “anti’s” I call them. Anti-viral, Anti-fungal, Anti-biotics, etc. She is getting tired a lot and shows a few signs of minor bruising. These are caused by her low platelet count. We’ve been thru this before – we know what to do…unfortunately. Thank you all again for helping us. The kindness you all have shown touches our hearts. We are hanging in there…so far. Love you all. GO JAYHAWKS!!!! _________________________ 3/18/09 Update – Clinic Appt - Dinner time Carla took Connie to clinic today. They arrived at 1:00 pm and Con had to have platelets. This usually takes about an hour. Today it took longer. They were still there around 4:15 pm when I called her. She was pretty loopy from the Benadryl they give her beforehand. We are so grateful to have a friend like Carla. She has totally stepped in to be Connie’s caregiver (no easy task). Now, she will have to take Connie to her house and pour her into bed. Hopefully, there will be no issues and Connie can sleep thru the nite. One good thing…sort of…Connie got Carla to watch her very first American Idol program. She drug her kicking and screaming but, she watched it. Hopefully, she enjoyed it. Ha. Looks like Connie can come back probably Friday. Maddie woke up today as if she had never had a fever or anything (kids!). We’re still being careful and keeping her inside. But, she’s already bored and wants to go play. Can you believe that? I’ve washed everything that kid has touched for the last 3 days. Hopefully, all will be well again at the mansion. Bye for now. Thanks for checking in on us. It’s time for March Madness….Get your pics done…I am going to! Good nite. KEN __________________________ 3/18/09 1:00 P.M. Connie is at the clinic with Carla. Ken can’t go because of Maddie being sick. It’s killing me. Just pray for her. You’ll be home soon hon. Ken _________________ __________________ “The Lord maketh my feet like hinds feet, And setteth me upon my high places”. Ps 18:33 and Habakkuk 3:19 This verse above is the inspiration of a little book called Hinds Feet on High Places written by a British woman named Hannah Hurnard. It’s an allegory of the Christian life. Our good friend Gwen Lehleitner gave us a bound copy with our name on it during our last transplant. I read this book several years ago and Connie is reading thru it now. Hannah suffered from a speech impediment and was a shy girl. She began this book in 1955 and it was published in 1975. In 1983, she was diagnosed with cancer and moved to the U.S. She died in Florida in 1990. Without giving away too much of the book (you have to get it and read it! -It is a very quick read.), it’s about a little girl named “Much Afraid”. Much-Afraid is on a journey with the Sheppard to the High Places where “perfect love casts out fear”. She tended flocks in the Valley of Humiliation with her friends and fellow workers Mercy and Peace in the village of Much-Trembling. As she goes on her journey, she is accompanied by Sorrow and Suffering. What struck me about this book is that it was written before the author knew she had cancer but, it aptly portrays the journey that cancer patients are on. Connie read this passage two days ago and it spoke to her. Indeed, if only the path they were following would begin to ascend, they could not doubt that they would soon be …approaching the High Places, where no enemies could follow and where the healing streams flowed. Now instead of that, the path was leading them down into a valley as low as the Valley of Humiliation itself. All the height which they had gained after their long and toilsome journey must now be lost and they would have to begin all over again, just as though they had never made a start so long ago and endured so many difficulties and tests. As she looked down into the depths of the valley, the heart of Much-Afraid went numb… If she went down there, as far as getting to the High Places was concerned she must lose everything she had gained on the journey so far. She would be no nearer receiving the promise than when she started out from the Valley of Humiliation.
We know in our heads that God never lets his word go forth without producing fruit. We know that He has a plan for us and that His ways are not our ways. We know not to lean on our own understanding. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. For Connie, I know that she cherished every moment of the “height” she had gained by fighting. I know that she got most of her life back and it was magical to dwell on the plains of “normal” for so long. She had 2 ½ years there. Now, it appears we are back down the path of pain and suffering for a while. Although we want to say, “Really God??? Again???” It is not our place. We are to walk. We are to finish the journey with our eyes fixed on Jesus. He’s the author and perfecter of faith (Heb 12:2). Regardless of the valleys or the mountains, we must remain as Paul was … content in whatever circumstances I (we) are in. (Phil 4:11). As for us, we will run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb 12:1) We need that endurance today. ______________________ 3/17/09 OH, and it’s Kellie’s Birthday Today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Kellie! Hey, I didn’t have much time but, I organized a parade for you today. Just go down to Westport Road and Broadway. A bunch of your friends have gathered there. They will be wearing green. Much Love girl. Wooo Hooo 23!. Dad _______________________ 3/17/09 9:30 a.m. Prayer. Working on about 3 hours of sleep. Last night Maddie got sick three times upstairs. When this happens in a normal household, it’s a pain, it’s a mess, it’s inconvenient but…when it happens in our house with Connie sick….it’s a crisis~! Maddie also isn’t famous for hitting the bowl or even the toilet if you know what I mean. So, Ken was up most of the night sterilizing things. Anyway, we moved Connie out of here this morning. Carla came to get her. In reality, it’s like moving an entire hospital room. Her meds, her clothes, her lotions, her antibacterials, her pillows…you get the idea. Maddie is still sick upstairs and we can’t have Connie anywhere near the two of us. Connie has no white blood cells to fight this. Hopefully, it will be only a day or two. Today was supposed to be our day off. Ugh.. Clinic tomorrow. So pray for us please. Keep this from spreading. Help us keep the business going amidst all the chaos. It’s hard right now. Thanks…KEN more later…. ________________ 3/16/09 Update – Had clinic appt. today at 10:45 a.m. Finally got out of there around 12:30 p.m. Got Connie’s counts and they have dropped. In this world of “what’s bad is good and what’s good is bad”, this is good now. It means the chemo is doing what it is supposed to do. Actually, it was a pretty boring clinic appt. That’s o.k. with us. Upon walking into the clinic, we got to see our good buddy Mary Beth. She is an amazing woman. She is an oncology nurse and has had her own bout with Leukemia, of all things! Ugh. The good news is she’s doing great and this was just a routine check up. Time with her was a blessing. Then, thru the doors came this gentle tall sweet man. Actually, I heard his voice first and recognized it immediately. It was ED! and his dear sweet wife. Ed is our hero and a huge fan of the Cardell family. He was the man that taught the “survivor” class for our first transplant. I knew immediately that I would like this man when he got up front of the class of about 30 people and said, “When you go to the BMT clinic, they are going to tell you all the reasons that you are going to DIE from your disease. I’m going to tell you all the reasons that you are going to MAKE IT !” He then proceeded to teach the class how to be a “Warrior” thru this process. It was our guide to getting thru it the first time. Unbeknownst to me, in the middle of the class, he yelled out, “Is Ken Cardell here?” I was stunned and sheepishly raised my hand. He said, “I’ve been to your website. That is EXACTLY what you need to get thru this ordeal!” He then told the class all about it. I kinda felt like a “rock star” for a moment. We all know however, that Connie is the “rock star!” He then proceeded to ask, by name about Krista, Kellie and Maddie. Amazing. His presence was a light for us and he encouraged us. At the clinic, we got to see Dr. A. , Wendy (Con’s bud and miracle worker) and we even got to see Dr. M. He’s the guy! He was so encouraging to us. They all are really. They mentioned they are consulting with a Dr. Appelbaum in Seattle who is probably the leading expert on AML leukemia in the country and are determining the best course for Connie. Dr. M. suggested that if we wanted to go to Seattle and sit with this man, he’d make it happen for us. So, we are considering it. Not that we don’t feel safe with the KU team, we totally do, but sometimes meeting face to face with another expert triggers thoughts and ideas that could be looked at. Our treatment would still be in KC in any event. Random and Planned acts of kindness – Our good buddy Lynn Anderson stopped by with a goodie bag. Had small pillows in it, a gift card and lots of love. We had about 13 incredible people clean our house on Friday. (And the kids haven’t wrecked it yet either.) Wooo hoo! People have dropped by cards and greetings. Pam Williams brought more food (awesome, her second time). Sister Karen brought over cookies and spent the afternoon with us. Bob and Carla have been by our sides every day. I really could go on for 3 more pages but, you get the idea. We are so blessed. Well gotta go, - more tomorrow. We have the day off again from the clinic but we are way behind in our work so, hopefully we can get caught up. ________ 3/16/09 9:00 a.m. We take Jan (tall , handsome, German dude) to the airport today. He leaves at 10:30 a.m. Then, we are off to the clinic for a 10:45 a.m. appt. One of Connie’s ports is stuck so we have to get that taken care of. It needs to be flushed each day and sometimes, they get stuck. We don’t know if she will need blood products or other procedures. One day at a time now… More later. Thanks you all for the HUNDREDS of acts of kindness shown our family , just over the weekend! We are amazed once again. ____________________ 3/14/09 WE ARE HOME !!! PRAISE GOD!!! Got home around 4:15 p.m. Woah. What a ride. More later. Love you all. We are resting tonight. Tomorrow is our DAY OFF. Back to the clinic on Monday. _______________ Friday 13th – Update Evening Last day of chemo. Two bags. One at 4:00 p.m. and one at 4:00 a.m. Then we are done! We are hoping to go home tomorrow. Our discharge time keeps getting pushed back. Connie wants 8:00 a.m. but the nurses are saying we’ll be lucky if it’s noon. We’ll see. Connie and Nurse Cheryl are tag teaming the parties involved. I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of that pair! :o) Today, I am told, about 13 or 14 sweet women cleaned our home. Krista said “it’s Hospital clean”. We are so grateful to you people. You make carrying this burden a whole lot lighter. Thank You Thank You dear friends. Connie is so comforted knowing that her environment is safe when she comes home. It’s probably safer than where we are right now! Nurse Cheryl has already been speaking encouragement to Connie. Our day Nurse Jody was also great. I swear, these people who work in our nations oncology wards are a special breed of people! Their compassion is amazing. We’ve also been told that we don’t have to report to the clinic until Monday a.m. That’s huge. That means that we have Sunday off. It’s big because that’s Jan’s last full day here in KC. He heads home to Germany on Monday a.m. We are so saddened that Jan spent most of his trip here in our house. We sooo wanted to take him to Colorado to snowboard. We wish he had not been drug into all this medical stuff. We firmly believe that God had him here for a reason. We are just sad that we weren’t able to spend as much time with him as planned after he came all this way. Our hearts are sick for him. Tomorrow morning we will rise early, get all Connie’s stuff packed up. I will be running all over the hospital and getting her prescriptions for the ride home. There is tons of paperwork and approvals and exams to be done, so…we’ll be busy. The payoff will be big however, because we will be home again with our kids. Connie will cherish the ride home. She will cherish our home and most of all seeing the girls. Thank you all for supporting us during this difficult week. You all are amazing. God Bless. You know…I’ll keep you posted. Ken _____________________________________ 3/12/09 Thursday = Busy Day Today - evening update. We had a few “ledge moments” last night, but we prayed thru them and when we woke up we seemed to be in better spirits. It’s just sometimes we feel the darkness. Yesterday was a chemo day. Means Connie gets two treatments 12 hours apart. The last one was given to her at 4:00 a.m. And, unfortunately, they aren’t real quiet about it. We both were awakened and that’s gets us both thinking. We call it the “heebie jeebies”. It’s those horrible dark moments when the devil seems to taunt you with, “this won’t work” or “what makes you think God will save you again?” It’s when we are the weakest in our faith that he seems to attack us. It’s when we look at each other and ask, “Why me? Why do we have to do this again? What did we do wrong? Is there any hope for us?” It’s a horrible scary place and sometimes we just have to work thru it. As I’ve said before, “His mercies are new every morning.” And I believe that because, when we wake and have our wits about us…we realize how blessed we are and have been throughout our lives. We see God’s hand in our situation and we realize that God has never left us. So, today, we woke up and got in the game again. Perhaps an email we received from our buddy Ro on the west coast said it best: “Connie – Be the type of woman that when her feet hits the floor each morning – the devil says, “Oh CRAP – she’s UP!” That’s who we want to be today! Already this morning, Connie convinced the nurse to “unhook” her. That means they take all the tubes out of her arm and she can move free. She loves this feeling. It makes her feel whole. When you are hooked up to R2D2 (the pumps) you feel like you are bedridden and sick. When they release you, you can move. You can shower. You can walk. Today, Connie even went down the hall and rode the stationary bike again. Today, she rode thru Napa in her mind. I hope she had a nice trip. She seemed to enjoy it. We also learned today that we have to have this new special medicine that is several thousands of dollars for each prescription. They are not sure that our plan covers it so, we now have another thing to worry about. They are checking on it now. We will need this drug for about 6 months. Ugh. So, I was on the phone all morning with our prescription plan people. Sounds fun, huh? Today, for some reason, it was “visitor day”! We didn’t announce it or anything…it just was! Maybe we needed encouragement or something? Our good buddy Deb Smith came by in the afternoon. They were followed by Greg and Lisa, who were down for the second time. Our sweet friends the Dickermans and the Motts came by later in the afternoon. And then Bob…and then Randy. They all brought encouragement with them. So nice to see faces that love us and hurt with us. Most everybody (including Connie and I ) can’t believe we are in here. It takes a while to get their heads around it.&n |
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Lord- get us out of this darkness!
Taken at TrailWest Young Life camp when we went to visit our buddies - the Johnsons.
