I wrote a long blog over the weekend, sitting in the hospital room by Ken. Its content isn’t really relevant though, any longer. Over the course of last week, while doctors got his pain under control, Ken’s liver function continued to deteriorate. His liver MRI showed significant cancer throughout, much worse than what we saw in the PET/CT last month.
Increasing ammonia in his blood made him delirious and groggy over the weekend but his care team has succeeded in reducing the ammonia level. We’ve been celebrating some beautiful moments of clarity with him the past two days. Today he even sat up in a chair for about three hours, talking with his daughter and his sister. Later, resting in his bed, he and his younger boy tried to guess the Jeopardy questions on TV. Todd, they agreed, really deserved his $25,000 winnings.
Today was lovely. It was also temporary. Ken’s liver has failed. We met with the oncologist and the palliative care team this morning to begin the process of moving him to hospice.
He doesn’t want a funeral or to be displayed in a casket. Instead, he asked us to have a get together like we did for his mom. I’ll update you as I can.
I’ve been acquainted with Ken for a decade or so, since the Casey Serin days. So much sympathy and love to you guys over the past fourteen months, and more in the days ahead. 😦
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Thank you.
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Oh, Deb..I am so sorry for you and your family…I am sending you positive thoughts at this time.Love, Jacquelyn
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Ken and I were friends online. He came out to SLC a few years ago with your son and we hung out. Tell him we’re all thinking about him and know that we’ll remember that trip forever.
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Thank you for mentioning the trip. He enjoyed talking about it with me.
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Deb…again at a loss for words. I pray for the strength you and your family need for this part of Ken’s journey. God bless you! 👭🙇💚
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Deb…This sucks (sorry…it does). Thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time. Praying for strength and peace.
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It really does. Thank you.
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ATG ATG ATG – So awful to hear, Ken. CHC Haterz support. 😦
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Thank you.
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I know it’s not much, but I’ll have the updated calendar to you tonight. I was going to take the time to make it lovely, and add photographs, but time has decided to fly. We’ve had a beautiful response from all the cousins. Cousins Beth, John, Jeff, and Maryann all send their love and prayers, as of course, do I.
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Thank you for putting it together. I know he’ll enjoy talking about it.
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Deb, I sent the latest family calendar update to Ken’s email. I don’t have yours. I will also mention this on FB Messenger. I hope you get it! Ellen is sending her data soon and I will send you the update as soon as I compile it. Through this calendar Ken has gotten a lot of family members reaching out to eachother.
With Very much love and prayers,
Crescent
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If you can please tell Ken that I wish him strength and that I will always remember him.
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Thank you for that.
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Please let Ken know his pals from KDX love him and will miss him terribly. We’ve been friends online since before the iPod, and, though it may sound strange, there’s a closeness that exists from having shared stories, jokes, ideas, and so on with one another for so long.
I’m sad to be losing a friend and for all of the difficulties that his loved ones have had to go through over the course of his sickness. I know Ken to be a kind and generous person, intelligent, friendly, and humourous. Having him as a friend has enriched my life.
Sending all of you wishes for strength, comfort, and peace as you continue along this journey.
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Thank you. I read him your note. He wishes he had the energy to respond personally.
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