Ken Hollis, age 68, of Metairie, Louisiana died peacefully early Friday morning September 10, 2010 with his wife, Diane by his side at Ochsner Medical Center due to complications attributable to his battle with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer. Ken was born and raised in Alexandria, LA and graduated from Bolton High School in 1960 and Louisiana Tech University in 1964. He is survived by his wife, Diane and two sisters, Maud Ella and husband Rick Hartley and Anne Johnson. Ken married Judith Beasley Hollis (deceased in 2007) and had three sons; Jesse K. “Trey” Hollis III and wife Jill, live in Fayetteville, Arkansas with their two children, Mason and Abby. His middle son, Michael lives in New Orleans with his partner, Marty Brantley. The youngest son, Paul lives in Mandeville with his wife, Ashley and their daughter, Bryanne. Ken married Diane Woods Hollis in 1999, who had three girls from her previous marriage. The merging of these two families has been a blessing for all and especially to Ken. Diane's oldest daughter, Heather Menendez and husband Stephen live in Mandeville and have three children, Austin, Hunter and Ava. Middle daughter, Jennifer Stephens and husband Adam live in Mandeville, have a daughter, Josephine. Diane's youngest daughter, Casie Woods lives in Mobile, AL. Ken loved his entire family and each brought joy to him in their own special way.

Upon graduating from La Tech, Ken entered the insurance field and served as MassMutual's Regional Group Manager until 1981 when he took over as General Agent for the State of Louisiana until retiring from that position in January 1998. During the years of 1967 - 1974, Ken served our country as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. His entire professional career was in the health/life insurance and benefits industry and he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hollis Companies which specializes in employee benefits. He was very proud of his company and felt blessed that his son and many other close colleagues have pledged to carry on the business that he founded and built with them over his career.

In addition to his professional career, his other passion was his honorable career in public service of 28 years, first as a Jefferson Parish Councilman in 1980 until 1982 when he was elected to the State Senate. Ken served in the Senate for 26 years until 2008. Known for his colorful character and love for Louisiana, his accomplishments in the Louisiana Senate were many. Some of his proudest moments were championing the lifting of the tolls on the south shore of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as well as his advocacy for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. Ken served as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee where his talents were used for his passion for economic development. He was instrumental in recruiting and retaining businesses in the state such as the early negotiations in retaining the Saints in New Orleans, completion of Harrah's Casino and the legislation to establish the Louisiana Lottery. He was also very proud of his earliest legislation to prohibit an earnings tax on non-residents working in the city of New Orleans.

Ken received numerous public service awards including the Alliance for Good Government's Senator of the Year Award for Jefferson Parish in 1985, 1987, 1993, and 1996 and the 2000 Legislator of the Year Award from the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, the 2007 Silent Defender Award from the International Code Council Foundation and the Frederick Law Olmsted Award from Jefferson Beautification.

If you would like to make a donation in Ken’s honor, please consider a gift to Cancer Crusaders, 1117 Homestead Ave., Metairie, LA. 70010 or a blood donation at Ochsner Medical Center (or any blood donation center that is convenient for you).

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Services at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Monday morning, 11:00 AM until service time. While the Funeral Service on Monday at Lake Lawn Funeral Home is open, the brief Interment following is for family only. Please visit and sign the family guestbook at http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com/.

There will also be a service recognizing Ken's 28 years of public service at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, LA on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 11:00 AM.

Below is a link to a story that appeared on NOLA.com this morning:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/09/ken_hollis_former_state_senato.html

As most of you are aware, the past couple days have been emotionally challenging for all of us close to Dad/Ken. We continue to feel and appreciate the outpouring of love, care and prayers from family and friends during this difficult time.  Earlier today, the family met with the ICU and Palliative care teams here at Ochsner.  The family is honoring the wishes of our father/Ken. We are now resigned to what is imminent and leaving the remainder of his life between him and our Lord and Savior.  We ask that you pray for continued strength, peace and comfort to all of us that love my Dad so much.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” – Romans 8:18

Love to all from the Hollis family and friends

Ken's current medical status remains largely unchanged from yesterday.  He is still on dialysis and still in ICU.  They have recently put him on a morphine drip to keep him comfortable.  The doctors have suggested that we limit visitors to immediate family and only for short intervals over the next couple days.  While the family appreciates and enjoys everyone's company and well wishes, we ask that you be patient over the next couple days as we give Ken time to gain his strength.   Of course we continue to be lifted by your prayers!

"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."   -- Psalm 62:7

While there have been no major changes in Ken’s medical status since the last post, he seems to be more lucid today. He is still exhausted but when aroused, he has been more communicative. Of course he continues to focus on telling everyone “I love you” and “thank you”! This morning he had a request…. he asked for root beer??? Since he can have no “liquids” the medical staff has begun to prepare frozen root beer that we can give him in small pieces. He also expressed a desire “to get around”… while his mind seems willing, his body’s not quite able yet! Rest assured that as soon as we can get him new scenery, we will.

As we close out the Labor Day weekend, the family would like to give thanks to all the friends that have been providing support to us in this time of need. We are truly blessed to have such caring friends and family and we give thanks to God daily for the gift of friendship. We are lifted by your prayers but also ask that even in the time of need, we praise and thank God for all the blessings we enjoy.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” - Philippians 4:6-7

PS… We are going to try and rotate some new pictures on the right side of the screen if you scroll down. 

Ken’s current medical condition remains better than it was a few days ago and unchanged from yesterday.  His spirits were high this morning as he had a quick visit with several childhood friends (sounds better than “old friends”!).   He started this morning by acknowledging it was a “pretty day” and when I mentioned the LSU game, he asked the score.  He tells everyone that visits with him one of two things (and usually both)… (1) “I love you” and (2) “thank you”.

The medical staff continues to give him antibiotics to help with the severe sepsis he is still in.   While he is still continuously on the dialysis machine, they actually had him off of dialysis for about 6-8 hours on Friday in preparation and during his knee surgery.  We spoke with the orthopedic surgeons that did his knee procedure and they were pleased with their ongoing monitoring of the knee since the surgery.   Ken has been in some pain this morning - most likely exacerbated by the knee surgery.   As such, they are now giving him some ongoing pain medications to comfort him.  

As mentioned in previous posts, we are trying to ensure that we don’t over stimulate him during this critical time.  He needs rest.  However, with that being said, anyone that knows him would agree that he enjoys seeing people.  As such, the medical staff is allowing visitors on a limited basis and for limited times.   We appreciate your ongoing prayers uplifting our family and friends during this difficult time.  This has been a very long and laborious 6 days for everyone.   We are thankful for the strength, peace and comfort God continues to bless us with.   We ask that you give thanks for these things and pray for rest and continued comfort and peace for Ken, our family and friends.  

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest”   -  Exodus 34: 21

Friday September third evening update

Ken's surgery went very well this afternoon and he continues to rest well this evening. His blood pressure is normal without any medications for bp. His heart rate, while slightly irregular, is still looking good. He is back on dialysis tonight, which we expected and they see that continuing for now.

The weekend will still be critical to watch this trend continue prior to being released from ccu to the oncology floor.

Tomorrow is a new day and in addition to the many friends and family members in town now, we look forward to some more of Ken's family coming to visit.

"I am the Lord that healeth thee." Exodus 12:37

As of yesterday evening, Ken is off the blood pressure medication and is also breathing much better on his own. In addition, his white blood cell count has been accelerated back to the normal range. The doctors were able to identify the source of the sepsis/infection yesterday from pathology on fluids extracted from his knee earlier this week. You may recall that Ken had knee replacement surgery a couple years ago. There are parts of his new knee that are plastic that are harboring the infection that has caused the septic shock (which he is still in). As such, we are trying to get his platelet levels high enough for him to tolerate a knee surgery to remove the infected parts of his knee. Given his current condition and very low platelet level, any surgery is a risk. The orthopedic surgeon will be ready to remove the plastic when we can get his platelet count to an acceptable level (hopefully early afternoon). Removing the source of the infection is very important and critical and they are hopeful to perform this procedure ASAP. This is one battle of several we will be facing over the next several days.

Even under normal circumstances, any surgery that requires anesthesia is a cause for concern but especially so in Ken’s current state. Your prayers are still needed and we have found great comfort and strength from these prayers and your comments.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

As of this morning, Dad's/Ken’s condition continues to be about the same as yesterday which was a signicificant improvement from Tuesday. His white blood cell count has doubled since he was admitted to ICU on Monday which means he is twice as prepared to fight the infection associated with the Septic Shock/Sepsis resuilting from the Tumor Lysis Syndrome that followed his first round of chemotherapy. While the signs of infection/bacteria in his blood stream and organs are diminishing, he is still in the danger/critical zone and still in ICU. The medical staff continues to reduce the medication needed to control his blood pressure and he has gone from 100% oxygen assistance down to 30% so he is almost breathing normal on his own (normal air has 21% oxygen). He is still on dialysis and his kidneys show very little sign of healing at this point in time. However, the doctors have explained that the restoration of the kidneys is usually last. Since the infection affects all organs including the brain, he is experiencing encephalopathy (confusion/disorientation). As his body continues to fight the infection, we are hopeful this confusion will diminish.

We appreciate all the prayers and concerns from friends and family. Your prayers are truly lifting all of our spirits and we feel blessed that the Lord is answering our prayers and giving Ken the strength to continue to fight this battle. As mentioned in yesterdays post, Ken continues to be in need of rest. As such, we are limiting visitation for the time being until he regains strength.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.   Numbers 6:24-26

September 1st morning update

Friends,

We wanted to share that Ken had a good night last night with some improvements, especially with his breathing!

We are still waiting to speak to the ICU team and will get much more information from them at some point today.

He is having some challenges sleeping -- in fact he hasn't slept much at all since Sunday night.

As we all know, he is a fighter and has proven this overnight. But he is fighting so hard and his mind is so sharp he just can't seem to sleep. That being said, the medical team has asked the family to discontinue visitors from visiting him in ICU. So we are really only coming back when his doctors are visiting in hopes of him getting some rest.

August 31st update on Ken's condition

Friends,

Ken is being well taken care of by a fantastic team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals here at Ochsner Medical Center.  Some of you may know that in the past few weeks he was diagnosed with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer (poorly differentiated), which is a rare form of cancer.  After multiple tests and in collaboration with MD Anderson, the decision to start chemotherapy was made 12 days ago. 

It was a course of a three day treatment that took place at the hospital and then he was home in time to see the Saints beat the Houston Texans. 

Since then, he has had many good times and up until recently has had little side effects from his first chemo treatment.  However, over the past few days he has gotten noticeably weaker (but still with his charm, go-get 'em spirit, and of course sharp wit) resulting in us admitting him back to the hospital.  He is currently in Ochner's Intensive Care Unit.  The Critical Care Doctor explained to us this morning that he is in septic shock.  Septic shock is a potential risk associated with chemotherapy resulting from the weakening of the immune system from the chemos effect on white blood cells.  The next 24 hours will be very critical.  The doctors are doing all they can to prepare his body to fight what has become pretty massive infections throughout his body/blood stream effecting vital organs.  Yesterday he had a renal/kidney failure and has been on dialysis since last night. 

At this point we are taking each day at a time to see how his organs are responding and will keep you posted.   While doctors believe the situation to be very critical, the next 24 hours will become very telling.  Clearly we all are worried, but have faith that God has given Ken's medical team the wisdom to help get him through this and certainly with Ken and all of us the strength to stay strong, have hope and keep faith (to quote the bracelets that were made in Ken's honor by Diane's youngest daughter, Casie).


"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9