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
