Bill & Sue Muk Memorial Tournament

What a wonderful day! Karin Mukensturm and everyone who attended the Bill & Sue Mukensturm Memorial Golf Tournament were so very generous. The proceeds -- $2080 -- will certainly go a long way to help Karl. After the tournament Karl spoke via speakerphone to the 140 plus people who played and/or just came to support the tournament.

Besides Karl, money from the tournament went to the Gift of Life in memory of Bill and Sue Mukensturm who were siblings and who both died from complications of hepatitis C. Bill and his wife, Karin, owned Wrong Way Pub (now Muk's Sports Pub) together with Carey Wyler (who came from Florida again for the tournament).

Now for news on Karl:

Karl still has a rash, but the doctors think he's allergic to penicillin-based antibiotics so they've stopped those and begun others. At least this time he's not in pain like the last time. I was surprised when I arrived yesterday to find Karl with quite a bit of hair growth. I'll get a photo soon (he has more hats). Other than the red rash, he looks pretty good. They took out some of the stitches on his back today and will remove the rest next week. When that happens, they'll put him in a regular bed and then they'll work on having him sit on the edge of his bed. He's also been cleared to start drinking clear liquids. A CT scan showed that the blockage in his small intestine has been cleared. But it will take some time to get his tummy used to food again so he's going very slowly, starting with Hawaiian Punch on ice. Mmmm-mmmm.

Anyway, rather than bore you with more words, here are a bunch of photos from Saturday's event.

God bless,

Kerry

Remember to look up!

The doctors have figured out the cause of Karl’s allergic problem, thank God (and thank you for your continued prayers). He is doing much better. They’ve replaced his antibiotics with others. The therapists have really been keeping him active, which will supposedly take care of his intestinal issues. Doctors continue to reassure him about this. With the use of the Hoyer lift, they put Karl on a table that inclines to about a 70 degree angle at this point. Only 20 more degrees and he’ll be standing! Karl says it doesn’t hurt, but it takes him a bit of time to get used to being upright after being horizontal day and night.

John and Susan Van Buhler along with Susan’s mom, Dolores Kroll paid a visit while at Mayo for one of John’s check-ups. How nice of them to stop in. Carol Partridge also made the long drive and is staying with Mom for a few days. Carol will be bringing Mom back to Tecumseh either Saturday or Sunday. We are so thankful for our friends and family. I’m heading back to Minnesota on Monday after spending some time in Tecumseh to get a few things in order. I’m eager to see a bunch of you at the Bill Mukensturm Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday. If you have anything you’d like me to take to Karl, please come to Raisin Valley around 12:30 or 1 p.m. I’d love to see you! If that’s not convenient, let me know and I’ll make arrangements to get it. (email me at hamiltonsmith.family@gmail.com)

Most of the time I think and think and think and finally the spirit hits and I manage to come up with some kind of minutely inspirational prose. Unfortunately, I’m fresh out today. So, instead I’m going to steal something someone sent me via email. I thought it was appropriate.

The Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumblebee

The buzzard:

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The bat:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

The bumblebee:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

People:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up!

Remember to trust in our Creator who loves us and...look up!

Blessings,

Kerry

Booster shot

Just when you think the only thing Karl has to worry about is a kink in his intestines, along comes another issue that’s making him completely miserable. Karl woke up Sunday with a rash all over his body. He said it feels like he has a severe sunburn. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst, Karl said his pain level is at a 7…that’s more severe than it was following surgery. Suffice it to say that Karl is anxious and scared and wondering when he will get back on the road to recovery. And we’re all anxious to have Karl feel better and wonder how we can help. The problem is, we’re pretty powerless at this point and can offer no relief to him. He doesn’t even want to be touched.

Doctors have been running in and out of his room all day. Yesterday they gave him a shot of Benadryl and dressed him with hypoallergenic sheets and cover-ups. Then they thought it was a reaction he was having to an antibiotic he's been receiving intravenously for weeks – vancomycin. They actually have a name for the reaction…it’s called Red Man’s Disease. But today they are postulating that it’s systemic -- that both the pepercillin and the vanco are causing this reaction. So they’ve taken him off those antibiotics and put him on three others.

Needless to say he hasn’t rested very well for the past two evenings and days. We’re hoping some specific prayers from the “warriors” will fend off any further set-backs and take care of this particular situation among others.

I know you’ve been keeping Karl in your prayers, but he’s in need of a booster shot. I know with your help and God’s mercy and grace, Karl can get through this set-back.

With thanks, peace and love,
Kerry

Sending out birds

Just when things seem to be progressing at a nice pace for Karl, his tummy started acting up again.

Until yesterday, Karl had been working hard with both the physical and occupational therapists. The physical therapists were putting Karl at a 45 degree angle using a mechanical lift apparatus. Then when he was in position, they’d work his legs. The goal is to eventually get him in a standing position. They’ve also had him in a sitting position for nearly an hour every day. The occupational therapists have been working Karl’s arms. He is now strong enough to roll himself over on his side with just a little guidance of his legs. It’s becoming less and less painful and he can do it with relative ease.

Unfortunately, Wednesday night was not much fun for him. And last night wasn’t much better either. They had removed his NG (feeding) tube because he was feeling so much better (he said he felt like he could eat a steak). Nonetheless, they were taking it very easy and giving him only clear liquids because they didn’t want to go too fast. Well, apparently the “kink” in his small intestine never worked its way out; more fluid pooled with nowhere to go but back where it came from. Yesterday he spent all day recovering from a night of feeling very ill. The nurses put the NG tube back in place to drain the fluid yesterday morning. Unfortunately, the pump to drain the fluid wasn’t working properly last night so it was more of the same. This morning Dr. Redmond told Karl if things didn’t work themselves out they’d have to do surgery, but they can’t do that for at least two weeks. Dr. Hannah told him, however, that he felt surgery wouldn’t be necessary because of the amount of noise and activity being produced by his intestines/stomach. Ann, the reiki practitioner, also stopped by and said she could “feel” activity, which is a good sign. She did her thing and, as usual, Karl drifted off to sleep.

A surprise visit from Bob and Anita Schultz who were in Minneapolis for a seminar helped to boost Karl’s spirits today. Bob is a high school chum who now lives in California. He and Anita made the 90-minute drive this morning. Karl was so happy to have them stop by. Another guy who Karl hasn’t seen in awhile also stopped in…Dr. Yaszemski. We think he’s had some military obligations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. But he promised Karl he’d have him back home soon. It looks like it will be at least another month, however, before we can start planning for that.

This waiting/patience thing Karl is experiencing reminds me of Noah’s experience with the ark. After 40 days and nights of intense rain and then many more of not seeing any living thing other than what was on the ark, Noah et. al was probably getting pretty antsy and stir crazy. Let’s face it…Noah spent a year on that ark! Imagine how badly he and his family wanted out of there. He kept sending out birds just to check the progress of the water’s recession. First they circled, then one brought an olive branch (imagine the excitement) and then the last one never returned. Then Noah waited a little longer. Finally, God gave the all-clear and Noah yelled, “Land-Ho!” and off the animals went. In God’s divine wisdom, he knew the earth was not dry enough for Noah and his family to safely live so he made them wait. Noah’s patience and trust in God is something for which we should all strive. But we’re ready to send out some birds.

Blessings,
Kerry

Working out the kinks

There have been many ups and downs for Karl over the past few days. Thankfully, they’ve been mostly ups lately. After a week of having a kink in his small intestine that caused him significant pain and slowed his digestive process to a near stand-still, it has finally worked out -- we think. While he is still on IV feedings, he is now drinking juice. This time they will take it much more slowly. He complains of being hungry and his stomach is making a lot of noise, which are both good signs.

The occupational and physical therapists have been putting Karl through the paces. Yesterday he sat in a chair for nearly an hour, which was a bit painful because of his incisions and the fact that he’s “restructured.” He is moving his legs and exercising his arms. Karl is feeling stronger. He still has an infection in one of his incisions, but antibiotics and frequent dressing changes have it in check.

His buddy Rodney Partridge also made a surprise visit this weekend which lifted Karl’s spirits tremendously. His visit coupled with the fact that the kink is gone made Karl feel much, MUCH better. He has two drains left in and when those are removed, Karl will probably be moved to a rehab floor and will begin chemotherapy again (He's dreading this, but it's a necessary evil to make sure any lingering cancer cells are decimated). We still do not know how long he will be in the hospital, but each day brings Karl a bit closer to coming home…we keep reminding him of that. The bouquet of balloons from Adrian Steel and all of the cards, photos and gifts (including the slobbered-on ball from Rasta Neidermier, Karl’s favorite German shorthair) also help to keep Karl smiling and remembering that people are thinking about him.

On the home front, Karl’s A-Team buddies showed up at his house again this weekend to help move the contents of his home to a storage unit. I can’t thank them all enough for their hard work. And after all was tolled, the Bad Hair Day? Spa-athon brought in about $4100. Incredible!

Thank you again for your continuous thoughts and prayers. Below is a prayer I found in one of the pamphlets the chaplain brought by one day. I think it sums up what Karl is feeling at times. He is so overwhelmed by your generosity.

Love and blessings,
Kerry

If I Could But Touch

O Lord
I thought
if I could but touch
the hem of your garment
I could be healed.
But where do I find you these days?
What hem should I try to touch?

Then one day
some of your friends
with hearts less complicated than mine
laid their hands upon me
and I felt new.

I give you praise, O Lord
for those hems of garments
that are still around
for touching – Amen

(Season of Your Heart)

In prison

Karl is feeling somewhat better today and this evening, but he’s still having some pain. They put the NG (Nasal-Gastric) tube back in which gave him some relief. Early this morning the doctor told him he thought it would be best to perform this procedure rather than wait for it to work itself out. So, late in the morning they gave him some ativan to relax him a bit and put the tube in place. Next they X-rayed him (no drop this time!!!) and found the tube to be about an inch-and-a-half short of its target. They adjusted it and began pumping some of the pooled fluid immediately. That made him feel better. But the kink and the pain are both still lingering. Doctors have assured us this will remedy itself in a few days. However, having Karl in pain and seeing that he’s not progressing like he was before is causing him (and us) some understandable anxiety.

Worry and anxiety have been troublesome, yet natural emotions for Karl and, I imagine, the rest of us throughout this ordeal. When the apostle Paul was in prison in Rome as a persecuted Christian, he wrote a letter to the Philippians and addressed those emotions. Paul wrote in Chapter 4, Verses 6-7: “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.”

Here Paul sits – in a prison. Unable to move from the chains that bind him to the miserable conditions to which he is undoubtedly subjected. I imagine that’s much like Karl is feeling – only Karl may have it a bit worse. He is bound to his bed, unable to move other than his upper body to beckon the nurse when the alarms on his IVs sound or when he’s thirsty or in pain. It must be horrible for Karl. And the thought of another surgery lingers constantly in the back of his mind.

We can learn from Paul’s letter and pray for Karl to feel the same joy Paul expressed to the Philippians because of his relationship with God and Christ Jesus. The concept of rejoicing or joy appears 16 times in his missive and concludes with, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (4:4)

This is but a bump on Karl’s climb to the top of the hill. I’m absolutely confident in that. But Karl sure needs help and reassurance right now. Tonight and in the coming days I’ll be praying for his continued healing. I’ll also ask for Karl to receive God’s peace, knowing that He is good and will always protect Karl as well as you and I. And for that, we can all rejoice.

Blessings,

Kerry

Decision time

It has been a long weekend and not a very good start of the week for poor Karl. He hasn’t been able to eat and has been nauseated since Friday night. The only relief he gets is when he sleeps. Thankfully he sleeps a lot. Doctors have put him back on IV nutritional supplements and have given him back his dilaudid push button. Ann, the reiki practitioner said she could sense something wasn’t right in his stomach area and after working on him, felt she had helped.

About 6:30 p.m. eastern time the intestine/bowel doctor gave us the results of a CT scan Karl had earlier today – his small intestine is partially blocked and has a "kink" in it. The doctor said this is something that will most likely work itself out without any additional measures, but to avoid the possibility of surgery, they’d like to put a nasal/gastro (feeding) tube back in place. This will likely give Karl immediate relief because they can drain the pooled fluid. The doctor also said this would likely straighten out the kink quicker, too.

The not-so-good news is that Karl will need another X-ray like the one in which they dropped him (not a pleasant memory) in order to put the tube in place properly AND he’ll have to be awake for the procedure. So it’s decision time. Karl will need to decide either tonight or tomorrow morning as to whether we wants to wait it out or have the tube put in place.

In the meantime, the physical therapists put Karl in a harness-type apparatus that enables a crane-type machine to lift him into place over a Medi-chair. The chair is in a reclined position when Karl is first placed into it and then the back straightens up and the legs go down so he’s in a sitting position. It’s pretty slick and while it wears Karl out, he says it’s not too painful. However, since he’s not been feeling well, they’ve suspended this activity since Friday.

Prayer warriors: I ask that you pray for Karl’s continued healing, the relief of his pain and nausea, that his intestine “straightens up” and that God be with the doctors who treat him. You are all so integral to his improved condition. Again, thank you for loving Karl so much and for all your prayers.

Blessings,

Kerry

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 4:7-8, 11-12