http://kevinhealey.com Support Blog for Kevin en-us Nucleus CMS v3.32 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://kevinhealey.com/nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://kevinhealey.com http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=154
We had a bittersweet get-away and tried to live in the moment. This week Kevin will be calling his oncologists to schedule an appointment to see if there is any further treatment they recommend. We are expecting and hoping that Kevin will begin school on time - something he has never been able to do - next Monday. So much information is up in the air right now and so much can change. Kevin is scheduled to take (as he always has) a full schedule of classes - all of which he is so happy to be taking. And his grades -- we don't know how he does it! He pulled off another amazing semester and we can only imagine that God has great plans for him someday. If he didn't look so much like his father (with my coloring) I would wonder if they hadn't switched babies in the hospital! He is amazing.

Tom and I are filled with hope right now. We know that the future is unknown and that treatments so far haven't worked so very well on Kevin's body. He is also tired and worn-down from 2 years of treatments and surgeries. We aren't finished yet...and now we have entered the 3rd year of cancer and treatments. However, this family is made of strong stuff and we are ready to continue the battle. As we see it, cancer will not get the best of Kevin or any of us. We walk with God and He walks with us. Just as He walks with all of you. Of that we are certain.

We will most likely have news this week and we will update if Kevin's oncology team has a plan for him. Please, please hang in there with us and we will hang in there with you. We do pray for you, love you and hold you close in our hearts. We are truly filled with joy and have you to thank for that gift. Please stay close to us. Thank you all and God bless you for your presence in our lives. More information will likely follow this update soon....take care...

Ann & Tom]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=154 Mon, 5 Jan 2009 08:59:03 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=153 Sadly, all of Kevin’s lung and pleural cavity tumors, including ones previously thought to be completely necrotic (dead) have grown despite a lot of recent chemo.

For now, chemo is no longer an option; it just hasn’t worked on Kevin.

Surgery to remove Kevin’s left lung and pleural cavity is also not going to be feasible with growing tumors. The thoracic surgeon suggested that several possible treatments could be researched and discussed with Kevin’s oncology team – as soon as possible.

Tom and I decided that with no more chemo (for now) we will take Kevin and Mary Kate out of town for a few days after Christmas to spoil them a little bit. As the children of two Catholic school teachers, they really haven’t been very spoiled, per se, and they deserve the diversion. Kevin is planning to return to ND in January to begin 5 much anticipated courses. Prayer will keep him going. We are anxious to see where God will lead Kevin and all of us during the next few weeks and months. We will pray an alternative form of treatment is researched and implemented, again, as soon as possible.

We anticipate the birth of our dear Lord and Savior within the next few days. May these days bring all of you peace and joy. God loves you very much and so do we. Please continue to be a part of Kevin’s story. We need you on his team, perhaps more than ever. We will update if/when there is any news. Please know that we hold you so very close in our hearts this Christmas season.

Ann & Tom]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=153 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:23:32 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=152
When I look back on finals weeks during my own college years - if I knew then what I know now - I never would have complained and I would have hit the books with much more intensity. I didn't have to deal with cancer and chemo. I am in awe of my son.

When Kevin was growing up (Mary Kate, too, for that matter) - there were times when someone would hurt him or her. Other kids can be cruel, as can insensitive people from all walks of life. When my kids hurt...I hurt. Every parent can relate to this experience. I used to think sometimes, "If only that kid knew how much his/her insensitivity hurts my son/daughter...and me...my heart is breaking." On Friday I was praying the rosary in front of an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and, while looking into Mary's face it hit me like a ton of bricks. I have hurt her Son through my sins. I never had that insight before. I am as guilty of hurting another mother's son, even more so, as other people are of hurting mine. My selfishness hurts Mary, too, because it pains her Son. I see things differently now. I also know that every person reading this website has difficulty in his/her life. I pray for you whether you have shared your difficulties with me or not. You are always covered in prayer. I do know that the closer I am to God - the more free from sin - the more amplified my prayers are for Kevin and for all of you. This is another lesson I have learned, sadly, through life's experiences. And it's very hard for me to stay spiritually clean - on track so to speak. But I try for Kevin and for all of you. Kevin, Mary Kate, Tom and all of you have raised the spiritual bar for me and I owe it to them and to all of you to be my best. Thank you for teaching me that lesson.

Kevin will have scans as planned next Monday, December 22nd. I admire his ability to take his finals with the aftereffects of 8 months' worth of "year 2" chemo treatments, as well as last week's double whammy. I also admire his ability to take his finals with the thought of scans hanging over his head. But - we all walk this week in faith and feel confident that Christmas and its promises will bring about healing and peace. We have experienced so many miracles already. We wish that for all of you as well. We will update when we have news. Have a great week and we will, too. God bless.

Ann]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=152 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:47:14 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=151
We would truly appreciate any prayers tomorrow (12/12) asking Our Lord through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe to assist Kevin in his journey. Special thanks to Colleen Dunn who made this request earlier in the week and to all of those who will join her in this prayer.

We love you all and couldn't keep up the fight without you. May God's blessings fill all of your lives.

In Our Lady,

Tom]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=151 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:35:11 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=150
Having Kevin home unexpectedly this weekend will force me to get off my backside after work today and get the house decorated for Christmas. So it's all good. The roller coaster keeps going up and down and so we all continue to ride...

Ann]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=150 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:17:11 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=148 In the wake of more bad news I don’t know how to post without sounding negative. I decided to make this post a love letter to my family so that they can know how brilliantly they shine, not necessarily in the world’s eyes but in the eyes of the One who created them.

I will discuss news in a few paragraphs.

Mary Kate: You have had so much weight on your tiny shoulders for several years. Concentrating on school and homework has been incredibly difficult. Not everyone has placed themselves in your shoes; not everyone has had empathy. You are the most beautiful child; your face radiates the innocence of heaven itself. You sleep in your brother’s bed when he is in the hospital and/or at school because you miss him so much and because it makes you feel close to him. What God sees in you is your ability to rise above your family’s circumstances to the best of your 13 year old ability. No one should hold you to higher standards than that. The good people in your life, and there are so many, are sent to you from heaven above. Your father, brother and I love you more than you could ever know. The gift of your presence in the world has kept your parents young. I can’t believe God gifted me with such a beautiful and precious daughter. I stand in awe of you. The world is a better place because you are here.

Tom: To see the anguish Kevin’s illness has caused you is unmistakable. His pain is yours. Your role is that of God the Father and you carry your son’s burden as your own. We lost our first child in miscarriage and Kevin’s birth brought us great joy. You and he are so close at times if is hard to know where one of you begins and the other ends. You have shown courage previously unseen by many witnesses who are learning the meaning of fidelity to family. You have never wavered in your strength despite carrying a sorrow in your heart heavier than most could carry for a day. You never look to any of us to meet your needs; you meet ours. Many a man would crumble under the weight of your cross. You carry it with dignity and I admire you more than words can say. Words fail me but you are a hero to me, Mary Kate and Kevin. You are the bravest, strongest and most loving of men and I fully acknowledge my awareness of your gifts to our family. I am humbled to be your wife and thank God you have stayed by my side for over 26 years of marriage.

Kevin: You have accomplished the impossible these last 2 years. The fact that you are in college at all, let alone at the University of Notre Dame, is a fact that knocks people to their knees. You know your doctors and nurses are shocked by what you have accomplished. Kevin, it is a miracle and I do mean in the supernatural sense of the word, that you have done as much as you have given the circumstances, especially since you have had Stage IV metastatic lung cancer since last January. I don’t know how many other Notre Dame students are walking around campus with Stage IV metastatic lung cancer, but there can’t be too many. Don’t hold yourself to standards no one else could accomplish. You are a true St. Ignatius High School “Man for Others.” You have unselfishly allowed yourself to be placed under very public scrutiny these past 2 years and have served as a role model for many. You are a true Notre Dame “Fighting Irishman” in that you are fighting for your life and for normalcy in the stormy seas of this journey with cancer. I am humbled to be your mother and am almost frightened at how much God entrusted your father and me, in all of our human weaknesses, not only to raise you but also to take care of you during your time of illness. Be so very proud of whom you are. God is so very pleased; trust me in that statement.

As to the news – Kevin was in the middle of a test when he took a call from one of his oncologists. Horrible timing but not the doctor’s fault (we love his doctors). It appears he will need more chemo still. He will have chemos on December 22nd and December 29th, which will be the 2-year anniversary of the discovery of his initial tumor (in his tibia – now removed). Surgery will soon follow. We were planning on taking our children on a little vacation over Christmas break before the anticipated lung/pleural cavity removal, but that won’t happen. Kevin is very depressed and I can honestly say that after 2 years we are all tanking. I know that this, too, shall pass. It is just so very difficult. To not be there to physically comfort Kevin is very difficult as well. When he was tiny I could just hold him; now Tom and I comfort him via cell phones and e-mail correspondence.

If you are one of Kevin’s friends, please do not contact him with a message about, “Did you see what your mom posted?” He will see soon enough. We are constantly trying to process news and pick ourselves up so that we can pick Kevin up and keep him going. He is struggling to stay positive and yet is the most amazing 19 year old kid most people know. Kevin, Mary Kate and Tom – you are all unbelievable gifts. God made you to shine like the sun, and you do, whether you realize it or not. You shine whether others realize it or not. We will proceed with a change in plans and, although the future is unknown (as it is for everyone), onward we press with God on our side.

Thank you to the readers and supporters for allowing me to gush a bit about the 3 miracles living in my family. Thank you for being a part of our journey. You, too, are very much loved and appreciated. God bless and know that we hold you in daily prayer.

Ann]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=148 Mon, 8 Dec 2008 22:30:00 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=147
Right now scans are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 22nd, shortly after Kevin returns from taking his finals. Decisions will be made as to whether or not surgery is viable, or whether it will be done in Cleveland or Boston -- there will be a lot going on. Surgery would potentially entail an entire (left) lung and pleural cavity removal. Radiation is expected to follow surgery. Tom, Mary Kate and I have a difficult time concentrating these days and it is a miracle that Kevin can even remotely concentrate on his studies. This is an anxiety-ridden time and I apologize if Christmas cards don't go out, etc., this year. You are still in our hearts -- more than you could ever know.

So...Kevin always wants me to post "just the facts," and these are the "facts" as we know them right now. There will be a lot going on around Christmas time in our family. We will await the birth of our Savior with the anticipation of His love surrounding us and all of you this Christmas. More information will be posted as we know anything. Thank you, as always, for all of your help, support, prayers and love. It has been nearly 2 years and we need you now more than ever.

Ann & Tom]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=147 Wed, 3 Dec 2008 12:46:27 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=146
Kevin's surgery to implant his new chemo port was delayed several hours so he never got chemo last Thursday; that was delayed until Friday. He is home recovering from something that seems like the millionth chemo and will have another chemo this Friday - the day after Thanksgiving. Doctors have determined that Friday's chemo will be his last. He will recover, return to school, take his finals and have scans immediately upon return for Christmas break. We are all experiencing anxiety - we know that we are at a major fork in the road. Surgery to remove Kevin's lung and pleural cavity will be evaluated once scans have been examined.

Is it possible to carry a heavy burden and still not be a burden to others? To watch your child suffer is the worst. Any/every parent would trade places in a heartbeat. Kevin's struggles for survival and to keep pace with his ND classmates has been unfathomably difficult. He epitomizes the expression "Fighting Irishman." He is fighting for his life and for a future. We are so proud of him. His little sister, too, fights for normalcy in her young life. Kevin has had cancer her 6th grade year, her 7th grade year, her 8th grade year...she barely remembers a time when he hasn't been so sick. We thank those compassionate individuals in her life who truly "get it." We thank those in Kevin's life who also understand. The compassionate individuals place themselves in our shoes and act accordingly. We are grateful to them. This is getting very difficult for all of us.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, we are grateful for your support this Thanksgiving. Thank you for holding our family close during these difficult years. God's love is evident through your fidelity to this cause. We hold you close as well. God bless and Happy Thanksgiving -- we truly send our love to all this year --

Ann & Tom
Kevin & Mary Kate]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=146 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:50:11 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=145
Tom is on his way to ND today to bring Kevin home for a chemo tomorrow, Thursday, November 20th. Prior to chemo Kevin will have surgery to implant a new chemo port. Kevin's veins haven't cooperated lately, so Kevin will undergo a minor surgery (he will still be put under general anesthesia - never fun) and then have chemo later in the day. He will stay home to recover so he won't be going back to ND for about 2 weeks. Kevin is scheduled to have chemo again the day after Thanksgiving. No after-Thanksgiving shopping for this family!

We are all in this human condition together, and together, with the help of God's grace, we make each other's lives more bearable. We can all provide comfort to each other and to strangers. You have made our family more aware of what is and what isn't important and have taught us to love in an unselfish manner. Thank you for teaching us along the way. God bless --

Ann & Tom]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=145 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:29:35 -0600 http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=144 GraduationThe news is that Kevin will stay in chemo for several more rounds. A surgical date has not yet been established. We will be getting him from ND next Wednesday, November 19th for a chemo the following day. He will also have chemo the day after Thanksgiving. More chemo sessions will follow in December. We know you hold him close during chemos - thank you. For Kevin’s Cleveland friends…please call him over the Thanksgiving break. He is anxious to see all of you!

Although we didn’t know about Kevin’s tumor until the end of December 2006, he was already experiencing knee pain 2 years ago. He has been sick for a very long time. It’s so easy to think that prayers aren’t working and to “throw in the towel.” However, it is so apparent that prayers ARE working. For one thing, our family remains strongly intact despite adversity. That’s God’s grace at work, and everyone’s prayers have intensified the grace. Kevin is still fighting hard! Tom and I have every reason to believe that he will be an amazing attorney in just a few short years. This journey will help him become a great advocate for people who need his expertise. Mary Kate is still Irish dancing and doing well in school and is looking forward to making a choice as to which Catholic girls’ high school to attend. Our regular lives have continued (work, school, etc.), which doctors tell us is best for everyone. We could not have done that without prayers and the compassionate understanding of people in our lives. We are so grateful.

K&MK

We have had so many blessings along the way. Not only have the people already in our lives been a source of strength, but also we have met so many new and wonderful people. Kevin’s story has touched people all over the world. We even traveled to Lourdes and Paris to ask for divine intervention. In moments when I dwell on the very rare instances when people haven’t been so compassionate to us, God graces me with memories of when I haven’t been at my best, either. That stops my negative thoughts in their tracks! Dwelling on the blessings gets us through, and all of you are blessings. I would be remiss if I failed to mention tangible means of support (meals, fundraisers, etc.) There are uncountable ways in which you have helped. We are a fortunate family indeed.

I guess these thoughts came to me because we are so rapidly approaching Thanksgiving. Although we wouldn’t wish this kind of suffering on anyone’s child, we are counting our blessings nonetheless. These past two years have been difficult beyond description, and yet filled with meaning and joy. At our Thanksgiving dinner table we will remember you. We will post again if/when anything new happens. Thank you for continuing to invoke upon the heavenly intervention of Pope John Paul II on behalf of Kevin. Have a great week. We continue to need you.

Ann & Tom]]> General http://kevinhealey.comindex.php?itemid=144 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:49:21 -0600