BS: The latest on Kendall (updated 2011)

Subject: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

This is going on email, Mudcat and Facebook.

Kendall had his latest bout with surgery today, ostensibly to remove a further cancer from his vocal cord. Unfortunately, once they got in there, his surgeon found that the vocal cords were totally shot, with cancer spreading and radiation having done the rest of the damage. As a result there is too much damage to be able to do anything via the mouth.

Dr Zeitels now tells us that he will need to do a partial laryngectomy, taking away the infected skin on Kendall's throat, which Dr Z. thinks is connected to the vocal cord problem, and then to take away and replace his larynx, using donated aorta for that job.

The surgery will require the talents of Dr Z., a cardiac surgeon and a plastic surgeon. We are being allowed to wait until after the Grammys, at the end of the month, but it must be done then.

Kendall will be in hospital for at least two weeks afterward and then there will be work needed to tweak the new materiel to give some voice, over a period of time. How long this will take and what it will entail we don't know right now – we're both rather shellshocked.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:28 PM

Terrible news, Jacqui. Why wait on the Grammy. No way to get it started now?

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:29 PM

Huge hugs and love from here. Just holding you through the shock.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:44 PM

Aww crumbs.

I am thinking the same thing. I know the Grammy Awards is a once in a life time thing (for some), but...

aarrghhh..... shut up tam

I am sure you both have taken the proper advice and precautions.   You both have my good wishes and positive thoughts.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:45 PM

Sounds like he's in good hands, jacqui. I'm with 999 on the speed of starting it though, if it's possible to do that.

Love to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:49 PM

Man, this sucks...

You tell that doctor that if he don't get the job done right this time that I'm gonna bring some of my holler buddies up there and we'll do a job on him!!! Sho nuff will...

No more messin' around, ya'll hear???

I loves the Capt'n like he was my older brother an' I don't like nobody messin' up...

Meanwhile, prayers and more prayers... I'm gonna wear the Big Guy out...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Tinker
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:51 PM

Kendall, I'm gonna hold both of you really close ...... cause we all need a hug ....

I'm on my way to dinner with the Bishop tonite and well, maybe I can power boost those blessings.

Love ya both


Careful Jacqui or SINSULL will diagnose you in shock and you'll be in the recovery ward too....hmmm now how would your decor be done... Deep rose with accents in cream...... with a fine matching wine in cut glass???

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:51 PM

Thoughts and good wishes to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:51 PM

I don't believe (?) this type of cancer grows that fast, and we're only talking a couple weeks here.

He's in the right place and has the right doctor. Aside from that, everything sucks. This whole turn of the wheel, starting about when the leaves fell, sucks.

Kendall knows how we feel about him--all of us who are his friends. BOTH of you know how much you are loved by friends, not to mention your family. There is hope, if Dr Z is talking about re-building. Another place to start. Love you guys.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:53 PM

Dr. Zeitels is obviously out there on the cutting edge.....no pun intended there. That's a pretty new technique and a lot of sites never mention it.

Yeah....Its bad news but,not to sound like Pollyanna, the fact that he can remove all the cancer and give some possibility of voice is at the least encouraging.   A partial also means there will be no permanent stoma and gives you a shot at something a whole helluva' lot better than a complete one.

Now go kick a wall, buy a ball bat and beat the hell outta' a guardrail somewhere and whatever else. This sucks.........

No words beyond that.........just fuck........


Pat

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: bfdk
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:57 PM

So sorry to hear your news, hang in there and a big hug from Denmark!

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:03 PM

Jacqui and Kendall, you have been so incredibly patient, and have gone through so much together, but I remember when this first started, Kendall complaining about a sore throat, a few strings pulled, getting in to see the right doctors. And Jacqui came along in the midst of all of this. There's something magical about you two, and I think you still have a few miracles to go before this cancer drama is finished and that cancer is defeated.

Of course you'll be timing this surgery however it feels good for you. Everyone wants it over as soon as possible with the best outcome possible, so if the Grammy's are part of that best outcome formula, more power to them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:05 PM

'Tain't fair... but 'fair' ain't a given.

If that Grammy works out, Kendall deserves to be there to awe the audience.

Jeri has it right, he knows how we feel and that we are pulling for him.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:06 PM

So sorry to hear this Kendall and Jacqui

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: frogprince
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:15 PM

This must get so it feels like the old Jewish shtick about being the chosen of God, but wishing that God would choose someone else for a while. I can only say that you'll still be in our hearts here.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: GUEST,Jennifer (Knitpick)
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:17 PM

Oh darlings! Hang in there! What a harrowing time we seem to be having in 2010!

Much, much love to you both -- and many hugs to Kendall!

love jennifer (and bob from his hospital bed.)

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: ClaireBear
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:21 PM

Oh, my dears.

So sorry for the latest tribulations.

I'm sure we'll all keep on keeping on doing whatever we can think of to send healing energy in Kendall's direction -- and psychic healing in yours, Jacqui.

And you two, enjoy those Grammy awards.

But I have to tell you, I'm sure looking forward to posting to the "Kendall's better" party thread, when it happens!

Cheers,
Claire

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:21 PM

{{{{{{LOVE & HUGS}}}}}

words fail me at the moment...

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:22 PM

The other night I dreamt about a musical gathering in a large house (?) and Jacqui and Kendall and lots of others were there. KT was there too and she sang first. And then Kendall sang- we were all agog over how strong his voice was- not all the way back to before all this began but definitely stronger than it's been the last while. Kenall didn't have much to say, just grinned and grinned.

I'll hold on that to that thought.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:35 PM

Damn. Well, I hope this can at least stop the cancer, and maybe even make some things better. But, damn.

I would have totally understood if you'd gone for the surgery right away, but I'm glad I'll get to see you right before hand, and spend some time with you and Jacqui and your daughters.

You know we love you.

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 06:44 PM

Nothing to say, Captain. I love you both dearly.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:08 PM

I am shell shocked too.

Sorry, I am lost for words

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: DougR
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:30 PM

Sad news indeed.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:34 PM

No words...

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:46 PM

I'm reminded of the story of Job in the Bible. Hell, he had itmade compared to ths shit.







I'm reminded of Job in the Bible, Maybe there is something this reincarnation thing.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:50 PM

An abstract from Kendall's doctor:

--

Optimizing voice after endoscopic partial laryngectomy.

Zeitels SM.

Department of Otology and Laryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. [e-mail]

Phonosurgical management of early and midsized glottic cancer has evolved considerably during the past decade. There has been a partial migration from transcervical to transoral partial laryngectomy to diminish perioperative morbidity (ie, tracheotomy) and to facilitate subsequent voice restoration. After an endoscopic partial laryngectomy heals, a medialization of the glottal neocord should be done. An endolaryngeal injection or transcervical medialization is used to reconstruct the glottal valve and the associated aerodynamic competency, which ultimately enhance voice quality. These reconstructive techniques will improve the voice outcome subsequent to almost any endoscopic vertical partial laryngectomy; however,a near-normal conversational level voice can be achieved inpatients in whom there is one remaining normal vocal fold. These favorable results are based on the fact that after effective glottal closure is achieved through the reconstruction, the primary oscillator is the layered microstructure of noncancerous glottal tissue.

--

Sorry for the medical language. If I read that right, it means that Kendall's prognosis could be very positive, though maybe not "near normal conversational." I have seen throat cancer yield much worse results than this. I also glean that Kendall's surgeon is a real specialist in this area.

Of course, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Is there a doctor in the house?

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:58 PM

Gawdamnit, skipper, make sure you come out of there BETTER than when you went in. Right? RIGHT. Awright.

All the love in the world to both of youse,


A

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Ref
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 08:27 PM

Best wishes and thoughts!

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 08:31 PM

A new voice. With Heart! Wow. This is amazing and possibly historic.
I am reminded of a singer who had a car accident and after much damage, hr began to sing again but this time with a voice much deeper.
His name was Bing Crosby.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Mark Ross
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 08:41 PM

Captain,

You take care of yourself. When you're feeling better, after you have won, I'll call with some more jokes.



Mark Ross

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 08:59 PM

My love and all strength to both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 09:08 PM

He's got the best doctor in the world for this, I suspect. I heard Julie Andrews speak about him and what he is doing to restore her singing voice.

Much love and strength as well as lots of hugs.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 09:13 PM

Merde!

But Dr. Zeitels is THE BEST -- and the main thing is for the cancer to get gone and he WILL do that. And all the rest of the treatment will be the absolute latest in technology with the most skilled to apply it.

Lots of love, lots of hugs, lots of still very positive thoughts.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 09:17 PM

No matter what you said last year, you are expected at Old Songs. Be there or be square.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 09:29 PM

Now, Mark, there's no need to make threats like that! We want Kendall to get better!

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: maeve
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 09:34 PM

Keeping watch here. Love to you both.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 10:02 PM

After all of this, if Kendall tells you his heart is in his throat, well, it very nearly will be.





(Sorry, had to throw in a little dark humor, even though aorta know better.)

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 10:12 PM

Please no more humor in that vein.

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Maryrrf
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 10:35 PM

Oh dear, we were all hoping it would be more positive, but there is still a good chance that things will turn out allright. Healing vibes being sent from Virginia.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: KT
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 01:13 AM

Strength, courage, and lots of love to you, my friends.
KT

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Nancy King
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 01:16 AM

This is surely NOT what any of us wanted to hear, but it's the way it is, so we -- and you -- will deal with it. At this point, there's not much more to say than that I love you both and wish you the best possible outcome. Sounds like you may miss the annual February gathering, so I'll have to send along virtual hugs instead of the real ones I'd prefer to deliver.

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: KT
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 01:19 AM

I like your dream, Ebbie! And, knowing you as well as I do, I consider it a hopeful message!

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: mousethief
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 01:27 AM

Holding you both in the light.

O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: CapriUni
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 01:40 AM

Damn! I'm starting to wish for a reboot on 2010... But I'm no time tech.

{{{HUGS}}} in the meantime.

Love and luck (The good kind), and all of that.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: open mike
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 01:47 AM

we're rootin' for ya, Cap'n!
full speed ahead....hope all goes well.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: karen k
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 02:00 AM

Thinking of both of you. This has gone on for so long but hopefully things will be moving in the right direction now. Let me know if I can do anything. Enjoy the grammys. It's probably a good thing if you go. Not going may make you resentful which may affect your attitude and in turn affect you recovery. Do what you think is best for you. Much love to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Janie
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 02:28 AM

Have love, as always, but no words.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 02:39 AM

Bad news, but good thoughts and wishes from The Backwoods.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: Severn
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 03:01 AM

More of "All the best" for one of the best who has the courage and brave heart of a true fighter. One day soon we'll be listening to a CD of stories about all this invoking heartwarming laughter,as always.

Hang in there, Cap'n! You've got a helluva crew here pullin' for you.

Subject: RE: BS: The latest on Kendall
From: SussexCarole
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 03:22 AM

All our love, so sorry to hear this news. We're thinking of you both

Carole & Andrew xxx