Re: Kasey medical update

[Guest guest]

Ted and , thoughts are with you. I know how dedicated you are to Kasey

.. This has to be so very hard. Thank you for keeping us up to date on

her.Cindi

[Guest guest]

Dear Ted,

How heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with you, your wife, Kasey and her

wonderful dog Odie. Life just doesn't make sense sometimes, does it?

I'm not surprised to hear that Odie and Kasey are making themselves

well known at Rush, however, because they're such a great team.

We'll keep Kasey in our thoughts and hope you get some answers soon.

Fondly,

Laurie

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Ted and , for sharing your story. You are incredible, dedicated

parents. You must be absolutely exhausted with your grueling commute each day.

I am sure all of the IPADDU members are sending good, positive thoughts your

way.

Best of luck to the two of you and to Kasey. Odie sounds like a valuable member

of your family. How great for Kasey to have such a buddy!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Kasey medical update

IPADDUnite (IPADD IL Parents of Adults with Disa)

From: McCannon Family

Ted, , Kasey, & Odie Big Rock, IL

We are the family that is developing the farm in Big Rock to house a group

home and community center.

Just since March, Kasey & Odie (her service dog) have been in 6 medical

centers. April 22nd Ksey was awarded child home base with funding starting

May 1st. We have not had time to put it to use. We have been at Rush

University Medical Center, Chicago since May 21st. The facility spans four

blocks with buildings rising 15 stories.

The doctors and staff accept Odie (Kasey's service dog) and are remised if he

is not present when they enter the room. Everyone seems to know about the

Golden Retriever, Odie, that serves a little girl called Kasey in the

Children's Hospital at Rush. Last week he was with Kasey in radiology while

they did an upper GI that took 20 minutes. They covered Odie with a lead vest

while he lay next to her. Odie fell asleep during the procedure. They said

this was a first time experience in their department.

Today the doctors insisted Odie be with her while the anesthetist prepared

Kasey to insert a G tube (feeding tube). When going for a walk with Odie in

the halls at Rush, people stop and ask if this is Odie. Rush has a therapy

bunny and two therapy dogs.

Odie visits Kasey everyday to give her kisses. When we bring him home with us

at night, he looks around her room and wonders why his little girl is not with

him. His quilt is put on Kasey's bed and he lies down on the foot of her bed

as if she were there.

We are now talking with are service provider (DayOne) and DHS (case manager)

to make changes in her waiver. Kasey will require 24/7 assistance for some

time. The social workers at Rush are working at placing Kasey in a skilled

adolescent nursing facility.

I have attached a letter sent to family & friends.

Dear Family and Friends, 06/16/08

We want to keep everyone informed as to Kasey's medical condition. Kasey

entered Rush University Medical Center in Chicago May 21st. This facility has

one of the best teams of child psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral

pediatricians and pediatric neurologists available to work with patients and

their families. Kasey has been regressing over the last year and starting

March 19th, started a downward spiral.

The list of medical doctors and specialists that have been to see and exam her

fill several pages in our " Who's Who " book. To date, we know what it is not.

Her problem is neurological or genetic in nature. At this point we are

waiting on test results from Mayo Clinic.

Kasey has lost 19 pounds, has become almost non verbal, and has to be hand fed

very small pieces of food (this takes two hours per meal). This past week she

has lost her toileting abilities. Rush provides a 24 hr. medical health

worker for her. Yet some times it takes her RN and one of us to help out.

Everyone is amazed at how much cognitive ability she has lost. She appears to

recognize some people, yet does not call them by name. On Wednesday they will

place a G tube in her so she gets proper nutrition. We are waiting for the

results of tests before we pass on information to others.

, Odie, & I leave home early every morning and return home by dark every

day, making our 100 mile round trip to Chicago. I feel in the past four weeks

and I have aged four years. Kasey has gotten the best of care while she

has been here. We are preparing to make arrangements to place Kasey in a

skilled adolescent nursing facility. As we know more we will pass it on.

It's nice knowing that we have family and friends out there thinking about us

and praying for us.

Ted & www.mccannon.net

tedmc@...

Ted & McCannon Kasey McCannon

45W104 Rd. Rush University Medical Center

Big Rock, IL 60511-9387 1653 W. Congress Pkwy, rm. 571

Chicago, IL 60612

Please feel free to share this letter with friends and family.

--

www.mccannon.net

McCannon Enterprises

45W134 Rd.

Big Rock, IL 60511

630-556-3100

630-556-4FAX(4329)

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

All of our thoughts and prayers are with you, Kasey and .

Kasey is in good hands at Rush. If there is a way to figure out

what is wrong, they'll figure it out. Hope it's soon for all of

your sakes. Odie (from " Garfield " ?)sounds like one heck of a dog!

Keep strong,

Marie

>

> Dear Ted,

>

> How heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with you, your wife, Kasey

and her

> wonderful dog Odie. Life just doesn't make sense sometimes, does

it?

> I'm not surprised to hear that Odie and Kasey are making

themselves

> well known at Rush, however, because they're such a great

team.

>

> We'll keep Kasey in our thoughts and hope you get some answers

soon.

>

> Fondly,

> Laurie

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Ted & --

I'm relatively new to this list...reading your update on Kasey as well

as learning about all you are doing for and around Kasey...I'm just in

awe. First, know that my thoughts and prayers are with Kasey, you both

and that awesome Odie. Second, what a wonderful property you are

developing to help those individuals and families with DD. Amazing.

Your love and dedication to Kasey is heartwarming and inspiring. I

hope you continue to find the care and help you need at Rush. We've

seen an amazing neurologist there as well.

Wishing you all peace & strength during this difficult time. Hugs to

Kasey & that awesome Odie.

Warm regards,

Holly

Holly Olmsted-Hickey

[Guest guest]

Dear McCannon Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in hopes that you will soon have

some answers regarding Kasey! You are in a good place at Rush ( we too have

had personal experience there !)

**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

fuel-efficient used cars.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

[Guest guest]

To Ted, and Odie,

Keep up the dedicated love and service to your daughter. You are

like well decorated soldiers: proud, and honorable.

I wish Kasey, Gods speed towards feeling better and wellness. You all

will remain in my daily prayers.

Diane S

>

>

>

> IPADDUnite (IPADD IL Parents of Adults with

Disa)

>

> From: McCannon Family

> Ted, , Kasey, & Odie Big Rock, IL

>

> We are the family that is developing the farm in Big Rock to house

a group

> home and community center.

>

> Just since March, Kasey & Odie (her service dog) have been in 6

medical

> centers. April 22nd Ksey was awarded child home base with funding

starting

> May 1st. We have not had time to put it to use. We have been at

Rush

> University Medical Center, Chicago since May 21st. The facility

spans four

> blocks with buildings rising 15 stories.

>

> The doctors and staff accept Odie (Kasey's service dog) and are

remised if he

> is not present when they enter the room. Everyone seems to know

about the

> Golden Retriever, Odie, that serves a little girl called Kasey in

the

> Children's Hospital at Rush. Last week he was with Kasey in

radiology while

> they did an upper GI that took 20 minutes. They covered Odie with

a lead vest

> while he lay next to her. Odie fell asleep during the procedure.

They said

> this was a first time experience in their department.

>

> Today the doctors insisted Odie be with her while the anesthetist

prepared

> Kasey to insert a G tube (feeding tube). When going for a walk

with Odie in

> the halls at Rush, people stop and ask if this is Odie. Rush has a

therapy

> bunny and two therapy dogs.

>

> Odie visits Kasey everyday to give her kisses. When we bring him

home with us

> at night, he looks around her room and wonders why his little girl

is not with

> him. His quilt is put on Kasey's bed and he lies down on the foot

of her bed

> as if she were there.

>

> We are now talking with are service provider (DayOne) and DHS (case

manager)

> to make changes in her waiver. Kasey will require 24/7 assistance

for some

> time. The social workers at Rush are working at placing Kasey in a

skilled

> adolescent nursing facility.

>

> I have attached a letter sent to family & friends.

>

>

> Dear Family and Friends, 06/16/08

>

> We want to keep everyone informed as to Kasey's medical condition.

Kasey

> entered Rush University Medical Center in Chicago May 21st. This

facility has

> one of the best teams of child psychiatrists, psychologists,

behavioral

> pediatricians and pediatric neurologists available to work with

patients and

> their families. Kasey has been regressing over the last year and

starting

> March 19th, started a downward spiral.

>

> The list of medical doctors and specialists that have been to see

and exam her

> fill several pages in our " Who's Who " book. To date, we know what

it is not.

> Her problem is neurological or genetic in nature. At this point we

are

> waiting on test results from Mayo Clinic.

>

> Kasey has lost 19 pounds, has become almost non verbal, and has to

be hand fed

> very small pieces of food (this takes two hours per meal). This

past week she

> has lost her toileting abilities. Rush provides a 24 hr. medical

health

> worker for her. Yet some times it takes her RN and one of us to

help out.

>

> Everyone is amazed at how much cognitive ability she has lost. She

appears to

> recognize some people, yet does not call them by name. On

Wednesday they will

> place a G tube in her so she gets proper nutrition. We are waiting

for the

> results of tests before we pass on information to others.

>

> , Odie, & I leave home early every morning and return home by

dark every

> day, making our 100 mile round trip to Chicago. I feel in the past

four weeks

> and I have aged four years. Kasey has gotten the best of

care while she

> has been here. We are preparing to make arrangements to place

Kasey in a

> skilled adolescent nursing facility. As we know more we will pass

it on.

> It's nice knowing that we have family and friends out there

thinking about us

> and praying for us.

>

> Ted & www.mccannon.net

> tedmc@...

>

> Ted & McCannon Kasey McCannon

> 45W104 Rd. Rush University Medical Center

> Big Rock, IL 60511-9387 1653 W. Congress

Pkwy, rm. 571

> Chicago, IL 60612

>

> Please feel free to share this letter with friends and family.

>

>

>

> --

> www.mccannon.net

> McCannon Enterprises

> 45W134 Rd.

> Big Rock, IL 60511

> 630-556-3100

> 630-556-4FAX(4329)

>