John’s Story

Site created on February 9, 2012

Welcome to this website for our dad, John Kavanagh. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in February 2012. This was a huge shock to all friends and family because John is healthy and in great condition. He's faught through two stem cell transplants and 12 years of chemo.  In January 2024, John received CAR T-cell therapy to kill the cancer cells which was a success and by the grace of God he is cancer-free! Despite all the current challenges in his recovery, we are all very optimistic about his prognosis. We know there are lots of people who love and care about John. We are truly grateful for your prayers, support, and encouragement during this challenging time. #TEAMJOHN

Newest Update

Journal entry by Mary Ellen Lowry

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this update finds you all well. As always, your support and well-wishes mean the world to us, especially as Dad continues his recovery at Well-Spring.

This past week has been a mix of small victories and challenges. Dad's spirits were lifted enormously by a visit from his grandchildren, Haley and Henry, along with Elizabeth. They brought laughter and love into his room, engaging him in a fun quiz game that jogged his memory with questions about his childhood and current events. It was a joy to see the interaction helping not just Dad, but the kids too—turns out, they all learned something new!

We've decided to make these quiz games a regular activity. It's a wonderful way for Dad to keep his mind sharp and for the family to bond over shared memories and new discoveries.

Dad also had a haircut this week, and it's amazing what a difference it can make. He looks rejuvenated, and it's given him a boost of confidence. One of the nurses called him "Mr. Handsome". It's as if he's a brand new man! 

However, we did have a scare when Dad had a fall and bumped his head on Thursday. Thankfully, the ER is just down the street from Well-Spring. They performed a CT scan, EKG, and blood work, all of which checked out okay. It's reassuring to know such attentive care is close at hand.

Dad has expressed concern about his increasing dizziness and balance issues, which have led to more falls. He understands the importance of using the call button and walker when he needs to get up, but his memory doesn't always cooperate. It's a source of frustration for him, as he knows what he should do but can't always remember to do it. To help with this, we're considering putting up more posters to remind him.

Your continued prayers and thoughts are deeply appreciated. They are a source of comfort and strength for Dad and all of us. 

Warm regards,
Mary Ellen ❤️ 

P.S. New photos of "Mr. Handsome" coming soon! 😊
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