Heather’s Story

Site created on March 30, 2019


Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


This will be a brief story that we will update over the next few days.  In March 2014, Dr Heather Cardin was skiing with her children and suffered a benign ankle fracture and dislocation. This triggered a rare neurological disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).  You can find more information about the disease here, www.rsdhope.org


We have exhausted almost all medical treatments for traditional, experimental and alternative... we have been praying very hard for God to show us any treatment option.  So to make a long story short... there is a new study "consortium" that has had amazing success and everyone in the study has ad 100% relief from this devastating disease. RSD/CRPS is rated the highest pain on pain scale models. Higher than that of childbirth (which I have done 4 times with no drugs), cancer, and  kidneys stones. I will be having an above knee amputation April 2nd. Even if I do not get remission (though we believe I will get remission), I will have less pain and be done trying to accommodate the dysfunctional limb. The constant pain has continues to put excessive stress on my heart, kidneys, GI and brain.


As you can imagine it took us some time to get things lined  up both here at home (Overland Park KS) and figuring out who can help me in Denver where the surgery and recovery will take place.  Ralph can be able to be with me in Denver part of the time but needs to be in OP since we have kids at home and financially our office cannot be closed for 3 weeks.  I will be in Denver for 3 weeks and we are trying to figure out all logistics... who can help me.. I will be in the hospital for 3-5 days.


I am at peace with the amputation but am not at peace with  more disruption for my family, my boys, my mom,,,, I need  your prayers and  love. Ralph and I feel that this is correct next step (no pun intended) to give me the best chance of having a better quality of life. GOD has opened the doors very easy and helped make our decision very simple.


We are certain that this is Gods plan  for our family. I need to be able to participate at a higher level with my family and friend's... use my love languages more easily... be a better mom, wife, daughter,  friend, doctor...... Please share if I left someone out...Thank you.
We welcome all prayers.. and please let me know if you have any questions, thoughts, ideas  and mostly words of encouragement ...

Newest Update

Let The Healing Begin Day 103 Post Right AKA

Journal entry by ralph cardin —

Hello friends and family,
 Big big thanks for your continued prayers and support for my entire family and the medical team that is serving me.  The last 72 hours have definitely been a whirlwind. 
Sat. July 13th - I got up with PT and walked a little ways down the hallway.  I also was able to have a partial shower with OT. I had a great visit with my sweet Zister Amy 💕 to help brighten up my day!  With the help of modern day technology I got to see two of my sons participate in a cross fit competition yesterday and totally crush it. #proudmom
I was hoping to get sleep last night and was all set up nice and calm in the room but my body had a different idea.

Sunday July 14th-
“Thar she blows” has a whole other meaning when referring to my vascular system. 🐋 I seem to be unable to hold an IV for longer than 24 hours. So around midnight last night my second IV of this hospital stay blew.  I got a brand new midline IV at 1 AM this morning and finally got to sleep around 2 AM and was able to take a nice morning nap. 
 Surgical team 😷 rounded and my drainage had slowed down enough that the decision was made to remove the drainage tube today. One step closer to coming home. 

🦠 Good news- As of this morning, all of the cultures/biopsies taken Thursday are still all negative. 🔬We will talk more with infectious diseases tomorrow. They will continue to watch the culture for the next 30 days. 🧫
💕Jo Ann came today to hang out with me for the next few days.
Read More of the journal titled "Let The Healing Begin Day 103 Post Right AKA"
  • I love and appreciate you all! ��
    I love and appreciate you all! 🧡🧡
  • #proudmom #nevergiveup #better together
    #proudmom #nevergiveup #better together
  • Revision completed. Let the healing begin. 
    Revision completed. Let the healing begin.
  • This is definitely true for me -how about you?
    This is definitely true for me -how about you?
  • Wow! How true this is. 
    Wow! How true this is.
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