Ken’s Story

Site created on February 15, 2020

We'd been planning a trip to Walt Disney World for about a year.  It would be Layla's first trip to the "Mouse House" and we were all looking forward to seeing the Most Magical Place on Earth through her little eyes.  But after a long and grueling battle with Charcot Foot, my dad volunteered to stay behind to watch our dog, Micky.  He was worried he wouldn't be able to keep up with everyone, but we all joked that he just didn't wanna deal with the Disney Fanatics!

While we were in Orlando, we got a late night call from my dad.  He had slipped on his pants leg and was unable to get back on his feet.  We called fire rescue and they were able to help get him situated.  In the morning, we received another call from my dad.  He had fallen again shortly after the firemen left.  This time his feet got tangled up while moving from his wheelchair to our recliner.  (In typical Kenny fashion, he didn't want to bother anyone, so he spent the night on the floor.)  Fire rescue helped him back into his wheelchair again.  My dad assured us that he wasn't hurt and was just feeling a little weak.  But a few minutes after the firemen left, he got up to use the little boy's room and found himself back on the floor.  By now my mom had booked a flight back to Atlanta, and we asked the paramedics to take my dad to Kennestone Hospital. 

While my mom was flying home, I called Kennestone to check on my dad and to find out what room he was in so I could pass that info onto my mom when she landed.  I talked to my dad for a couple of minutes - they had run all kinds of tests, just to be sure he hadn't hurt anything - when the ER neurologist grabbed the phone to explain he had found a mass on the right side of my dad's brain and he believed it to be the culprit in my dad falling.

My heart sank and I began praying for the best.  What we learned later, was anything but.  The neurologist concluded the mass he found was in fact a glioblastoma (an aggressive and fast growing tumor that originates in the brain).  

His neurosurgeon, Dr. Benedict, was happy with the surgery (which was performed a week after he was admitted to the hospital).  Due to the location and accessibility of the tumor, he told us he was aggressive with the tissue and was able to achieve a gross total resection (meaning he removed "well over 90%" of the glioblastoma).

My dad is currently in the neuro ward at Kennestone Hospital.  He's still experiencing weakness on his left side, so he'll be moving to a rehab facility soon.  At his request, we'll be using this site to keep everyone updated on his progress.  


I implore you, please keep my dad in your prayers!

 "With God, all things are possible."  
Matthew 19:26

Newest Update

Journal entry by Maryanne Labeaume

Nurse Jennifer was here today.  Today was catheter change and port flush day.  All went well with both.  Vitals were great.  The only thing I can think of this week that may be a little different for Ken is he seemed to have more appetite.  But when the nurse asks him what he ate right before she gets here, he can never remember what he just had. When she left today, Ken asked if that was Jennifer.  I was happy he remembered who she was, but then he asked who I was.  I think he was kidding, but I'm not really sure.

Sat. I did get him up and into his recliner while the Hicks kids were here.   He managed to stay awake most of the time they were here.   Angie even said he talked a lot while Layla and I were in the pool.  I think he asked her what she had for breakfast several times. 

I did have to put a bolt back on the "new" rolling table today.  Nurse Jennifer asked if I wanted yet another one sent out.  With this being the 3rd one and the best one so far, I figure I'll keep it for now.  With my luck, they would replace it with one of the previous 2.   

As for the rest of the week---not a whole lot happened---to us.  But it wasn't a good week for the LaBeaume clan.  One of our nieces is in the hospital from a ruptured appendix and one of Ken's brothers is in the hospital with a heart attack and ??  So we could use lots of prayers all around! 
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