Kenan and I are home from our trip to Philadelphia.
The news from Dr. Gonsalves was positive. Dr. Gonsalves did not see any new growth and she gave Kenan another good dose of cancer killing medicine to her liver. Dr. Gonsalves seemed pleased with her work. We did not see Dr. Sato this trip; he was in Japan.
Kenan was a champion. She is an excellent patient! Once we were checked in and she was waiting to be taken back for her procedure, Kenan had numerous nurses, aides, and technicians helping with her prep work. They all greeted her warmly and welcomed her back. Person after person asked where you were Billy. Hopefully, I did a sufficient job substituting this trip. I certainly am no nurse Emily, but I was happy to fill in this trip. My favorite text from Billy this trip was the following: “Thanks for taking my place this trip…I don’t know if it’s easier on this end though”. Ahhh, what a great guy! You did a good job Mom and Dad Koll!
Thanks to all who follow Kenan’s story on her blog. I know I have written it before, but she is a remarkable young woman. I can tell you from first hand experience, I could not be as brave, polite, or kind as Kenan if I were the patient. Her strength, tolerance, and fortitude are incredible.
Kenan and I had some interesting experiences and met a lot of unusual “characters” during our travel trip this time. Kenan’s favorite was “Barbara times 2”. And we got caught up in the flight delays at the Philadelphia Airport on Thursday when the civilian drove his jeep onto the airport runway. We didn’t know the details at the time, but his shenanigans disrupted an airport full of travel plans. These all make for good stories as we now return home. Those of you who know the Colbert family, know that we loooove to tell stories. Kenan and Pete both have helped to create a lot of great subject matter for us through the years. There is nothing better to Kenny, Kenan, Pete, Billy and me then to tell Aunt Karen a good story when her mouth is full! Food goes everywhere, ‘cause she just can’t help but laugh out loud – no matter how lame.
Another highlight for me on the trip was to watch my very organized daughter, plan a dinner long distance. Recently, Kenan and Billy decided to “pay it forward”. There is an organization in Charleston called the Hope Lodge. The Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. Not having to worry about where to stay or how to pay for lodging allows guests to focus on getting well. Kenan recently called the Hope Lodge to see how she could help. They told her she could volunteer to serve a meal once a month to guests staying at the Hope Lodge.
Kenan began organizing a team to help provide dinner for the Hope Lodge. She enlisted the help of dear friends, Emily, Liz, Rachel, Jen, Kristy, and Billy. Since Kenan’s days as a middle school Davidson IB student she has possessed a desire to give back to others. Throughout high school, college and now as a young adult, Kenan is still giving back. Well, wouldn’t you know it, but her first dinner at the Hope Lodge was scheduled for Wednesday, February 29th, when Kenan was in Philadelphia getting her own treatment. It was quite the production to observe Kenan directing Billy over the phone on Tuesday night for the final meal preparations. Although Kenan was a little groggy when the results came in from Billy, we understand the meal was a success.
In closing, thank you for taking this walk with us. We appreciate you all for catching up, your continued prayers, phone calls, cards, donations of money, hotel points, airline miles, Jetty sitting, and positive support!
Thank you, Thank you!
Sue (Kenan’s Mom)
Billy, Kristy, Jen, Jaxon, and Rachel at the Hope Lodge
