“Sometimes its the simple things in life that make you happy; like an orange popsicle.”
– Amanda
Dads favorite flavor is orange when it comes to popsicles. Red are ok, but he says they have too much red number 5 which ruins the taste. I never knew he was such a connoisseur.
Today marks further progress for this amazing man I know as Dad. Recovery from the surgery is progressing nicely. Dad is no longer NPO, which is “nil per os” or nothing through the mouth in english. This means Dad can begin to eat again, which is rather exciting if you know anything about how much food I consume… Dads diet is liquid for now, but it is a step forward and worth celebrating as he made clear the other morning. For his first meal back, Dad had several sips of apple juice, a few bites of jello, a handful of sips of broth, and of course – an orange popsicle.
The doctor also removed Dads restriction from walking and assigned him to a physical therapy schedule. It is amazing how quickly you can lose strength when you don’t eat and hardly move for nearly two weeks. In retrospect, this was almost a strange urban version of Naked and Afraid…
The physical therapists set daily goals for Dad. Todays goal was to walk from his bed to the door of his room and back. Now, I must say that this particular pent house suite that Dad is staying in has quite the walk from door to bed. It must be more than 20 feet! Dad made the trip successfully and is ready for whatever tomorrows goal might be.
As Dad grows stronger and checks off requirements on the doctors list, he gets closer to a release date and finally going home. We expect this to happen Saturday, but could be as early as Friday if everything continues smoothly. This will mark a significant transition into the next phase and will require a new base camp to be set up. We hope to hang verses and quotes of inspiration and positivity around the house to help keep everyones mindset where it should be.
Thank you all again for your tremendous love and support,
Richard
The Upside of Down - an update on hope, love, and oncology 
Kevin
So sorry to hear about your illness, but glad you are up walking.
I just want to see you dancing again!
My prayers are with you, may God give love, strength and faith!
AlanB – PyxisDude
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Kevin,
I miss you, my friend. There is no one in the world:
1. With whom I would rather cosponsor an after party at the National Sales Meeting (even though it was your idea and I just rode along and collected money).
2. Who could spread positivity, spirituality, and medication management simultaneously in a strange, compelling, extremely entertaining fashion.
You make us all want to be a better, cooler, nicer, funnier person.
Thinking good thoughts and sending good energy your way – and they work as my Matthew just got through his second cardiac surgery with flying colors!
With love
Rusty
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Praying and thinking of you constantly as I go here and there with dad to help him stay stable. Has his first therapy today. That will be interesting. Hope to see you soon after you are home. Love you with all my heart. Surely God us my salvation I will trust and not be afraid. Isaiah 12:2
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Kevin,
I think back to out National Sales meeting. The party, the laughter and you, right in the center of it all.
Then it happened. You walked right up to me, stared for a moment, and broke out into the best robot dance I’ve ever seen.
You are legend. You capture the essence of joy. And you are my friend.
Build up your strength and get better.
Most sincerely,
Angie
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Richard and family, thank you for setting up this site and the post.
I sat with my family for the past 45 min and we read every word. My husband, kids and I were all very moved, they feel very connected to Kevin because they remember how happy I was after my interview with him 7 years ago to work for CareFusion. They know how much I enjoyed working for him and how much I love my job and learning from Kevin and how proud I was to overachieve my goals and most importantly have a dance partner at the NSM. We sat and talked about what this means and we are sending our prayers to all of you.
I told my kids how KEVIN is a leader, goal setter and over achiever. He is always methodical, prepared and ready for any situation. The last time we were together in June we reminisced about our first meeting with AJ at Pioneers and how we got kicked out but still won their business and how at Prime Corporate we walked out on them. No matter what the meeting or coaching moment Kevin always was calm in his agenda, excited and passionate with the details, confident, precise, well thought out, organized, believed in his conviction; heart and soul and well spoken in his delivery. I would hang on every word as gospel. He just has that way about him. I try as I might to emulate him but he is just too good. I have incorporated as much as I can but it is just who he is and I absolutely love and respect him for who he is. I told my kids this is how Kevin approaches life and this is how he is going to beat cancer. I am expecting him to white board this out for everyone so we can use this again and again.
I am always confident when it comes to Kevin and the power of faith and positive thought will always win. We are a CAN DO family and NO is NOT an option. This is one thing Kevin knows about me and the fact that I love to dance and dance heals all! I encourage Kevin to remember this and the last day of the fiscal year when I sent him a photo ringing the bell, he needs to fight like we did, never give up, find a way, make a way, and live each second of each day with purpose and love. We are in this with you Kevin. I am ready to fight the fight standing by your side. Let’s do this! You still owe me a dance to “Call Me Maybe”. Please let me know how I can offer my support to you and your family.
All our love, positive thoughts and prayers to you all! CARPE DIEM😘
Tera, Brett, Hayden and Hunter Luedde
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Kevin and family — I think his physical therapy goals related to walking MUST include use of the orange patent leather shoes. There is nobody in this world that can feel restricted or tired when looking down upon orange patent leather shoes. If you’re gonna walk, walk with style!!!
Keep at it, Kevin. You grow more awesome by the day. And I haven’t received my “welcome back” drink yet so you’ve got that hanging over your head…
Helen Clemens
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