Don: The treatment has its ups and downs (I may have said that before) but there is a constant for Karen and it is one she doesn’t like. Her physical world consists of her room (with a view of a roof and the next building – no sky) and the hallways that she takes her short walks in. Today will be the last day in the old hospital. We will be going across the street; via a hallway that is literally a tunnel under the street; to the new hospital on Sunday. Every room has a view and we should have a better hallway for exercise. The rooms are supposed to be more like a hotel. We are both very excited and looking forward to this move.

Don: This site is primarily for letting all of you know how Karen is doing but it seems to be taking on a little bit of a personality of it’s own beyond just an information distribution site about Karen’s Day. There are so many people who let us know that they are praying for Karen. It is very uplifting.

We both want to thank all of our friends, family and all other who are praying for her to have strength and to come through this frightening event in her life. We ask that everyone continue to keep her in their prayers and not to forget any others that might need praying for either.

If you do have someone that you wish to raise up in prayer, please include that in your comments on this site. We know that we are not the only ones with a need for prayer at this time. We would love to help others the same way that they are helping us, by prayer. God bless us all.

Don: They have given us a calendar that tells us what day we are on since the beginning of the treatment. Today is Day 12. Never having been through this with anyone in my life. Having the calendar really helps to give us a target, a goal that we can strive to reach.

I really don’t know what is happening from day to day. I am just here doing what I know I should do. Karen is really doing well in spirit. For the last two days she says she feels bad, like the flu, but even with that feeling it just seems that she is of good mind and spirit. I am very proud of her.

I was just watching this man go down the hall that had already lost most of his hair and recently got a buzz cut on the rest of his head. He was looking for the shower near the nurses station. He did not have his mask on, which is standard operating procedure when a patient leaves their room. I thought all the nurses were going to jump the counter to mask him. He was a big guy and appeared a little independent (grumpy might also describe his attitude right that moment). He just headed into the shower room (where he does not have to use a mask)  but I bet there will be more than a little excitement and education to come if he enters the hallway again with no mask.

This just drove home in my own mind how important it is to mask and constantly clean our hands. You might know that your hands are clean but you just touched something else and you don’t know who else touched it and what germs they may have left behind. When it comes to the mask you have to assume the same level of care is needed. If you are visiting someone remember that you just walked passed many people in the lobby, elevator and hallway, sharing the same air you are breathing. How do you know that none of they have a contagious item that you may end up carrying into the room. For this same reason there are many rooms where you must wear a new gown each time you enter.

What I have learned is that you just can’t be too careful. If you are a patient, do what they tell you. Don’t be embarrassed, don’t be stubborn and just remember that it truly is your life you are here to save. If you are a visitor and you think you there is just no way that you would or could transfer a germ to your loved one, so you think you don’t have to follow the visitor instructions…stay home and send email.

A trip to Shands or any cancer center is about clinging to life, whether you are the patient or the visitor. It is important. It is serious. Treat it as such.

As for Karen, she takes the precautions she has been instructed to follow. All of our visitors have, also. They made the trip here to visit because of how much they care for her but the real caring is shown in how conscious they are of the rules. We love you all. Thanks for the love you have been showing Karen.

The last 4 days or so Karen did a lot of sleeping and when I would talk to her it was very short and she sounded, well, sick. Today was totally different. She is wide awake and feeling pretty good. She is having an exciting and fun day (I will let her tell you about that) and it comes across when you talk to her. I just can’t tell you all how happy that makes me! I don’t like seeing my baby feel bad. It is around dinner time there. Maybe she can update you all soon. The boys and I will be heading out in about an hour.

Don: Jacob, Dylan and I are heading back to Gainesville Friday night. Heather will join us the next morning. It is going to be a great visit for Karen and the boys. I am very anxious. I need a hug! Everyone say another prayer. Thanks to all the visitors to the site that have been saying prayers daily.

Don: I thought I should take a moment to tell you all a few things about communication with Karen.

Comments posted on the web site will be available to the Public. Karen is very happy at all the notes and prayers she is receiving from friends, family and co-workers.

If you want to be sure that something is not posted on the web site then you should email her. KCornelius@mchsi.com

Flowers are not allowed at the cancer unit but if you desire to send a card the address is:
Shands at the University of Florida
1600 SW Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608
352.265.0111

I included the phone number to the hospital and Karen does have her cell phone. She is starting to sleep more than be awake so please don’t take it personal if she can’t talk to you when you call. One of the family will likely answer the phone and we are happy to take messages and let you know how she is doing.

Don: Karen told me this morning that the laptop is not working. Now, that is a drag! I talked to her about 3 times today though. Let me fill in the blanks on what happened today.

Laura went home this afternoon.
Ginny arrives tomorrow.
Ken bailed on them about 5:30pm.
Mom spent the night with her.
Karen felt pretty good all day and took a couple extra laps around the floor.
She is already tired of the food and has started ordering off the menu. I do mean ‘off’. She is ordering then that are not even on the menu. Tonight she had tomato soup, grilled cheese and mashed potatoes. She is still eating pretty well but tastes are changing from the medication.

Forgot to tell you all yesterday, they moved her into a new room. This one has a shower and a toilet! No more going down the hall for a shower or having to use the port-a-potty behind the screen in the corner. Seriously, this was a big deal to us!!

Good night, Karen. Hope you get the computer to work tomorrow. No telling what I will tell the fans if you aren’t here to tell your own story!

Don: I did, in fact, head back to Panama City. I called Karen during the lonely ride home. She was having a great visit with her sister Laura and Crystal, a family friend! Glad she has her sisters there all week. I will be back before you know it. I need to get a few more of her more talkative friends to visit and/or call during her treatment. There is nothing Karen likes more than deep conversation. I am a man of few words. Any one that wants to help out can just call her cell phone. For the PC people that isn’t even long distance!

Don: I am not a big fan of football and an not an alumni of any college so I don’t always get it. You know, the “my school is better than your school and our sport team is gonna kick your sport team’s butt” kind of it.  I did get a small taste of it this weekend though.

It was Homecoming at UF on Saturday. Friday they had the Gator Growl. Saturday they had the game and won by a field goal near the end. I don’t remember the exact score but I was told both teams were in the 20’s. Sounds like it would have been an exciting game, if you like that type of thing.

Today Karen’s parents came in and we all watched Karen eat. She may be starting to lose her appetite a little but she still ate pretty good. She is sleeping a little more during the day but who wouldn’t? Put me in the bed when I don’t feel good and I just want to sleep until it feels better.

After lunch I took about a 3 hour walk all around the UF campus. It is huge! You can’t help be at least a little impressed. You might even go so far as to be a little jealous of all the students who are going to school and preparing for their future. Let’s all hope they take full advantage of their time here for more than social engagement and watching sports. Looking at all the Halls and the map I found at the official gateway to the university, you are led to believe that they have anything you want to earn your degree in! Best of luck to all the students. They may be researching all types of illness and finding cures or better treatments.