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- Big Cedar 2008
- Big Cedar 2008
Steve King Foundation
We have received many inquiries regarding contributions for Dianna & the girls. We have established a “John Heffernon Family fund” through the Steve King Foundation at the website below:
http://www.stevekingfoundation.org/
Or, you can send your contribution directly to:
Steve King Foundation, 24583 SW 208 Road, Jetmore, KS 67854
Be sure to include “John Heffernon Family Fund” on your check. The contributions received thru this fund will be for the benefit of the girls.
As always, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for all your prayers and support during this difficult time.
Steve King Foundation
King Foundation
24583 SW 208 Rd
Message From Dianna
Where does one begin to count their blessings? I have been moved beyond words by all of your thoughts and prayers. I have no idea how the girls and I can ever repay your kindness. John and I love each of you so very much and will always hold close to our hearts the many memories that we shared with all of you.
People have tried to tell me that John died doing what he loved but those of you closest to us know that is not the case. John put many things before racing such as MUSTANG softball games, dinner out with friends, friends childrens weddings, a quiet dinner with his wife, Fouth of July pool parties, graduation parties, friends birthday parties, family birthday parties, trips to Herman, boating, boating and more boating. John loved the girls and myself more than he loved anything else. He has given the girls and I enough love over the past 27 years to last us a lifetime. We will continue to draw on his strength and with God’s continual support we will develop a new normal and rise above. I would take this ride all over again with John. Even if I knew how it would end. I chose well. Some people live a lifetime and never have what John and I had. God has blessed me in ways beyond my imagination.
A celebration of life/visitation service will take place Monday evening, November 10th at 6:30 p.m. at Stilwell United Methodist Church. The funeral service will take place Tuesday morning, November 11th at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Wea. A luncheon will be provided following the funeral service back at Stilwell United Methodist Church.
We love all of you. Thank you for being there.
John’s Journey
It’s with infinite sadness we inform you that John B. Heffernon passed away this morning at 4:13am from injuries suffered in an accident at Heartland Park on October 25, 2008.
John will always be in our thoughts and prayers as a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
Words can’t express our Thanks for all of your prayers, thoughts, and support throughout the last couple of weeks. Our family has been honored and overwhelmed by the incredible thoughtfulness and response to John’s journey.
We will post information regarding the celebration of life and funeral as it becomes available.
God doesn’t give you the people you want………he gives you the people you need; to help you……to hurt you…….to leave you……..to love you; to make you the person you were meant to be.
Wednesday, November 5th, Update on John’s Journey
Here’s the latest update:
We met with Dr. Moore, the Chief Neuro Surgeon, this afternoon in Topeka. Dr. Moore ran some additional tests and procedures yesterday, so we met with him to discuss the results.
Unfortunately, the results were not encouraging, John’s condition remains unchanged. As we’ve mentioned in prior postings, the longer John’s condition remains unchanged, the situation becomes much dire.
It goes without saying and words can’t express our absolute thanks and appreciation for your thoughts, prayers, and support during this very difficult time.
We’ll keep you posted as we receive more information. Please keep John and our family in your prayers.
November 4th Election Day – Don’t forget to vote!
Another beautiful fall day, the sun is shining with a nice breeze, with the anticipation of cooler air just around the corner.
Here’s the latest update on John’s Journey:
Yesterday, we had an appointment with Dr. Steve Reintjes, Neuro Surgeon in Kansas City. To say the least, Dr. Reintjes was very impressive. Dr. Reintjes and the 5 Neuro Surgeons in his practice all reviewed the cat scans and notes from Dr. Moore’s team in Topeka. He walked through John’s injury from A to Z, answered our questions, reviewed the CT scans in detail, and provided insight.
Dr. Reintjes confirmed, based on his review of notes and observations of the CT scans, John has received excellent care. He indicated that with the type of injury John has sustained, Dr. Reintjes’ team would not be pursuing any different approach and indicated that the approach taken by Dr. Moore is the same aggressive course his group would pursue.
He was able to provide details and perspective regarding the injury, and discussed potential results of the condition. Unfortunately, Dr. Reintjes also indicated that the longer we go without much progress, the prognosis becomes dire.
Special Thanks to Bill Duncan, Annie Heffernon’s dad, for setting up the consult with Dr. Reintjes, and to the Lewis family (Kathy and Mike), for reaching out to Dr. Reintjes as well, Dr. Reintjes is a cousin of the Lewis family.
As of today, John’s condition has not improved, and with each day, a lack of progress clearly is a step backward.
Dianna was able to go back to KC last night and attend Sarah-Margaret’s volleyball banquet, with Makenzie and Aunt Annie. She was also able to be at home overnight with the girls last night, which for the girls, was much needed and very comforting.
Again, words cannot express our thanks for all of the prayers, thoughts, and assistance everyone has offered and provided over the last week. We appreciate you keeping John and our family in your prayers, and keep blogging, its a nice release to hear from others during this difficult time.
Saturday, November 1
In spite of the current circumstances, It was a Good Halloween for Dianna and the Girls.
Makenzie went trick or treating with cousin Carlie, Uncle Bernie and Aunt Stephanie until her bag was so full she couldn’t carry it. So Kenzie (Witch) and Carlie (football player) went home and sorted their goodies and handed out the candy they didn’t like to the late crew of trick or treaters 
Sarah-Margaret attended the Blue Valley vs. Blue Valley West football game and the Tigers pulled out a 21 – 18 victory to continue their march to the State playoffs.
And Dianna was able to get some much needed rest at the hospital, it was only about 4 hours of good sleep, but based on the amount of sleep she has received recently, it is like 8 hours in a normal schedule.
So here is where we are on John’s Journey. After John made it through the first night, which was a significant accomplishment, Dr. Shawn Moore, the lead Neurosurgeon, at Stormont Vail, as well as, Dr’s McGee (Pulmonologist), and Cancelada (trauma surgeon) have taken a very aggressive approach with the medications and treatments.
At this point, John is not stable enough to transport to another facility, however, a transfer is not necessary, Stormont -Vail is a level 3 trauma center, which has a highly regarded Neurosurgeon, staff, and facilities to handle John’s situation.
Although we are very confident in Dr. Moore’s abilities and aggressive approach, a second opinion has always been at the forefront of our minds. We have scheduled a consultation with Dr. Steve Reintjes, a highly regarded Neurosurgeon in Kansas City, to review John’s situation and provide any additional insight .
Bottom line, there are 2 phases with this type of injury, 1) Sustain life 2) Determine quality of life, we are simply still in the first phase, trying to sustain John’s life.
After consulting with Dr. Moore and his partner Dr. Wills, earlier today, we are at a point where lack of progress is clearly a step backwards. As the days continue without any progress the prognosis becomes much worse.
Although we have never lost hope, the physicians are not seeing any improvement.
Again, words can’t express our Thanks and appreciation for all of the support and prayers. Keep sending the prayers John’s way as he continues this journey and we continue to pray for a miracle.
How did we get here?
As many of you are aware, John is in the critical care unit at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of support, prayers and positive thoughts for John, so we started this blog to be more effective in our communication of John’s Journey.
John was involved in an accident Saurday, October 25 at Heartland Park in Topeka, KS around 8:30 p.m. He was taken to the hospital via ambulance and arrived around 9:30pm. He was assessed and stabilized by the trauma team and admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU). After all the diagnostics were performed and interpreted, we were informed that John had sustained an acceleration/deceleration injury to his brain. The best way I can describe this is to say it is like shaken baby syndrome in an adult. He also has a cervical spine fracture that is stable and did NOT cause any spinal chord damage or paralysis. He has a compound fracture of his left elbow that will need surgery, but it will not be set until he is stable enough for surgery.
When we were informed of John’s injuries, the neurosurgeon and the trauma surgeon were not optimistic about his prognosis. Miraculously, with all of the thoughts and prayers, we have achieved a stable condition five days post accident. John is still in a very deep coma at this time and although he has not taken any steps backward since the accident, we were hoping to see some improvements at this point in the process, but it is taking a little more time. As you could imagine, we are a little impatient. In today’s environment where instant communication and solutions are expected in our daily lives, injuries of this type are on their own time frame and require patience.
Bernie and Len have their hands full trying to take care of our family and as you might imagine, this is very difficult for us to provide multiple updates. So we are going to try to keep this updated on a daily basis, or more frequently as conditions change. We as a family are all exhausted and trying to focus what energy we have on John. A primary focus for us is to make sure Dianna is getting rest and remaining strong, so hopefully this format will help us communicate our appreciation and thoughts, but also provide her enough space to work through this difficult time. Please reach out to us prior to visiting so we can help coordinate visits, based on visiting hours, staff shift changes, etc. Please be patient with us.
We have received so many offers to help with anything and everything and it is wonderful. We cannot thank you all enough. Be assured that we WILL be calling on you for help and support as things progress. On behalf of John, Dianna and our entire family, our sincerest thank you for all prayers, thoughts and offers of help. Please keep us in your prayers.
The Heffernons
Thursday, October 30, 2008
John Heffernon information coming soon . . . .
