A Special Request

To whom ever receives this note,
Almost 3 years ago I was privileged with the opportunity to take care of a young patient while working in Houston at The Methodist Hospital. Casey was a 22 yr old newlywed, with an 8 month old baby girl when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Him and his family flew from Kentucky to Houston shortly after diagnosis to be treated. After chemotherapy, blood transfusions, bone marrow biopsies, etc he went back home and did very well. In March he had a bone marrow biopsy that came back clean, he had been clean for 2 years, so they called him "cured". About a month later he got sick, and another biopsy showed the leukemia was back. Casey went to Vanderbuilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. for treatment. The chemo he received was very hard on him. His immune system is completely wiped out and he has gotten pneumonia. The pneumonia became too much for his lungs, and it was too difficult for him to breath on his on. He is now in ICU on a ventilator, fighting for his life. With leukemia it takes a while to recover from chemo, their blood counts take a while to come up. It's a slow process, and very hard to watch and wait.
This is a very overwhelming time for Casey's family. They are out of town, in a hospital just waiting for things to get better. His wife Kristen texts me often with questions and updates. Not only is she worried about her husband, but having a 3 yr old who doesn't understand is tolling. I would like them to be overwhelmed in a different way as they face each day of unknowing. I ask that all of you write a personal note to Casey, Kristen, and Adlee Grace and let them know that you are praying for them. I would like for them to feel the presence of God and see the love of His people. In addition, I would ask that you enclose a one dollar bill for each person the note represents as praying for them. As they see the "prayer dollars" stack up, it will encourage them and give them a special story to tell. I don't mean for this to be a fund raiser; only for a unique way for them to realize how many people care for them. They won't have to "wish they had a dollar for everyone who is praying for them." Please pass the word any way you can (mail, email, text, blogs, prayer groups, etc.) and let's give them something good to remember when they look back on this tough time.


Casey Smithson
MICU Rm# 8641
C/O VUMC
1211 Medical Center Dr.
Nashville, TN 37232
ckarsmithson@gmail.com


Let me know if I can help you help them.
In Him,
Allison (Crowe) Breeding
tbab730@yahoo.com
281-797-2219