Don Lenschow

[Cottontop]

Many of you know Don Lenschow. Don is a past President of the AHCUSA and was a long serving President of the North Texas AHC.

I received this message yesterday, Sunday, March 28.

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<span style="color: #000099">Some of you are aware that Don Lenschow has, in his words, "....hit a little speed bump....". For those not aware, a few weeks ago, Don was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer (non-small cell carcinoma). The cancer was found in several areas including his lungs, liver, and brain. His treatment began with radiation directed to shrink the tumor in his head. The results were positive. Next, he began receiving Chemo at three-week intervals. To date he has had two Chemo treatments.

Last Monday, March 22nd, Don was readmitted to the hospital due to weakness and difficulty swallowing. The diagnosis was that one of the tumors was pressing on his esophagus. This tumor is now being treated daily with radiation -- with a total of ten daily treatments projected.

Other than being bald and in the hospital, Don seemed to be doing fine.

Kay called yesterday morning, saying Don's defibrilator had been activated twice during the night. This Sunday afternoon, Kay indicated Don's heart was beating erratically, his blood pressure was unstable; and he had been relocated to the Cardiac Ward. We will be checking with Kay again tomorrow; and I will send periodic updates as to how Don is doing.

If you would like to send a card, or get-well wish, Don's address is:

Don Lenschow
467County Road 4593
Boyd, TX 76023-4401</span>
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I will keep you posted as things change.

Tim

 

[Keoke]

Good for you Tim. He and Kay are a very nice couple and I wish them all the best this world can offer. ___Keoke

 

[Cottontop]

Thanks Keoke. YES, they are.

The other day, I figured out that I have known Don a few weeks over 31 years. I've known him longer than Kay has.

I don't mean for the following to be too graphic or morbidly detailed, but many of you know Don and have PMed me for another update.

Last night, Sherry and I spent a couple of hours with Don (and Kay) in the hospital. While being still, his heart rate is way up (95-105 - "Normal" is low 70's). Even though he was on oxygen, his blood/oxygen level was in the low 80% (normal is 96%+).

That tells me that his lungs cannot oxygenate his blood to fulfill his body's needs and his heart is racing to increase the flow to get more oxygen out there.

This morning, they sent Don home. I fear that there is nothing further they can do for him and that his time left is measured in days if not hours.

Pray for him.

Tim

 

[Keoke]

Well this is really not a prayer but to Don and Kay I would like to say:

If you wake up in a room with out windows or doors don't panic you are just in our hearts. .---Keoke

 

[Johnny]

As you might know Tim many of us here in the Gateway Healey Association are friends with Don and Kay and we all wish him well. They were always the first to volunteer to help us at our "Tri-Healey" events, that's just the way they are, really good people and really good Austin Healey enthusiasts.