I just talked to him. Evidently the effects of taking both chemotherapy and radiation have knocked him down. He couldn't keep any food down and became seriously dehydrated, plus experiencing a lot of pain.
I thought I'd post it here because I know a lot of his friends want to stay informed as to his condition.
He did a four-hour job Saturday night, and probably shouldn't have tried it.
DonM

Don... That is really a shame ... when I spoke with him last week he was really excited about playing that gig ... He and Linda are in our prayers ...
t.

Get well Hank and hang in there!

Hank I wish you the best, heal very soon!

I am really sorry to hear the news.
I will pray for him.

Prayer for Hank just went UP from here!

We're thinking of you!


R.

Probably just overdid it, what with all you've been through, Hankster. Get better!

He will have surgery again tomorrow to remove or replace the bile-duct stint they installed earlier.
I don't know any details.
Don

You'll be with our prayers Hank.
You'll be ok.
Jim

Hank made it through the surgery, but is in intensive care. They have found a blood clot on his lung and he also has some sort of infection they are treating.
Don't know anything more yet.
DonM

I talked with Linda (Hank's wife) this morning, Hank is having a rough time of the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and some of the associated medications. Hopefully, he'll be in better shape in the near future.

Gary

I went to see him at the hospital, but he had been taken to another hospital in an effort to establish a line in which to inject medication. They had been unsuccessful in finding a vein or inserting a line, so took him to a sister facility where, I suppose, they had different technology and/or personnel.
As of 3:00 he hadn't returned. Linda said he was extremely ill when she saw him last.
DonM

Don,

We will keep Hank in our prayers. Please keep us updated.

Tom

Don, let Hank and Linda know we are praying for him.

Hank & Linda

I have never had the privilege of meeting you guys ..... But, I always read nice things about you.

My wife and I, are rooting for you Hank.....

Ron & Judy

------------------
createsongstyles.com
fakesheets.com

Don, any news?

I just talked to Linda. He is a little better today. I will go to visit him on the way to work at about 5:00.
DonM

I have never taken him off my public prayer list and we will continue to be his prayer partners until he hits that first chord again
Bebop

I just talked with Linda, Hank managed to get out of bed today for about three hours, but overall he's still having a rough time and it will likely be several days before he is strong enough to go home.

Gary

I am sorry but i wanna ask, i never knew Hank that well, what is he suffering from?

Gary, I was actually there when you called. Shortly after you hung up Hank became really sick at his stomach. He is not well at all.
Nedim, he has Pancreatic cancer, and it is complicated by both heart and lung problems.
He's a tough dude though. He'll lick it if there's any way.
DonM

I wish him all the best! May god bless him and heal him!

They are beautiful people, and strong believers in prayer ...
Please keep those prayers going ...
t.

Hank, I never met Linda but I love you both friend. Boo

Give yourself whatever gifts of time and rest you need to feel better - and know that you're surrounded by caring thoughts and prayers and heartfelt wishes.
Rest easy. Get well.

dp

I just got back from a tour, and saw this...Hank, all I can say, is I hope you're going to get past this hurdle, and that you have my best wishes and hopes for a full recovery.

Ian

On my way to the hospital. It does not look good.
Don

I just got off the phone with Gary Diamond and he had just gotten off the phone with Linda. It does not look good. Don, give him my best. I'm glad I got to spend some time with him at last years jam.

Joe

------------------
Songman55
Joe Ayala

Hank and Linda, you have been in my prayers, May God Bless!

Peace be with you, Hank...

------------------
Bill in Dayton

Don, you back yet?

My computer was down earlier. I stayed several hours at the hospital. He is now pretty heavily sedated, although he did know I was there and spoke a little.
Several friends and a lot of family were in and out. I know Semilive stopped by after I left.
He is stable so far, but the prognosis is not good. I won't post here about the specific problems he is having, but we're just waiting to see what the next development will be.
I will go back first thing in the morning.
Don


[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 12-23-2009).]

I spent a few hours at the hospital. Linda was able to take a break while I was there.
Hank is resting most of the time. He did wake up long enough to speak to me. They are trying to keep him comfortable.
Don


[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 12-23-2009).]

... and we are still praying ... may he be in peace and without pain ...
t.

Hank was actually feeling a lot better today. He was awake and mentally sharp. Dean Mathis was there and the three of us talked about old times. Joe Lee Richards was on the way into town and should be up there by now.
I would have stayed longer, but they took him out for a Cat scan.
I will go back in the morning.
DonM

That's good to hear ...
thnx,
Don,
t.

Don,
Hank is lucky to have a friend like you. It must be comforting to him to have you any so many of his freinds around him during such a tough time for him.
My prayers are with Hank and his family and friends today.
George Kaye

Don is definitely a great friend. Here's to Hank. Glad to hear he is coherent, that is a major improvement. They keep you so knocked out when you are in pain.

Please get better, Hank!

Hank has asked to be moved back to Cornerstone Hospital, a rehab center, so that he will be more comfortable. He and Linda are hoping that he can gain some strength back. They plan to move him today if all goes well.
He is still in constant pain and has to take some pretty strong pain medication to tolerate it, so that keeps him pretty knocked out a lot of the time.
He was able to talk to me some yesterday. He is a strong person and continues to fight to get better.
He wants to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
DonM

Hank, Looking forward to seeing you at the jam. Prayers coming your way for continued recovery. Merry Christmas!

Don... thank you for the update ... having lost a very good friend of 40+ years last year, I have a good sense of what you are going through ... It is very difficult ...

Just tell Hank and Linda we are praying for them ... and for YOU also ...
t.

He has moved to Cornerstone Hospital in Bossier City. He is much more comfortable there. I'll be going by this afternoon.
Don

Keep us posted Don and tell Hank and his family he is in our prayers.

Tom

I spent about an hour with Hank and Linda. He is doing much better since the move. I think they needed to get his medication straightened out.
I told him we expect him to be up and around by the Jam.
DonM

If he could continue to improve, it would be the greatest Christmas gift of all ...
t.

I visited Hank and Linda yesterday evening. His family had been there quite a bit yesterday. Not sure if he was aware of much though. He was not as responsive as he was the past couple of days.
He is being fed mostly by tube, and has lost more than 100 pounds.
Wish I had better news.
Don

Sorry to hear about Hank's misfortune. Cancer is truly a scourge of modern society needless to say. I know an acquaintance who recently went through both chemo and radiation and each time she received radiation treatment it knocked her for a loop for a couple weeks at a time before she started to regain strength and feel better again. She had her last treatment about a month ago and as far as I know the cancer is in remission and she's looking and feeling much better. Our prayers are with Hank and his family during this difficult time and we all hope to see him back on his feet and feeling better real soon.

PS: He's been an integral part of this forum, especially since he went from lurker to an actual participating member. We anticipate his eventual and hopefully soon return to the Synth Zone as I know you do too Don. Thank you for the update as well.

All the best,
Mike

All the very best to you Hank. Everybody knows of someone with this disease, and the good news is that they're getting closer every day to solving the riddle of cancer, and it sounds like you're well on the way to recovery.

I spent a couple hours with Hank this evening, while Linda went home to take care of some business.
Earlier in the day, he had sat up in a chair and talked to Joe Lee for about an hour, so that was great news. It really tired him out though. I took him a Subway sandwich for supper. Hope he felt like eating some of it!
Nothing has changed about his condition; he has good days and some not-so-good.
DonM