From the Carns Family

The Carns Family says Thanks
At Karen’s request, Tom sent the following letters to the compassionate health care professionals who tended her so lovingly throughout her illness. Karen wanted them to receive her thanks on Thanksgiving (her birthday) so on Monday, November 19, her favorite wine was delivered to the nurses, doctors and staff of Cincinnati Hematology and Oncology and Christ Hospital 4 West with the letter attached. Karen’s family takes this opportunity to publicly thank the selfless giving of health care professionals.

November 19, 2001

Dear Christ Hospital 4 West Nurses and Staff,

We have not seen you since Karen Carns’ last blood transfusions in August. But we have not forgotten you. And neither did she.

Shortly before her death, she said that she wanted to remember you in a special way on her birthday, which appropriately is Thanksgiving Day this year. Karen named you among her greatest blessings during her illness. She was thankful-and we are thankful—for

• your wonderful good humor the night of the Jimmy Buffett party.
• the middle of the night search for a vanilla Boost. providing a room for probably the one and only
• parent/teacher conference held on 4 West. having her bed ready on arrival so she could sleep off the Demerol from her CamPath treatment during the subsequent blood transfusions.
• your understanding as she requested a “faster” drip on those middle-of-the-night transfusions so she could be “home before the kids wake up.”
• the stories you shared and the smiles that always accompanied your work.
• clearing the hallway for her as she walked her laps!

You have the most heart-wrenching job in the world. You must bring hope to the face of cancer. We don’t know how you continue to do this every day with such grace, such joy, and such kindness. We pray in thanksgiving for you and we pray for strength to emulate you.

At Karen’s request, we hope you will accept this “fruit of the vine” which she enjoyed with family and friends. May it warm your Thanksgiving gatherings and evoke lighthearted spirits. We will be toasting you!

The Karen Carns Foundation has been established to support the work of the charities she began. We welcome you back to www.carnsnet.com if you haven’t visited for a while, and we invite new visitors to the website which includes Karen’s journals, the updates posted during her illness, and Foundation news.

In a letter Karen wrote to be read at her Memorial Mass, she said:

“I think of life as a great and beautiful blessing. The emotional pain of this journey has always been harder to bear than the physical pain, but that’s part of life, too, and together, with love, now I know we can work through anything. I want you to believe that, too. Choose to be happy. Look for the good. Surround yourself with those you love and smile. My love will always be with you.”

May you be surrounded by love always.

Gratefully,
Karen’s family

November 19, 2001

Dear Cincinnati Hematology and Oncology Nurses and Staff,

We have not seen you since Karen Carns’ last CamPath treatment in August. But we have not forgotten you. And neither did she.

Shortly before her death, she said that she wanted to remember you in a special way on her birthday, which appropriately is Thanksgiving Day this year. Karen named you among her greatest blessings during her illness. She was thankful-and we are thankful—for…

• her special corner chair that you saved.
• the warm blankets that calmed her, creating that fragile “baby seal” look.
• the steady stream of ice chips.
• the creative Demerol doses that eased her rigors more effectively each time.
• your understanding in allowing us to stay with her even though it crowded you.
• your empathy with her worry as you provided each day’s blood counts.
• your patience with her dear friend bringing coffee to us.
• the laughter that dispelled the fear.

You have the most heart-wrenching job in the world. You must bring hope to the face of cancer. We don’t know how you continue to do this every day with such grace, such joy, and such kindness. We pray in thanksgiving for you and we pray for strength to emulate you.

At Karen’s request, we hope you will accept this “fruit of the vine” which she enjoyed with family and friends. May it warm your Thanksgiving gatherings and evoke lighthearted spirits. We will be toasting you!

The Karen Carns Foundation has been established to support the work of the charities she began. We welcome you back to www.carnsnet.com if you haven’t visited for a while, and we invite new visitors to the website which includes Karen’s journals, the updates posted during her illness, and Foundation news.

Gratefully,
Karen’s family