The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Like many in the area, the Youth Group of the Union Church of La Harpe has been following the story of Nolan Kane, thirteen-year-old son of Bill and Jeanie (Markham) Kane of rural Roseville. Nolan was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on Palm Sunday, March 21st, 2005.
For six months, he was a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis from March 21, 2005 to Sept. 20, 2005. He underwent a bone marrow transplant on June 10, 2005, receiving his brother Jackson's marrow. Everything went well and he achieved remission.
Then, Nolan relapsed on Halloween 2005 and went back to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. He received more Chemotherapy and last month had to make the decision to accept the disease, or to fight again with a second bone marrow transplant.
His mother's Journal is posted on the web for all to see and share their notes to Nolan and the family. "With God's help--he will overcome and get back to life as he knew it before Leukemia," his mother writes.
The La Harpe Union Church youth have not met Nolan, but feel like he is a brother because of his mother's Journal.Ê
"When it came time for him to have his Stem cell transplant done, Jeanie stated that they had 100 days," said Michelle Olin of La Harpe and mother of one of the youth at Union Church.ÊÊ
Our children " felt like they needed to make a commitment everyday to pray for him during that 100 days, and needed a friendly reminder.ÊÊ So, they decided to order bracelets like Lance Armstrong, but they would be red and read "100 Day Prayer for Nolan".Ê
They started by ordering 200 (this was on day 0), and sold them all by that following Sunday! They ordered another 200 and they were all sold by day 12!Ê They are now in the process of receiving 500!Ê
The youth are selling them for $5.00 each and the proceeds will go to the Kane family.Ê Anyone interested in purchasing one, or several for their schools or youth group, please contact Dave Clover at the Union Church or email: dave@unionchurch.com. Or call Michelle Olin, LaHarpe on her cell 309-337-0753.
Nolan's father farms in the Roseville, Raritan, and Stronghurst area with Ed Kane, and their mother, Jeanie was a Markham. Her parents are Mary & Dan Markham from Blandinsville.
The Kanes are members of St. Pat's Catholic Church where they have a continual prayer list. Those wishing to send Nolan a message may do so at www2.caringbridge.org/il/jeaniekane/.
On Monday, Jeanie wrote in the Journal:
Today is day #13!
...."I am so excited about Nolans counts! His ANC is up to 300 today!!!! I want you all to understand what an ANC is. It is short for absolute neutrophil count.
It is the estimate of the bodies ability to fight infection, especially bacterial infections. When an ANC is below 500, the risk of infection is high.
Neutrophils are counted as part of the complete blood count or CBC. Thats why these kids with low ANC have to wear a mask and avoid crowds, especially other young kids.
So, as I continue to report on his counts, you will know what it means when I talk about his ANC.
Sounds like his throat is still hurting but I truely expect that within a couple of days, he will begin to heal and be able to start eating.
He does have hunger pains but is so scared to swallow due to the pain involved. Hopefully soon, we can start trying milk shakes and other soft foods. He has lost some weight but not as much as he did in his first transplant. Bill told me that his eyelashes are now falling out. I so hoped that they wouldnt, but that is minor and he's still the same Nolan with or without them.
Things are looking up but the true test comes on day 21.
They will do a bone marrow aspiration to check for blasts in the marrow. They are not seeing any in the blood but the marrow has yet to be looked at.
I ask that over these next few days leading up to the test, we all join together in calling out to God.
Let our collective voices be heard as we praise the Lord for allowing such love to be spread through Nolan and his illness. Then, let us all pray for every cancer cell to be gone from Nolans body and for the Lord to keep his healing hands on him throughout this tough journey.
James 5:15-16 says:
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 9:38 AM CDT , Jeanie writes:
Today is day #14!
He is off and running with his recovery!!! ANC is 600 today and his white count is 800. WOW!!!Big things are happening inside of him --that is for sure. :a heartfelt thank you to all who bow their heads, get on their knees or pray in their cars, etc---God hears us and loves us!!!!
Thank You --Jeanie
Nolan Kane who is fighting Leukemia at St. Jude's Hospital is surrounded by his #1 fans: brothers Jackson, Drew, and Reese Kane. La Harpe youth are helping ignite a 100-day prayer vigil by selling prayer bracelets which will be worn as a gentle reminder to pray daily for Nolan's recovery. Proceeds from the bracelets will go to help the Kanes with expenses.