A Father's Message

When I get the call for a heart my wife Lynnette or Dad will blog updates and share insights. But for now, I asked my Dad to recall his memory of my first heart surgery and contribute to my blog. I should note that although Dad is a professional journalist for the last three decades this is a personal message. In his career he's been fortunate to interview great men and women.

The top photo is with my three older sisters at Dad's broadcasting studio. The bottom photo is in the Garden of Gethsemane with former LDS church President Spencer W. Kimball at Jerusalem in 1977.

If you want to be inspired by a classic documentary watch one of the first features my Dad did in the late 70s early 80s called The Marathon. Thirty years later he still has people commenting that his story motivated them to get in shape and run. I posted it at http://youtube.com/livingforeden

Dad is one of my best friends. I'm blessed to have him when so many don't have that in their lives. And I'm thankful he would take the time to share his memory.

Dear Paul,

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about your remarkable, even miraculous life, especially since your 36th birthday a few weeks ago. Well do I remember that spring day in 1973 when mom went into labor and we rushed to the hospital for your birth. The late night delivery at LDS Hospital, which I was able to observe, was routine, and I was thrilled to have a son, after having three daughters come into our home.

Our lives changed dramatically a few hours later, though, when I was awakened from a deep sleep at home by mom calling to let me know “there is a problem with the baby.” I made arrangements for your sisters and rushed to Primary Children’s Hospital, where you had been taken as a so-called “blue baby.” I met you, and a team of medical personnel led by Dr. George Veasy, coming off an elevator and en route to a medical procedure to determine your malady. Fortunately, I was able to get them to allow me a few minutes alone with you. Your Grandpa Layton and I were directed to a nearby closet where we found some privacy in order to give you, in accordance to our beliefs, a priesthood blessing. Then you were off.

It didn’t take Dr. Veasy long to learn that you had a severe congenital heart defect and that immediate surgery would be needed to keep you alive. You were rushed into surgery before you were a day old for what we were told was a shunt that would allow you to get enough oxygenated blood for your malformed heart to keep you alive.

It worked, and here you are 36 years later. It’s quite remarkable, really, when you consider that you weren’t expected to survive a year, let alone through childhood and beyond into puberty. Yet, you constantly defied the odds. And yes, here you are - a very productive, successful adult who has had a significant impact on countless people throughout the world. Moreover, you’re a loving husband and doting father.

I’ve thought about this in the context of the many CHD parents who follow your blog. Somehow, I hope they can find hope in your story, realizing, of course, that medical science is far more advanced than it was when you were born. Indeed, CHD, though serious, doesn’t always mean doom and gloom. There is always hope. Our hope was that you could be kept alive long enough for advances in medicine that would allow you to overcome your next crisis. It seemed such advances always came. And now we await the next step in your miraculous life. We still have great hope . . . as well as an abiding faith that all will be well. Surely, the miracle will continue.

Love you! Dad

Children's Hospital Telethon

I continue to meet parents who have experienced great challenges with their children. Once such child is Grant who finally went home from Primary Children's Medical Center after a long stay. Here is a video his faithful and amazing parents put together with my tune, "Our Love" from the Living for Eden CD.



This coming weekend I will be part of the Children's Miracle Network's annual telethon at PCMC in Salt Lake City, Utah. If you're watching KSL you might see me on the tube Saturday night close to or after 7pm and on Sunday at 1pm.

The access to good care is a miracle that happens throughout the year at Primary Children's Medical Center. Once a year the Utah community and KSL Channel 5 come together to celebrate those miracles during the KSL/Primary Children's Miracle Network Telethon.

The 27th annual Primary Children's Telethon begins Saturday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. and continues through Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m. on KSL Channel 5.

Primary Children's is the only full-service pediatric hospital in the Intermountain West equipped to care for the total child. The hospital provides specialized care to each child, regardless of ability to pay. Last year, Primary Children's expended more than $13.4 million to cover more than 11,337 charity-care patient visits.

Contributions can be made during the Telethon or by mail to Primary Children's Medical Center, P.O. Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT, 84158, or online at www.primarychildrens.org.

What pulls me through?

(I've begun more iron infusions through my picc line which should give me boost.)

It's been a tough week. My body is tired. And I'll admit that I've been depressed at times and full of anxiety. And yet, at moments how can I feel empty? I have every reason to live and love.

What pulls me through?

Others. Family. Friends. All of you. My wife is beautiful in every way. Eden is adorable.

My former Bishop, who I served with as his executive secretary in our Church of volunteers, had his hip replaced. His recovery has been quick because he's a remarkable human being. He walked almost a mile to visit me using two forearm crutches. He's a man I admire and hope to one day be like.

Also, our neighbor who has cancer spread throughout her body, dropped off several dark red garden geraniums to add to the beauty of our yard which was spring cleaned by neighbors. They have green houses and spend time growing all kinds of vegetation. They also have a son whose had a heart transplant. She is a remarkable woman, who despite her illness, sits near us in church each week to thank God for what we have and hope for.

Another neighbor, a good man, father and husband, who has needed a liver transplant, who almost died a month ago, got a call for a liver. The surgery was a success and he is on the mend. It's a miracle. And we thank God.

When I am discouraged a tool that lifts me is music. With it's varying emotions and influence particular music pulls me through. What would the world be like without it? Pretty depressing. This past week I've been absorbing the lyrics and song from popular Christian artists MercyMe called I would die for you. The tune is on my playlist and is truly inspiring. It's as though they are singing my thoughts.

Finally, I had a great time watching the American Idol finale. I'll admit it. From a professional standpoint you can't go wrong with young newly discovered talent performing with icons Lionel Richie, KISS, Queen, Cindy Lauper, and others. The song Permanent former idol winner David Cook performed for his brother who died with a tumor was inspiring.

Youtube Message from Paul Cardall

Inspiring Music Video from Matthew West

Christian artist Matthew West was doing a follow up album to his award winning debut with a huge concert tour when he lost his voice. After one look at his vocal chords, doctors at the Vanderbilt Voice Center immediately put all his plans on hold. They discovered a vascular polyp and hemorrhaged blood vessels on Matthew’s vocal chord, making it impossible for him to sing. His doctors were convinced only two courses of treatment would work: complete silence and surgery.

Matthew recommitted himself to journaling his thoughts and prayers during his season of silence. "Solitude is an uncomfortable place, and silence is so unnatural for most of us," he relates. "I found myself surrounded by questions like, ‘What if I can’t sing anymore? What if my voice doesn’t sound the same? What if I can’t provide for my family?’ It was foundation shattering. But over and over again, I felt this recurring message on my heart saying, ‘Cease striving…don’t even ask for answers, just be with Me. Be still. I am using your voice, even when you can’t hear it.’"

He found comfort in his faith and would learn to speak again and sing. Here is his video chronicling his experience.

Pulmonary Function Test

The Pulmonary Function Test is quite the joy ride. No, not really. But, the PFT does help cardiologists understand how strong my lungs are when I breath based on the forced volume vital capacity.

For the test you basically sit on a chair in a tall empty glass booth with a device that you put into your mouth connected to a computer. The booth is sealed up and you breath into a 1.5 inch tube. A respiratory therapist guides you through a series of breathing exercises.

PROCEDURE

Generally, the patient is asked to take the deepest breath they can, and then exhale into the sensor as hard as possible, for as long as possible. It is sometimes directly followed by a rapid inhalation (inspiration), in particular when assessing possible upper airway obstruction.

Sometimes, the test will be preceded by a period of quiet breathing in and out from the sensor (tidal volume), or the rapid breath in (forced inspiratory part) will come before the forced exhalation.

During the test, soft nose clips may be used to prevent air escaping through the nose. Filter mouthpieces may be used to prevent the spread of microorganisms, particularly for inspiratory maneuvers.

They also had me walk up and down a hallway for 6 minutes checking my pulse, saturation levels, and blood pressure. I actually did pretty good given the fact I have a heart almost the size of my head.

Acts of Kindness

Acts of kindness continue to pour down upon us like a much needed rain storm. A large group of our neighbors and church goers thoroughly spring cleaned our yard, removing all dead leaves, weeds, pruning trees, branches, edging, mowing, straightening our mailbox with new cement, prepping an area for a garden, putting a trampoline together for Eden, planting flowers, and much more.

What can we say? We’re overwhelmed. There are kind people in the world. Amidst all of the sensational headlines of war, death, and destruction, there is goodness. Generally people have good hearts and use them. I also hope for a heart that I will use for good.

I believe there is hope for anyone in great need of help. People won’t take away your grief. They won’t solve all your problems. They won’t abolish your fears. What they can do, if you’ll let them into your lives, is ease your burden.

Neil A. Maxwell wrote, “To withdraw into our private sanctuaries not only deprives others of our love, our talents and our service, but it also deprives us of chances to serve, to love, and to be loved.” He also said, “Of a truth, those who can easily bend their knees in prayer do not feel they are stooping when they bend to help a neighbor in need.”

Most great service and acts of kindness go unknown and un-rewarded except for that inner conscience which gently soothes the soul with comforting words saying inward “job well done!” There have been many of you who've done kind things that we don't know about. Thank you!

We’ve always tried to surround ourselves with goodness in our home and in our friends. And we try to do all within our power to lift others to be worthy of service.

Soon I will have renewed energy to tutor relationships so I might find out what it is I can do to help them, lift their load, ease their pain.

It’s hard for me not to be among people and shake their hands. I miss it. I miss serving and sharing things in common and enjoying conversation.

With a new heart, God knows I will continue to share my love for life, not only through my music, but also through common friendship and private acts of kindness. But, I know it is not up to me. Our lives are not completely under our control. One minute we're here enjoy things and another we're not.

No matter where I am God knows I will always strive to improve things. If I land in hell - I'll gather people one by one and start making a heaven out of the place.

(Picture: TOP - Our City removes compost piles each Spring and Fall. This pile is a result of acts of kindess, BOTTOM - Carl Bloch painting that has hung in our home for many years.)

Celebrate Motherhood

On this special day where we celebrate motherhood I want to express my love and appreciation to my beautiful wife Lynnette, the mother of my gorgeous child Eden, who chose a life with me knowing I might not grow old and she may be alone for a season.

I love you! Let’s do it all over again.

Also, to my own mother Margaret who selflessly cared for me and my 7 other siblings, she was there by my hospital bedside every day and has continued to lift me up with great hope.

Where do I get my optimism? From my mother and her mother, my angel Grandma Layton, who also raised an army of good people who lift the world and make life a better experience for others.

I miss my patriarchal Grandma Joy whose life was extraordinary and raised a great man in my father whose faith is solid.

And to my mother in law Ardith who passed away of cancer when my wife was 8 years old leaving behind 10 children and a humble schoolteacher husband. Ardith had cancer for 5 years beginning when Lynnette was only 3 (the age of our daughter Eden). I look forward to the day when Ardith and I become great friends. Son in laws should always catch up with the mother.

Abraham Lincoln perfectly spoke what I feel, “All that I am and ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother.”

(Picture: Top - Kathryn Turly took this beautiful picture of Lynnette with Eden when our girl was a couple weeks old, Bottom - With my mother in 1973 after my POTTS shunt CHD surgery)

A Chapter of My Life

Life is full of chapters. We close one and start a new one. I am in the middle of “the heart transplant” chapter of my life and the plot thickens as I continue to wait. It has been nine months. That’s full term and my water hasn’t broke!

Nevertheless, Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” We try to make the most of our circumstances reflecting upon what we have learned or hope to learn from our situation. I am learning more than I could ever dream of and I hope to pull through to share that with many more people.

My spiritual hero, Thomas S. Monson shared this powerful insight to happiness, “This is our one and only chance at life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.”

I continue to find comfort in my knowledge that God is good! God is close! God is my friend. He has wrapped His loving arms around my family through the love, service, and support of those who also love Him. It’s a miracle!

Yesterday I was fortunate to attend the closing chapter of a few college students as they graduated from Salt Lake Community College where I attended school for an associate’s degree.

I was invited to attend by President Cynthia Bioteau and the SLCC Alumni association. The school honored me with the “Distinguished Alumni Award” which was quite shocking because it is awarded to those who’ve made a contribution to our community and yet it’s our community, which for the past nine months has been making a contribution to our family. Matt Bunker, Alumni Advisor, made it clear that this award was decided upon before they knew I was sick.

And so, I am thankful for SLCC alumni’s kindness in acknowledging my music career which has been a tool for me to share something peaceful, positive, and uplifting in a world full of pain and suffering.

I am grateful for the Salt Lake Community College chapter in my life. Before graduating high school I was recruited by their Freshman Leadership Council despite my average grades and offered a full-ride scholarship.

Getting involved in student government where I sat on the college activities board, served as student Fine Arts Chairperson, later as the student Public Relations Vice President, and as an aggressive recruiter, gave me many opportunities to learn things that I have applied to my business and life.

College was an enjoyable chapter of my life and I had moments of nostalgia sitting before the graduates.

Congratulations to all of you who graduated!

(Pictures: Top - Wearing the honorary cap & gown, Middle - sitting next to Dan Young (PC Laptops) who also received an award, Bottom - With my parents Margaret & Duane Cardall)

Kori's Heart: A Mother Waiting

Living with a disease you tend to be more aware of the others in similar shoes if not more uncomfortable ones. These things will make anyone stop and think about who they are and where they are in life.

Watch her story Click Here