A Walking Time Bomb

Those of you who enjoy this blog I apologize for taking a rather long break from sharing my thoughts on life.

Photo: My 2nd annual cardiac catheterization and biopsy test

Ever since I was given a second chance it feels as though time has sped up. I'm not any busier than I was before, but maybe it's that I understand now more than ever how fragile our time here on earth is.

On the downside, I often feel like a walking time bomb with only so many years ahead of me.

Photo: My daughter Eden making a scary Halloween face. She loves the Halloween holiday.

Transplanted hearts usually don't last beyond 10-20 years because your body fights the DNA of that heart like a virus. But transplant medicines are strong. Each has some side effects. These side effects are different in each person. The doctors will try to give you medicine that has the fewest side effects for you.

The biggest problem with any of the transplant medicines is that they make it hard for your body to fight off infections. Also, transplant medicines can make you more likely to get some types of cancer, mostly cancer of the lymph glands and skin cancers.

Doctors will try very hard to make sure your body gets enough transplant medicine to keep your new heart healthy. At the same time, they will try to keep you from having infections and getting cancer.

Photo: With Lynnette on Lake Cuomo in Italy during our fall tour.

Chances for me of receiving a 2nd donor heart is even more challenging that getting the first one. I hadn’t counted on the possibly until this past week when I received peaceful assurance for my own future.

Seven years ago, my neighbor's son Kenny received a heart transplant. However, over the past several months his donor heart was failing. Only 20% of Kenny's donor heart was functioning. Depressed and discouraged, the family was told there was nothing doctors could do for him. He was too sick to be listed for a heart transplant.

However, this didn't stop the family and the doctors from trying. They’d lost their mother recently and with all the faith the father could muster he put his faith in a loving God and hoped for a good outcome for his son.

Eventually, Kenny began to get some strength. Last Tuesday doctors made the decision to list him. He was approved and less than a week later he received his 2nd donor heart. This is a rather unusual event especially for someone with the most popular form of blood type, O.

Photo: At the leaning tower in Italy during our fall tour.

Grateful for Kenny’s new life, I continue to enjoy my own donor heart. I think about my donor every day. I often feel he’s close by. I pray I may live worthy of the miracle I received from my donor and from our Creator. Through the knowledge and wisdom of doctors, the Lord has given me more time.

Every minute of every hour in life, matters. What you do with your time matters. This holiday season; make the moments in the lives of those you love matter.

Back Soon . . . Stay Posted . . .

Enjoying our summer. I'll be back soon.

Performing Wasatch

Inspired by the mountains that overshadow my home in Utah each morning as the Sun rises from the east. I have performed Wasatch at several of my concerts. This particular performance is on a DVD available with my new album New Life.

Ive been fortunate to share the stage with many of these musicians; David Tolk, Jon Shults, Ryan Tilby, Craig Miner, Steven Sharp Nelson, Marshall McDonald, Kevin Davis, and more.

For more information visit my website http://www.paulcardall.com

It'll All Go By In A Flash

My daughter Eden graduated from pre-school after two years of learning from wonderful teachers. They gave her a diploma. She’s had fun and made good friends. But when you put her schooling into perspective we still have16 years to go before she graduates from college with a bachelor’s degree.

It feels like a long ways away. But, I’ve been reminded by a friend whose’ daughter is about to get married that it will all go by in a flash.

Still, it is sad to see them grow and yet it’s exciting at the same time to watch them have the desire to learn new things, go new places, and make friends.

Can you capture these moments in a photo or on a video? No. They don’t truly capture the beauty of our children’s innocence, intrigue, and curious nature. Like taking a picture of the Grand Canyon it’s just not the same as being there and experiencing the view with your family.

Photo: Eden with her Aunt Bonnie. They're silly.

The same goes with our children. Are we present during their big moments and the little ones? Have we captured our experiences with them in our minds? Time goes by quickly. Only the time we spend with our kids creating memories can that experience become a nostalgic moment we can draw upon when our wells of happiness dry up.

My daughter is growing. She’ll be in kindergarten this year. It’s been almost two years since my transplant and the time has flown by. I’ll admit, I’ve been extremely busy, but fortunately I’ve had time to spend with my own daughter hopefully creating a wonderful world around her filled with opportunities for the optimistic.

My Friends Inspire Me

My friends and colleagues pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson inspire me to be a better musician. Steven is one of the artists on the record label I own and manage Stone Angel Music, Inc. (http://www.stoneangelmusic.com)

Look Familiar?

My daughter Eden and I recognized this gentleman and thought we should get a picture with him. We have a lot in common although he's much wider than me.

My Old Heart | Diet & Exercise.

When I left the hospital with a new donor heart, after surviving years of heart failure, I weighed 139 lbs. Today, I'm 170 lbs. and I can feel it. Ironically, when pathologists weighed my defective old ticker it was 7 lbs vs. my new donor heart that weighs 2.7 lbs.

Photo: Holding my abnormal heart in pathology the day I left the hospital with a new donor heart. A large section had been taken to the University of Utah Hospital for study leaving behind this section. In most cases, your normal human heart is the size of your fist.

Feeling like I need to change my diet and exercise more I have reread some valuable information that certainly might be helpful for those of you with normal hearts.

Columbia surgery.com says the following:

Lifestyle Changes after Your Heart Transplant Operation

1. Maintaining Your Optimum Weight

To give your new heart the best advantage in restoring your health, keeping your weight at an optimum and steady level is very important. Excess weight increases the work your heart must do to pump your blood to all the cells of your body. Excess weight will also cause stress on your joints and lead to pain; it also stresses your bones, making them more prone to breaking.

The best way to control your weight is with proper diet and exercise. After transplantation, diet becomes a very important part of your life. The drugs you take to prevent rejection have several side effects which make a "heart healthy" diet a necessity. The nutritionist on the transplant team and your physician work with you to develop a healthy and controlled eating plan to help you maintain your optimum weight.

Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco

These commonly-used substances will need to be eliminated or severely restricted in your new healthy lifestyle.

Caffeine is a stimulant of the central nervous system and can over stimulate your new heart. Some are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. It can cause insomnia, heartbeat irregularities and diarrhea. Even a moderate amount of caffeine can promote headaches, trembling and nervousness. Your doctor will advise you on your need to limit your use of caffeinated products like coffee, tea, chocolate and sodas.

Alcohol consumption should be eliminated or severely restricted after your transplant. Alcoholic beverages are high in calories, low in nutrients and can increase the level of triglycerides in your blood. Even more important is the fact that alcohol can impair your liver's function. Cyclosporine and other medications are broken down in the liver. So, for your medications to work properly and safeguard your new heart from rejection, it is essential that your liver be healthy and properly functioning.

Smoking tobacco is a high-risk activity. We strongly recommend that you do not smoke. Smoking lessens the ability of your red blood cells to carry oxygen; less oxygen reaches your tissues, decreasing your ability to heal. Smoking constricts your blood vessels, especially those in your legs, arms and heart. All of these problems are accentuated in individuals taking immunosuppressive medications.

2. Physical Exercise

After transplant surgery, an active, progressive daily exercise program is vital for your full recovery. It will rebuild your muscle strength. It will boost your mood and enhance your mental state.

Photo: Climbing Mount Olympus last year, June 9, 2010, 9 months after my transplant. I am still amazed I was able to do that difficult climb.

As a heart transplant recipient, you will find that your sensory experience of exercise is now very different from before. Your new heart does not have the same nerve connections as your old. In most patients, the nerves severed during surgery do not grow back like other structures in your body. We refer to your new heart as a "denervated" heart. Because your heart is denervated, its responses to exercise are different. Your heart functions perfectly well despite these differences; they do not limit what you are able to do.

Another important difference is that you will no longer experience chest pain, or angina, when you exercise. The nerve connections that conducted this pain are gone. Any chest pain during exercise will probably be caused by the ongoing healing of chest after surgery. This lack of sensation is the rationale for receiving coronary angiograms each year following transplantation.

After receiving a new heart, we expect you to participate fully in all of life's activities. This means enjoying family activities, returning to work, leading a normal social life and contributing back to society.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cardall's Taser death inspires Utah police training

“Out of tragedy comes good things,” Utah Governor Herbert said, before signing the resolution known as S.C.R. 1. “Our state is in a better place in many ways because of the Cardall family and their tragedy.”

By Melinda ROGERS

The Salt Lake Tribune
First published May 11 2011 07:05PM
Updated May 12, 2011 10:08AM

He was supposed to be finishing school this week.

Two years ago, Brian Layton Cardall, 32, earned a prestigious fellowship to conduct research for a doctorate in biological sciences at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Photo: Governor Herbert, Senator Jones, my parents, brother's widow Anna with Brian's kids and her sister

His dreams of embarking on a career in science were cut short on the side of a southern Utah highway in 2009 when a Hurricane police officer deployed a Taser on him as he experienced a bipolar episode. Cardall’s wife, Anna, called 911 to ask for medical help, and watched as police instead used a stun gun on her confused husband, who later died.

On Wednesday, Anna Cardall brought her daughters Ava, 4, and Bella, 18 months, to the state Capitol to celebrate their dad’s legacy in a way the family never envisioned: By observing Gov. Gary Herbert hold a symbolic signing of a resolution that encourages the state’s police departments to participate in a program designed to better train officers on how to handle encounters with the mentally ill.

Photo: Salt Lake City Police Chief Burbank expressing his departments support

The Cardall family listened as Herbert complimented the family for sharing their story about losing Brian — and highlighting the need for a better understanding among police forces about mental illness.

“Out of tragedy comes good things,” Herbert said, before signing the resolution known as S.C.R. 1. “Our state is in a better place in many ways because of the Cardall family and their tragedy.”

Photo: With Governor Herbert and my father.

State Sen. Patricia Jones, D-Holladay, introduced the resolution during the last session to endorse the CIT Academy and the education and training it brings law enforcement. Her resolution, which came after working in conjunction with the Cardall family and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Utah, calls for law enforcement to recognize that the CIT Academy improves the outcomes of police officers’ encounters with the mentally ill. It asks police agencies to put officers through the academy.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank praised the program at Wednesday’s ceremony at the Capitol, saying that officers who have a sharper understanding of mental health issues are able to help the community. The department adopted the program in 2001.

The Salt Lake City Police Department was recently chosen by the Council of State Governments Justice Center as a “mental health learning site” — a place where other law enforcement agencies can look for guidance on how to improve their responses to the mentally ill. Only six police departments in the U.S. received the designations, which were chosen by national experts and the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Salt Lake City Detective Ron Bruno, who oversees the CIT Academy, has previously said the Brian Cardall case appears to have motivated other police departments to enroll in the program. The Hurricane Police Department is among the agencies that started attending the CIT Academy after Cardall’s death.

About 12 percent of Utah’s 1,200 law enforcement officers hold CIT certification; more have likely undergone the training but have had their certifications expire, Bruno said. Continue Reading on the Salt Lake Tribune website

Members of the Salt Lake City Police Department with Governor Herbert

AT A GLANCE:
The Cardall lawsuit

The family of Brian Cardall has filed a federal lawsuit against two Hurricane police officers involved in the use of a Taser on the 32-year-old man as he suffered a bipolar episode on the side of State Road 59 near Hurricane on June 9, 2009.

Brian Cardal's Presentation at the 2009 Tamarisk and Russian Olive Research Conference, Tamarisk Coalition, Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada, February 19, 2009

Anna Cardall had called 911 to report her husband behaving erratically, and told dispatchers her husband was unarmed, had bipolar disorder and had taken Seroquel, a medicine used to treat manic episodes associated with the disorder. The lawsuit alleges police could have contained Brian Cardall differently. The complaint, which is pending in federal court, alleges several missteps were made by Officer Ken Thompson and Hurricane Police Chief Lynn Excell at the scene.

Thompson deployed a Taser 42 seconds after arriving at the scene, despite information from a 911 dispatcher that Cardall was bipolar and was waiting for medication to take effect. Dispatchers told officers that Cardall spoke of meeting the president and was jumping in front of cars on the road — indications of mental illness.

Thompson and Excell went to the scene, even though the incident was outside of Hurricane city limits and within the jurisdiction of the Washington County sheriff’s deputies who were en route.

When Thompson arrived at the scene, the 156-pound Cardall, nude and unarmed, was no longer in the road. Thompson drew his Taser and began shouting commands. When Thompson yelled, “Come here,” Cardall put his hands up.

Thompson and Excell did not make any effort to take Cardall into custody after he was hit by a Taser. He remained on the ground, breathing and moaning after the first Taser cycle. Thompson waited only two seconds before firing a second shot at Cardall; Excell then rolled Cardall facedown in the gravel and handcuffed him.

Thompson did not use a can of pepper spray. Neither officer tried to use their hands to restrain Cardall.

The officers did not render aid to Cardall before paramedics arrived, even though he appeared not to be breathing. They did not evaluate Cardall’s airway or turn him on his side so he could breathe more easily. Cardall was left handcuffed.

Peter Stirba, a Salt Lake City attorney representing the Hurricane Police Department, maintains Hurricane police responded to the Cardall situation in accordance with their training. After an investigation last year, Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap found the officers were justified in using a Taser on Cardall.

My Community College

" My Community College offered me tremendous opportunities for growth in our world."

How did your college experience impact your life? I learned valuable lessons that have helped me throughout my career. However, my education didn’t always come from the classroom.

Photo: Prior to the SLCC Commencement 2011 at the Maverick Center

Fifteen years ago, I had the privilege to be a student at the University of Utah as well as Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). A bulk of my experience was at SLCC for which I take great pride. My most valuable memories were the extracurricular activities associated with leadership and serving the SLCC student body in the after hours.

Before college, as a high school student I enjoyed being involved, organizing school events, and taking on leadership roles. So naturally I applied for the SLCC Freshman Leadership Scholarship with hopes of two things. First, I was hoping to alleviate some of the financial stress associated with attending college. Second, I wanted to continue working with other creative people to learn from them and together improve the lives of those around me.

My freshman year of college was exciting and there were more than 40,000 students attending our community college. I appreciated the rich diversity, unique cultural differences and various religious views shared by the student body.

Photo: Receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Salt Lake Community College and the State of Utah Board of Education Friday, May 5, 2011

I became a member of the college activities board. United, it was our desire to help other folks have a good experience while attending school.

Under the direction of our faculty, we held barbeques on the quad with disc jockeys and live bands, flew in comedians, and enjoyed guest lecturers like Barry “Greg” Williams from the Brady Bunch. Schindler’s List hit theaters and we organized a sobering evening watching the film after which a holocaust survivor told his frightful story.

I left college after one year to serve a mission for my church. Two years later I returned to the SLCC campus to visit friends and faculty mentors. The nostalgia of my previous experience drew me back to that institution where I then chose to pursue my associate of science degree.

Photo: Celebrating with family at the SLCC Presidents dinner held the night before commencement.

Over the next year, I took great pride in working on campus as the Fine Arts Board Chairperson and briefly as the Student Body Public Relations Vice-President where I learned how to develop, organize, market, and manage campus events. In addition, to earn money, I took a part-time job in the student development office visiting high schools and college fairs to encourage other students to go to college.

To this day, I have often found myself applying these principles of leadership to the everyday aspects of my career. I also learned that outside of my career it’s that extra time devoted to my family, church, and other organizations associated with my expertise that truly give me greater purpose, direction, builds self esteem, and provides a wonderful sense of belonging to a community.

Photo: Keynote address was by Morgan Spurlock, made famous for his documentary "Super-Size Me" and "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold"

Because of the countless acts of kindness shown to our family during my heart transplant crisis and my love of SLCC, our family foundation created an endowment and annual scholarship in an effort to help students born with congenital heart disease or another similar disorder.

Often times, people born with life threatening illnesses, do not for see a long life and set aside their educational pursuits. Others can’t afford education because of medical bills. By creating this scholarship it was my hope that these individuals who thought college would never be a possibility, will be empowered, find hope in the future, and purpose in pursuing an education despite their circumstances.

Last year’s recipient of The Paul Cardall Scholarship for Congenital Heart Disorders was Sydney Porter from North Sevier High School. She has devoted time as a volunteer to the Special Olympics and is pursing a business marketing degree.

This year’s 2011-2012 recipient is Barbara Burns, a mother from Kamas, Utah. She is pursuing a career in radiology, is a member of National Honor Society, associated with Hospice, and volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America. Despite her complicated heart defect, Barbara has said, “I expect to graduate school as I continue this journey with great enthusiasm.”

Photo: Enjoying the honor with my wife Lynnette

Last evening, I had a rare privilege to attend the SLCC commencement ceremonies. More than 4000 degrees were awarded to graduates of Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) from the nation’s 3rd ranked best community colleges based on degrees awarded. As an alumnus, I was honored to be among these graduates to receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

I am grateful for my association with my community college. I believe SLCC to be one of the finest institutions that has offered me tremendous opportunities for growth in our world.

Life Long Survival with Congenital Heart Disease

"If your doctor can't draw your defect on a napkin or piece of paper, and has less than 20 patients with CHD, then you need to find a new doctor."

There are over a million adults living with congenital heart disease.

Last week, the Adult Congenital Heart Association gathered for a conference in L.A. that brought together a majority of physicians who specialize in caring for potential life long survivors in the field of congenital heart disease.

Photo 1: Enjoying the conference with my wife Lynnette and Utah's adult congenital cardiologist Angela Yetman, M.D.

I was fortunate to attend with my wife and meet many of these doctors along with several adult survivors who like me are enjoying a good life despite it's many challenges.

I walked away from the conference believing adults who have survived with CHD and the doctors who care for them are clearing a path that will enable even more children born with abnormal hearts to grow up and enjoy life. This requires, however, patients never stop seeing a congenital cardiologist just as you would not stop seeing your dentist to avoid cavities.

The average cardiologist, even if they have a little bit of experience with birth defects, usually do not understand how to treat deformed hearts.

Photo 2: Adult Congenital Cardiologists discussing life long care at the ACHA Conference in L.A.

Specialists or congenital cardiologist understand the anatomy and know how to treat symptoms and find corrective surgical procedures. Many patients with complicated heart problems often can develop long term complications associated with their particular heart problem. For example, liver failure or arrhythmias. Only adult congenital cardiologist know when to start looking for early signs as well as provide up and coming medical therapies and treatments for these adults before it becomes too late.

Above all, "if your doctor can't draw your defect on a napkin or piece of paper on the spot, and has less than 20 patients with CHD, then you need to find a new doctor," said Daniel Murphy, Jr. MD from Stanford.

I discussed the ACHA conference and adult care on the CHD Show with Jim Ferretti.

Take a listen to the podcast:
http://paulcardall.com/Congenital_Heart_Disease.xml

or on Itunes
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-chd-show-jim-ferretti/id414133851


THE ACHA
Learn more about ACHA and find detailed information for adults with CHD

Inspiring Story about My Cousin born with CF

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

My Tribute to a Friend

Saturday afternoon after a long Utah winter, the sun was bright with the grass becoming greener, and many could be found outside enjoying the warmth of spring. Yet, the following day the valley floors were covered with the wintry pure white powdery snow reflective of a painting of heaven.

Inside a quiet basement apartment south of Salt Lake City a young husband was tenderly caring for his dying wife. They had returned a year earlier from Australia where Quintin had studied at the University and Holly, who was born with a severe heart defect, had enjoyed the physical blessings of living at sea level while reeling in the joy of young married love.

Photo: Holly & Quintin's wedding day

Sadly, Holly’s abnormal heart, which had undergone numerous surgical procedures, began failing, which forced the devoted couple to come home to Salt Lake City in hopes of extending her life. No matter how hard they tried, no matter where they looked, this beautiful couple was denied an opportunity to receive a donor heart because of additional organ complications in Holly’s body. Experiencing the various roller coaster emotions of grief in the realization that her life was at the end, and she would be separated from Quintin, she began to feel the overwhelming peace that comes from accepting life’s predicaments.

I visited her in the hospital months ago. She had actually died for several minutes, before doctors were able to bring her back to life. Lying in her bed as friends with similar health experiences who understood each other, she told me through her confident smile something to the extent; “I’ve come to that point where I can say ‘whatever you want God.’ Since I’ve done this I feel as though He has donated his heart to me and I am ready. I am not afraid anymore and actually looking forward to going to the other side.”

Photo: Holly & Quintin

Saturday morning in their basement apartment, knowing that her time of transition was near, and this might be their last chance together, her family gathered. They spent the day watching on TV the annual general conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Most of the sermons centered on Jesus Christ and finding happiness in life and death by believing in the Savior’s redeeming love.

Shortly before 4:00 pm, in the afternoon session’s final sermon, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Great things are wrought through small and simple things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another."

Around 5:30 pm, with winter snow approaching the valley and surrounded by family, Holly transitioned to the other side. She was like the small flecks of gold in this world that had become a great treasure and now has opportunity to share a treasure of kindness with those who have also passed on.

It’s a fact that no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. We live to die and we die to live again. Though the wild gentian always blooms, the wildflower’s apparent beauty at times appears over for the season. Often, though, the wildflower season is extended throughout the winter and one can view the remnants of the flowers that remain in the fields and forests of our area.

Though Holly’s spirit has moved on, her legacy remains and those who knew her are better and more righteous for having been her friend.

In her last blog entry Holly wrote, "I want you all to know how much I love you, and if I haven't met you than you are a friend I haven't met yet. I don't believe in strangers . . I'm ok, I am very aware of where I'm going and how wonderful I will feel there. "

Holly loved her Savior. She understood His plan of happiness. She had charity in her soul. She displayed kindness through humor, love, and friendship throughout her earthly life. She suffered much, but considered it a gift to help her grow. She now offers this comfort and peace to others who have passed through the veil of death.

I believe she will tell those who are struggling that the doorway leading to happiness is through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son. Holly understood this eternal message and has been "chosen to declare liberty to the captives and preach to them the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the resurrection, and the redemption of mankind from the fall of Adam, and from individual sins on condition of repentance." (D&C 138: 18-19) Holly will offer her heart to anyone who will listen.

Though we do not fully understand our Father in Heaven’s purpose in allowing his sons and daughters to suffer, and at times endure burdens beyond mortal comprehension, we would all do well to embrace Holly’s spirit of understanding and acceptance of her illness with a smile and the ability to see it as a gift from a loving Father in Heaven.

Truly, Holly has received the generous new heart of an Eternal Donor, even the heart of God, which can make us pure, holy, happy, and full of life. And like the spring tulip rising up out of the ground until it has fully bloomed, Holly and the rest of God’s children will rise again from the grave because Jesus conquered death. That transcendent gift gives each of us an opportunity to follow His example and become partakers of God's great plan of happiness, which is to bring to pass the mortality and eternal life of mankind.

As Shakespeare wrote:
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

(As You Like It, act 2, scene 1)

Playing My Heart Out?

David Burger from the Salt Lake Tribune wrote a nice piece about my recent adventure hitting #1 on Billboards New Age Chart much to surprise of Billboard.

Paul Cardall plays his heart out on No. 1 album

By david burger

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published: March 31, 2011 11:14PM
Updated: April 1, 2011 12:18AM

The researcher who compiles the Billboard New Age chart expressed surprise that Salt Lake City pianist and composer Paul Cardall’s new album “New Life” ranked No. 1 for three weeks earlier this year.

“I’m not sure how they did that,” said Gordon Murray, chart and research manager of Billboard magazine, about Cardall and his Salt Lake City-based label, Shadow Mountain Records, a division of Deseret Book.

The album’s popularity seems even more surprising when you consider that Yanni, the undisputed king of New Age music, released his new album just six days before Cardall released “New Life.” For three weeks, Cardall, a little-known pianist and composer from the Beehive State, sold more copies nationwide of his new album than Yanni did.

But Cardall considers his biggest, and happiest surprise is that he’s alive.

CONTINUE READING

Please Help My Friends

If you have the means, please donate to my friend Quintin whose wife Holly is waiting to return back to our Father in Heaven. Because of her advanced heart failure and other related issues she is not able to receive a heart transplant and is currently receiving hospice care.

Her humble family has never asked for financial help, but they are definitely in need of some tender mercies. You can help bless their life by giving just a little bit so Quintin can take care of his wife.

If you'd like to help there is a donate button at: http://www.teamholly.blogspot.com/

How Will God Measure Our Lives

"I've concluded that the metric by which God will assess my life isn't dollars, but the individual people whose lives I've touched," said Clayton Christensen, Harvard Professor in Forbes Magazine (Feb 2011)

"I think that's the way it will work for us all. Don't worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people."

Life and Death

Most of you know that last year I received a second chance at life after a donor heart was placed in my chest. Ironically, my younger brother passed away while I waited for the transplant surgery. He was unable to donate his organs. (The video contains actual footage from the day mom brought our baby brother home).

Today, beating in my chest is the heart of another young man who like my brother has gone home to the God who gave us life.

The best way I know how to express the raw deep emotions I've experienced is through the piano music I create.



Life and Death was originally written by Michael Giacchino for the show LOST. I fell in love with the piece and it speaks peace to my soul. Together with Steven Sharp Nelson and Marshall McDonald I arranged "Life and Death" for my latest album, New Life.

Available at Deseret Book, Itunes or where-ever else fine music is sold.

Looking to Jesus for Understanding

Last weekend my cousin’s wife Julie, a mother of twin boys who has suffered from cystic fibrosis her entire life and who was told by doctors months ago she needed a double-lung transplant if her life would continue, was informed her transplant team had found a donor match.

Photo: Visiting Julie & David Hendrickson

Julie was coincidentally celebrating her birthday with friends during dinner when she received a phone call informing her of the good news. She only had only a couple of hours to get to the hospital.Later that evening, surgeons successfully removed her damaged lungs and replaced them with donor organs, thus granting her renewed life and an opportunity to raise her sons for a season.

Meanwhile, a few days ago, in a quiet and peaceful basement apartment, I visited my close friend Holly who receives hospice care; having been denied the opportunity to receive a donor heart because of complications associated with her other organs.

Photo: Visiting with Quintin & Holly

She and her husband are in a standstill knowing it won’t be long before they are separated physically from each other for a season.

From my personal perspective, it is because of our deep love and connection to family and friends that we don’t want to say goodbye. It is too painful. I’ve known strong men whose intense grief has caused them to lie in bed in the fetal position because of the anguish. Losing a loved one makes a person feel amputated.

While some witness a renewal of life, others see a loved one slowly slip away to the next stage of existence. I often wonder why everyone can’t be healed. Where is their miracle? When I begin to get frustrated and angry because of such thoughts, I direct my mind to the very purpose of our time here on earth as defined by my faith in Jesus Christ. I believe one of the greatest gifts we have received from our Creator is time. It’s our inheritance. What we do with time affects generations.

I should warn you that I'm going to get deeper into this subject. Now's the time to visit another blog if you don't like religion.

I find comfort in knowing there is an omniscient loving Father in Heaven who is keenly aware of each of us and our personal trials and will not allow his children to die before their appointed time. God, after all, is omniscient. This means He knows everything.

My hero, Neal A. Maxwell wrote, "God knows even now what the future holds for each of us. In one of his revelations these startling words appear, as with so many revelations that are too big, I suppose, for us to manage fully: "In the presence of God, . . . all things . . . are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord" (D&C 130:7). The future "you" is before him now. He knows what it is he wishes to bring to pass in your life. He knows the kind of remodeling in your life and in mine that he wishes to achieve. Now, this will require us to believe in that divine design and at times to accept the truth that his suffering would be "but a small moment" (D&C 121:7).

Job, who suffered beyond comprehension recorded in the Bible “For I know that thou will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.” He’s talking about going from this life to another. He’s talking about an appointed death. Do we really have an appointment with death? As the prophet Alma said, “It was appointed unto men that they must die. “ (Alma 12:27)

The ironies of life began in the Garden of Eden where our first parents were given a choice. The prophet Moses taught that in the beginning, God, our mysterious Father in Heaven, told our first parents Adam and Eve, to multiply and replenish the earth. However, he also told them not to partake of the forbidden fruit placed in the middle of the Garden of Eden, “For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

Why would God ask them to do two things that completely contradict each other? It is my personal opinion that Eve chose to partake of the fruit and encouraged her husband to do the same because she loved the Lord Jesus Christ who the devil impersonated in the garden as a serpent and offered her the forbidden fruit.

(In scripture, the serpent is both a symbol of God and the Devil. In the allegory of the Garden of Eden the serpent symbolizes Christ. Remember, Moses used the symbol of a brass serpent to represent God as he brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Those who looked to the serpent were saved in the wilderness.)

Artwork: Moses with the brazen serpent on the Tau or T-cross

In Eve's innocence she was deceived because she would do anything God asked her to do. I also believe Eve came to understand that Heavenly Father was introducing the powerful principle of choice and agency to mankind.

I believe there are those in life who choose to act, and those to wait to be acted upon. Adam and Eve acted and brought forth children to enjoy all of the blessings of a natural world. However, because they partook of the forbidden fruit they became mortal and inherited the power to die. All of their posterity, including you and me, has that same power. Its part of a much larger plan of our Heavenly Father to give us bodies, allow us an opportunity to learn and grow from living in this natural world, and bring us back into His presence. "And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and served God." (Alma 42: 4)

“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)

“Behold he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because of the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is temporal death.” (Mormon 9:13)

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise a state of rest, a state of peace where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." (Alma 40:11-12)

“And when ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father have taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” (John 8:28-29)

"Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed." (Alma 40:3-4)

Once again, I realize this is heavy doctrine, but I firmly believe with every irony in life one can look to the teachings of Jesus for answers. In His teachings, I have found great comfort and understanding about the role of suffering in God’s eternal plan.

Read Dave & Julie's blog http://www.lungsforjulie.com

New Life debuts #1 Billboard's top 25 New Age Albums

I began recording albums independently almost twenty years ago. I later signed a recording contract with Virgin Record’s Narada label, one of the most well respected new age record labels. Their team was able to get my Christmas Box album listed as the #23rd best-selling new age album of 1999. Since then, I’ve had several recordings debut in the top 10 including Primary Worship, The Hymns Collection, and Sacred Piano. I never dreamed of having a #1 album until joining the Shadow Mountain team this past year.

Today, the prestigious Billboard Magazine reported my new album, New Life, as the #1 new age album in the world. This really has nothing to do with me, but has everything to do with those of you who have supported me and purchased my music. It also has everything to do with Deseret Book and the amazing team of people associated with their company.

It’s become quite clear that if Shadow Mountain Records releases a classical or new age recording it will debut in the top 5 with names like Josh Groban, Yanni, Enya, John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, and much more. Deseret Book is quickly becoming one of the most respected forces in media, which can no longer be ignored. I am humbled and honored to be associated with all of you.

I want to thank everyone for helping us achieve this monumental accomplishment. This would never have happened without your support and loyalty. To Bob Ahlander and the Shadow Mountain team, you believed this would happen and you made it happen. I am grateful for your faith in my music and in its message of peace, love, and hope.

Again, thank you everyone for your hard work and unified efforts. Together, we have a #1 album.

Students Lead the Way

In the heart of the Salt Lake Valley are thousands of young men and young women who recently committed their time to making a difference in the lives of those affected by congenital heart disease.

Both Brighton High and Jordan High School students devoted two months to raising money and awareness for The Paul Cardall Family Foundation. Whether it was buying a faculty parking spot, heart cookies made by other students, or joining a "Call of Duty" video game tournament, students turned out in droves to help do what they can.

(Presenting a check for $16,000 to Paul Cardall for CHD at the New Life Concert)

Needless, to say I was impressed and overwhelmed by their efforts. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." It's quite obvious, the youth in my community are already leading by example.

(Presenting a check for $15,000 to Paul Cardall for CHD at the New Life Concert)

Every single penny generously donated has the power to directly affect the lives of families associated with congenital heart disease. Our foundation, which my wife Lynnette and I started after I received a heart transplant and an overwhelming embrace of community support, has no paid employees and is devoted to provide education, fund research, and assist fellow organizations and individuals associated with congenital heart disease and other related congenital disorders. Funds acquired go directly to the following:

1. Scholarships

2. Public and private awareness and general education to help bring greater attention to congenital heart disease patients in an effort to prevent premature death, prolong the health and well-being of congenital patients.

3. Seed money for Federal grants associated with selective research projects making a difference in the lives of patients.

4. Financial aid to organized support groups dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of patients and families.

Again, our foundation greatly appreciates your support and all of the support students worked so hard to make a difference.

My New Life

Therapists and some doctors suggest people should not make any major decisions until a year after experiencing a dramatizing event. I completely ignored this advice. Looking back, I never stopped moving. I made all sorts of decisions in an effort to shout out to the world my gratitude for life and how grateful we all should be for the time we have been allotted by a loving God.

I must admit, they may have been right because at times I do feel like life is out of control. Maybe that means I'm normal. Regardless, we all experience ups and downs.

I'm grateful for Carma Wadley of the Deseret News who wrote a beautiful piece that has helped me put my life into perspective. Whether the article inspired readers, I don't know. But it certainly has helped me focus much deeper on why I do what I do. Who needs a therapist to explain your life to you when you have a wonderful journalist like Carma?

Benefit celebrates musician's 'New Life'

By Carma Wadley

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 4:00 p.m. MST

It's not just about the heart — the one he was never sure he would get in time — although, that, certainly, is part of it.

But it's also about knowing that someone else had to die so that he could live.

It's about learning to live in a world without a beloved brother, who was killed in a tragic incident. It's about learning more of the depth of character and faith of his wife and family.

It's about being able to go hiking and camping and to Disneyland. It's about developing a deeper relationship with a kind and loving Father in Heaven.

It's about burdens of grief and guilt, but also about the lift of unspeakable hope and joy.

In short, it's about finding a new life.

"There have been so many emotions," Paul Cardall says of the 16-month journey since he received a heart transplant.

As a musician and composer, it is natural that he expresses those emotions through music, which he has done in a new CD, "New Life" (Shadow Mountain Music).

But he also found that it didn't come easy. In all the time he spent in the hospital, Cardall only wrote one song. He would go out to the piano in the lobby in Primary Children's Medical Center every night, but he would find himself playing the same song over and over, a song he called "New Life."

"For me" he says, "music, opens a conduit to heaven and provides my soul with strength and peace. That's what 'New Life' did for me."

After the transplant came through and recovery was assured, there was a benefit "Celebration of Life" concert to put together, and then a book, "Before My Heart Stops Beating" to finish up. There were hikes to go on and activities to plan of things that had not been possible before. There were trips around the country to speak at hospitals and to young patients suffering from congenital heart disease, the nation's number one birth defect.

But there was little new music.

"I would sit at the piano, but I would feel like I wasn't ready. I couldn't write anything new."

Continue the Article

Concert Next Week: Auction Items!

It's national heart month and with only 6 days to go before the big Celebrate Life concert and benefit auction in Salt Lake City at Cottonwood High on Valentines Day, I'm excited to share with you a partial list of some of the donated auction items that will help support families and organizations associated with Congenital Heart Disease.

Tickets can be purchased through Smithstix.com and will also be available the night of the show at Cottonwood High School at face value.

Events begin at 6:30 pm with the silent auction.

Some of the fun items include;

EDUCATION

A Full Tuition Waiver to attend Salt Lake Community College
(beginning bid at $750)

SPORTS

Watch Booze Looze in Chicago: JAZZ vs. BULLS
Bid on this round trip ticket for you and a friend to enjoy two nights at the Hyatt Regency in the HEART of Chicago, and 6th row tickets in the Bulls Arena (March 11-13th)

Autographed UTAH JAZZ BALL
2010/2011 Team

Paul Millsap
Autographed Jersey

Utah Grizzlies
VIP Suite for 14 on Feb. 15th

Utah Golf Championship
VIP passes

and much more


KIDS
DRESS UPS GALORE!
and much more

ART

Anthony Romrell
The Heart of the Master Original Art

Melinda Smith
In Between Seasons Original Art

Curtis Hendrickson
Original Piece

and much more

The Paul Cardall Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to spreading public awareness, provide education, fund research, and assist fellow organizations and individuals associated with congenital heart disease and other related congenital disorders.

NO PAID EMPLOYEES

100% Volunteer Service

100% of all public & private donations directly benefit families and organizations associated with Congenital Heart Disease and other related disorders.

FUNDS DONATED PRODUCE:

1. Scholarships


2. Public and private awareness and general education to help bring greater attention to congenital heart disease patients in an effort to prevent premature death, prolong the health and well-being of congenital patients.


3. Selective research projects making a difference in the lives of patients.


4. Financial aid to organized support groups dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of patients and families.

Approved by the United States Department of The Treasury and Internal Revenue Service. Public and Private Contributions to the Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Skiing at Snowbird

If you'll pardon me, I wanted to share this post my wife Lynnette Cardall
put on our private blog for family.

We went up to Snowbird again this year with our friends the Ruggles. Paul was a patient with their daughter Stephanie more than 20 years ago. This time we stayed a couple of days at the lodge and skied for 3 days. It was a blast! Eden is getting better at skiing and it is still so thrilling to be able to ski with Paul....still such a dream...I love it!

Most of the gang!

Lessons from Mom

Lessons from patient Cary

Hangin' on the lift with dad!

One of the days it was beautiful and warm so we peeled off our coats and enjoyed the sun!

Making snow angels!!!

Taking a break!

Paul is really enjoying this skiing business and he has loved making up for lost time!

Little ski bunnies!

Paul Cardall about to Release First Album since Heart Transplant

Watch the Interview on Good Things Utah

Print Story

Published: 10:46 am
KTVX ABC4 Utah, February 2, 2011

On Valentines Paul Cardall will release his first full length studio album since his heart transplant. Properly titled NEW LIFE Cardall says, "Fans will relate to this personal soundtrack of transcribed emotions I experienced while recovering from a difficult period of my life."

The pianist is at his best in the various delicate and tender compositions accompanied by breathtaking strings and elements of acoustic guitar.

Paul will debut his heartfelt album at his 2nd annual Celebrate Life Concert. For more information visit paulcardall.com

National Heart Month

Every year since 1964 American Presidents have declared February as National Heart Month. Today, President Barack Obama reiterated this tradition asking Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join him in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease.

Read the official press release from the White House

Primary Children's patients ‘Movin' On Up' - ksl.com

Primary Children's patients ‘Movin' On Up'

January 26th, 2011 @ 10:18pm

By Ed Yeates

SALT LAKE CITY -- Children with life-long medical conditions need mom and dad's support to help keep them alive, but what happens when the parents aren't around anymore?

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Primary Children's Medical Center has launched a new program that's actually helping kids sever those ties -- for good reason!

Two brothers, Ethan and Devon Galland, are "Movin' On Up." That's the name of the project to help them make the transition away from mom and dad so they can take care of their own medical conditions.

Six years ago, Ethan got a donated kidney from his dad. The year before, Devon got a kidney transplant from his mom. While both were born with the same congenital disease, it's rare each parent was able to donate a kidney to each child.

Read More Primary Children's patients ‘Movin' On Up' - ksl.com

Lessons Learned

I'm continuing to learn beautiful things from the dying who believe in God. These humble people, who have had no choice but to become reliant on the help of others, have a tender innocence that only comes to those who recognize this life is not all there is. These who walk the paths of suffering find strength within to adapt to their circumstances because they know life exists beyond the grave.

For myself, I came to know this truth in my own journey, which for me has become nothing more than a grand gift from a loving Father in Heaven. Through it all He taught me valuable lessons that can only be understood by those who seek to know His will for them.

Less than a week ago I visited a good friend of mine in the intensive care unit. Holly has been denied a heart transplant by various clinics across America because of additional complications associated with other issues in her body. She does not have long.

Photo: Holly & Quintin McKell
Visit Holly's CareBridge Page

Living with severe heart failure, Holly's body swells up with fluid and at times she looks 8 months pregnant. Doctors ordered a test to help relieve her of some of the bodily fluid. According to her family, as Holly was talking and laughing with nurses and doctors about her time in Australia with her husband her heart stopped for several minutes. Apparently, she died for several minutes until medical personal worked a miracle that put her into a temporary coma. She later woke up with some memory loss and confusion.

I entered Holly's room to see her smiling. There was a special feeling of love in the room as though unseen relatives from beyond the grave crowded her bedside. She was also surrounded by her living family including her loyal husband, parents, and two sisters. They are extremely supportive.

Photo: Spending time with Holly

Holly is teaching us important principles.

First, this is a beautiful woman who always smiles. Even if she tries to get mad she can't do it without smiling. It's almost contagious. She is quite obviously suffering from the various needles and procedures. Yet she can't seem to wipe that smile off her face. Smiling is a cure for the contentious spirit of selfish behavior. An optimistic glance from another human being makes those they come in contact feel valuable.

Secondly, this is a woman who knows and trusts her Heavenly Father, the Creator of this world. She has faith. Often we question God and wonder why this and why that? However, at this stage in Holly's life she is completely submissive to the Creator's will for her future.

Overall, this remarkable person has found comfort and strength amidst what the world would view as the end. This is where the world is wrong! Life is not the end and the smile on Holly's face and the light in her eyes reflect this truth.

______________________

When my wife and I first moved into our ward or local congregation I remember attending the various meetings with a gentleman who was assigned to conduct the church hymns. Often he performed with a male quartet singing "Brightly Beams." As a fellow musician we've been friends and have had many conversations on music. Over the years he's dealt with cancer, the destructive enemy of the body. He knows the meaning of the word pain.

Weeks ago our neighborhood learned this kind man without guile is dying of end-stage cancer. He told me, "I'm fine. It's those around me that I worry about." Where does a man acquire such faith and peace? I believe it comes from years of loyalty to living principles of loving others unconditionally, sharing his time and talents to benefit others, and dedication to helping people.

Whenever I sing "Brightly Beams" I will think of my fellow musician friend who continues to spend his time helping others.

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.