Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello,
Kevin has always spoken very highly of this forum and the many friends he's made here
so I wanted to post a note for him today after the week he's had. He landed in the hospital
last Sunday after starting to bleed heavily and was immediately given a blood transfusion
to correct his anemic condition. During the next few days and a lot of tests and images,
a mass on his pancreas was found and is inoperable at this time since it involves several
of the major blood vessels in that area.
Those of you who know him know that he had bout with what was diagnosed as gastritis
last June and ended up finding that the diagnosis was incorrect and learned that it was, in
fact a case of pancreatitis, a much more serious disease. He was treated in much the same
way as a diabetic would be since it developed to a point of full pancreatic failure.
We just received the worst possible prognosis from the doctors treating him and are hoping
that those of you who pray pray for a miracle, will and those of you who don't will support him
and our family as we hope for the best for him, his health and our family as we face this
situation.

Thanks for the friendship you've given him,
Paula Gallagher

I don't know you and you don't know me, but nevertheless you are in my prayers. Stay strong and positive and I hope things work out for you and your family.

God bless.

Lance and Brock, can this be stickied?

Wow, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Joe

Yes, absolutely.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Paula. Certainly give Kevin my best. I know you guys have had a rough road for a while now and we are all very much pulling for Kevin and your family..

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Thank you Paula. Those have to be very difficult words to write.

You, your family, and especially Kevin are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Kevin and Paula,

I only know Kevin from the OLF but my thouhts will be with both or you.

Carpe Diem!

Philip

_________________
aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

You and all your extended loved ones are in our prayers.

_________________
Bobby Masten

Thanks so much, Brock.

I'm really troubled by this. Kevin has been an inspiration and a friend to me since 2002 or so when we connected through the 13th fret. I particularly love seeing his legacy of work and mentorship carrying on through the Burners who keep showing us such nice work.

This is terrible news. The last time I takled to Kevin he said that he was hoping to visit friends in Orchard Park NY and if he did he would stop by RC Tonewoods and visit with us. I pray for a miracle that he can still do that.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Man I dont even know what to say.
This is terrible news.

I pray for a miracle.

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Praying here in AR!

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

In my thoughts,
Best, Evan

_________________
http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Yes-Prayers here from Mike and BB and Buttons. Dogs have souls too and they get close at night as I say my "blesses"-I think they know it is a special time. Kevin and friends and family will be added. Miracles do happen-I have seen it with mine own eyes.MT





All of you are special to me.mt

Dear Paula,

I have know Kevin via this form and Lutherie in general for years now. My heart is heavy with this news. All of you will be in my prayers. Give Kevin my best wishes and please,If I can do anything for your guys don't hesitate to ask.

God bless
Michael

I don't know you, but I never like to hear bad news about good, honest & decent people. I wish the best for your whole family.

Kevin,
To you and your family, stay strong and keep your faith. I have you in my prayers.
God Bless

Rick

So very sorry to hear this, Paula. I've been impressed by Kevin's charitable work and generosity.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I will pray for all of you.

Chris

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Today was probably the most difficult day that Kevin and I have endured together as we got a
report from the doctor that's treating him. We were told that it appears that the tumor in Kevin's
pancreas in cancerous and involves many of the major blood vessels in the area and is inoperable.
We will going to a great hospital to have an upper endoscopy and ultrasound done next week and
a biopsy sample of the mass will be drawn at that time. His pancreas is also heavily atrophied as
a result of the pancreatitis that was missed during his hospital stay last year.
We're hoping for the best outcome and are really trusting for some supernatural intervention on
top of the efforts of the skilled doctors that are working with us now. They're determined to keep
things moving quickly because of the size of the tumor and the rate at which it's grown since the
last CT scan and MRI in June.
Kev hasn't been up to spending much time on his computer the past few days, but he counts
many of you as friends and has always enjoyed being a part of the community here. I'm sure he'll
want to jump in and update all of you as things progress and decisions are made concerning the
treatment path we'll take.

Thanks,
Paula Gallagher

Kevin will certainly be at the top of my prayer list. Like most of us, I've only known him through the OLF, but he has been such a mentor and inspiration to me for several years. I do believe in miracles, and I truly believe that Kevin deserves one. All my best wishes to Kevin, Paula, and the family.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I'm very sorry to hear of this but thank you for sharing it. Like so many here I've only known Kevin through the forum here. I certianly will be praying that God will completely heal him and give his family strength while dealing with all of this.
Jim

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I must say that this has been one of the hardest days for me emotionally hearing the news of Kevin's condition. I can't begin to tell you all how a week with my son spent with Kevin building two guitars has changed my life forever. This is not about me - but I found myself in tears many times today aching for Kevin and his family. What he has shared with me over the past four years has changed what I think about daily. It is not often that a one week experience in your life can be so absolutely profound - but ours was. I am so grateful for our friendship and his constant willingness to help me whenever I ask.

Kevin has also always been there to offer an ear for me and to lift up prayers for me and my family and now it is our turn to really call out prayers for Kevin and his family.

We have shared e-mails over the past months about his condition and he was convinced that there was something going on other than what the doctors had diagnosed. How sad that something was missed back last June that could have changed what is happening to he and his family right now.

I did get to speak with Kevin and Paula today for a short time - and although the news is hard - he seemed calm and trusting in his Lord for strength. He is seeking a miracle and I for one am going to join him in praying for one. For now they wait until next week for more tests and then the results. Please do not forget to pray for Paula - her best friend is hurting and in trouble and this is a very scary time for her and the kids!

Kevin LOVES a great story - and my prayer is that he will have years to tell the story of this time in his life.

Kevin - if you read this - I love you brother!

_________________
P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Praying, wishing, and hoping down here in Florida
Whatever it takes for a miracle...


Craig L

_________________
www.handcraftinlay.com