Last night, Dr. Howell took a bad fall. Fortunately, he was on the phone with a friend at the time, and the friend was able to call 911 for him. He went by ambulance to the hospital in Springerville, Arizona.

My most recent information is that he has a bowel obstruction, a mass in his colon, and fluid in his lungs. He has a tube down his esophagus to relieve intestinal pressure, and he was resting comfortably. I don't have any reliable prognosis to relay right now.

He has no computer access, and he can't talk on the phone because of the gastric tube; neither my sister nor I have been able to talk to him directly. I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers and well wishes, but there are no specific needs at the moment. I will post updates as appropriate.

He certainly has my prayers... Thanks for letting us know!

Thanks for the news, unwelcome though it is.

Ken has my prayers and best wishes.

Appreciate the updates...

Ingwe

Prayers for him and his family!

I think we all have a collective broken heart over the failing health of our good friend Ken. My prayers go out to Ken. kwg

Getting old sucks. I hope I can be half the man he is when my time comes.

Prayers on the way

Thank you for the update. Ken will be in many peoples thoughts and prayers right now...I am not a believer, but I am sure Kens faith will bring his great comfort and solice...

Regards,

Peter

Ken has been thorough an awful lot these past few years, it seems.

I will keep him in my prayers.

Thanks for letting us know Ben.
Please let your dad know he's in my/our thoughts and prayers.

thanks for update will be in prayers

PRAYERS for Dr Howell


Mike

Thanks for letting us know.

Prayers sent.

BMT

A M E N Brother Kris. He will continue in my prayers.

If I'm understanding this, the original poster is Dr. Howell's son. I can think of no finer tribute, than to have edited the initial post.

Mr. Howell is one of the best writers I've had the pleasure to read.

I wish him all the best - whatever that may be.

I wish Ken the best. We'll keep him in our prayers.

Ken is definitely in my thoughts. I was actually hoping to hear of a status report earlier today, but am saddened to read of his hospitalization.

Scott

Thanks for the update. He's in our prayers.

Yup, Prayers from SE Az.

GTC

Please tell him our thoughts and prayers are with him. - Denny

Been thinking of him. Hope he gets to healin' up.

Prayers of course. Does anyone know his age?
Thanks

Sorry to hear about Ken. Thanks for the up date.

Thanks for the update. Let us know the status as you learn it. Sorry to hear the news.

Prayers sent from Michigan.

Sure hope he gets feeling better. I certainly have a lot of respect for the man.

Sorry to hear of Dr. Howell's fall and the other problems. Will keep him in my prayers. Wishing him a rapid recovery.

RLD

That is one TOUGH gentleman. Prayers sent.

Amazing how such a nice guy can be so darn tough.

Prayers sent.

Ed

Pardon the delay - I would have sent all of you this info earlier had I known the thread was going and if I had not been so consumed with dear friend Ken himself.

Last night Ken called me here at home (about 1/2 hour away) to say that he had collapsed and could not rise. Of course, I rushed off through the forest to get to him as quickly as possible and found him with bleeding head wounds from the fall, exhausted from attempting to rise and discouraged with his inability to get it done himself.

The EMT folks arrived and did their thorough routine, which confirmed that Ken was weak and not maintaining sufficient blood oxygen saturation. Although his speech was sparse, Ken was eloquent and, as always, wanting to maintain his independence. Feeling grateful to have been there to hold him in my arms and then convince him to take the hour ride to the hospital to be "checked out", I felt that the situation was life threatening. Subsequent conversations with doctors and nurses have confirmed that fear.

Today has been a day of testing, speculation and then convincing Ken to move forward with transport to a major hospital for surgery that may well preserve the life of our friend. I pray so. At the moment I am awaiting more information with the hope - and expectation - that Ken will be headed for further help in the next short while.

Thank you for the report and going so rapidly to his aid. Prayers continue and will no matter the outcome.

He's a good guy. Prayers sent.

Prayers sent.

Prayers from Savannah.

It is so sad to know our collective Good Friend is suffering. My continued prayers to the Lord to look after Ken.

Thank you for the update and prayers sent for Mr. Howell.

MtnHtr

Prayers sent. Kelly

Just caught up with all of this, after receiving word from Darby this a.m.. Paul thank you so much for being there for our friend.


I visited Ken on Saturday and we had a wonderful visit. We chatted and joked. I left early sunday morning, after a brief chat with Ken. He is truly one of my favorite people. I treasure being able to call him my friend. He, as always is in my families prayers.

Will be Praying for Ken as soon as I hit SUBMIT on this.

Skalkaho and CCCC, thanks so much for your aid to Ken, and your updates for us. Please keep us posted, and relay our thoughts and prayers to him.
Mike

Prayers from Oklahoma...Teri sends more hugs too...

He's in my thoughts. I sure enjoy reading his posts.

sending prayers for Dr Howell

Dammit, I am so saddened to hear this, Ken, you are in my prayers. Les

God bless Ken! Get well and write some more!

May God look out for Dr. Howell! Dave in NW AZ.

May God bless him....

Lynn

wishing the ole boy the best

whatever the best for him may be.

Haven't the words. Wish him well.

I really hate to hear of things getting even rougher for Ken. He's been through way more than anybody should have to.

Skalkaho and CCCC thank you both for keeoing us informed ,prayers are being sent and will continue ,that he will have the strength to have whatever procedures that need to be done and for a compleate recovery,may God be with him in his time of need.
Norm

Thanks for the update. I called some time ago & we discussed his time at the Washington Navy Yard during WWII, his military service in general, & obviously hunting & guns. He sounded quite weak at the time, but was still mentally sharp. Just knowing Mr. Howell has been a privilege. Hope everything goes as well as can be expected.

Sorry to hear of this news. I will pray for Mr. Howell.

Prayers sent, God Bless

I wish Ken had one of those wear around your neck buttons for emergencies like this one. Had he not been on the phone, things could have turned out worse.
Prayers for his recovery on the way.

Ken continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. I have a father-in-law and a dear friend who are in similar positions as their journeys through life near the end. I wish each of them peace and comfort.

Paul

If Ken would wear one of these emergency devices (he might not, or maybe there would not be coverage in his area) I would contribute $50 to the cost if somebody in the US could organize it (I am on the other side of the Atlantic).

Seriously.

John

Prayers sent! Thanks for the updates.. Lord, please watch over him..

More prayers from Michigan.

Don't know if Texas prayers work , but plenty of them have been said .

Prayers sent.

Thanks for the update. What will be will be. We wait.

BCR

I am praying for a full recovery. Get well soon Ken.

Jim

When I came to the campfire over 6 years ago, the forums were made up of knowlegable, respectful, friendly people. Of late it seems there has been an influx of trolls, troublemakers, and mouthy wiseguys. It saddens me to lose yet another one of the GREAT contributors. I will certainly miss reading him. Maybe it's me, but as I get older I am less tolerent of disrespectful, greedy, mouthy knowitalls!!! Thoughts and prayers for Dr. Howell.

More prayers for Ken from Wisconsin.

I have started a new thread "Happy Birthday KEN HOWELL" to enable further celebration of the man and as a means for ongoing updates. The latest info on his recovery can be found there. Thanks for all of your comments, prayers and support on behalf of Ken.
CCCC