Ken Leslie's Race to Recovery

[FKM12]

Ok, it not really a race but he does have a long road ahead of him. Below is an ASA notice about Ken and his condition. Please read and join me in helping out if you can...


ASA RACER KEN LESLIE STRUCK BY SUDDEN HEALTH PROBLEM

Chandler Arizona, October 1, 2009

All was going well for Ken and Martha Leslie as he raced at the ASA-ProAutoSports road racing event at Firebird International Raceway during the September 26-27 weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday. Ken finished 3rd in strong efforts, driving his Camaro at close to record lap times.

After the Sunday Race, Ken was not feeling good. Martha, facing a 6-8 hour drive home to Hesperia Ca, was concerned. She took Ken to the ASA-ProAutoSports Paramedics to check him out. During the check by four very good Paramedics, he became much worse and life threatening. After starting IV’s, he was transported to the Maricopa County Medical Center Trauma Unit. As he arrived at the Trauma Center, he had another life threatening moment.

Ken was quickly prepped and taken into emergency surgery. It turns out that Ken had an esophagus reconstruction as a child using part of his small intestine and after 45 years the esophagus had come apart. In the 4 hour surgery, the remainder of his reconstructed esophagus was removed and both the throat end and stomach end closed up until another esophagus could be made for him. There was major infection in and around his key organs.

Ken is currently in the Intensive Care Unit slowly improving each day. We expect him to be there for 2-3 weeks. Once he is strong enough, he will have to be transported by Medvac to someplace like USC Medical Center in Los Angeles for a specialist to reconstruct another esophagus for him. That may take weeks.

Fortunately medical insurance will cover most of his medical costs.

We estimate that it will take several months before he is able to work again. Martha is staying with Vicki and Larry Pond in Phoenix while he is here and she cannot work either. They have a teenage son and personal expenses that need attending to.

ASA Racer Carolyn Kujala has donated some funds to help them during this critical time. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU DIG INTO YOUR POCKETS AND HELP THESE MEMBERS OF OUR RACING FAMILY IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

Donations can be made out to Martha Leslie and mailed to her at ASA Racing, 1900 W. Chandler Blvd, Ste #15-380, Chandler Arizona 85224. They are much needed and much appreciated. In times of trauma and need, we shall come together to help our friends in need.

Vicki and Larry Pond


This whole situation was difficult for me to accept as I had a good conversation with Ken earlier in the day Sunday. He was in good spirits and showed no sign of illness. It struck quickly. Thanks to the attending paramedics, Ken has a good chance at returning, not only to life, but to hopefully racing someday. I believe racing is his passion like so many of us.

Original post... Ken Leslie Needs Your Prayers

[ArizonaGT]

OUCH.

Count me in for $50...writing check now.

[FKM12]

Way to go AZGT...

[FKM12]

I saw Martha (Ken's wife), Larry and Vicki Pond to get an update on Ken's condition and he is still in ICU but really improving. I understand he is down to one I.V., alert and sitting up some. It is looking like he will have his esophagus reconstructed here in Arizona once he is strong enough for surgery again. Everyone seems to be in good spirits.

Here is a notice that was sent out from ProAutoSports today...

ASA – PROAUTOSPORTS RACER KEN LESLIE STRUCK BY SUDDEN HEALTH PROBLEM
Chandler Arizona, October 5, 2009

All was going well for Ken and Martha Leslie as he raced at the ASA-ProAutoSports road racing event at Firebird International Raceway during the September 26-27 weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday, Ken finished 3rd in strong efforts, driving his Camaro at close to record lap times.

After the Sunday Race, Ken was not feeling good. Martha, facing a 6-8 hour drive home to Hesperia, California, was concerned. She took Ken to the ASA-ProAutoSports Paramedics to check him out. During the check by four very good Paramedics, his condition became much worse and life threatening. After starting IV’s, he was transported to the Maricopa County Medical Center Trauma Unit. As he arrived at the Trauma Center, he had another life threatening moment.

Ken was quickly prepped and taken into emergency surgery. It turns out that Ken had an esophagus reconstruction as a child using part of his small intestine and after 45 years the esophagus had come apart. In the 4 hour surgery, the remainder of his reconstructed esophagus was removed and both the throat end and stomach end closed up until another esophagus could be made for him. There was major infection in and around his key organs.
Ken is currently in the Intensive Care Unit slowly improving each day. We expect him to be there for 2-3 weeks. Once he is strong enough, they are going to transport him by Medvac to another hospital closer to his home for a specialist to reconstruct another esophagus for him. That may take weeks.

Fortunately medical insurance will cover most of his medical costs, but we estimate that it will take several months before he is able to work again. Martha is staying with Vicki and Larry Pond in Phoenix while he is here and she cannot work either. They have a teenage son and personal expenses that need attending to. A few ProAutoSports members have already donated very generously and WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU DIG INTO YOUR POCKETS AND HELP THESE MEMBERS OF OUR RACING FAMILY IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

Donations can be made out to Martha Leslie and mailed to her at ASA Racing, 1900 W. Chandler Blvd, Ste #15-380, Chandler Arizona 85224. They are much needed and much appreciated. In times of trauma and need, we shall come together to help our friends in need. You can also contact Vicki and Larry Pond, 480-861-7235 or Email LPond2@cox.net with any questions.

Get well soon Ken...

[marthlesly]

Hi everyone, Ken is talking, saying weird things but its the meds but he is improving daily, He told me with tears in his eyes that it was very nice of everyone to help us. The racing family is very wonderful. As you know with us her in Arizona and our son back in California it is hard to keep it together but with all our racing family out there reaching us with support it is AWESOME Thank you all for your support and prayers

[Karl]

Originally Posted by marthlesly

Hi everyone, Ken is talking, saying weird things but its the meds but he is improving daily, He told me with tears in his eyes that it was very nice of everyone to help us. The racing family is very wonderful. As you know with us her in Arizona and our son back in California it is hard to keep it together but with all our racing family out there reaching us with support it is AWESOME Thank you all for your support and prayers

You bet! Let Ken know that RacersWeb is behind him!

[FKM12]

Originally Posted by marthlesly

Hi everyone, Ken is talking, saying weird things but its the meds but he is improving daily, He told me with tears in his eyes that it was very nice of everyone to help us. The racing family is very wonderful. As you know with us her in Arizona and our son back in California it is hard to keep it together but with all our racing family out there reaching us with support it is AWESOME Thank you all for your support and prayers

Martha,

Good to see you here on RacersWeb. We are definitely glad to hear that Ken is doing better. Please keep us up to date with his progress and let us know when he can have visitors.

Also, it would be great to get Ken active on RacersWeb so we can keep in touch and monitor his recovery, when he is well enough of course...

Frank

[marthlesly]

Ken took a turn today backwards. They had to put another chest tube in the right lung which collapsed and full of fluid. He is still have a rough time with this right now do he will not be moved from icu yet

MARTHA LESLIE

[FKM12]

Originally Posted by marthlesly

Ken took a turn today backwards. They had to put another chest tube in the right lung which collapsed and full of fluid. He is still have a rough time with this right now do he will not be moved from icu yet

MARTHA LESLIE

Martha, thanks for the update. I am sorry to hear of this set-back. Hopefully it is only a minor set-back so that Ken can be moved from ICU soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Ken.

[marthlesly]

I saw Ken today at 2:30 AND HE LOOKS GREAT THEY SHOULD BE MOVING HIM TO A REGULAR ROOM I WOULD SAY IN THE NEXT 24HRS. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. He said today that when he gets on the regular floor he would love to have visitors so i will let you know when. Thanks Martha

[ArizonaGT]

That is very good news!

[FKM12]

Great news!

[marthlesly]

Just came from hospital, he said he is really looking forward to having visitors so i will let you know when he moves to the floor and what room number he will be in.
thanks martha

[Karl]

Martha, thanks for keeping us updated and I'm really glad to hear that he's doing much better even with that earlier setback. Take care and get some rest (I'm sure you need it) and let us know more when you can.

[marthlesly]

ken update he is now on a regular floor 7th floor room 29 bed 1 near a window with a view phone # to his room is 6023440811 he is doing well they are going to start working with him to gain his strength.
He really would like to have visitors
visit times are 11am-6pm and 8pm - 10pm

[FKM12]

Originally Posted by marthlesly

ken update he is now on a regular floor 7th floor room 29 bed 1 near a window with a view phone # to his room is 6023440811 he is doing well they are going to start working with him to gain his strength.
He really would like to have visitors
visit times are 11am-6pm and 8pm - 10pm

That's great news Martha! I'd love to come by but must wait a few days first. I was pretty sick yesterday (flu maybe, don't know). When it has passed and I am no longer a threat, I'll stop by.

[marthlesly]

Ken is doing well, he will probably be air lifted back to loma linda hospital on friday this is tentative just waiting for loma linda to approve this is were the insurance want him to go. other than this he is still confused at times but for the most part he is improving Thank you all for your prayers and support. Martha

[FKM12]

AZGT and I went to see Ken and Martha this evening. We were disappointed to learn that Ken had been moved back to ICU and was heading back to surgery. Apparently the doctor(s) has to go back in to deal with an abcess and/or some infection. We were lucky to see Ken because usually only family are allowed in ICU. Ken looked like he was doing well and we did get a chance to talk with him some.

Ken and Martha, we sure hope all goes well with the surgery and that Ken comes through with flying colors. Ken, get well soon...

[marthlesly]

Well we thought we might be coming home on friday, but this evening ken took a turn backwards. He had a absess behind his lung that was putting pressure on his lung and causing his heart rate to increase and his temp in elevate, so they went in and put a drain tube in it. He is now resting. He has another infection and they are treating it but he will stay in ICU again for awhile so our coming home has been set back until further notice.
Thanks Martha

PS thank you for the visits today it was nice to see someone from the track and ken seemed happy.

[FKM12]

Glad to her Ken is resting after surgery. Sounds like all went well. I hope this is the LAST set-back and that all moves forward smoothly from now on. Thanks for keeping us informed.