My Parakeet is Going to College!!!

[etl1227]

I haven't posted this in quite a while but felt the need to send it again. Kyle is going to college - a dream that in the beginning was an unknown. We are very proud of him. If you don't mind I will share with all of you again - and yes...........he is still a parakeet, oops, now a parrothead!!

After much prodding from friends, I have given in and decided to send this story. Hopefully, it will get to Jimmy because we
feel it is a great story with an even greater ending.

My son Kyle was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ( ALL ) at the age of 20 months in 1992. He was on a three
year treatment protocol. Because of the intensity of the therapy, Kyle was forced to be in hospitals and at home for lengthy
periods of time. As a result of his parents being "Parrotheads", Kyle was first introduced to Jimmy Buffett during this tough time
of his life. By the age of three, he knew all the words to Cheeseburger in Paradise and Jolly Mon. We always got a smile in
the rearview mirror on our frequent trips to the hospital for therapy as we played Jimmy nonstop. He even listened to Jimmy's
songs during the toughest procedures such as spinal taps etc... Even the nurses got to know the lyrics.

Nearly three years later and three months before the end of Kyle's treatment program, he was diagnosed with a disease called
Histoplasmosis. Due to chemotherapy impeding Kyle's immune system, he was not able to fight this disease and this is where
his "new" fight for his young life re-began.

Kyle was in the intensive care unit at Riley's Children Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana for six months. During these months, he
was on a ventilator and in a drug induced coma. Every day for six months we would read to him and play music on a
Playskool cassette recorder. His favorite music was, of course, Jimmy Buffett!! Although he obviously couldn't acknowledge
his favorite songs, the power of the subconscious kept him close to us. During the late evenings, we even had the nurses fast
forward " Let's Get Drunk and..." on Feeding Frenzy, and guess what - THEY DID!!!

Kyle is truly a miracle child. We were prepared by doctors that he probably wouldn't make it then we were prepared by the
same doctors that he would be respirator dependent for the rest of his life.

Well, Kyle just turned ten years old. He is an avid baseball, soccer, basketball player, and is an excellent student. His first
soccer goal brought a tear to many eyes. And throughout all of this, he has remained a true "Parakeet". We still get a smile in
the rearview mirror while singing Jimmy's songs, but, this time it is on the way to ball practices.

One last story - my wife and I knew Kyle was going to be all right when Kyle was coming out of his coma, he heard
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" on the cassette player. The biggest thumbs up you could ever imagine arose from his tired little
hand. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

We relocated to Chicago and we plan to bring Kyle and his brothers to their first Jimmy Buffett concert at Alpine Valley this
summer.

The big "THUMBS UP" from the crowd will be from your biggest Parakeet fan - Kyle Lees!! He has the heart and courage
that goes beyond words and we wanted Jimmy to know about him. We are very proud to have him as a son and hopefully,
Jimmy is proud to have him as a fan.

Please pass this along to Jimmy and let him know we thank him for being a part of our long journey that had the happiest of
endings!!!


Sincerely,

Ed, Lisa, Kyle, Sean, Tyler, and Riley Lees
Libertyville, IL

[SchoolGirlHeart]

What a GREAT story!!

[conched]

Go, Kyle, go!

Thanks for sharing this miracle story. It's always good to hear about the power of parrotheadism/positive thinking...Buffetty stuff.

I haven't posted this in quite a while but felt the need to send it again. Kyle is going to college - a dream that in the beginning was an unknown. We are very proud of him. If you don't mind I will share with all of you again - and yes...........he is still a parakeet, oops, now a parrothead!!

After much prodding from friends, I have given in and decided to send this story. Hopefully, it will get to Jimmy because we
feel it is a great story with an even greater ending.

Kyle is truly a miracle child. We were prepared by doctors that he probably wouldn't make it then we were prepared by the
same doctors that he would be respirator dependent for the rest of his life.

Sincerely,

Ed, Lisa, Kyle, Sean, Tyler, and Riley Lees
Libertyville, IL

[BHAkeet00]

How great that truly is!


Way to go Kyle! Keep up the Determination!

[PackPhanGirl]

Thanks for sharing!! What a superkewl story!!!

[CindaBee]

What a wonderful story!! My hope is that you will be able to enjoy Kyle's grandkeets!

[miphinz]

good for Kyle hope everything works out!!!

[Karacal]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!!!

(((((Kyle))))), you're AWESOME!!! Keep those fins up!!!!!

[nutmeg]

Wow!!!

[SMLCHNG]

That's terrific!!!

[PHAW Webmistress]

WTG Kyle!!!!!! Can't wait to see the post where he has graduated!! What is he studying!!!

And congrats to Mom and Dad for weathing this storm!!

[luvinlife]

Cool Stuff....Congrats.. Fins Up Kyle!!!

[Dr.Corona]

AWESOME!!!

[Lightning Bolt]

Great news!! Congratulations!

[flipflopgirl]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to Kyle and your whole family!!! Thanks for sharing your story!!!

[pojo]

what an awesome story!!!

((Kyle & family))

[Frank4]

what a great story, thanks for sharing and congrats Kyle....

[MrTwain]

Wow... what a truly inspiring, heartwarming story. Good luck to your family and I'll send you warm wishes for continued success!

[B.I.G. DAWG]

Thanks for sharing, what a great story. Congrats Kyle! (and mom and dad).
Hey Kyle, those same Buffett songs sound great in the dorm rooms too. Best Wishes!
Fins up!!!!

[etl1227]

Update. Kyle graduated from Butler University and has recently accepted a job in education. Parakeet healing seemed so long ago. A remarkable kid that never gave up. Thanks to Jimmy for being a part of the ride!!!! And thanks to all of you for all the kind words throughout the years.