Katrina's Blog

Most of you reading this already know the diagnosis but just in case...here it is.. My dad, Kenneth Ray Larson, has stage 4 Stomach cancer that has spread to the Liver. It's inoperable and incurable. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumors. He was also diagnosed with Hep C. He is hanging in there but it's been a hard battle so far. We're praying with him daily for healing and strength!

He has many cards and pictures taped to the walls of his bedroom from friends and family...he's been touched by each one...He is shocked to know that people care for him.

The girls and I are in California visiting and trying to be of some help. It's hard to know what to do. He has his good days and the not so good ones. The girls are also having a hard time getting adjusted, they miss their toys, beds, routines and most of all their daddy (I miss him too.) I wouldn't have it any other way though...I'm beyond thankful to be here...I know I'm supposed to be here..

My Dad was admitted to Salem Hospital in OR last night at about 11pm. He's not felt well for the last month or so. He didn't really complain about anything but started to notice some strange symptoms: Full feeling after not eating much, pain in his stomach, weight loss, lots of gas & fatigue. Yesterday he had some sharp pain in his abdomen and vomiting and decided it was time to get to the ER. They took him in ahead of others waiting because his heart rate was racing at 140. He had a ultrasound and blood drawn for testing. They told him his pancreas and gall bladder were very swollen and there were many things that could cause this. Next came a CT Scan and more waiting. The Dr. came in to read the test and said she saw a tumor, my mom asked where and how big it was. The Dr. said she needed to re-read the results and came back with the conclusion that it was lesions on his liver. The nest steps will be to find out if the lesions are cancerous and if so where the cancer has spread from (I guess cancer doesn't usually start in the liver, according to the Dr.) Our ultimate hope and prayer is that it is not cancer! At this point there are a lot of "It could be's" swirling around....I'm trying to wait to hear the diagnosis before I fear the worst.

At this moment he is undergoing a simple procedure where they go through the mouth with a camera to look around and if they see anything possibly take a sample of it. He will also have a procedure to check out his small intestine and another to take a biopsy of the lesions. I'm not sure when these will take place but I would be grateful for your prayer support for my Dad and family during this time.

As I've been talking with him on the phone I've been amazed at his candid emotion and positive attitude.

I had a hard time sleeping last night so I prayed and wrote this...

He's a strong man, a very strong man
An athlete, a driver, a story teller
He's smart and funny, a Hard working Hero
A soft teddy bear, a raging bull
Giving heart and loving smile, Teacher, Father, Provider
Unique, talented, Papa is adored!

The last couple years he developed a cute habit of saying "You love me" or "You and Grace & Faith Love me" when we said goodbye on the phone or in person when I told him I loved him. It was his way of saying I love you too without seeming mushy or non-manly. Last night after hanging up and every time we have talked since when I say I love you he has said "I Love you, too!" and it blesses my heart.

I blinked and it's September. Where, oh where, did my summer go? I know it's impossible but it feels as though the days, months and years go faster as I get older. Our summer has been full of fun, laughter, tears and growing. I've missed some very special things that I would have liked to post here on the ole' blog if it hadn't been for that little thing called life. So I thought I could post them all on a little catch-up blog....for fun I'll call these (I know I'll have more in the future) My "Ketchup" blogs.

Let's start in June~ The girls and I went to California to visit family and attend my sister Mollie's Graduation from University of California, San Diego.
Congrats Mollie~We are SO proud of you!

My Brother Charles & his girlfriend Jak had their baby boy and we were able to visit her in the hospital and meet baby Ryan!

Charles wasn't able to be at the birth of his son because he is serving with the Navy in Naples, Italy~ We missed you Charlie!

We also had the chance to go to Disneyland! We went with my sister Mysha (who generously gave us some FREE tickets) and her family.

Grace's favorite ride of the day~ The Carousel

The Lewis family~Teacups

While in California some major marriage issues came to a head and caused our family some serious tension. We were anxious to work through these face to face. The first 2 weeks in July were spent in beautiful Speculator, NY. We were so glad to be able to spend that quality time with family. Lance and I talked and worked through almost all our major issues (what marriage doesn't have issues?) and came to the conclusion that we loved each other deeply but needed to make some priority shifts! We've been reading this Amazing book called "Love & Respect" by Dr. Emmerson Eggrichs that has transformed how we think and feel about marriage! We are currently also reading/doing The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, also an amazing tool for any marriage!
Date night at Melody Lodge~Speculator, NY

August was full of sun, fun & friends. We were so excited to do swim lessons at Lakeview park again this year.

(thanks Nana & Papa!)

The weekend of August 21-23 was the annual MAF Ladies Retreat. I was thrilled to be going back to the Ashley Inn in Cascade, Id. My roomies were Danielle Trempert, Kathie Slusser and Liz Schandorff.

Our lovely room

We had a great speaker and a relaxing weekend! I'll have to write about our topics of discussion soon.

The very next weekend our church had an amazing ladies conference! I could easily write a whole blog on what I learned in the sessions on wholeness! The same weekend we were part of a totally rad, 80's birthday party for a good friend of mine. If you know me at all you know I LOVE to dress up!!!

Girls just wanna have fun!

Goodbye summer! Memories were made...now I'm looking forward to all the fun of Fall!