Katrina's Blog

I miss your smile.

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.