Larry is an amazing survival story, but it hasn't been easy. When he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer 8 1/2 years ago, the outlook was bleak. In 2007, not long after his diagnosis, my Uncle Dorwin asked him what he wanted for his 66th birthday. He replied, "More birthdays."
Larry continues to have a lot of bone pain, often at a level of 6 to 7 out of 10. He had a pain pump installed, which has helped some with the pain in his right leg and hip. He's also had radiation on his leg and on his left elbow, where the worst pain is now.
Last week Larry’s daughter Kim and granddaughter Jamie (visiting from Florida) took him to Kansas University Hospital to get his pain pump refilled. (I stayed home while the plumber fixed a sewer backup.) When Larry returned home, he fell in the garage. We called 911, and they took him to SM hospital, where a CT scan and X-ray showed no brain bleed or fractures. He had scrapes and bruises and of course intensified pain, but was able to come home that evening.
We have signed up for palliative care, and also had Life Alert installed.
We appreciate all the love, support and positive thoughts being sent our way.
In 2007, just after his diagnosis, we got a picture of four generations of Pepperdines: Larry with great-granddaughter Alanna (now 8 1/2), daughter Kim, Susan, granddaughter Jamie and great-grandson Logan (now nearly 12).
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