Uncle Larry
So I've been waiting to write about this for a week or so... We got bad news. Mama's older brother, my uncle Larry aka Uncle Daddy, has a rare from of cancer. Its terminal.
This is the latest from my Aunt Jan.
April 13th
Howdy,
I just wanted to let you know that Larry is feeling some better. He hopes to get out of the hospital today if he doesn't have any nausea.
We met with the oncologist and the internist on Saturday to discuss his condition. He has a rare type of cancer that the oncologist has only seen 3 times in his career as an oncologist. Larry is in end stage. The guesstimate of how much time was 3 months to a year. We will be getting hospice in for him once he leaves the hospital.
This cancer oozes a type of gelatinous fluid in the abdomen stretching it out. They went in and took out 8 liters of fluid to help him breath better and it helped with his pain. Unfortunately by the next day he had filled up with fluid again to about the same proportions.
Larry's spirits are up but, he is absorbing the news like the rest of us. He did tell me that he is not scared yet. So I am relieved that he is not terrified of the news. He knows that there are no options for this type of cancer. This really tests your faith in the resurrection and faith in Jehovah.
I am personally blown away. We went to the ER because of a nausea problem and come out with a diagnosis of this inoperable cancer. Jehovah has been a constant source of help at the right time just like when he was in the coma and not expected to live.
We have gotten good support from the congregation and are grateful for this. Jehovah is so good to us.
As things change if I have time I will keep you updated on his health.
Prayers are always welcome!
Philia,
Jan
April 16th
I just wanted to update you on Larry.
We have a hospice in place and they seem to be doing a very good job. They are very responsive to Larry's pain. When he was in a lot of pain on Tuesday they provided a pain relief patch that will give a low dose of medication to keep the pain under control. He will still get the hydrocodone on a regular basis, the patch is just a way to keep the pain from getting unmanagable.
The hospice also gave me a list of funeral homes in the Dallas area to start calling and getting pricing on creamation. I thought that was very kind as I really didn't have a place to start. I will be doing this today and gettting a price. I found out that you cannot do a pre need for creamation because of all the permits that have to be signed. I was surprised.
It really upset me to have to be making arrangements. This is still so new and very hard to do. But I would rather have all the paperwork completed and not have that to do at a more stressful time. At least we have a little time.
Since our 19th wedding anniversary is on April 21 one of the sisters suggested that we have a party and invite everyone from both congregations to it so he could see everyone and they could see him while he feels relatively good. So on the 26th we are going to have a cake and punch party at the assisted living. It will be after the meeting on Sunday so it won't interfere with meetings at either Hall.
This will be very encouraging for Larry and several have mentioned that they want to get out and see Larry soon. This will be a perfect way to do both. Happier time.
For right now Larry is doing well. He is getting a lot of attention and his needs are being met. The Assisted living people were a little less than friendly because of Larry being a Witness and some of his comments about the holidays. He has been rather blunt in the past. It seems they have put that aside and are catering to him. He is soaking that up and enjoying that.
As things change I will keep you updated.
Thanks,
Jan
April 19th
Just received this from Jan. Please, she needs your prayers and thoughts as much as Larry does.
For those that don't know about the cards, I'll include the last letter. Brenda
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He will enjoy opening them at the party. I think he is a little excited to see the friends. I told him about the party and he was all smiles. I just pray that he is in good enough health to stand being out of the room and up for that long.
He has been having a lot of pain these last few days. I thought I was going to have to take him to the ER last night to get a shot for pain. But the Hospice had a 'comfort pack' with some meds you stick under the tongue. This is a as needed pain reliever. It finally worked and Larry went to sleep.
This morning he is still in a little pain. But they have the meds to give him to get him easy. That is my fear is that he will be in pain.
The girls are coming down May 2-5. I am so glad. I want them to see him while he is relatively in good health. He has been refusing food here the last few days due to the pain and vomiting. That was a sign of him getting sicker. It terrifies me. I have never had to watch someone with cancer deteriorate. I don't like what I'm seeing now and I know I will hate it as we go along. Larry is very positive still though. He said he wants all the glory to go to Jehovah if something good happens. I think that is what is keeping him positive. That makes it a little easier to be with him. Thanks for the thought of the anniversary cards. That was very thoughtful to do. I have got to get ready for the meeting so I'll close for now. I'll keep you updated as I can.
Jan
Back story to this Uncle Larry for the past 10 years or so has been dealing with a multitude of health problems associated with a work related injury. He was a cable guy and fell 35 feet onto his head on concrete. He had brain damage (still has genius IQ), tons of hairline fractures, got a staph infection that stays in his system and kept a wound open for years. He wound up needing a hip replacement but because of the infection it had to be removed and he has lived with no hip for a long time. All in all through it all my Aunt Jan has bravely been his advocate and Larry has kept reliance on Jehovah and glory to Jehovah first. Jan has been able to pioneer, along with many other spiritual blessings.
Now they are facing this. Please keep them in thoughts and prayers.
This is the latest from my Aunt Jan.
April 13th
Howdy,
I just wanted to let you know that Larry is feeling some better. He hopes to get out of the hospital today if he doesn't have any nausea.
We met with the oncologist and the internist on Saturday to discuss his condition. He has a rare type of cancer that the oncologist has only seen 3 times in his career as an oncologist. Larry is in end stage. The guesstimate of how much time was 3 months to a year. We will be getting hospice in for him once he leaves the hospital.
This cancer oozes a type of gelatinous fluid in the abdomen stretching it out. They went in and took out 8 liters of fluid to help him breath better and it helped with his pain. Unfortunately by the next day he had filled up with fluid again to about the same proportions.
Larry's spirits are up but, he is absorbing the news like the rest of us. He did tell me that he is not scared yet. So I am relieved that he is not terrified of the news. He knows that there are no options for this type of cancer. This really tests your faith in the resurrection and faith in Jehovah.
I am personally blown away. We went to the ER because of a nausea problem and come out with a diagnosis of this inoperable cancer. Jehovah has been a constant source of help at the right time just like when he was in the coma and not expected to live.
We have gotten good support from the congregation and are grateful for this. Jehovah is so good to us.
As things change if I have time I will keep you updated on his health.
Prayers are always welcome!
Philia,
Jan
April 16th
I just wanted to update you on Larry.
We have a hospice in place and they seem to be doing a very good job. They are very responsive to Larry's pain. When he was in a lot of pain on Tuesday they provided a pain relief patch that will give a low dose of medication to keep the pain under control. He will still get the hydrocodone on a regular basis, the patch is just a way to keep the pain from getting unmanagable.
The hospice also gave me a list of funeral homes in the Dallas area to start calling and getting pricing on creamation. I thought that was very kind as I really didn't have a place to start. I will be doing this today and gettting a price. I found out that you cannot do a pre need for creamation because of all the permits that have to be signed. I was surprised.
It really upset me to have to be making arrangements. This is still so new and very hard to do. But I would rather have all the paperwork completed and not have that to do at a more stressful time. At least we have a little time.
Since our 19th wedding anniversary is on April 21 one of the sisters suggested that we have a party and invite everyone from both congregations to it so he could see everyone and they could see him while he feels relatively good. So on the 26th we are going to have a cake and punch party at the assisted living. It will be after the meeting on Sunday so it won't interfere with meetings at either Hall.
This will be very encouraging for Larry and several have mentioned that they want to get out and see Larry soon. This will be a perfect way to do both. Happier time.
For right now Larry is doing well. He is getting a lot of attention and his needs are being met. The Assisted living people were a little less than friendly because of Larry being a Witness and some of his comments about the holidays. He has been rather blunt in the past. It seems they have put that aside and are catering to him. He is soaking that up and enjoying that.
As things change I will keep you updated.
Thanks,
Jan
April 19th
Just received this from Jan. Please, she needs your prayers and thoughts as much as Larry does.
For those that don't know about the cards, I'll include the last letter. Brenda
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He will enjoy opening them at the party. I think he is a little excited to see the friends. I told him about the party and he was all smiles. I just pray that he is in good enough health to stand being out of the room and up for that long.
He has been having a lot of pain these last few days. I thought I was going to have to take him to the ER last night to get a shot for pain. But the Hospice had a 'comfort pack' with some meds you stick under the tongue. This is a as needed pain reliever. It finally worked and Larry went to sleep.
This morning he is still in a little pain. But they have the meds to give him to get him easy. That is my fear is that he will be in pain.
The girls are coming down May 2-5. I am so glad. I want them to see him while he is relatively in good health. He has been refusing food here the last few days due to the pain and vomiting. That was a sign of him getting sicker. It terrifies me. I have never had to watch someone with cancer deteriorate. I don't like what I'm seeing now and I know I will hate it as we go along. Larry is very positive still though. He said he wants all the glory to go to Jehovah if something good happens. I think that is what is keeping him positive. That makes it a little easier to be with him. Thanks for the thought of the anniversary cards. That was very thoughtful to do. I have got to get ready for the meeting so I'll close for now. I'll keep you updated as I can.
Jan
Back story to this Uncle Larry for the past 10 years or so has been dealing with a multitude of health problems associated with a work related injury. He was a cable guy and fell 35 feet onto his head on concrete. He had brain damage (still has genius IQ), tons of hairline fractures, got a staph infection that stays in his system and kept a wound open for years. He wound up needing a hip replacement but because of the infection it had to be removed and he has lived with no hip for a long time. All in all through it all my Aunt Jan has bravely been his advocate and Larry has kept reliance on Jehovah and glory to Jehovah first. Jan has been able to pioneer, along with many other spiritual blessings.
Now they are facing this. Please keep them in thoughts and prayers.
Comments