Together We Stand Until The End

Larry’s cancer journey began in 2008 when his annual checkup revealed unsettling news. After doing a PSA check on him they sent him for a biopsy. With that biopsy he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because his prostate cancer was slow growing they said there was no rush to get things done, which gave Larry and his wife Bonnie time to decide the best treatment. Larry took the summer to spend time with his wife, kids and grandchildren. His Surgery was scheduled for Oct. 8th 2009. Unfortunately, Bonnie got pneumonia and had to have lung surgery also on Oct 8th. Larry said to the doctors “we can only get well when we are together,” he postponed his surgery. Three weeks later Larry’s prostate was removed, they were able to remove all the cancer. He did not need any chemo or radiation, his recovery went well.

Nine months later, in July of 2010, Larry started to not feel well. After some testing he was told he had an inoperable brain tumor that was called CNS non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He then went through a year of chemo therapy. Despite losing his appetite, his hair and several other struggles Larry kept a positive attitude and never lost his sense of humor. Larry was placed in remission and never missed a follow up appointment for the next four and a half years. With every visit came the same good news, he was cancer free.

​In March of 2015 Larry and his wife Bonnie took a vacation to Florida where Larry picked up a virus that he never recovered from. He started losing weight and that’s when the doctor appointments started. He started with his cancer doctor, she assured him that he was still cancer free and sent him to his family doctor. His family doctor started ordering and running tests which were coming back negative but Larry’s health was still declining. On May 10th 2015, Mother’s day, he fell at his home and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He was admitted and many tests were ran with the same inconclusive results. After several weeks he was diagnosed with chemo brain and was sent home to do physical, occupational, and speech therapy. He was home a week and a half before being readmitted back into the hospital. After more extensive testing they found that his lymphoma was back but this time it was in his spinal fluid. They started chemo right away, but after a few treatments saw that this time it was not working.

​Larry’s wife and children brought him home on hospice on July 11th 2015 to make him as comfortable as possible. Through his entire journey he was never left alone for a single minute. The time he spent at home he shared his love and his good byes with friends and family. Sadly, Larry lost his battle with cancer on the night of July 24th 2015 with his wife and children standing by his side.

Larry was more than a cancer fighter; he was a wonderful husband for the past 42 years, a loving Father to his 6 children, a caring Grandfather (Pop) to his 16 grandchildren and a good friend to many. He put his family above all else and was an extremely hard worker and a wonderful provider. He loved his family with everything he had; there wasn’t a selfish bone in his body. Everyone who knew him loved him; he was kind, generous and had the best sense of humor. Larry is missed everyday by so many. Heaven is even more beautiful now that he is there.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Timothy 4:7

Thank you, Sara Adkins for donating your time and talent.

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