Barry and Linda Lahann

Welcome to our CaringBridge Website. We are using this page to keep family and friends updated about Barry’s journey with cancer. We need and appreciate your prayers during this journey. However, we will not let this battle with cancer define us. What defines us? We are Nonie and Papa, proud parents, good friends, brother, sister, aunt and uncle, educators and, most importantly, children of God. Thank you for your support of our family during this difficult time.


As much as we love to travel, Linda and I are at the beginning of a journey we hoped we would never have to take.  We appreciate you checking in on us here and appreciate your friendship, love, prayers and notes of support.


Over the past seven years, I’ve had two brushes with cancer - melanoma and prostate.  Each of them were successfully treated with surgery and have not, until now, been an issue.


Five years ago when I had a melanoma growth removed from my head, I also had a test where a radioactive dye was fed into my lymphatic system. That dye reacts with melanoma cancer cells in such a way the doctors can tell if there had been any “escape” of cancer cells from the growth on my head into my lymphatic system. At that time, I was clean.  Frequent melanoma checkups over the last 5 years have also been uneventful.  

In March this year I had symptoms similar to a rotator cuff injury in my shoulder.  During the CAT scan for the suspected rotator cuff injury, numerous tumors were discovered.  The radiologist who read the CAT scan suspected metastatic melanoma had spread to my bones, lungs and lymph nodes.  He recommended a bone biopsy. The pathologist that read the bone biopsy confirmed the suspicion.


So I have a pretty serious problem. Just as anyone that gets this kind of life-shattering diagnosis and prognosis, we (Linda and I) have had our hopes and dreams for a long and fulfilling future severely threatened. For those of you who have already experienced this, our hearts go out to you. We know we’re not the first and we won’t be the last, so we have the utmost empathy for those who have experienced or are experiencing this pain.


Linda and I are quite concerned and would appreciate your prayers. We will be in touch as we know more.   


Love, Barry and Linda