Larry Karraker

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Hello Everyone,
Many of you know me from a variety of places. I don't think I have ever met a stranger !
 As stated above, this will be a website that we can update in one place, as opposed to multiple sites.

 This journey started on July 15, 2020.
I went to the Doctor with  pain in my stomach and back. After blood tests, x rays and CT scans, I was admitted to the hospital with Pancreatitis.
The CT scan revealed a suspicious spot at the head of the Pancreas. A follow up CT scan revealed that the spot had increased in size. To be on the safe side, my Doctor chose to have a scope and biopsy done.  The suspicious spot at the head of the Pancreas is Pancreatic Cancer.

Juliet and I made our first visit to an oncologist mid August. He was very straight forward ,and told me that he would not recommended any type of treatment without first doing a  PET scan. 
The results of the PET scan were that the tumor is a more aggressive type of Pancreatic Cancer, and that the tumor is continuing to grow. 
The cancer is isolated to the one tumor and has not metastasized at this time. This was an answered prayer!

The Oncologist recommended a  cancer surgeon in Wichita.  After having gone over all of the CAT scans and the PET scan, the surgeon determined it was best to contain the tumor first with a few months of chemotherapy, and then re-evaluate the size of the tumor, and whether it is reacting to chemotherapy.

If the tumor reacts to chemo and and shrinks in size, the surgeon will consider whether doing surgery is the best option then. This will be the Whipple Procedure. The head of the Pancreas is removed, as well as the tumor, and the body and tail of the Pancreas are left.

Staring next week, I will begin aggressive chemotherapy. This will go on for a few months and then  the Oncologist and surgeon will look at the size of the tumor again.

For those that know me, eating has never been an issue with me....until now. 
Due to my extreme pain level, and nausea that come with the disease, I have lost around 40 lbs. . Eating and drinking have been very painful, and so I have been afraid to do much of either.
My Oncologist has a good combination of medicine now that is helping with the pain and nausea, and I'm hopeful this will help me get more calories in each day .
I will be losing more weight as the disease progresses, and the pain as well. It's important that I keep healthy so that when the time comes that I might be able to have surgery, that it an be done.

We would appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes at this time.
Thank you,
Larry and Juliet