Frank’s Story

Site created on January 25, 2018

This is my second bout with cancer.  Esophageal in 2009 that was treated successfully with surgery, chemo, radiation and 1 year off to undergo all the treatments.  This time around I have stomach cancer.  I noticed symptoms somewhere around October / early November 2017 where I had trouble keeping food down.  Over the next couple of months it got to the point where I could keep very little down and had lost about 25 - 30 lbs, existing primarily on Ensure type drinks.  Ensure gets old after a while and I don't recommend it to anyone watching their diet / calories, but it's loaded with what I need to keep me going.


The Plan:
I have a Sutter Health Surgeon, Dr Gregory Graves, in Sacramento, who has assured me he can help.  The plan:  remove my entire stomach, construct a new stomach out of 2 feet of colon, sew it to what is left of my esophagus near my neck and to my small intestine.  Sew my colon back together where the 2 feet was taken and watch for any leaks at the sewing sites.  I should be in Intensive Care for 3 - 4 days and in the hospital for 10 - 14 days collectively.   Recovery will be lengthy / months and will be followed by chemo.  So it will be a very long year or so.   The end game is that I should  eventually be able to eat as most any normal person does.  My fingers are crossed..  


Maria & my sister Carol (as usual) will be my "reps / advocates" while I'm in the hospital.  They unfortunately have a lot of experience watching out for me...  Hospitalized for back surgery, heart attack and esophageal cancer . So they have had the training...


I will post updates as things of interest happen, and I asked both Maria & Carol to post updates when I am unable, like surgery & hospital updates.


Please feel free to forward this link to anyone you think may be interested in following my progress.


In the past I used to send email to a distribution list of coworkers, friends and family on my progress.  I think this is a better option and I do find it personally refreshing (probably not the right word) to tell people what is happening...  


Take good care of yourselves my friends & I'll do the same

Newest Update

Journal entry by MARIA GARCIA-ADARVE

Frank Carter

Obituary written by Alexis Gormley, Frank's niece.

May 14, 1953 — Dec. 1, 2018

The man we’ve all considered teflon for ages – who seemingly had unlimited lives – passed away on Saturday. Having survived major back injury (along with 5 back surgeries), esophageal cancer, a 98 percent blockage heart attack and COPD, he lived almost a year with stomach cancer. It was finally time.

Frank was every bit his name – he didn’t mince words, didn’t suffer fools, spoke up when he felt it was right and honestly could give a sh*t if other people cared about it. He was gregarious, generally the life of the party with a laugh audible for miles. We always knew when Frank was in the building. He was thoughtful and kind-hearted – doing his part to be a good human – helping others in big ways and small – donating platelets monthly like clockwork when he was able, volunteering to help out with toy drives and community events.

He could be found most mornings at the Starbucks down the road holding court for other locals and his CHP friends, calling out to people by name and a standard greeting – “how the hell are ya!”

Even in the middle of a terminal diagnosis, he was quick to smile and slap you on the arm “you know I’m dying right?” And that was Frank, never one to miss a beat, always sure to face life, and in this case, death, head on.

As a brother, a husband and an uncle he will be terribly missed.

No service will be held per Frank’s request.

https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/obituaries/frank-carter/


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