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Ken’s Story

Site created on December 9, 2021

Hello, dear friends! Thank you for your love and care for our family through this difficult time. Thank you for PRAYING! Our gracious Lord has been upholding us all this way and His grace his sufficient for each day. We praise Him that His mercies are new every morning and GREAT is His faithfulness!
Here is the context of Ken's journey and we'll try to update as we can.

In March 2021, Ken went to the ER with a prostate concern and after 3 nights in the hospital, was discharged with a diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer (the prostate issue was relatively easily resolved). What a shock that was! The doctors gave him 6-12 months to live and it's already been nearly 9 -- what a gift of time from God! As Ken would say, he's past his expiration date haha. We sure are thankful for the time with him and pray we get much more!
In May and October, Ken received a specialized treatment (SOT) designed in Greece. After the first one, his cancer markers dropped significantly, but the second treatment didn't seem to have as great an impact. He began chemo on December 8 and we are hoping the tumor will shrink enough that surgery will become an option. The doctors initially diagnosed the cancer as metastasized, but later CT scans indicate that may have been a misdiagnosis (or a miracle of healing!). He will be receiving a new treatment, VAXO-Q-RE, which was also designed at the lab in Greece. The timing of that treatment is uncertain as of now, but we pray it will be effective!

Due to the cancer's location, Ken has had little appetite and is not able to process food well. He has lost significant weight and his body has entered a state of cachexia which has left his ligaments and tendons very weak. He has torn ligaments in his shoulder and in the past month or so, ruptured both Achilles' tendons. He has a boot for each foot which makes mobility extremely limited, difficult, and painful! Under normal circumstances, surgery could aid in the repair/healing process, but he cannot undergo surgery due to chemo as his body would not heal well.

Since Thanksgiving, Ken has had extreme abdominal pain which often causes nausea and makes it even more difficult to eat.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support! We are so thankful to have such an army of people fighting this battle with us and strengthening us when we are weak. You are a blessing!

(Note: Please know that if you donate or leave a "tribute," it goes only to Caring Bridge. Sometimes the wording can be confusing, so we wanted to clarify.)

Newest Update

Journal entry by Susanna G — Apr 9, 2023

Hello, everyone!

Goodness, it is hard to believe that it has been nearly a year since Dad went Home to glory! Resurrection Day has long been my favorite day of the year; this year it meant so much more, though it has been very bittersweet. I am indescribably grateful for the hope that is offered by Christ's death and resurrection.

Walking through this past year has increased my longing for heaven. I am so thankful that Christ paid the price for Dad's sin and mine, that His blood was shed in place of ours. I praise God that Christ not only died, but that He rose again conquering death, demonstrating His power over the grave. What hope is ours!

I am so thankful that I don't have to "grieve as those who have no hope" (1 Thess 4:13). I praise God that I know I will see Dad, Grandpa, and so many other loved ones again. I praise God that I need not fear death because I have already "passed from death into life" and get to look forward to the "resurrection of life" (John 5:24, 29).

Thank you for loving Dad and our family over the years. I am so grateful for the incredible community God entrusted to us! I am so blessed! I pray that each one of you experience the peace and hope that comes only through Christ. I pray you get to experience this Resurrection Life. I pray that when you grieve, it is WITH hope, with assurance of an eternity with our gracious God.

I hope you had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday! God bless you!

Susanna

Read More of the journal titled "Happy Resurrection Day!"

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