Larry’s Story

Site created on January 18, 2017

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
     On December 19th, 2016, while scheduling Larry's  annual physical and RX check, a recommended visit to the ER, at SCRMC in St. Croix Falls, because of "chest pains, and extreme fatigue" revealed that Larry had two cancerous tumors in his upper lobe of the right lung. 
       5 years ago, a encapsulated  cancerous tumors was removed, from Larry's right lung. The entire lower lobe was also removed. No further cancer was evident, and no treatment followed surgery, except semi annual Dr. Visits. These tumors are being considered "a new cancer"
    The next 3 weeks of tests, assessments and recommendations found us with a fantastic oncology team,  and a treatment plan in place at  Wyoming Minnesota at the University of Minnesota, Lakes Cancer Center.
    Tests have shown that there is NO cancer anywhere else at this time. (Thank you God). 
     An agressive, Curative  treatment plan is in place.  Both Dr. Wang and Dr. Hussain believe that this is curable, that they will erridicate  the tumors, and any other potential cancer sources.
     A 5 days a week, agressive dose of radiation, targeting the tumors, and 1 time a week a moderately agressive Chemotherapy treatments, interveniously, on Mondays started on Monday,  Jan. 16.
     They are doing 2 weeks. Rest a week. Two additional weeks. Then various assessments, and new plans put in place.
     We drive daily, the 110 miles round trip to Wyoming  MN. (Thank goodness I just put new tires on the Saturn, and get 25-30 mpg).
     We are both thrilled with the Oncology team we've assembled, and with Larry's primary care Dr, Theresa Durkin at SCRMC, and have 150% confidence in them.
     The tumors are.... a T-1, small, the size of a dime, and a T-3, 1.5"x1".  ( see illustration in photo gallery).
That tumor has invaded the lung lining, and a rib bone, and causes considerable pain. Dealing with pain, with morphine and oxytocin  as needed.
    I (Linda) am resourcing,  researching, organizing,  and rounding up what ever we "need", to ensure Larry's comfort, and successful  outcomes.
     I'm  looking into  various sources for "help" with treatment costs that insurance does not cover, and for help with other expenses and issues that  come with this journey. We have our 2017, annual deductible  to meet/pay, for both treatments  and for RX, 
   I'll do journal updates,  and of course, we'll love to hear from all of you..


Address..... if you feel like sending a card.
Larry Glenn, 936 250th Ave,  Luck Wisconsin 54853



Journal entry's, probably daily, in journal section, after these. L.


MONDAY 1/16 - up at 5:30, and out the door by 630. MRI, blood labs, and 2.75 hrs of chemo. Radiation follows that. The chemo kicked his a**.  Very ill. Nausea, and praying to the porcelain  potty. No eating, and extremely fatigued.

TUESDAY  1/17 - Radiation. Still nauseous, but RX helping with it. Very very tired.  Good news tho.... pain in chest/tumor area almost eliminated. Now moderate, and bearable.
WEDNESDAY  1/18... Radiation, and consult with Dr. Wang, and Dr. Lee, resident on our team. Still fatigued. Nauseous, but drinking and eating some. Dr's thrilled  to have the pain lessened.  Both very very optimistic about treatments results so far. Slept, immediately upon arriving home, for 3.5 hrs. But, ate dinner.  Liver, onions, mashed potatoes n fresh peas. Hurrah.
     

Newest Update

Journal entry by Linda Glenn

Hello to all....
It really  does not seem like 5 months since Larry, after his amazing and courageous  Cancer Journey has been gone, but it has been.
     Our entire family, along with many friends miss him sooo much.
For me, it's not even a sadness as much as it is a sweet, meloncolly  yearning. To hear his voice, feel his touch, see his beautiful smile just 1 more time.
     Since  in my days, everything is different, something is missing, and NOTHING is the same for me, I spend time "adjusting and compensating".
Learning to eat and sleep again. To do things, with out my best friend and my biggest love by my side to share with me.
However, going forward as a "singleton" is not all bad or difficult. I am very much loved, and friends and family keep track of me, daily in fact. And in spite of multiple challenges on the farm, I am "getting  this crap done" .(car issues, well issues, leaky roof/ into kitchen, snow piles, basement water, work)
    Determined to be purposeful,  intentional, practical and pragmatic. And most of all..... Happy. I am being good to me. Always.
Eat, sleep as needed. Lots of family time, volunteer projects and  some serious alone time, which I really like.
     Want to let you know, so can save the date, if interested. Will update, with details, mid may tho.
Larry's remains are being interred,  at Fort Snelling on Friday, May 31st at 10:00 a.m., Military honors. Aprox  a 20 min ceremony.
     We plan on gathering afterwards, 10 minutes  away, Bloomington  VFF, for some food, drinks, laughter and memories. Anyone  is welcome to join us.
     Thanks to all of you who keep in touch. Who have sent cards, letters; who call, visit. It means the world to me, us.... and a huge thank you to all that joined us at the Celebration of Life at Bone Lake Church. It was overwhelmingly  beautiful to see everyone there, and so very comforting to us all.
     Not exactly sure what is in my future , in this next chapter of my journey. However, I do know that as a strong, capable, healthy, much loved woman, it's going to be an AWESOME  adventure.
Larry would not have expected any less of me. 
With Gratitude
Linda
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Larry Stay Connected to Family and Friends

Your $25 donation to CaringBridge will help keep this site online for two weeks. And if you donate by March 28, a generous CaringBridge donor will match your donation, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000.

Make your gift in honor of Larry by midnight on March 28 to be counted!

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top