Randy’s Story

Site created on March 8, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep up with the outpouring of support we’ve received from friends and family. We appreciate your words of hope and encouragement.

We love our family and friends who have reached out to us from all over the world. At first I thought, we could keep up with texting and messaging, but this has all become more of a day to day focus. Some days are okay and others are very overwhelming. I also thought that if you have a "caring bridge" page it must mean that the situation is critical.  I am finally admitting the situation is more than we realized.  When Randy was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - the news we received in regards to the early stage at which the cancer was at, was a relief. When do you hear of pancreatic cancer being in Stage 1B?  But the large hematoma that was part of the initial episode has prevented the normal protocol of surgery then chemo. 

Until the grapefruit size abdominal hematoma shrinks, which we discovered in December/January, the surgeon can't operate. This means that the cancerous mass on Randy’s pancreas will be there until the hematoma shrinks enough for the doctors to feel it is safe enough to operate and remove the mass. So, chemo was first on the treatment agenda.

In February, after round three of bi-weekly chemo, blood clots in the lungs and legs were added to the equation. To stop the progress of these symptoms, doctors added a filter in his inferior vena cava to block the leg clots. And this week, March 9, starts Round Four!  

We pray that we have finally seen some kind of predictable schedule and Randy’s bodily response to chemo. It has had more intense effects than we initially anticipated. We hope that in anticipation of what we’ve experienced, we will be proactive in our home care to not have to go in for additional IV hydration. 

And so dear friends, we would covet your prayers. This is a hard road but we thank you for checking in on us, supporting us and loving on us- we do feel the love!!

Newest Update

March 14, 2023

Journal entry by Karin Knutson —

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for praying for us – the family!

I have been MIA because my brain has not been functioning on all cylinders. The grief fog has been real. Being coherent is hard. My body is falling apart. I was numb until recently. I really prefer being numb. This new stage is fragile – weepy – sad – walking in circles. And so, I write today to share some prayer requests.

  • I need to work on various things and need the energy to do it. Advancing Leaders is continuing, and I want to continue leading it. I have critical things to accomplish this month.
  • Handling things like taxes, bills, for our home is a new challenge.
  • Our family seems to be attacked from all sides. Several people need jobs, one couple has had a car in repair shop for 4 months - waiting for Honda to send parts – after a tree fell on it. We have sick families. It’s too much to list but we know that Satan is wanting to kill and destroy those of us with faith and belief.

Would you carry us in your prayers? 

Also, feel free to write any remembrances you have Randy on his webpage.

Here is the link:

https://www.randy-knutson.com/testimonies

Thank you for hearing my cry for prayers!!

Karin

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