bump! I am hoping we will hear from Ladobe in the near future, and that all went well with his surgery!

Susan

Me too. I check everyday to see if he's posted.

Edna

I keep watching too and hope that Larry is doing okay. We're thinking about you, Larry!
Cathy

I am watching this thread hoping to see a post from Larry. Hope you're doing OK. May you again be striding in the clouds at high altitude on a mountain ridge with a butterfly net in your hands.

mike

I emailed him but no word.

Hopefully it's as you said Mike.

Edna

Hello to you all,

Just got home from a follow up at the hospital, and found an email from Sandy saying I was being asked about. Sandys is the only email IÂve ever received from any of you during my absence, so I am sorry if I missed yours Edna or any others that might have been sent. I havenÂt been up to much computer time the last couple of months, so if there were others sent they must have got lost in the shuffle some how. SandyÂs note did prompt me to find the link to the forum again though, and right away I saw this thread asking about me. So thank you all kindly for your concern and well wishes.

I must also apologize for just disappearing without a word or a trace, and for not even stopping in at the forum at all for so long. But my fight with several cancers suddenly came to a head with new lab work and IÂve had no choice except to drop everything else and deal with that. ItÂs a battle I have to fight alone so IÂve tried not to drag any of the people I care about down over it. IÂll post an update, but donÂt want to dwell on it.

In my absence I have been pretty much living in doctorÂs offices, testing labs and hospitals with a team of dozens of doctors and support staff. They put me through more tests, labs and biopsies than I knew existed. From them IÂve have had four surgeries so far (one minor and three major) and still have more in my future. TodayÂs surgical follow up (and the lab report) dictated at least one more surgery for that cancer followed by cosmetic plastic surgery, but the doc is giving me a 6 week break off for good behavior before he puts me under the knife again. I also will go to a different doctor tomorrow for another follow up, this one to the surgery that was to remove the most invasive and dangerous cancer I have. This one will probably take another trip under the knife too, but I hope this doc also gives me a break first as well. The other two cancers I should be done with, and if the other two go as hoped that should be the end of it for now and I can go back to just being an old man.

My son has sure been a real trooper and I wouldnÂt have got through it without him. Somebody sure raised a good kid (must have been his mother).

For the first time in weeks I am starting to feel alive again. I still canÂt get around very well as both standing very long and walking very far are still limited. But I am really looking forward to spending some weeks "trapped" at home for a change. All of this has been a very interesting experience and IÂve met some truly wonderful people, but I am more than ready for a break.

Anyway, I will try to take part in the forum again now that it looks like I will be at home for a while. I did miss you all and hearing how your bug and plant projects have been going. I hope you have all had a great success with them. Maybe over time I will go back and read some of the threads, but for now IÂll probably do best just trying to keep up with whatÂs current.

Thanks again for caring.

Best regards to all of you,

Larry

Great to hear from you, Larry! Thanks for checking in with us. I know I was worried about you, and I think probably the same goes for the others (Not to make you feel guilty or anything. I can see why you haven't been able to post.).
I'm still praying for you,
-J.M.

Glad your home. There is nothing like home when you are not 100%. The bugs are done here in southern Ohio. We have had several frosts. Interestingly, I still have pipevine caterpillars in the house. I find that pipevine dries out quickly and have had a hard time keeping up with them. What is interesting is that they are munching on dry leaves. I recently read some interesting papers that discuss how lower moisture content leads to inefficient nutrient use of leaves. Primarily nitrogen. Thus it takes the larva longer to reach maturity (is that the right word?). These guys are taking forever and pipevines are supposed to be quick! Fascinating! Thought you would appreciate that.
Sounds like you are taking good care of yourself, so saying take care of yourself is redundant. We are thinking about you.
Cheers,
Elisabeth

Larry,

It is so good to see you back. We all really missed your posts. I'm glad you are home and getting stronger. It's been a good BF summer around here--lots of action and new species.

Take care,

Sandy

Larry,

I've recently been through hormone treatments and intensity modulated radiation treatment for prostate cancar that seem to have worked, so I have a small inkling of what you must be going through. Support sure is important and it sounds like your son is providing just what you need. You can tell from this thread how members of this Forum are pulling for you.

mike

What is it with this #@!*!! cancer thing. I have two friends who are fighting the disease also. DH went through it two years ago. So far (knock on wood) he's been in remission for a year.

Big hug to you, Ladobe. Thank you for posting an update.

Edna

Hey! Glad to see you around again! We miss your encyclopedic knowledge and sense of humor. I'll be praying for your recovery.

Jeff

Thanks for all the well wishes folks. No time, but.....

I filled in a member here via email what I was up against. Won't say who out of respect for them so they don't have to post details unless they want to. Even the hardest decision in my life I had to make it turns out I don't even have time to make now, so...

Everything changed in a bad way, so I am catching a plane to San Diego in the morning for emergency surgery. They're saying 9 hours under the knife, so not fun. Will make that decision there, and if I go for it I will be there for 2-3 weeks and if all goes well will fly back home then.

Hope to check back in sometime after that.

Larry

God Bless You Larry. I've been checking this forum for updates on you and will continue to do so.

Wishing you lots of healing thoughts, and hope that your surgery goes well and you have the best possible recovery. I've enjoyed your contribution to this forum a great deal.

Dear BF forum,

I received an email from Larry this week. I have struggled with how to post the information, and Larry posted before I had a chance to. So, I will provide you with more facts concerning what Larry is facing.

Larry is dealing with major life changes. He received the results of his biopsy this week, and the cancer is a bad one. Apparently with this surgery, he will not be in a position to be able to take care of himself and will have a diminished life capacity. He will also have more surgeries to deal with. He has really wrestled with making the decision to have the surgery or live out what time he has left with the cancer. His main concern is not becoming a burden to his son. I am sure his son had a role in the decision-making process to go ahead with the surgery. But, this surgery is not going to lead to a miraculous cure--at most, it will buy some time.

I know that this is having the same effect on you as it had on me when I received the news. It's hard to imagine not having Larry's input. Personally, his encouragement has pushed me to really pursue the study of Lepidoptera. He has most definitely left his print on this forum.

With much sadness in my heart,

Sandy

This is really devastating news, Sandy! I'm sitting here tearing up.
I'll send him an e-mail tonight, in case he's able to read one.
If you're out there, Larry, we're all praying for you!
Sherry

I haven't been posting until recently so I just read this thread through for the first time tonight and I feel so overwhelmed. Don't really know what to say right now other than that I will be adding my prayers to everyone else's and hope that Larry will get all these well-wishes and prayers. Prayers also for his wonderful son who is with him through all his suffering. What a blessing to have his son at a time like this. Thanks to Sandy for filling us in with the details. It makes me admire Larry all the more for his obvious courage.

Misssherry, please add my name to everyone else's when you email Larry. Thank you so much, Murray

Wow, I'm in shock. I don't know what to say.

Larry opened my eyes to a different aspect of Lep's. Although so many of you helped me for years, Larry's input and awesome pictures really pushed me to study before asking a stupid question :-). My favorite picture was the spot light on the white sheet covered with moths, something I've always wanted to try myself.

I'm praying hard for you Larry.

Love, hugs and kisses.....Edna

Ah, Larry, so sorry you're having to go thru this! But know I am thinking of and praying for you. Miracles do happen IMHO, and I believe most of us who have witnessed the miraculous life cycle of butterflies can appreciate that more than some.

I have learned much from you and your posts and will treasure it always. You've touched our lives in many exciting and awesome ways. Sending my love, hope, and prayers your way.....

Susan

Sandy, butterflymomok,

I just sent you an email.

Thanks,

Betty

Any news?

Edna

Hello friends,

First time on a computer this morning in 6 weeks, and saw this right near the top. So I'll add a quick copy and paste of an update I wrote to send friends. All I am up to now, but thanks again for caring. I receieved no emails from anyone while away FYI, so as usual the board software didn't pass them along. Sorry.

Larry

PASTED UPDATE:

Friends,

As some of you may know, I have been fighting a hard battle with several cancers that have taken over my body along with other life threatening health issues the last 3-4 years in hopes of buying a little more time on terra firma. The battle I have fought alone and privately for the most part, but it all came to a head in early July. After endless biopsies, labs, clinics and tests I went through two surgeries here in Las Vegas in mid Oct for cancers. One will be successful eventually, the life threatening one failed. So I had little choice except to drop everything on a days notice and fly to San Diego for emergency surgery on 11/2 by a team of specialists there. After a barrage of labs and clinics I went under the knife in the wee hours of 11/5 for 9 hours, where they removed a few organs, remade one from parts of another and tried to get all traces of a very invasive and fast spreading cancer that was literally ending my life very quickly. Naturally every complication from this massive surgery possible reared its ugly head, so recovery was laced with follow up surgeries, it looks like I have permanent nerve damage to my legs that will reduce my mobility even further, and I will have to return to San Diego for possible additional surgery in 2-3 weeks loosing more organs. So instead of what was suppose to be a two week trip turned into almost 6 weeks, most of it laying flat on my back staring at a ceiling 24/7 and not able to get up out of bed. I flew home last night at about 10. The good news I guess is at least for now I have a better shot at hanging around for a little longer.

The trip home really beat me up big time, so it will be some time before I can do much towards building my strength and trying to get back to some kind of daily regime. Since I can do little more than lay in bed, walk around a little with the aide of a walker and sit at the computer for short sessions, I hope to fill some of the endless hours visiting and catching up with friends on line. Wont be much at first as I tire very easily (in fact typing this has me pretty dizzy already and ready for a move back to bed).

Thank you again for your concern and well wishes. Im a fighter and I will come through this at least as far as nature will let me heal.

More as I feel up to it,

Larry

Very best wishes and prayers coming your way for comfort and strength for you, Larry, and for your son.

Nell

Larry,

It's good to read your post. Today you were the topic of a conversation I had with Susan. We were both wondering about you. Take care and keep getting stronger.

Sandy

Thanks for the WB folks.

Very slowly I am getting stronger this week, but still can not spend much time on the computer. Hurts like heck to sit in such a stiff and hard office chair designed for long sessions at the desk and not comfort. Lost all the "meat" on my butt those 6 weeks in the hospital, so not much padding. LOL

Did however sit long enough to reply to another thread this morning asking for an ID. So I guess I will be able to make posts now and then as time goes on.

All I can manage for now... quick stop bys. Will check in later.

Larry

Hi Larry - Glad to see you back on Gardenweb! I haven't been checking in much since it's winter but I have been watching for an update on you and will continue to keep you in my prayers. Sounds like you been through a lot.
It's hard to have faith and a positive attitude when things start looking grim but I want to encourage you.

I'm so happy you were able to check in, Larry. I don't know if your a religious man, but you are in my prayers anyhow.

Love and big hugs to you and your son.

Edna

You are in my prayers also. I only saw all the posts tonight. I get very busy during school, but I am out for 2 weeks.

Another update...

They had me scheduled for another trip to San Diego on 1/6, I told them during the holidays that it wasn't convenient so they now rescheduled for 1/21. Called them today and told them I have had enough and so will not be coming. I will however send them a voodoo doll if they want something to cut on. Anyway, I'm done with the major surgeries and will just take what I am due.

Starting to take my first steps without the walker. A fall would be my end with internal hemorrhaging, so I do have to keep it close as a safety. PT told me yesterday it may take months to years for me to come back. Don't have years, months maybe, so I'll see how it goes. Doing good if I get an hour or two of sleep in 24, so am very tired all of the time. Now the weather is better Im going to start going on jaunts around the neighborhood a couple times a day maybe that will wear me out enough to get some sleep.

All for now

Larry,

I just read your update and understand the desire not to have any more surgeries. You have had quite a few. I am hoping and praying for sleep and peace. Also, good weather for getting outside.

Take care, friend . . .

Sandy

All I have to say is, you better get better! I, for one, can't do without you on this forum.

Ditto to what Sandy said.

Edna

Fresh air and exercise helps me sleep, Larry, but what really works is boring books and the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. I can't do either one of those without eventually nodding off - maybe they can work for you?
Good luck - we're all thinking about you and wishing you the best here on the Butterfly Forum.
Sherry

Another update: Had a heck of a week last week because I had to go to the hospital 3 days during the week for doctor appointments, labs and tests that took most of each day. Then a 4th night I spent 6 hours in emergency during the wee hours. It's 60 miles through traffic round trip to the hospital, so getting there and back was quite a treat four times. Had a peaceful weekend though which was good because I was dead tired.

Did get my next surgery scheduled for March 16th, so will be doing all the tests and labs for it between now and then. This one is not too serious although it too is for cancer. Other than because it is surgery its really nothing to be concerned about. I'm not worried at all about it. Anyway, if nothing else the cancers are giving me a life again... babysitting them full time. LOL

L.

Larry, I'm sorry about your babysitting job! That really sucks.
I like your voodoo doll idea-wouldn't that be funny if there WAS a company that you could send a photo to and they would send back a little cloth doll in the likeness of your intended victim! With some long pins! Oh, and some hair samples and fingernail clipping for extra spells!!LOL!!like a bonus pack!!LOL!!
This is all said in jest, for laughter is good for the soul(just don't blow any stiches!)
-B
(my disclaimer)I have no prior knowedge of voodoo dolls or the use of DNA sample for voodoo spells!

It's a good thing that disease can't rob us of our sense of humor. Have you tried giving the cancer 30 days notice to move on and find another babysitter?

Sandy

I find your humor and matter-of-fact attitude about your illness to be quite amazing. Is there such a thing as an anti-voodoo doll that you stick pins in and it makes a person happier and healthier?

Are you sleeping any better? Wishing you the best and just wanted to say I very much appreciate your scientific perspective on this forum.

Doesn't do any good crying over something you have no power over and nothing can change. Accepting it and living with it the best you can is far better for you and especially for those around you. It helps that I am not at all afraid of it, and I am at peace with it. More importantly to me so is my son.

I wouldn't pass this on to my worst enemy, so I'll have to keep babysitting it myself. Besides, I did it to myself so its only right that I pay the toll.

You may have lost hope, but I haven't. There's this book I've read that tells about a large number of miraculous healings, including more than one instance of someone dead coming back to life. I'm still praying for you.
-Jmcat

Good luck, Larry! You're a lot braver than I am - I'd probably be crying and feeling sorry for myself.
I admire you so much!
Sherry

I just wanted to agree with Sherry's message. I have so much respect and admiration for you. You are amazing!

Sandy