Larry's Leukoplakia Nemesis

Inviting you to follow my journey with cancer

I stumbled into the urgent care lobby holding a bucket half-filled with blood. My pale, blood-stained face and the commanding words of my wife brought a rushed march past the reception desk to a treatment room. Perhaps a bit startled at my sudden appearance at this midnight hour, a doctor and a small staff of nurses started working on my life-threatening medical emergency.

The story grows only wilder. I’d like to share it with you.

Leukoplakia is my nemesis, a growth of painful cells that can lead to cancer, that appeared on my innocent tongue in the Fall of 2022. The bloody bucket formed another twist in a long, winding path that isn’t over yet. In a few days I’ll have a second surgery to remove another part of my tongue. More on that later..

I'm writing "Larry's Leuko Logbook" to share with you more about my journey dealing with potential oral cancer over the past three years. The story involves family, friends, medical professionals, treatments, mood swings, mortality, and yes, God. I’ve had no lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer so this monster showed up as a big surprise.

My experience has been part confusing, part frustrating, part frightening, and part amazing--and maybe all those at once.

By the way, some good ER care stopped that bleeding episode, though not before a messy session required janitorial work, reviving me from passing out, and spending the night in the hospital.

Through this Logbook I hope to share a story that will promote your well-being, get some crazy thoughts off my chest, and entertain a bit. (Don’t worry there won’t be a fund-raiser!) The journey isn't over, and I'd like you to share it with me.

I plan to post regular “Logbook” updates here. The Logbook will be an added feature to the material dedicated to your well-being that I post each week. Please subscribe so you can join me in whatever the future holds.

If you know someone you think might would benefit from my journey, I’d appreciate a Restack to let my experience connect with support and encouragement.

Thanks for reading this Stack! Share your comments and ideas. Let’s message about Recommendations, too. Find more resources with progressive theology, positive psychology, healthy relationships, and just communities on my website, https://tracksforthejourney.com