Larry's Healing Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France 2023

As many of you know, my husband, Larry, has faced many health challenges but has done so with bravery, resilience, and trust in the Lord. Though there have been so many valleys, Larry's faith in God's good plan for his life has remained. He praises God amid heavy, painful circumstances. He loves so deeply and desires to give even when he's suffering. He is the most incredible husband and father. I am blessed to be his wife.

In 2019, a friend nominated Larry to the Order of Malta to be considered to attend their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, France to bathe in the healing waters at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. The sanctuary is a destination for sick and disabled pilgrims, as the Lourdes water, which has flowed from the grotto since the Marian apparitions, has given miraculous healings.

Larry has been eagerly waiting and praying to be selected by the Order to go on the pilgrimage, and he was just informed that he was chosen and will be going to visit the Shrine May 2-9, 2023! Praise the Lord for this incredible opportunity, what a gift!

The Order of Malta will be covering all of Larry's expenses, and they reserve a caregiver spot for each pilgrim. The cost of travel, along with the extended period away from work, is substantial. To attend with Larry, I am humbly asking for your help to ease the financial burden.

For years I have prayed for miraculous healing, and God has answered these prayers. Larry's life IS a miracle. God's not done, and I am so hopeful for the continued healing to come. There have been 70 medically validated miracles (meaning, no other explanation as to why someone was cured) attributed to the healing waters at Lourdes, but there are thousands more stories/testimonies of people claiming to have been miraculously healed as well. With God, all things are possible; Larry could be the 71st.

To Jesus, through Mary. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for Larry.

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For those who may not be as familiar with his story, I will share it below.

In 2011, just days after his 22nd birthday, Larry was diagnosed with cancer. Two years later, he developed gastroparesis due to a side effect of a chemotherapeutic drug he had while undergoing cancer treatment. Over the years, he had many medications, surgeries, and a gastric pacemaker aimed to relieve symptoms, but ultimately, these measures were not successful. In 2016, Larry had 90% of his stomach removed, and later that year, a feeding tube was placed to supplement oral nutrition. In 2017, a central port was placed for TPN, as tube feeds were not enough to meet his nutritional needs. By 2019, he was not tolerating tube feeds and he had suffered dozens of life-threatening sepsis infections due to the TPN. He was diagnosed with intestinal failure and referred to the Cleveland Clinic's Gut Rehabilitation and Transplant team. In November 2019, Larry underwent reconstructive GI surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in which his entire colon and gallbladder were removed, an ileostomy was placed, his remnant stomach was removed, and a new feeding tube was placed. Three and a half years later, he is learning and adapting to a new normal, and is grateful to be alive.

Since mid 2022, for reasons that are still unclear, Larry's bone marrow is not functioning properly, which has led to him having a compromised immune system. Because of this, he is on weekly IgG infusions and daily medications to prevent him from acquiring serious infections. These treatments have been really hard on his body, but hopefully, with time he will adjust. His doctors say there is a chance his bone marrow disorder could develop into myelodysplastic syndrome, but thankfully, he is being monitored closely and if that does happen, it will be caught early.

Choosing to live in the present moment and surrendering Larry's health to the care of the Lord has been a struggle for me. I’ve felt helpless watching Larry suffer for all these years, but it’s been especially difficult lately. In my heart, I know no one cares for him more than the Lord, and He works all things together for good.

I know God's got this, He always has and will continue to take care of everything.

Thank you for all your prayers. We are strengthened by them and are so grateful for you.

Love & Peace in Christ,

Casey