Larry King Davis
November 7, 1954 - November 22, 2008
A testimony of faith, perseverance and unconditional love.
On May 27, 1999 Larry had an emergency tonsillectomy that changed his life forever. He was diagnosed with a throat cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Two weeks later he started his first of 44 radiation treatments. After radiation, he found a small tumor on the left side of his neck that had to be removed. On September 13, 1999 he had a modified left neck dissection to remove this small tumor. Unfortunately, the high doses of radiation that sent the throat cancer into remission caused Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). He was diagnosed with CLL in September of 2002.
In October 2002, Larry and his wife, Cathy, traveled to Houston, Texas to MD Anderson Cancer Center for a second opinion. They were greatly impressed with the doctors, facility and overall care they received. Over the next four years Larry would return yearly for checkups to MD Anderson. It wasn't until October 2006 that Larry had any symptoms that the CLL needed treatment. He started chemotherapy in Houston but returned home to finish the first regimen of chemo. In February 2007 he was told he would need a stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant).
Larry returned to Houston on May 23, 2007 for the transplant. They were excited to get this behind them so they could return home to their daughters, Shelley and Holley. On July 13, 2007 he received his brother's stem cells. The transplant was a success. As they got closer to the target date to return home, Larry developed Graft vs. Host disease which came in the form of a skin rash. He needed to stay longer in Houston to treat the GVHD. Larry ended up staying in Houston for 1 year due to complications of the stem cell transplant. Cathy was a devoted caregiver, especially while they were in Houston together. During the time they were away, Shelley and Holley were at home in Lexington doing their best to continue school, work and extra-curricular activities. At the time, Holley was in 7th grade and Shelley was a junior at USC. Shelley moved home to stay with Holley and care for their home, pay bills in their parents' absence, cook meals, coach Holley's cheerleading team, make sure Holley got to where she needed to be while being a full-time college student, chaplain in her sorority and working a part time job.
Larry returned home from Houston one year later on May 26, 2008. Around this time he ran out of medical insurance ($1 million lifetime max). He enjoyed being in the comfort of his own home again until July 7, 2008 when he was admitted to Richland Hospital in Columbia. He was treated for an infection and remained there for 75 days. He was released from Richland on September 19 (Larry and Cathy's 27th wedding anniversary) and was able to be at home for 4 weeks. He was admitted back into Richland for the last time on October 17, 2008 because of an infection. After a few weeks, the infection was under control and the CLL was still in remission. Due to low platelets, he had an unexpected intracerebral hemorrhage (stroke) and passed away at Richland on November 22, 2008.
He never lost faith, hope or a positive attitude. His courage and strength were an overwhelming inspiration to everyone he knew. He was a living testimony of James chapter 1 and counted his trials as joy. His love for the Lord and passion to use cancer as a platform for touching people with the Gospel will never be forgotten. He is greatly missed by all, but especially by the three loving and dedicated girls in his life: Cathy, Shelley and Holley.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and
sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know
that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
 |
| Holley's dance recital 2007 |
Posts
