All About Pocket Knives

I considered not posting this; however, I respect the prayers of like minded people who care to lift others up in prayer and caring. I ask this not for myself, but for my wife and loved ones, for strength and Almighty God’s peace for them regarding this request.

As of Tuesday, 09 June, I received a call from my pulmonary doctor that I have small cell carcinoma in my lower right lung and diagnosed as malignant. He was very concerned and referred me to an oncologist. SCC can be very aggressive and the main concern right now is to determine whether this has metastasized to any other parts of my body and/or left lung. Right now, this is considered Stage 2A, but could change. I seek no drama or pity, only prayers that God will direct my journey, give me wisdom, as I know He will, and continue to provide the peace He has already given.

This episode is a life changing event. Many aspects of my life I thought were viable and meaningful are now a moot point. I took a lot things for granted, but now clarity of life overwhelms my thoughts and perspectives. Strange how that happens on the human level when you’re not expecting it. Nevertheless, I’ll go skydiving and ride a bull called Fu-Man-Chu. Along with many other emotions of those song lyrics.

Seriously though, I am at peace with this and I do not fear the ultimate outcome. I do not fret or worry about what the next days, weeks or months hold for me, for I know God is in control. Whether He chooses to heal me or not through His Devine Will or through the doctors, that is His call. No matter which way it goes, I ‘will’ be healed.

I see an oncologist tomorrow, June 12 to discuss what appropriate direction I need to move forward regarding this episode.

As always, I truly appreciate any and all prayers being lifted up for my wife and loved ones. It’s going to be more of a challenge for them.

I’ll provide updates as this moves along.

Respectfully,

Ken

We are always here Ken both with prayers and positive thinking. Your journey is our journey and the prayers have already started for you and Patty.

Prayers for you and the family. And yes, the diagnosis is a life changing event. To many it may sound cliche, but you have cancer it does not have you.

Keep us posted so we know how to pray, but in the meantime, I'll just pray for healing._____Dave

Thoughts and prayers for you and your loved ones.

Praying for you and your family brother

Ken, I would like to say I know what you're going through because I too have a lung disease, but each man's journey is different. For me I talked it out with family and friends, I made my decisions and I'm at peace with what is to come and I think my family is too. My prayers go out for you my friend and that your family will be strengthened by the love and grace of our Lord and Savior. Prayers go out also for the medical staff that will be taking care of you, may God guide their actions and care for you. Ken no matter what kind of day you may be having you can call out to us and we will be here for you. May a merciful God with healing hands reach out to you and our prayer is that you will be healed.
God Bless

Praying you and the family Ken, hoping for a complete healing.God bless you sir.

Ken, I remember less than a year ago you were a great encouragement to us and your words about "Not being afraid to cross the finish line" came to mind when I read your post concerning your diagnosis. I realize by your post those words are words by which you also live.
I will pray with you for for your healing and the comfort and peace that the Lord gives us in dark times will surround your family also.
Thank you for sharing with the Upper Room followers.
Treefarmer

Greetings to all,

First and foremost, I thank you all for your thoughts, comments from the heart and your dedicated prayers on myself and my wife's behalf. I truly appreciate them and am humbled.

I don't have much of an update, for it is still very early in my journey. I met with an oncologist yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed his demeanor, honesty and forthrightness regarding my situation. It was a positive first meet and greet. Next week, 17 June, I meet with my radiologist oncologist, who also works in tandem with my oncologist. Each has their specific expertise in cancer treatment and protocols.

It's been agreed that I need to have an MRI of my head / brain to ensure this monster has not spread to my think box. I'll also have a PET scan to determine a spreading or not to other areas of my body. The MRI is scheduled for 7 July, the PET is still to be determined. Seems there is a "hurry up and wait" organization to all this, so it all reminds me of military life. I can fully understand this concept to some extent, for there must have been over three hundred other patients waiting their turn to be seen...and that was just the floor I was on. I'm not complaining, oh contraire, for I'm the new kid on the block and it was obvious many, many of them appeared to be worse off than me. Just my observations for my first visit. The Sentara Brock Cancer Center in Norfolk, Va. is the largest in the area.

My wife and I will move forward with the formalities of it all and continue to keep the faith for whatever path this journey takes us on. As far as chemo and radiation treatment is concerned, my thoughts on this is still undetermined. I fully understand THIS is one of the major protocols for oncologist's programs. When the time comes to make that decision, it will be based on whether this cancer is isolated in one area or not. If it is not, then I'll need to decide whether chemo/radiation is going to cause destruction to my quality of life. These are just rational thoughts that have been running through my head. Time, test's and doctor's interpretations will be a factor in all this.

So, just to be clear, I do NOT have a defeatist mindset and I will fight this as best I can with God's guidance, the doctor's expertise and knowledge. That's where I'm at, at this moment in time. Aspects of this can change for the good or bad at anytime, and I try not to be overly naive toward any phase of this.

Again, Thank You for your thoughts and prayers, even if you did not notate it here...you and the Lord know who you are, and I'm good with that. I am Blessed...

Ken

Ken, I believe most if not all people on this forum has been helped by your knowledge so the least I can do is pray for you. I will be praying for yourself, your family, your doctors and all your caregivers. I do believe there’s power in the number of people praying. Part of what your original post says is very true about things we think are important one day, are not priority the next day when news like this comes. I have said for years that the number one thing people take for granted is their health, until it’s not good.

Thank You, Carman, for your thoughts and prayers. My wife and I deeply appreciate your caring.

So sorry to read about this Ken, and my prayers will be with you on your journey, whatever it may bring.

Ken , Wife and I are praying for you and your family and the medical staff. You are a inspiration and please keep us updated if you’re up to it

Praying for you Ken.

Sorry to read this, prayers going out. My mother-in-law has just started going through something similar about two weeks ago and has a PET scan scheduled for Tuesday. She smoked, then vaped, and will be 83 on July 13th.

Glenn, JP, /Tom & John

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They mean a lot to me.

I have a PET scan tomorrow. This should provide a much better foundation on whether my enemy has remained stable and localized to my lower right lung or if it has metastasized to other areas.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2026 2:01 pm Sorry to read this, prayers going out. My mother-in-law has just started going through something similar about two weeks ago and has a PET scan scheduled for Tuesday. She smoked, then vaped, and will be 83 on July 13th.

John,

Sorry to read this about your Mother-in-Law. Hopefully, her scan will show minimal results and will be able to be treated with minimal invasiveness. I am not looking forward to 12 weeks of radiation / chemo. I'll have some decisions to make.

I have always asked my creator not for the trials to stop, but for the strength to make it through them. I've not been let down once. I pray this same thing for you my friend.

KLJ77 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2026 12:31 pm

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2026 2:01 pm Sorry to read this, prayers going out. My mother-in-law has just started going through something similar about two weeks ago and has a PET scan scheduled for Tuesday. She smoked, then vaped, and will be 83 on July 13th.

John,

Sorry to read this about your Mother-in-Law. Hopefully, her scan will show minimal results and will be able to be treated with minimal invasiveness. I am not looking forward to 12 weeks of radiation / chemo. I'll have some decisions to make.

Thanks, greatly appreciated, and you will be in my prayers too.

Ken, I just caught up on this and I am grieved to read this. From facing death due to covid in 2021, I know the thoughts that race through your mind. I will pray for you and your family. It’s tough making these decisions and the medical help is constantly changing with new treatments. I pray that they will be able to use one of those for you.
Keeping you in my prayers.

Zach,

Thank you for your words of wisdom, thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them. Those Canoes look familiar too. Glad you're enjoying that pair.

Mark,

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I appreciate them very much.

KLJ77 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2026 9:05 pm
So, just to be clear, I do NOT have a defeatist mindset and I will fight this as best I can with God's guidance, the doctor's expertise and knowledge. That's where I'm at, at this moment in time. I am Blessed...
Ken

You definitely have the right attitude. It can be hard, but if you are able to inject even a little humor into the situation it helps. Hang in there!

ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2026 1:07 pm I have always asked my creator not for the trials to stop, but for the strength to make it through them. I've not been let down once. I pray this same thing for you my friend.

Wise words!

I'm sorry to read about this Ken. I appreciate your faith filled and humble attitude. God bless you, keep you and strengthen your favor. May he also give your family peace and strength. Amen.

This hits close to home as my brother went on hospice last week.

Thank you Bill and Dale. Your kind words are appreciated.