My name is Larry Hogestyn, and I am 52 years old. I was a xerographic engineer (copiers & printers)--managing 7 engineers, and 2 technicians, an avid white-tailed deer hunter, fisherman, metalworker, and woodworker. I have a wife, Pam, and three boys: Daniel (25), David (24), and Jonathan (22).
1979, While driving in my Chevy truck, I was saved from my sins, and from spending eternity in hell. Repenting from my sins, I asked Jesus Christ into my heart, and to save me--even though I didn’t deserve it. My life was changed! Thanks mom for telling me, and Billy for telling her.

1981 , I was called by God to preach His Word, and was licensed by the State of New York. From there, I preached, and played my guitar in a local nursing home every week, having the gift of evangelism.

1991, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma--a slow growing type of cancer--that ran throughout my body, whereby, I required multiple chemotherapy treatments and a monoclonal antibody treatment, which all started in 1997. The cytoxin, which is a chemotherapy drug, left my mouth with a taste of metal for weeks. I ate bags of hard candy--with no result. Unfortunately, the cancer came back.

1993 , I suffered from a broken back in two places--two lower vertebra. I had an ATV accident on a steep snowy hill. The ATV was loaded down with several hundreds of pounds of hunting equipment. At the local hospital they wanted to operate on me. I said "no"; "please transport me to my hospital at Rochester, New York"--I was a hundred miles from my home! They transported me, and there was no operation. Today I’m fine with no back pain whatsoever.

1999 & 2000 , I had two stem cell transplants. The first were cells from my own body--failure! For the second transplant I received cells from my sister--a perfect match. For this transplant, I had high dose of cytoxin., followed by a 70% lethal dosage of full body irradiation. I got a side effect from this treatment called Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD) in my mouth, liver, and eyes. To battle the GvHD, I had forty-seven photopheresis treatments, where a darning sized needle with a long tube attached, was stuck into my left arm. All of my blood went through a centrifuge where the white cells were collected. Then they were injected with a substance that was sensitive to ultraviolet (u.v.) light. The cells were then put under a u.v. light for a while, then pumped back into me. This whole process took four to six hours. I had to do this twice weekly. My doctor didn’t believe this treatment was working, so it was discontinued. Luckily, the GvHD now is being controlled by anti-rejection drugs.

Unfortunately, I still have a severe dry eye problem, which forced me go on disability. My eyes have become very sensitive to cleaning solvents, perfumes, colognes, fabric softeners, clothes detergents, shaving creams, deodorants, scented candles, new vehicle smells, etc. They hurt so bad I wanted to die. I tried various drugs, drops, corn oil, ski goggles, eye washes, and warm compresses. Nothing worked! Then I developed a corneal ulcer from cataract surgery. The cataracts were induced by the anti-rejection drugs I have to take because of my second transplant. I had to keep my eyes shut for a month. My eye Dr. put a nonprescription contact lens in my ulcerated eye--to act like a Band-Aide. It felt so good; I asked him to put one in my other eye. Voila, it worked! The contacts acted like shields. They protected my eyes from the harsh chemicals. But unfortunatly, the contacts only worked for 3 years. My right eye became so dry, and the pain was very excruciating. I needed eye drops very frequently to ease my pain. One day I googled "severe dry eye", and found out that Omega-3 Fish Oil (PFO--Health from the Sea--Purified fish oil 8 oz bottle) is used for treating dry eye. So with nothing to lose, I tried some (8600mg in liquid form). In 2 days, it helped my eye some, but a room humidifier worked the best!

2002, I suffered a massive brain stem stroke. Where only 10% have this kind of stroke, and out of these 10%; 5% die! I never knew what hit me. One moment I was walking to my bedroom to retire,, and the next moment I was laying on the floor gasping for air. My middle son cried "breathe dad". My oldest son called 911. My wife Pam was out of town during this incident. Unfortunately, I have a condition known as a "locked-in syndrome"--which is when you just lay there, but there is no loss in the thinking.

The pulmonary specialist at the hospital said he did not know how to fix my condition. He asked me if I wanted to be euthanized with a high dosage of morphine. He said that I will feel no pain, and it would be like falling asleep. Kevorkian ! With only one eye moving; I gestured no by blinking it! For in my Will, it said that I didn't want to live on life support. Not knowing why, I changed my protocol, right on the spot!
Now I have no back pain, and have been cancer free for over seven years now! I have been weaned off of the ventilator--which did the breathing for me when I first had my stroke. I went to rehabilitation twice weekly for 8 months.. Unfortunately, with my rehabilitation, I reached a plateau, and I had to stop.

Now I sit in my recliner chair writing with special computer equipment. I henpeck each letter on a virtual keyboard that is displayed by my monitor. I move the cursor by moving my head through infrared technology, using a special dot that is adhered to my glasses. I can watch movies, use the internet, communicate with my friends via email, listen to music, and write using my computer.

2004 , I had tracheal reconstruction surgery, where I began bleeding profusely in the recovery room. I was about to go into surgery again, but a nurse stopped the bleeding by applying pressure.

2005 , I had severe acid reflux, where Prevacid wouldn’t even touch it! It was so bad, that my tube feeds would come right out of my mouth! So I opted for gerd surgery. Since having a feeling tube, they couldn’t do laparoscopic surgery. So they had to make a 5" incision in my belly. No more acid reflux!
Gory story: I can’t cough on command, but I have a strong cough--never had pneumonia. Back to gory story. The doctor put a bar with skin hooks on it to help my incision stay closed. It hurt so bad, I needed pain killers. It even tore my skin--ouch! The doctor removed it--no more pain. One morning, I coughed real hard, and popped open my wound, and spewed out my intestines--what an experience! You should have heard the pop when my stomach ripped open!

2005 , I developed bad strictures in my esophagus (throat spasms, and lots of phlegm). I need to have my esophagus dilated every 3-4 months (in hospital under general anesthesia) (can’t swallow my saliva when I lay down--goes in chest. Also, when the phlegm gets real bad—it’s like drowning in your own syliva.
2007, During one esophagus dilation, I almost died! When my anesthesia tube was pulled, somehow I was cut, and my lungs started to fill with blood (pulmonary edema). I was rushed to ICU. Here I was sedated for 1 week while the blood was suctioned out of my lungs. Also I had to be put on a ventilator, and trached again. The whole hospital stay was one month--for a simple procedure!
I was hospitalized for internal bleeding for 3 days. Fortunately, it stopped on its own. I was supposed to be scoped, but my blood work was normal, so I became a low priority. Never found the source of the bleed.

2008, Again, I was hospitalized for internal bleeding for a week. But this time it was found (an ulcer). I had the equivalent of 4 units of blood in my stomach. The doctor said "that is not good"as he pumped.
Also, when I was turned, my lung collapsed.

2009, I had another stroke (right side)
 

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