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After having radiation treatments for three types of cancer in six years, you could call Larry Walther a true fan of the MercyOne Genesis Davenport Cancer Center.
“I’ve had cancer in three different organs, three different types of cancer, and all were treated by radiation oncology at the West Campus at MercyOne Genesis,” said Larry, 83, of DeWitt, Iowa.
“Frankly, I think those people walk on water.”
Larry’s friendship and familiarity with the MercyOne Genesis radiation therapy staff began six years ago after undergoing 20+ radiation treatments for prostate cancer. “I had a successful outcome, and my PSAs have been normal ever since.”
PET scan uncovers two more cancers
Several years later and before his family physician of 25 years retired, his doctor had the foresight to order a PET scan for Larry to ensure he was still cancer-free. He wasn’t.
In summer 2024, that PET scan revealed not one -- but two – different types of cancer. A small spot on Larry’s lung was lung cancer. Caught in an early stage, he didn’t have surgery but had five sessions of radiation for lung cancer in a treatment plan led by oncologist Anoop Aggarwal, MD and radiation oncologist Kiwhoon Lee, MD.
The same PET scan, which uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease, also showed a “blemish” on Larry’s throat. He also had early-stage esophageal cancer. This cancer would require Larry to have both chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Before his treatment for esophageal cancer, Larry also coped with a very large hernia that would send him to the Emergency Department several times for bowel obstructions. “My hernia was so large that the inside of my stomach was lying on my knee whenever I sat down,” Larry said. “I was told by another hospital that my hernia was too large to remove surgically.”
Within the MercyOne Genesis system of care, surgeon Matthew Christophersen, MD, decided the large hernia was causing dangerous complications and needed to be surgically removed. Six days later, Larry had successful hernia surgery. Later health complications landed him in the MercyOne Genesis Intensive Care Unit for 20 days, with treatment for his esophageal cancer still ahead of him.
Toughest road ahead
Beginning in 2025, Larry began treatment for esophageal cancer – a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. His wife, Kris of 51 years, would drive him to chemotherapy from their home in DeWitt, Iowa. They were grateful to have cancer treatment close to home in Davenport.
“By far, my treatment for esophageal cancer was the most difficult treatment because the radiation was accompanied by chemotherapy, which really knocks your defenses down,” Larry said.
About 15 days after the conclusion of 28 radiation treatments and six chemotherapy treatments, Larry finally can eat solid foods. “It made my throat completely raw, but it had to, in order to kill the cancer.”
Honor, respect and empathy
During his treatments, Larry has had much gratitude. Since 2008, he has devoted his free time on his motorcycle as a member of Patriot Guard Riders, who ride and stand with respect outside funerals to honor military veterans. He served in the military himself in the ‘60s, and his two sons served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well, so a new life of honoring our nation’s heroes was natural to Larry.
While he has been too ill to participate as much in Patriot Guard Riders, dignity and respect remain important to Larry. He has experienced both during his cancer treatment.
“The only PET scan in my life was performed last year, and there’s no doubt in my mind that it extended my life,” he said. “I’ve always believed God was my copilot. This time, He took the controls away from me, and I was His copilot.”
With three bouts of cancer and radiation treatments with every one of them, Larry feels special kinship with the radiation oncology staff. “On every occasion, they treated me better than most people would expect. We shared everything except hugs and kisses, and they made me as comfortable as they possibly could.”
Larry concluded, “I’ve been in multiple hospitals, and I’ve never been treated as well or felt as comfortable with the people and the treatment as I do at MercyOne Genesis.”
