Larry Kinsey may be one of the strongest men in Lake City.
After three bouts with cancer, Kinsey, has a stronger appreciation of life and inspires others with his experiences.
He was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1992 and colon cancer at the end of 2001.
Most recently, he had a type of skin cancer in 2003.
“I have been a miracle old man,” he said.
In light of March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Kinsey’s story has the power to move many to take their health care more seriously.
“We were living in Virginia, and Sept. 11 had just caused many to lose their jobs, loved ones and even lives,” Kinsey recalled. “I decided to have a check up before we left to move to Lake City.”
Kinsey had no symptoms of any cancers but wanted to have a regular physical done before he relocated.
“The doctor told me, “I am sorry, but you have colon cancer,” Kinsey said.
His first thought was questioning where he was going to get treatment for the cancer, as his belongings were already on their way to Lake City.
Kinsey ended up having a surgery to remove the cancer, and believes early detection is crucial to surviving cancer.
He noted that men’s reluctance to go to the doctor, can cost them their lives.
“Most men would rather kiss a cobra, then go to the doctor regarding their colon,” he said.
As a former pilot, Kinsey was used to getting regular physical examinations.
Kinsey points to smoking a main factor in developing cancer.
“Smoking doesn’t just cause lung cancer, it has also been linked to kidney cancer and other health problems,” he said.
Eating enough vegetables and getting a proper amount of fiber lessens one’s risk for cancer, Kinsey said.
He said that many people feel that their world is over when they are diagnosed with cancer.
“It is especially frightening to loved ones, sometimes even more so than to the patient,” he said.
“But you have to realize, that no one gets out of life alive; you are going to die anyway, but not you treasure it more.”
Kinsey says it a way, it is freeing because you are reminded of your mortality.
“You suddenly want to live each day to the fullest and make each moment count, he said.
Kinsey credits taking an active part in his treatment as a reason for his survival.
This includes getting second opinions, reading all materials related to the illness and asking questions.
Kinsey said that when two doctors he was seeing had conflicting opinions of whether or not he needed radiation, he went to another physician who convinced him that he didn’t.
“There are so many different types of oncologist and you have to do your homework to find out what is best for you,” Kinsey said. “Most people never read their biopsy reports because they come through the mail with bills and other items, but they are critical to your health.”
Essential to surviving cancer is support from loved ones.
Larry Kinsey’s wife Theresa knows all about this.
“The best things to be educated about your loved one’s condition, and ask a million questions,” she said. “You have many choices and just one life so you have to take responsibility for your health.”
She urges loved ones of cancer patients to help them find the best treatment possible.
“Miracles happen everyday,” she said. “Believe me; I know.”
Lake City resident Patricia Brady was luckier than Kinsey in that she never developed colon cancer.
She caught it before it started.
“I had surgery in December 2003 and prevented cancer,” she said.
When she started having symptoms, she decided to get checked out.
The doctors told her she needed to have a colonoscopy.
She had one and found out she needed surgery.
“Later I found out that this was hereditary and my father actually had colon polyps.” Brady said.
“After my surgery I told my sister to get checked out and they confirmed they had they same thing.”
Brady considers herself blessed to have caught her condition when she did.
“I have told all my friends and neighbors to get checked out, even if they are not over 50,” she said.
Brady describes the colonoscopy as a very painless, simple procedure.
“There is no reason not to go,” she said.
–Ashley Cisneros
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Ashley Cisneros is a co-founder of Chatter Buzz Media, an Orlando Internet marketing firm that helps companies and organizations engage with their target markets through inbound marketing via the Internet. Chatter Buzz Media, which won the Social Madness competition for the Orlando small business market, is a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and content creation. Prior to founding Chatter Buzz, Ashley worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, technical writer, marketing manager, public relations practitioner and freelance journalist. To see Ashley’s content writing, visit www.ashleycisneros.com. You can also reach Ashley on her Google profile.
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