UPDATE 3/17/2023:

Surgery was successful in regards to removing the mass, however, the doctors found cancer throughout his body and 16 lymph nodes had to be removed.

The Doctors ran genetics on the tumor cells stating it is an ultra-aggressive form of cancer

Staging him at a 4A. (Stage 4A is when cancer has spread to nearby organs such as the bladder or back passage (rectum)).

At the end of this month, Larry will begin biological therapy (Optivo) until they find out where the cancer cells land in his body.

The goal is to get his immune system to attack the cancer and prevent it from colonizing further. Once completed more chemotherapy and repeat PET scans will be in June.

Larry is having a very challenging time. Currently, he is unable to work, not eating well and is in constant pain. Larry's wife Leila is taking on more responsibilities at home and financially. As many of you know, her support system is scattered across the US so any help is more than appreciated since she is raising 3 kids and trying to be a strong support system for Larry.

I ask if you cannot donate please send a prayer their way.

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Hello, our names are Mariah, Christina, Dana and Kelley, we are close friends of the Jakob family. On Friday, October 14, 2022, the Jakob family received some of the worst news any family could imagine. Larry (dad), Leilla (mom), LJ, Linden and Liberty were informed that Larry had been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. The stage of his cancer is unknown until his PET scan can be performed. Since June, Larry has had difficulty swallowing, a large lump was visible in his throat, and he has lost over 30 lbs. The next step for Larry will be undergoing radiation treatments daily, with chemo treatments once a week. In 6 weeks, he will be having surgery in an attempt to remove the mass.

On October 17th LJ was taken to urgent care for a persistent ear infection, which resulted in a trip to the ER, where the family was told LJ's blood sugar levels were elevated in the 800 range. He has since been diagnosed with Diabetes and hospitalized for four days with no discharge date shortly.

These unfortunate events have caused a lot of stress on their family. Leila is currently with LJ in the hospital, trying to recover from his new diagnosis and leaving Larry home with the other two children. Larry is also still trying to work while receiving his treatments.

Our goal is to try and raise money for this family so that they can focus on the health of Larry and LJ. If you can donate even the smallest amount so that the financial burden can bring them relief, I know the family would be forever grateful. This is the sweetest, most caring family I know; they don't deserve any of what is happening to them. I will also be creating a meal train. If you do not wish/cannot donate monetarily, I hope you will consider helping with preparing meals for them instead. This family needs and deserves all the help we can give them during this time. If you are the praying kind, please keep this sweet family in your thoughts and prayers for the foreseeable future.

Link for meal train: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/w9v8dw