Request for prayer

Cherokee Nation citizen Larry Ketcher was hospitalized with heart irregularities on Sunday morning at Hastings Hospital. He was transferred to St. Francis. His family is with him. He should have heart bypass surgery on this Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery. He will be out of the office for his recovery. His family also complimented Hasting Hospital Emergency Staff for their professionalism and caring.
Please pray for Larry, his doctor; Dr. Cooper and for his beautiful bride, Jody.

We stand in agreement that God will intervene with healing to the tissue in Larry's heart, that Dr. Cooper will have excellent success in the surgery and that God will bring a peace and continued strength beyond understanding to Jody, the family and friends that love Larry deeply.

UPDATE: Please note that Larry is in St. Francis Hospital at the 61st and Yale location.

UPDATE 08/19: Larry has been moved out of ICU and into room 3228.

UPDATE 08/20: Larry is scheduled for surgery Thursday morning. He did experience an Angina episode last night but his vital signs have returned to normal limits and he is resting in his room. He and Jody read all of the notes that were posted on here through last night. Larry's smile brightened the room as he read and was touched by the prayers and concern of his friends and family. We will continue to take these to Larry each evening. He said to tell everyone thank you.

UPDATE 08/21: Larry had a restful night and is scheduled for surgery this afternoon. He hasn't been able to eat since midnight, so he can be ready to go at anytime if they can move him up in the schedule but he is on the docket for 5 PM. Jody sounded very good this morning and she too said that she rested better last night. Please continue your prayers for strength and peace as they prepare for the surgery. We will update later tonight as we learn the results of Larry's surgery. Wado!

UPDATE 08/22: Larry went into surgery around 7:20 PM. The surgery lasted approximately 3 hours where the doctors performed a successful quadruple bypass. There were no complications and Larry was in recovery when we left at 1 AM. He is in ICU where he will be for a couple of days, then he will be assigned a room in the Cardiac Care Unit where he can receive phone calls and visitors. He is resting well and in good spirits. Your prayers are precious to Larry and Jody and we ask that you continue to hold Larry up before the Lord as he moves through this critical stage of recovery. Larry and Jody have been enjoying reading your comments, please continue to post your thoughts. We will update today again at 2 PM.

UPDATE 08/22 2 PM: The doctors have removed the respirator and Larry was reported seen sitting in a chair in the ICU eating JELLO!!! His color is good, his spirits are great and the doctors are very happy with Larry's condition today. He will continue to be monitored in the ICU until further notice. Jody want ya'll to know your prayers and encouragement to her has been her strength, and her gratitude is unending.

UPDATE: 8-24/25: "Dr. Cooper, the heart surgeon is amazing and wonderful!" Larry and Jody have both been very pleased with the good doctor, the nurses and staff. The Physical Therapist however, is wearing Larry out!

Larry was up twice yesterday with short walks.

He is up now on a walk down the hall. Larry is in full recovery mode (pain from the surgery but overall doing great) and his vitals are all good.

Larry is in room # 1521, he can receive visitors and phone calls for short visits. Jody sounds very good, she finally got some rest. Larry is expected to go home in a couple of days if his healing continues.

Mailing address
Larry and Jody Ketcher
PO Box 94
Tahlequah, OK 74465

UPDATE 08/27: Larry has been released from St. Francis and is at home to begin his recovery. He has enjoyed reading your comments and appreciates the prayers and concerns of everyone. We will leave the blog up until tomorrow so you can post your final thoughts on the blog, we will then print off the entire collection of notes to Larry and Jody and send them a keepsake copy. Jody asked that we relay to everyone her appreciation and gratitude to all of you. Please remember to stay in contact with Larry and Jody as they go through the next weeks of recovery. God bless.