Go Steve - Steve's Updates

Updates from Steve’s cancer-free life

November 16, 2006

(mom [carla])

Since so many of you continue with love and support concerning Steve, I felt the need to update. Steve participated in the Relay for Life both at NDSU and hometown Langdon. How exciting to see the support for the American Cancer Society.

Steve continues to doctor in Minneapolis with frequent visits there. He looks like Steve again with good color in his cheeks and a full head of hair (no-it did not grow back curly-we will leave the curls to Libby!!) His last scans shows that he is a NERD! And that is a good thing-NERD stands for no evidence of recurrent disease! Steve does experience nausea and vomiting some days, but as his digestive system continues to heal hopefully that will keep improving. His heart function at his last test was within normal readings.

Steve is taking 12 credits at NDSU this semester and is participating in some Blue Key, ATO fraternity, and GOB activities. He is tired but it takes a lot of effort to maneuver those crutches!! He does have his prosthetic leg but can’t really use it yet until he has the OK for full weight bearing. His stump causes considerable pain as it is still healing.

We are so proud of Steve and his willingness to get back to classes. He has already fought many battles and won! More exciting news is that Steve and our angel Libby set their wedding date for next summer!

We have GoSteve beanies available as well as a new shipment of GoSteve shirts. The beanies are in both Fargo and Langdon and the shirts are all in Fargo but we will have some in Langdon next week.

Words cannot express how much your caring means to all of us. We are so grateful it is NOW and look forward to even better days ahead.

January 4, 2006

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , — By steve @ 6:34 am

Steve began his last course of chemo last night. Hopefully it will really be his LAST!! It was delayed because of mucositis (mouth sores and infection). This last course went somewhat smoother than the previous ones so we are hopeful about this one. He also went to the prosthetist and began the preliminary measurements for his prosthetic leg. Exciting!!

Steve was able to be out of the hospital over Christmas even though he wasn’t feeling the best. Christmas Eve Libby & Steve were with the Gruber’s and Christmas Day our whole family was together at Kathy & Chadd’s. Several ATO brothers and other friends have visited lately and Steve really enjoyed seeing you. Thanks also for the Christmas greetings.

Libby will be starting this semester back at NDSU so things will be more complicated for appointments, etc. Our “little angel” will be missed alot when she is not in Minneapolis, but hopefully it won’t be too long until Steve can return to Fargo and travel back and forth for medical appointments.

June 12, 2005

(from Debbie Johnson-ATO Parents Club)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , — By steve @ 7:59 pm

My husband and I were in Minneapolis for the weekend, went to see Steve on Sunday morning. He was in great spirits I thought. Very upbeat. He mentioned that the doctors want him to have 3000 calories per day, so he is supposed to eat alot of pizza, burgers, etc. He also showed me the ATO Annual report that Brandon had brought down on Friday, and he was very impressed with that, and very happy that Brandon had brought it down. I put together a small care package with some high calorie and high fat treats in it, and sent it down to Steve on Monday, so hopefully he can enjoy that before he starts his next round of chemo. He seemed very happy that we had stopped, as I think he is a little on the lonesome side.

May 10, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , — By steve @ 3:42 pm

The endoscopy did not happen today. The doctor felt that Steve’s blood count was not as high as it should be for such a procedure. So we will be holding out for this procedure for a later date.

Steve was looking pretty good today, but still isn’t able to speak much

The doctors are working on administering some different types of pain medication to help the nausea issue.

Steve’s family heard about the radio appearance. Great job to D-Jo and Oyester, as it seems they were responsible for getting this done. Constantly communicating with people outside of ATO/NDSU/Family will do nothing but good things for our cause!

There is a benefit feed for Steve back in Langdon on Sunday, May 15th. If you aren’t already busy, and feel like showing up, do so!

I have just received word that a mini-triathlon that I participate in every year in Spicer (Tim’s sister puts it on) will now be donating this year’s proceeds to Steve!!! This mini-tri occurs in August, so make sure that you are available to come have a great time, and support Steve(tell your friends!). More info to come with details in the next few weeks.

Remember: No task is too small to help out Steve. Nor is any project too large! If it will benefit him, we will find a way to do it, just ask for a little help or guidance from your fellow neighbors! Go Steve!

May 4, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , — By steve @ 3:28 pm

Due to the constant vomiting and generally not feeling well, there have been some changes to Steve’s meds, and today he only threw up once in the morning today, so that is good news!

Overall, Steve IS continuing to feel better, and his throat is getting somewhat better. Guest are completely ok at this time. (However, if you are sick or feel something coming on, make sure to stop at the nurses station and get a “Michael Jackson” mask to prevent any germ spreading. Steve’s defenses to colds and whatnot is going down as the medicine kills cells in his body.)

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Steve’s first batch of Blockbuster video rentals that are being delivered to the hospital

Steve got a big tin of popcorn from his hometown optometrist, sweet!

ATO nationals also sent a card to Steve which was a nice gesture. However, it’s kind of funny because the writing on the envelope looks like it was written by a 6 year old I think Steve was a bit surprised and thought that it might be something a bit more formal.

Libby is working on her homework from the room, so that is great that she is able to finish out the year and still be with Steve.

I understand that Steve isn’t always able to return phone calls right away, but keep the good thoughts coming, we really need to help him keep a positive attitude!

2 weeks down, ~ 32 to go

May 2, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , — By steve @ 3:25 pm

Steve looks tremendously better, and his electrolytes are looking good which means he can eat pretty much whatever he wants again! However, his throat is so sore from all the throwing up that he isn’t able to eat a whole lot. I brought him a laminated printout of the ATO Creed to hang on the closet door next to him so that he has some words of inspiration near him at all times. He is also actively browsing his new Blockbuster movie club collection (Good job men of ATO!!) and is able to visit MUCH MORE than in the past few days. Also, Libby was able to get the job she recently applied for in the Twin Cities, so she was planning on how to get to her job from the hospital. Steve’s parents have went home for a few days, so any visitors in the next few days would be much appreciated! Steve should continue to do pretty well for the next week or two because he is not scheduled to have more “bad” chemo for a couple weeks.