This is part 2 of 2 of the C-leg promotional video, from Otto Bock.
Go Steve - Steve's Updates
Updates from Steve’s cancer-free life
September 9, 2009
September 8, 2009
Video Post: Otto Bock 1 of 2
This is part 1 of 2 of an informational Otto Bock video. See how versatile the C-leg is!
January 24, 2009
oh thriving economy, where art thou?
It’s been a long time! I hope everyone had a fun Christmas and enjoyed the time with family and friends.
lib and persy, fargo nd, 2008
As with a lot of families, our life has been a bit turbulent as of late. The company that lib worked for, psa mags, laid off 24 people over the course of a month. After almost 3 years of loyal service, she was a casualty. On to bigger and better things! (The link to the in-forum article will only be active for a few days. They only allow people to view articles for up to seven days.)
I have an interesting update on my leg, and it’s quite comical! Due to the intricacies of the C-leg, it has a warranty. One stipulation of that warranty requires me to send it in for maintenance once a year- an oil change, if you will! Among other things, they replace bearings, swap out the fluid and test the computer chip. The loaner leg I was given (yes, loaner leg-kind of like the dumpy Ford Taurus you get when your car is in the shop!) has massive wear-and-tear, and functions slightly different than mine. It took a few days to get used to the swing and resistance of the new leg, even though all the options were set identical to mine.
I’m going to start speaking publicly more often, and I’m going to come to Langdon the first half of this year to tell my story to all that supported me during the tough times. I will advertise as much as possible and it will be open to the public. More info to come as I know more. I’ve booked one more speaking engagement and have started discussions for others. I’m working with lib and Jay Peltier to make this happen–he is a great guy and amazing to work with. I met Jay at NDSU through Blue Key and have stayed great friends since!
Look for a complete overhaul concerning the design and layout of gosteve, as we are going to bring in more functions, different features such as posting comments, more pictures and an overall professional feel. Lib will work her magic and produce a great site. I’m excited!
onward!
SDS
June 27, 2008
life is moving along
Week three down at the new job and I know that things happen for a reason. I love the people I work with and the work that I’ll be doing. It was worth waiting for!
They are sending me to Seattle for a week in July to attend a Microsoft conference to learn about my new specialization…amazing!
In my spare time we (we = my band: a message of bullets) have starting tracking the rough recordings that will eventually be ‘works of art’. If you hear them at any point please remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder…or in the ear of the beholder in this matter.
in the makeshift studio, 26 june 2008
another from 26 june
I feel great and Lib and I get our matches of bocce ball in at least 2-3 times a week. This leg is one of the most amazing things in my life. I think of what I am able to do everyday, and what I would be doing if the c-leg didn’t exist. I can carry a 38 lb tub of cat litter from the car into the apartment. It’s not a pretty sight, but I’m doing it with no other assistance. I do wake up grateful every single morning, even if I also wake up groggy!
onward! [now more than ever]
SDS
April 18, 2008
on a positive note!
I thought I’d throw in some positive news so people don’t wreck their keyboards with tears 
It’s now been 10 days [I repeat TEN DAYS] that I’ve been without a cane, crutch or other assistance!! I’m building up the muscles I need to so I can walk as free as my cat Persy when he runs past us out the door to eat the grass!
I can’t tell you how liberating it is to almost have normal mobility again. I WANT to go outside, I WANT to go to the grocery store, I WANT to go to the mall with lib…well, maybe not the mall…
Despite the recurrence I’m in amazing spirits. I love my wife, my family and my friends so the positives pummel the negatives!
:.:T-minus-5 days until I’m cancer free again:.:
onward!
SDS
May 2, 2007
February 2, 2007
I can start walking…at least that’s what they tell me!
On Monday, Feb 5th I was scheduled for my 1 year post chemo checkups. I had CT scans on my chest, a bone scan over my entire body and some x-rays taken of my stump. I also met with the prosthetist. The results came back better than I could have ever imagined.The CT was clear as was the bone scan-no sign of anything that shouldn’t be there! When Dr. Cheng looked at the x-rays of my stump, he also had good news. I heard the words I have been waiting 17 months to hear…you can start walking with your leg!!! I need to use a single crutch or cane for the first month, but as soon as my skill level is high enough I don’t need any extra support. He said the bone has healed, but is very weak. He compared what’s left of my femur to that of a 70 year old in strength. I was told that in time it would become strong enough again. I now need to find a therapist who not only has worked with above the knee (AK) amputees, but with the C-leg. The leg is so developed that it has tricks and quirks that I will need to be taught. I’ve only been more excited about one thing in my life, and that’s Libby (of course).
I’m on campus a lot this semester, as I have 16 credits. I achieved a 3.75 last semester, so I feel my brain has recovered from all the things they pumped into me over the last year. Now if only we had that wedding planned…
Look for updates in the future as I move ahead with rehab.
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 30, 2006
(mom [carla])
This is the day we have been waiting for. Steve began his last round of chemo. Yeah!! Hopefully, it won’t be too tough a week. Went to the prosthetist and did some more measuring and fitting for his socket. Using a hydraulic knee, he did walk on the parallel bars. He said it feels like he is standing on a stick and when the knee bends, it feels like it snaps. We are thinking the C leg will feel differently and be easier. After getting his blood checked, and seeing the oncologist, Steve was admitted back on 5B at Fairview and then a trip to cardiology for an echo and to see the specialist. There has been no further heart damage so that was good to hear.We headed back to his hospital room and found an exciting surprise–sister Kathy had come in and decorated his room so nicely to celebrate the last round of chemo.
November 8, 2005
(mom [carla])
This last month has been back and forth to the hospital to continue chemotherapy. Yesterday (Monday) he started his last drug for this second course of chemo after surgery. Only two more courses to go–that should take him to the end of January. There may be an end in sight!!! Steve did meet with the prosthetist and doctor to get checked out and discuss his new leg. He has some more healing to do before he can be fitted and he has to have the OK from the surgeon to bear weight on the stump. It is a slow process because the chemo drugs slow everything. The great news is the C leg sounds fantastic–the knee is computerized so automatically adjusts the amount of pressure needed as you take a step. The bad news is that our insurance will only cover about $16,000 of the approximate $60,000 that it will cost so we have been busy checking out ways to finance the leg. STEVE WILL HAVE HIS LEG!!! It is so wonderful that we live in the technology age so we have advances like this and he doesn’t have to have a plain wooden peg leg. Again, thanks to everyone for the cards, prayers, and concern. It is so appreciated!!
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