Go Steve - Steve's Updates

Updates from Steve’s cancer-free life

April 22, 2010

Recent death (of a family member)

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — By Libby @ 2:19 pm

Hi everyone! It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these.

So, anyone who has a pet knows the enormous psychological and emotional impact they can have on our lives. We tend to humanize them, make room in our hearts for them.

That said, we have most recentely lost Persy, our loving and personable orange tabby, to kidney malfunction. Persy was our ‘cancer cat ‘ as I brought him home in the midst of Steve’s worst chemo days. Despite admonitions from his doctors, Persy became a comfort to Steve during some very dark times, sitting on his leg, keeping him company when all he could do was sit and stare.

We have both found it very difficult to say goodbye to him, after all the happiness he’s provided us with.

He was a very loving, smart, intuative, and a great friend to us. Thank you, buddy.

February 4, 2006

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , — By steve @ 6:41 am

Discharged–hopefully forever!! No more chemo!!! Steve did have a delay because he has clostridium difficile–a colitis type infection. Because of that he did not excrete the methotrexate (chemo drug) as quickly as usual. BUT he is DONE with those awful chemo drugs. He will be continuing measurements for his prosthetic leg and on Feb. 20 will have complete scans, etc. to make sure that he is cancer-free. It has been a long journey, but with all the love, support, and concern of all of you, WE MADE IT!!

January 30, 2006

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , — By steve @ 6:39 am

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.

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.

November 28, 2005

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , — By steve @ 6:32 am

We see a cardiology specialist after another echocardiogram is done. We are told that there is some decline in the heart function due to the chemotherapy but it can be controlled with medication and that it is important to continue with the chemotherapy drugs as scheduled.

November 21, 2005

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , — By steve @ 6:25 am

Starts course #5 (3rd course of chemo after surgery) Steve is all done with the drug cisplatin so we will see what his reaction to just the drug adriamycin is.

November 14, 2005

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , — By steve @ 6:25 am

Chemo is delayed because of extreme mouth sores and mucositis. Steve is miserable!!

November 8, 2005

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , — By steve @ 6:23 am

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!!

October 7, 2005

(lib)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , , — By steve @ 6:20 am

The past two weeks have gone by with hardly a problem. The chemo drug Steve received in mid-September (called Cisplatin) knocked him out, but the last two weeks Steve has gotten Methotrexate, which is pretty easy for him to take – the only side-effect being possible mouth sores and a little nausea. After Cisplatin Steve stared losing the bit of hair he got back after surgery, so his mom got the honor of shaving his head! Not an easy task, let me tell you.

Steve got to spend about 5 days at home, where he got to know our new cat, Persnickity aka Percy. He is the friendliest cat he’s ever seen, and he even likes to play fetch! He likes Llibby best tho. We ate pizza, tacos and ice cream: Steve has been steadily gaining weight back, however he is still 30 lbs less than when he came to the hospital in April.

We’re currently in the hospital awaiting discharge, and hope to spend the weekend relaxing before Cisplatin starts again Monday. We’ve been on a different floor than usual, 7D. This is a change of scenery from bright colors and crying babies that we had before on the Children’s floor. We even had a quiet roomate up here.

Every day seems to be getting more normal, but we still have a long road to go. We’re both excited for the GoSteve fundraiser this weekend and will be with you in spirit on that day. We listened to the radio spot on Froggy 99.com and were impressed that the event is getting such good coverage. Thanks Brandon, Stacy and Liz! And thanks to all those who helped out!

September 20, 2005

(mom [carla])

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , — By steve @ 6:18 am

This last month has been a time of stump healing (very slowly). His last stitches were removed and he was able to begin his chemo treatments again. On Sept 6, he was admitted back into the hospital and while he was getting his chemo drugs he slept a lot–waking up long enough to vomit. He was able to go back to the apartment but after a few days needed to have home infusion come to get IV’s going. Then on Friday Sept 16th, Steve ended up back in the hospital with mouth sores ( a side effect of the chemo drugs). Besides treating the infection, he is also on TPN and lipids (food in the IV bags). The plan is to have 4 courses of chemo now after surgery so there is still a long stretch ahead. The exciting part is Steve has been to see the prosthetist a few times, and was able to find out more about prosthetic legs and what technology has to offer!

Older Posts »