Go Steve - Steve's Updates

Updates from Steve’s cancer-free life

February 2, 2007

I can start walking…at least that’s what they tell me!

Filed under: post chemo — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — By steve @ 7:13 am

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.

March 20, 2006

(mom [carla])

Filed under: post chemo — Tags: , , — By steve @ 6:51 am

Today was the check-up with Dr. Cheng, the oncology orthopedist who did Steve’s surgery. The X-ray and exam revealed that he is healing properly and everything looks good at this point. So we just have to be patient and wait for more healing to take place. Steve still has pain, but he is moving easier and able to get around some. We have moved out of the Minneapolis apartment, so we are officially North Dakotans again!! Follow-up medical appointments are scheduled for May–if all goes well.

February 23, 2006

(mom [carla])

Filed under: post chemo — Tags: , , , , , , — By steve @ 6:43 am

Steve fell and fractured his femur (on his left leg–the stump)and will have surgery on Friday at Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis. Dr. Cheng, who did his amputation, will be doing the surgery late afternoon or early evening. Please keep him in your thoughts.

August 6, 2005

(lib)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , — By steve @ 8:24 pm

FINALLY A LITTLE GOOD NEWS!

Steve underwent 6 hours of surgery yesterday. He was very brave and wasn’t even scared before he went in to surgery. Right now he is trying to rest and deal with immense pain. He is using a pump that delivers shots of morphine every ten minutes, but frankly it doesn’t seem like it’s working. Despite all of the pain, Steve is in a very cheerful mood and very happy with the outcome.

The surgeon (Dr. Cheng) removed his femur (thigh bone) almost up to his hips. Then he used his tibia (shin bone) and attached to the little bit of femur with a metal plate. They completely removed the tumor, along with the rest of his leg, which means technically that Steve is rid of cancer! His remaining leg is about a foot long, which should be great for using a prosthetic.

We are all very happy with his small remaining leg because only a few days before, the team of surgeons from MN and WI said they would have to remove his leg all the way up to his hip bone, leaving NO chance of using a prosthetic leg (as the previous update says). He also was experiencing his first ‘phantom’ leg pain yesterday, meaning he could feel his foot even though it wasn’t there. Surprisingly he said he enjoys the feeling!

We are SO proud of Steve!

We are also very thankful that Steve’s family is here, not to mention many others who came to support us.