Go Steve - Steve's Updates

Updates from Steve’s cancer-free life

May 18, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , — By steve @ 3:54 pm

The endoscopy showed what appears to be some fungal growth right above his stomach in the lower part of his throat. This seems to explain the constant vomiting and soreness that Steve has been experiencing. This also means that the Chemo treatment has been delayed at least one week. Steve is on anti-fungal medication right now for this, and it will be monitored to ensure it goes away.

Sounds like Steve will be moving rooms soon, as they are remodeling the section of rooms that Steve is in now. More info to come in the next week.

Timberwolves cheerleaders were visiting folks in the hospital today. However, they were not able to stop in and visit Steve in his room. This didn’t really bother Steve at all, but Glenn and I were pretty disappointed as Glenn had his camera ready

Today for the first time certain food smells were pretty bothersome to Steve. So if you can help it, don’t bring in a juicy steak to eat in front of him, as that smell (or others) could make him feel ill. (not to mention it’s mean as Steve has not been able to eat anything for over 2 weeks!

no vomiting today (so far – yesterday he vomited right around midnight)

4 weeks down ~30 to go!

May 17, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , , , , — By steve @ 3:52 pm

Endoscopy Wed 10:30am, chemo to follow after

John Hoven (ND governor) sent Steve a get well card today. Awesome!

Steve’s hair is falling out a lot more now. Libby got him a pretty sweet beanie to wear once that process is done.

Sounds like the benefit dinner in Langdon on Sunday raised about $10,000! Nice work!

No throwing up today. Hurray!

Steve was playing some grand theft auto 3 today on the playstation, so he is feeling pretty darn good right now.

Still no food going down, but it sounds like Steve is taking a total of 250ml of liquids (meds, etc) every hour now. That’s a LOT!

May 16, 2005

(from Mike Rybak)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , — By steve @ 3:50 pm

Steve has his first day in since his first round of chemo where he didn’t throw up.

He still didn’t eat any food for fear that he wouldn’t be able to keep it down and it would irriatate his throat further.

Right now his has an endoscopy planned for 10:30AM on Wednesday to take a look to see if there’s anything wrong with his throat beyond just irriatation and his next round of chemo is scheduled to start later that day.

A couple friends came down from Fargo to visit Steve and Libby today and with them they brought some gifts including some gift certificates.

If you’re planning on visiting Steve this summer he usually goes to bed around 8 or 9 at night so try not to show up then. Also Libby started an internship 2 miles away from the hospital and is gone from about 8am to 6pm so if you’re around the cities then stop by to keep Steve company and fetch him stuff around the room.

May 15, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , , , , — By steve @ 3:48 pm

Steve continues to feel better than ever!

Today Steve was able to eat some soup ok, but once he tried to eat some starburst candy, he vomited again (from now on I officially boycot starburst). So, still no luck with keeping food down.

Doctors visited today and said that unless something drastic happens, there will be an endoscopy performed on Tuesday to see why Steve’s stomach/throat is so irritated.

The next round of Chemo is right now slated to begin on Wednesday. Remember to keep Steve in your thoughts during the Chemo treatments.

Not much else to say except it sounds like Steve is feeling much better, and is in good spirits. I wasn’t able to talk with him in person today, as the benadryl he gets puts him to sleep pretty well.

May 11, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , — By steve @ 3:46 pm

Good news! Steve is feeling tremendously better today!

He actually hadn’t slept all day until about 7pm, and had done many things he hasn’t been able to for quite awhile including:

  1. taking advil (with a bit of ice cream)
  2. Eating a couple swallows of broth/chicken soup
  3. Talking much more
  4. Noting how his throat is hurting much less than before!

This seems to be due to some of the following,

  1. The orthopedic doctor came in and helped to straighten out the bolt that is running through his shin bone (it had started to move a bit and was off center)
  2. A change in pain medication
  3. Possibly an anti-fungal drug Steve started taking (Don’t ask me on this one)
  4. The severe ass-whipping that Steve is handing out to this wussy cancer

This means that a endoscopy will likely not be needed, and Steve is in better spirits and looking MUCH better than before!

3 Weeks down ~31 to go

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 9, 2005

(from Josh Malnourie)

Filed under: chemotherapy — Tags: , , — By steve @ 3:40 pm

Because the pain in Steve’s throat has not yet subsided (He hasn’t eaten anything and kept it down for a little over a week and a half), Steve *may* be having an endoscopy (WebMD.com definition) tomorrow to see what his upper stomach and lower throat looks like. If/when this will happen will depend on how he is doing tomorrow. It’s not normal to still have a “sore” (read: hurt-so-bad-you-can’t-swallow) throat this long, so we will be taking a look to see what is going on.

Steve isn’t able to talk much now because of the sore throat, so don’t take it personal if he doesn’t talk to you on the phone.

A good thing is that Steve had not thrown up today, which is a first for awhile. He is still spitting up some stuff, but it is much more under control than previously.

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