Go Steve - Steve's Updates

Updates from Steve’s cancer-free life

October 21, 2009

The Art of the Possible

Filed under: Video, living life — Tags: , , , , , , — By Libby @ 4:31 pm

Cancer is a diagnosis feared by many, its treatment understood by few.

The Art of the Possible invites audiences into the worlds of five families living with cancer, its treatment, and what remains in the aftermath. At once humorous and haunting, producers Hayward and Harter present a narrative portrayal of families trying to create “a new normal” in the midst of cancer, and the care providers that serve them. The Art of the Possible offers the public and medical community-at-large a glimpse of cancer care that couples conventional therapies with humanizing communication practices.

Art of the Possible Demo from Casey Hayward on Vimeo.

November 16, 2006

(mom [carla])

Filed under: post chemo — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — By steve @ 6:53 am

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.

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 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!!

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!

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.

GoSteve.org was started by members of Alpha Tau Omega to help Steve Symons raise funds to assist with medical bills. Just as the dynamic world of Steve has evolved, gosteve.org will continue to grow into a site to help others with their courageous battles against cancer and amputations. More

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