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.

September 9, 2009

Video Post: Otto Bock 2 of 2

Filed under: C-leg, Video — Tags: , — By Libby @ 5:28 pm

This is part 2 of 2 of the C-leg promotional video, from Otto Bock.

September 8, 2009

Video Post: Otto Bock 1 of 2

Filed under: C-leg, Video — Tags: , — By Libby @ 5:38 pm

This is part 1 of 2 of an informational Otto Bock video. See how versatile the C-leg is!

June 27, 2008

life is moving along

Filed under: living life — Tags: , , , , , , , — By steve @ 8:22 am

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

in the makeshift studio, 26 june 2008

another from 26 june

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!

Filed under: lung scare — Tags: , , , , , , , — By steve @ 10:46 am

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

January 2, 2008

plethora of emotions…

Filed under: post chemo — Tags: , , , , , — By steve @ 7:17 am

I’ll be giving a keynote address for the Blue Key Honor Society National Conference on Saturday, January 19th. It will be my first time giving a ‘real’ speech on my battle, and it’s brought back a plethora of emotions I haven’t had to deal with.

I am walking!! (since May) but I’m on my third socket, trying to stabilize the size of my limb so I can get back to therapy and maybe even get rid of my cane! I’m thinking about getting one with flames, what do you think?

NDSU commencement last December signaled the end to my undergraduate life…now can I just find a job?

May 2, 2007

I’m back on stage!

Filed under: post chemo — Tags: , , , , — By steve @ 7:15 am

I’m still waiting to walk again. We are sitting, patiently, waiting for Meritcare Community Care to reply and accept or deny me.

Once they do, we can get my newly fit socket production rockin’ and rollin’.

a message of bullets played two shows this week, both amazing! Friends and fans alike came out to show their support.

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.

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.

July 30, 2005

(mom [carla])

After careful consideration, a team of doctors have decided the best option for surgery is to totally remove Steve’s left leg all the way up to the hip (called disarticulation). We were told that Steve may possibly be able to have a prosthesis for cosmetic purposes but not functional–so he will walk with crutches. This is hard news to take but the emphasis is on SAVING HIS LIFE. His courageous attitude through this whole ordeal has been unbelievable–all those months in traction and spica casts.

On another note, they have removed the spica cast, so his back spasms are getting better. He is doing occupational and physical therapy to build up for surgery and also having respiratory therapy treatments.

Surgery is scheduled for Friday, August 5.

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