October 25, 2016

Back to work!

October 4, 2016

Steve was supposed to have a 4cm x 3cm x 2cm abcess drained by interventional radiology this morning.  However, after they got him sedated they did a CT scan and said the abcess was substantially smaller than it was on imaging 2 weeks ago, and they felt like it was too small to drain.  While we're grateful Steve didn't have to have this risky procedure, we're perplexed.  Steve's pain isn't dramatically decreased, and we were both looking forward to him being able to move forward without all the pain when he moves around and breathes.  We're not sure what to think, but they're having him wait 3-4 weeks for another CT scan.  I guess we'll wait and see.

Steve's got a colonoscopy scheduled for next Wednesday.

September 29, 2016

REMISSION!  Steve is in remission!  Happy day.  His PET scan showed  NO cancer.  Yay!!

September 15, 2016

We met with the surgeon, Dr. Gill, this morning.  It was a very enlightening visit.  He showed us Steve's MRI.  His insides look like a hand grenade blew up in there.  The surgeon doesn't want to go in there...his organs (spleen, stomach, pancreas, etc) are all fused together with scar tissue.  He likened it to plaster of paris hardening and keeping them together.  They've scheduled a procedure with interventional radiology to drain the abscess on October 4th.  The abscess is about the size of an irregularly shaped ping pong ball.  Interventional radiology will use CT scanning to guide themselves in from the back.  They most likely will have to go through his lung.  Hopefully they'll be able to drain it, and the tissue will remain in there.  Steve's pancreas looks horrible and there's only about 20% of it left.  He's taken a beating, that's for sure.  However, it's still producing enzymes and insulin...that's a huge blessing.

Thanks as always for checking on us.  We're hanging in there.

September 14, 2016

All good news from the oncologist today.  Blood work looks good (a little anemic, but everything else is normal).  He's pleased that Steve is off of the heavy pain meds, and he's happy with how good Steve's coloring is.  He's not convinced the fluid Steve gets every day is necessary, but he's supportive.

A fun photo from August

This was after a game during a soccer tournament in August.  Steve is happiest when he's coaching.

September 13, 2016

Steve still gets fluids every weekday to help with his blood pressure and stamina.  He's been off of his heavy pain meds for 4 days.  This is the 2nd time he's tapered off...the first time was in April, before the cancer.  He's not putting on weight, but he's not losing either.  His appetite is better, but he still has pain when he eats.

September 8, 2016

Interventional Radiology is nervous about the location of the pocket that needs to be drained/removed.  It's between the pancreas and spleen and not too far from the lung.  They want us to consult with a surgeon.  We have an appointment for Sept 15th with Dr. Gill, the surgeon we saw a couple of times in the spring.

September 7, 2016

Dr Kawa called me this afternoon. He said the scarring in the pancreas wasn't as bad as he thought, so he doesn't want to mess with it, but he's reaching out to interventional radiology tomorrow to find out if it's feasible to drain the little pocket of fluid near the spleen.  He wants to get that drained and see if it helps Steve's pain before he sends Steve to a pulmonologist.  

August 24, 2016

Steve had a CT scan yesterday that showed some pancreatitis in the tail of his pancreas, a lingering cyst by the spleen and some inflamation. Dr Kawa just called. He thinks there may be scar tissue build up in the duct of the pancreas. (that would explain the pancreatitis) He's ordering an MRI. It's scheduled for next Friday, the 2nd. After we get the results, we'll make a new game plan.

August 17, 2016

Today we went to the oncologist ( chemo doc ) to check in.  He is pleased with Steve's improvement. He ordered a chest CT scan since most of Steve's pain at this point is his lung and stomach. His lung has been hurting since January, and we kind of thought it would be starting to get better by now.

We also discussed Steve going back to work. If they will let him go part time, he is planning to return to work on Sept 15th.  If they make him wait until he can go full time, I don't think he'd go back before October 15th. We'll call about that tomorrow.

August 7, 2016

Today was the first time (since Steve got sick) our entire family went to church in one vehicle and stayed the whole 3 hours together.  yay!  Steve even taught classes during the 2nd and 3rd hours.  He's a champion.  Here's a photo I took on July 2nd. This is Kenneth and John Buck and Steve.

August 1, 2016

10,000 steps.  Today marks 9 months since I dialed 911 and today Steve walked 10,000 steps.  He's slowly improving and getting more stamina.  He still requires fluids 5 days/week to keep his stamina and blood pressure up, but he's definitely on an upward trend.  Thanks for checking on us!

Sad

Sometimes the emotions catch up with you...sometimes they compound...tonight I am sad...

My dear friend lost a dear loved one today, and it makes me so sad.  Sometimes it just hits you how fragile life is....and it reminds you to enjoy every moment....and help everyone around you enjoy life, too.  I'm going to help a friend install a drip system and I'm super excited.  I've missed helping other people outside my immediate circle.  I'm so happy he'll let me help his family.  Yay!  This will fill my cup.  Go help a friend and squeeze your kids and pets today...just for me.

Love,
Joy

July 14, 2016

Steve's birthday party was a huge success (except that dang wind!).  My best guess is that about 220 people came.  Steve was shocked and honored that so many people would come for him.  Thank you!!!  You made his year. :)

Now he's just focusing on getting better.  He requires a nap (usually 3-4 hours) every afternoon, but he's getting stronger and he's been awfully helpful around the house.  He's still getting fluids, iron, and B12, but he's starting to taper off of the morphine.  The doctor said that's a great tell that the treatment likely worked.  Yay!  We'll take it.

Thank you so much for checking on us.

Party!

Everyone who reads this blog is invited to Steve's 46th birthday party tomorrow, July 10th, at Neptune Park in Saratoga Springs. The address is 452 West 400 North. We are going to have a kickin' party to celebrate Steve!

July 2, 2016

8 months yesterday since I dialed 911. Crazy. I took this photo on Thursday because I thought it was funny that Steve was cooking while receiving fluids, but when I looked at the picture yesterday, I realized this is the most genuine smile I've seen on his face in months. Yay!

June 27, 2016

Finished. Steve is finished with his cancer treatment. Yay! We brought flowers and cookies to celebrate. Here are a few photos.

 Katie, Steve and Dana. Katie and Dana were the radiation techs and helped Steve every day. They are standing under the radiation machine.

This is a coin they gave Steve to commemorate his completion. 

I've received a lot of questions about what comes next. We have a follow-up appointment with the chemo doctor on Wednesday. They won't do another pet scan until late September. Our focus will shift to helping Steve regain full health and strength. It is likely he will still get his gallbladder removed this summer. And it's possible he might go back to work before the PET Scan. In the short-term, we received a little bit of discouraging news. They told us that the effects he's feeling today are the radiation from 10 days ago. That means that for the next 10 days he will continue to worsen as far as his side effects and wounds go. However, after the next two weeks pass, they expect him to begin to improve. He will remain on fluids daily to help his blood pressure and his healing. The doctor will not discontinue fluids until his weight is stabilized and his blood pressure is stabilized and his wounds are all healed.

The wounds to which I'm referring are the side effects from the radiation. It first burns your skin like a sunburn and then it blisters and then the blisters pop and then you have open sores.

June 26, 2016

Steve's sister and her family brought Patrick and Caitlin home. We are so happy to be reunited, but they had a WONDERFUL time in California. After a lovely visit with their family, we had a knock on the door and we opened it to this:

Cool, huh? I think the entire neighborhood was out there....and the neatest part....they were there for Steve....they dropped what they were doing to show their love and support. Wow. Thanks everyone! He's got this. Yay! You know what just dawned on me? That photo only represents a fraction of the people who have been sending love and prayers and support to our family.  We have friends all over the United States praying for Steve. We have so much family. Plus.....think of all the angels cheering him on....his sweet mama, his Grandpa, Artie, my grandparents, and so many more. Truly legions of people are praying for Steve.  How powerful that is....and we feel that power. Thank you. Thank you for checking on us. Thank you for caring about us. Thank you for your love. 

June 24, 2016

Another poster...

Steve told me these posters come with songs. Yesterday's was "Final Countdown" and today's was "Stayin' Alive". So clever and fun. So good to see so many notes from so many people in the neighborhood who are thinking about and praying for Steve.  

I'd like to do a quick shoutout to everyone who has helped us over the past 8 months.  My sister has been folding my laundry, we've had countless helps with rides, so many dinners....I'm going to list families....I'm sure I'll miss some, but I'll come back and add to the list as they come to me

Wallace

Fellingham

 Swallow

Watkins

Hoffman

Farnsworth

Godsey

Gubler

Taylor

Hickman

Gardner

Henderson

Hammond

Raff

Harris

Parry

Dewey

Woolsey

Dyering

Cannon

Fellingham

Duncan

Adams

Webb

Gosh, I know I'm missing some....

Also, a big shout out to Dr. Shawn McManus and Dr. Chad Kawa. They are wonderful healers and top notch men. Steve has been blessed to be in their care.  Also, Dr. Greg Chipman and Dr. Jay Clark are excellent oncologists and very patient, caring men. Dana, Katie, Brooke, Gary, Shelly, Shelli, Colette, and Jayme have been compassionate and kind. However, Savanna takes the cake for patient, attentive nursing care. Savanna has been Steve's home health nurse since January, and we love her like family.