Several people have asked if Steve would like visitors and where he is.
Steve does enjoy visitors. Visitors lift his spirits. He is at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. He has moved to 5 different rooms since entering the hospital on Aug. 2. If you have time to visit, check at the front desk for his latest room. Visiting hours are 8am to 8pm. The hospital staff prefers a few visitors at a time, but they will not turn you away.
I spend the days with him on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I visit after work on M-Th, usually 4:00-6:30 - and sometimes when I miss him too much, I come in earlier.
Steve is weak, but definitely lucid and has his sense of humor.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
some days are harder than others
Steve has not been stable enough to receive chemo. Steve is having some issues with kidney function. And he had a "slight bleed" internally. He has a urinary tract infection again. So many things to consider before receiving chemo.
We are trying to remain optimistic. It is a hard day.
We do trust in the Lord with all our hearts. We feel our Savior's love.
But it is still hard.
We are trying to remain optimistic. It is a hard day.
We do trust in the Lord with all our hearts. We feel our Savior's love.
But it is still hard.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Food Network
Steve is doing well. He is scheduled to get a Chemo infusion Monday.
This week he had a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. He had been eating a soft food diet and was still having aspiration problems. No eating or drinking by mouth.
He is still watching the Food Network. It would be torture to me to not be able to eat and watch all that delicious food being prepared. Steve enjoys watching cheerful people doing real things. He is planning the menu for a campout with Grandpa Hyde and grandsons Josh and Brad.
This week he had a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. He had been eating a soft food diet and was still having aspiration problems. No eating or drinking by mouth.
He is still watching the Food Network. It would be torture to me to not be able to eat and watch all that delicious food being prepared. Steve enjoys watching cheerful people doing real things. He is planning the menu for a campout with Grandpa Hyde and grandsons Josh and Brad.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Finally, Steve is improving again.
Steve is finally out of ICU.
The Tumor Board met and at the advice of the neurosurgeon, Steve will not get another biopsy. The neurosurgeon told us that the lesion is in a difficult place to reach and the lesion is not a good candidate for biopsy. He feels he got good samples especially on the second biopsy.
Steve is relieved to not have to face surgery now that he is getting stronger.
Steve has had a thrush, a urinary tract infection, aspiration pneumonia, and shooting pains caused by the shingles. Thankfully, the shooting pains have subsided. When he is free of any active infections he will get more chemo.
We appreciate all the prayers on our behalf. I sincerely believe prayer has made a difference emotionally and physically for both of us this past year.
The Tumor Board met and at the advice of the neurosurgeon, Steve will not get another biopsy. The neurosurgeon told us that the lesion is in a difficult place to reach and the lesion is not a good candidate for biopsy. He feels he got good samples especially on the second biopsy.
Steve is relieved to not have to face surgery now that he is getting stronger.
Steve has had a thrush, a urinary tract infection, aspiration pneumonia, and shooting pains caused by the shingles. Thankfully, the shooting pains have subsided. When he is free of any active infections he will get more chemo.
We appreciate all the prayers on our behalf. I sincerely believe prayer has made a difference emotionally and physically for both of us this past year.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
S T I L L in the ICU
Steve is still in the ICU. He continues to have issues with different things. One day his magnesium and phosphorus were low. The next day his sodium was low. Then his sodium levels shot up.
He had a swallow evaluation. He has difficulty swallowing liquids which is the probable cause of pneumonia. The Speech Therapist will be working with him to strengthen his swallowing.
This is a long slow process (understatement).
They hope to do the biopsy on Monday or Tuesday.
A big thank you to all who offered to and did do the midnight irrigation.
He had a swallow evaluation. He has difficulty swallowing liquids which is the probable cause of pneumonia. The Speech Therapist will be working with him to strengthen his swallowing.
This is a long slow process (understatement).
They hope to do the biopsy on Monday or Tuesday.
A big thank you to all who offered to and did do the midnight irrigation.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Still in ICU
The Good:
Steve's blood pressure and breathing are better - still up and down - but better. He no longer is taking medication to keep his blood pressure up. He is down from 15 liters/minute of oxygen to 5 liters/minute.
The Bad:
Steve has a slight case of pneumonia and a blood clot behind his left knee.
They have started him on antibiotics and have put a filtering screen in a major vessel to keep the clot from going to his heart or lungs.
The Ugly:
A new lesion has developed outside of his brain stem that is large enough to biopsy. When Steve is well enough, they want to do a third biopsy. If they could get a diagnosis, they could have a more definite treatment plan.
Steve's blood pressure and breathing are better - still up and down - but better. He no longer is taking medication to keep his blood pressure up. He is down from 15 liters/minute of oxygen to 5 liters/minute.
The Bad:
Steve has a slight case of pneumonia and a blood clot behind his left knee.
They have started him on antibiotics and have put a filtering screen in a major vessel to keep the clot from going to his heart or lungs.
The Ugly:
A new lesion has developed outside of his brain stem that is large enough to biopsy. When Steve is well enough, they want to do a third biopsy. If they could get a diagnosis, they could have a more definite treatment plan.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Steve is back in ICU as a precaution
Steve had trouble keeping his oxygen level in a good range on Saturday evening. They were able to stabilize him by giving him oxygen at 15 liters/minute. They are reducing the rate gradually.
On Sunday morning his blood pressure dropped again. He has been transferred back to ICU as a precaution to closely monitor his statistics.
Luckily he does not feel any different with all the changes. He feels comfortable. He has a fantastic appetite although they have put him on a soft food diet - ugh.....
The doctors said that Steve's body does not follow medical rules.
On Sunday morning his blood pressure dropped again. He has been transferred back to ICU as a precaution to closely monitor his statistics.
Luckily he does not feel any different with all the changes. He feels comfortable. He has a fantastic appetite although they have put him on a soft food diet - ugh.....
The doctors said that Steve's body does not follow medical rules.
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