after 6 - l o n g - w e e k s . . .

Steve got chemo today. Now we watch and wait.

Nothing New (and that is good)

Steve is enjoying visitors. We know St. Joe's is a long drive for most of you. We appreciate your effort on his behalf.

There is nothing new medically.

Steve seems to have stabilized. Tuesday the neuro-oncologist will be back and we hope she will feel that Steve can have chemo.

A Bit Better

Steve has been very sick - many small problems that together are huge. After a hard month, things are a bit better. Steve's lungs are clear and his kidney functions have been gradually improving. Chemo will not be scheduled until he is healthy enough to handle the treatment.

At a particularly low point, I asked the neuro-oncologist what she thought about our situation. She said Steve is a fighter and as long as he is determined, she is with us and will do all she can. It was comforting to feel her strength and determination to help my sweetheart.

Our hope is that Steve can have an improved quality of life.

Thank you for the visits. Thank you for taking out our garbage cans and feeding our dog. Thank you for the encouraging voice messages. Thank you for your prayers.

Steve enjoys visitors

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.

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.

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.

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.