Dear Reader,
2017 was a very challenging year for Steve. As I think back over the last 2 years trying to remember what happened and when, I can't even recall the names of the drugs used on the last clinical trial. I believe it was back in June 2017, he started the new treatment. Immediately he encountered issues due to some underlying heart problems we didn't know anything about. One problem led to another, and another. His energy level decreased, his pain increased and his overall well being declined. But Steve continued to get up every day, and get the most out of life that he could.
It wasn't Myeloma that ended his life, but it was a contributing factor due to the many years of treatments that compromised his immune system. One day in October, Steve was bitten by a mosquito. In insignificant moment that had deadly consequences. This mosquito was a carrier for the West Nile Virus, which invaded his nervous system, causing full body paralysis. Steve died of respiratory failure. In all the years of dealing with cancer, we knew the risks of catching colds, flus, pneumonia, infections...but not WNV.
He died in November, one month before his 72nd birthday. I miss him so much. As I have endeavored to accept my new life without him, I have learned to understand that the Lord's ways are not my ways. But grieving is hard. Uncertainty, loneliness and sadness are my constant companions. All three are hard to endure. I lean on God for everything, knowing he is my ever-present help.
This blog represents the trials and the joys of living. Live life to the fullest. Don't assume tomorrow belongs to you or your loved ones. Make sure you have settled your estate and have a will. Let your family know if you want to be buried or cremated. Don't avoid the hard conversations. They are necessary. Forgive, love and enjoy your life. Trust God in all things and prayerfully I will see you in heaven with our Lord and those who have gone before us, like Steve.
Mrs. L
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Sunday, March 13, 2016
March Update 2016
Hi All,
So much to report on. Right now I am sitting in the hospital room with Steve. I brought him to the Emergency Room 3 days ago and learned he has pneumonia. Since being here there have been some additional problems, one being atrial fibrillation. Thankfully the care here at LCOM is phenomenal. He has been given breathing treatments, antibiotics, heart med's; all to help him get well.
Last night was pretty bad for him though. He is so sleep deprived, that the first night after taking the steroids (last night) was made worse being here. I think he got 1 hour of sleep. When I arrived here this morning he was in a lot of pain, delusional, and extremely agitated. So I have been doing everything I can to keep his room quiet and him calm so he can get some sleep.
He was scheduled to take a "respiratory walk" to see if he was ready to go home. But after getting here, I told them no way. He needs to feel better and think clearly before he starts walking around the ward. Prayerfully he will get over the tiredness and feel much better tomorrow so he can pass the "respiratory walk" and then come home, even with the oxygen.
Before the pneumonia Steve had been dealing with postherpetic neuralgia (shingles pain) and edema that comes and goes. It took 6 visits to the doctors before he was put on a pain medicine strong enough to stop the pain attacks in his head. Now there is just a chronic burning pain that diminishes with the medicine......we are hoping the pain will be completely gone soon. It's already been 3 months.
His last myeloma test revealed a lower M-spike....so we now know the lower dose of pomalidomide is working! Praise the Lord.
As always please pray for our friends.....
Julie, Cheryl, Natalie, Peanut, Doris and Jim.
And keep looking to the Lord for everything. He is a gracious and loving Father.
Mrs. L.
So much to report on. Right now I am sitting in the hospital room with Steve. I brought him to the Emergency Room 3 days ago and learned he has pneumonia. Since being here there have been some additional problems, one being atrial fibrillation. Thankfully the care here at LCOM is phenomenal. He has been given breathing treatments, antibiotics, heart med's; all to help him get well.
Last night was pretty bad for him though. He is so sleep deprived, that the first night after taking the steroids (last night) was made worse being here. I think he got 1 hour of sleep. When I arrived here this morning he was in a lot of pain, delusional, and extremely agitated. So I have been doing everything I can to keep his room quiet and him calm so he can get some sleep.
He was scheduled to take a "respiratory walk" to see if he was ready to go home. But after getting here, I told them no way. He needs to feel better and think clearly before he starts walking around the ward. Prayerfully he will get over the tiredness and feel much better tomorrow so he can pass the "respiratory walk" and then come home, even with the oxygen.
Before the pneumonia Steve had been dealing with postherpetic neuralgia (shingles pain) and edema that comes and goes. It took 6 visits to the doctors before he was put on a pain medicine strong enough to stop the pain attacks in his head. Now there is just a chronic burning pain that diminishes with the medicine......we are hoping the pain will be completely gone soon. It's already been 3 months.
His last myeloma test revealed a lower M-spike....so we now know the lower dose of pomalidomide is working! Praise the Lord.
As always please pray for our friends.....
Julie, Cheryl, Natalie, Peanut, Doris and Jim.
And keep looking to the Lord for everything. He is a gracious and loving Father.
Mrs. L.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
January Update
I always have to look back at my last post to see where I left off. When I last wrote I mentioned that Steve was just diagnosed with shingles. Little did we know how bad shingles could get. I mean BAD, REALLY BAD. The blisters were very painful, but it wasn't until Steve started experiencing pain "attacks" that he had finally come to a point that he didn't think he could continue living with that type of pain.
The pain attacks would cause him to scream and cry out, desperately looking for relief. They could last for up to 8 excruciating minutes, several times a day (or night). He described it as if someone was holding a blow torch to his head, neck and ear. We were both tested through this experience. After several doctor appointments and one ER visit Steve was finally given some pain medicine that helped him to handle the attacks, leaving him with more of a burning sensation throughout the day.
Soon after getting relief from the shingles, the edema came back in both of his legs. This time we are not sure why. He started the diuretics and I hope we will see some results soon. For the time being he needs to stay off of his feet as much as possible (have you ever tried to keep a toddler down) that's what it's like with him!
I forgot to share with everyone the newest family member to join us here at our abode!
Her name is Cindy and she is quite adorable! Although I think our dog BB is bit obsessed with her!
This was my present to Steve for his birthday……..I know, why a hamster. What else do you give a man who has everything? (He is a big softy and actually loves the little thing)
Oh I forgot to mention how the cancer treatment is going…..well the preliminary tests results we have show the lower dose may be working! Praise the Lord.
Please continue to pray for Jim, Peanut, Maricella, Natalie, Julie, Doris, Jim and Cheryl!
Blessings to all!
Deanna
The pain attacks would cause him to scream and cry out, desperately looking for relief. They could last for up to 8 excruciating minutes, several times a day (or night). He described it as if someone was holding a blow torch to his head, neck and ear. We were both tested through this experience. After several doctor appointments and one ER visit Steve was finally given some pain medicine that helped him to handle the attacks, leaving him with more of a burning sensation throughout the day.
Soon after getting relief from the shingles, the edema came back in both of his legs. This time we are not sure why. He started the diuretics and I hope we will see some results soon. For the time being he needs to stay off of his feet as much as possible (have you ever tried to keep a toddler down) that's what it's like with him!
I forgot to share with everyone the newest family member to join us here at our abode!
Her name is Cindy and she is quite adorable! Although I think our dog BB is bit obsessed with her!
This was my present to Steve for his birthday……..I know, why a hamster. What else do you give a man who has everything? (He is a big softy and actually loves the little thing)
 |
| Cindy |
 |
| BB Meeting Cindy |
Please continue to pray for Jim, Peanut, Maricella, Natalie, Julie, Doris, Jim and Cheryl!
Blessings to all!
Deanna
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Merry Christmas
Hello All,
First I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and pray your Christmas is full of the Lord's peace, mercy and grace. We are thankful for another year together and another year of serving the Lord!
Steve just celebrated a very important birthday….#70!! The Lord provided great weather (thank you to those who prayed the rain would stay away) and used my limited hosting skills and abilities to put together a party in which my adorable husband was greatly blessed. Thank you to our friends and family who were able to come and celebrate the life of my hubby!!
Last time I wrote about the challenges Steve was having and how the oncologist wanted him to see a pulmonologist to rule out any lung issues. Well he did and has has….no lung issues. After talking things over we asked if Steve could still take the pomalidomide but at a lower dose, maybe the side effects would be lessened and he would still get the benefits of the chemo. He was approved and started the lower does on 12/4. We are still waiting for Steve's M-spike results from last month. We expect it to be higher since he missed 2 weeks of treatment…but we had to do what we did and feel the increase will be minimal.
Oh and the latest in the life of a chronically ill person…..Steve now has shingles! Yep…shingles. The rash and blisters are on the right side of his neck, hairline, ear, cheek and collarbone area. The pain was terrible yesterday….but today was much better. He is on 3 new medications! Hopefully he will have a mild case, will heal quickly and not have any chronic pain issues afterward.
Many, many blessings to you and your loved ones. As always please keep the following in your prayers…they too are under going health problems. Julie, Tana, Natalie, Jim, Cheryl, Cheryl, Doris, and Maricella.
Love to all,
Mr & Mrs. L.
First I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and pray your Christmas is full of the Lord's peace, mercy and grace. We are thankful for another year together and another year of serving the Lord!
Steve just celebrated a very important birthday….#70!! The Lord provided great weather (thank you to those who prayed the rain would stay away) and used my limited hosting skills and abilities to put together a party in which my adorable husband was greatly blessed. Thank you to our friends and family who were able to come and celebrate the life of my hubby!!
Zoom in on his shirt!
Last time I wrote about the challenges Steve was having and how the oncologist wanted him to see a pulmonologist to rule out any lung issues. Well he did and has has….no lung issues. After talking things over we asked if Steve could still take the pomalidomide but at a lower dose, maybe the side effects would be lessened and he would still get the benefits of the chemo. He was approved and started the lower does on 12/4. We are still waiting for Steve's M-spike results from last month. We expect it to be higher since he missed 2 weeks of treatment…but we had to do what we did and feel the increase will be minimal.
Oh and the latest in the life of a chronically ill person…..Steve now has shingles! Yep…shingles. The rash and blisters are on the right side of his neck, hairline, ear, cheek and collarbone area. The pain was terrible yesterday….but today was much better. He is on 3 new medications! Hopefully he will have a mild case, will heal quickly and not have any chronic pain issues afterward.
Many, many blessings to you and your loved ones. As always please keep the following in your prayers…they too are under going health problems. Julie, Tana, Natalie, Jim, Cheryl, Cheryl, Doris, and Maricella.
Love to all,
Mr & Mrs. L.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Latest Update
Hello All……Since my last post things have been a bit rough. Once the edema went away, Steve began experiencing some scary symptoms.
While we were in Tahoe he had what we would describe as angina attacks. When we got back home his symptoms changed to fevers, low oxygen levels, night sweats, shortness of breath. We felt it was his heart and so we first the doctors and then to the ER. They ran all kinds of test to rule out any heart or arterial problems, as well as more lung tests and they could not find any cause. So they chalked it up to a viral infection.
But…once he resumed taking his pomalidomide the fevers, low oxygen (81-82), shortness of breath and night sweats resumed. This led is to believe the pomalidomide is the reason…I even found a study on the Internet supporting our theory.
So I had Steve stop the pomalidomide on Friday night, 3 days a go……Since then his oxygen has improved, then have been no fevers, his stamina has improved and no more night sweats.
We believe it it time to change treatments but the doctor wants to send him to a pulmonologist first to rule out another cause. Which is fine…..but Steve will stay off the pomalidomide until we know otherwise. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor and that if there is any new health issue that the doctors will find it. Most importantly we need guidance on what the next treatment should be.
Thank for your prayers and please continue to pray for Julie, Cheryl, Griselda, Natalie, Maricella, Doris, Jim and Tana.
Love Always…
Mrs. L
While we were in Tahoe he had what we would describe as angina attacks. When we got back home his symptoms changed to fevers, low oxygen levels, night sweats, shortness of breath. We felt it was his heart and so we first the doctors and then to the ER. They ran all kinds of test to rule out any heart or arterial problems, as well as more lung tests and they could not find any cause. So they chalked it up to a viral infection.
But…once he resumed taking his pomalidomide the fevers, low oxygen (81-82), shortness of breath and night sweats resumed. This led is to believe the pomalidomide is the reason…I even found a study on the Internet supporting our theory.
So I had Steve stop the pomalidomide on Friday night, 3 days a go……Since then his oxygen has improved, then have been no fevers, his stamina has improved and no more night sweats.
We believe it it time to change treatments but the doctor wants to send him to a pulmonologist first to rule out another cause. Which is fine…..but Steve will stay off the pomalidomide until we know otherwise. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor and that if there is any new health issue that the doctors will find it. Most importantly we need guidance on what the next treatment should be.
Thank for your prayers and please continue to pray for Julie, Cheryl, Griselda, Natalie, Maricella, Doris, Jim and Tana.
Love Always…
Mrs. L
 |
| Papa & Rebekah |
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Happy Labor Day!
Steve has been doing pretty good over all. After a year now (can't believe it) of being on the clinical trial we have seen a cyclical response with his medications….goes like this...
Friday Nights: He takes the steroid, dexamethasone. Sleeps about 6 hrs without cramps, with cramps maybe 4.
Saturday: High levels of energy, very talkative, distracted easily, and mood can turn on a dime. Not the time to make jokes that would easily be funny on say Thursday or Friday! Sleeps about 4 hours.
Sunday: Feels great early in the morning, but by 11am he is fatigued and not feeling his best.
Monday: Very dizzy throughout the day, bouts of fatigue, but he presses on. Sleeps about 5 to 6 hours.
Tuesday: Same as Monday.
Wednesday: Same as Monday but energy increases a bit.
Thursday and Friday: The 2 best days of the week. He feels pretty good and gets more rest. He's back to his "old" self.
For the past 2 weeks he has been experiencing severe edema in his right foot and ankle and moderately in his left foot and ankle. He saw his doctor on Thursday about this and had an EKG, Chest X-ray, Urinalysis, Vials of blood taken for a myriad of different tests. We are hoping to find out the cause of the edema.
He started experiencing swelling right after his bout with pneumonia back in March. But never this bad.
His M-Spike went from 1.2 in June to 1.3 in July and down to 1.1 for August. Not the greatest results but his disease is stable and that's not a bad place to be.
In July we welcomed our third grandchild, Rebekah!! And we had the pleasure of Gabriel and Abigale staying with us for a week!
Please keep praying for Steve and those I listed below. And if you would add my son Daniel to your list. On September 21st he begins 16 weeks of training at the Academy to become a Corrections Officer with the state of California. It will be very arduous for him and hard on his wife and kids, who will see less of him during this time.
Thanks so much and God Bless you richly!
Julie, Natalie, Jim, Doris, Maricella, Wint, Cheryl, & Tana
Love Deanna
AKA Mrs. L
Friday Nights: He takes the steroid, dexamethasone. Sleeps about 6 hrs without cramps, with cramps maybe 4.
Saturday: High levels of energy, very talkative, distracted easily, and mood can turn on a dime. Not the time to make jokes that would easily be funny on say Thursday or Friday! Sleeps about 4 hours.
Sunday: Feels great early in the morning, but by 11am he is fatigued and not feeling his best.
Monday: Very dizzy throughout the day, bouts of fatigue, but he presses on. Sleeps about 5 to 6 hours.
Tuesday: Same as Monday.
Wednesday: Same as Monday but energy increases a bit.
Thursday and Friday: The 2 best days of the week. He feels pretty good and gets more rest. He's back to his "old" self.
For the past 2 weeks he has been experiencing severe edema in his right foot and ankle and moderately in his left foot and ankle. He saw his doctor on Thursday about this and had an EKG, Chest X-ray, Urinalysis, Vials of blood taken for a myriad of different tests. We are hoping to find out the cause of the edema.
He started experiencing swelling right after his bout with pneumonia back in March. But never this bad.
His M-Spike went from 1.2 in June to 1.3 in July and down to 1.1 for August. Not the greatest results but his disease is stable and that's not a bad place to be.
In July we welcomed our third grandchild, Rebekah!! And we had the pleasure of Gabriel and Abigale staying with us for a week!
Please keep praying for Steve and those I listed below. And if you would add my son Daniel to your list. On September 21st he begins 16 weeks of training at the Academy to become a Corrections Officer with the state of California. It will be very arduous for him and hard on his wife and kids, who will see less of him during this time.
Thanks so much and God Bless you richly!
Julie, Natalie, Jim, Doris, Maricella, Wint, Cheryl, & Tana
Love Deanna
AKA Mrs. L
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