Rescheduled

Our follow-up appointment was scheduled for today but since all of the tests results are not back yet we had to reschedule. Apparently when they do receive all the results back they will then send a request to the insurance company for transplant approval, which can take about a week. "Then" we go to UCLA to meet with the doctor and nurse and have a "frank" discussion about the procedure and sign all of the consent forms. So it may not be until the 19th before we proceed.

This reminds me of a time when I went to visit a friend in the hospital. She became very ill soon after she got married. Her stay in the hospital lasted many months. So you can understand how hard it must have been for her and her new husband. But she had a trust in the Lord that was evident in her attitude. What she said stuck with me. While discussing her situation she said, "God has me in his waiting room. I'm waiting on him." Don't we all need to trust and wait on the Lord during difficult times. That's not to say that we are not suppose to be active during these times. But somethings are beyond our control. I'd rather wait on Him then frantically run around trying make things happen or "control" the situation.

Fruit of the Spirit
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfullness, Gentleness & Self-Control

Tests Are Complete

Today the lab took 8 vials of blood from Steve to conduct all the different blood tests required by UCLA. As far as we know this completes all the screening tests. He's had a bone scan, echo cardiogram, EKG, chest x-ray, bone marrow biopsy, urine test, blood test and pulmonary tests. We see the doctor next Wednesday and hopefully we get to move forward and find out when we get started. These past two weeks have been tough, especially with the hot weather. But the marine layer is back and that makes me happy!

Just Beginning

Steve's screening tests began yesterday. They did his bone scan and echo cardiogram and then today he had his bone marrow biopsy. We followed up in the afternoon with his local oncologist who told his M-spike was down to 1.4. Last month it was at 1.6. Apparently as we get lower and lower the differences are not as dramatic. As long as the number keeps going down and not up then we are happy!

It' s been a few stressful days as you can imagine. For me it's the reality of the whole thing sinking in. Not to mention we received a call from our local hospital regarding his biopsy slides from April. We took them with us to UCLA on our first visit up there and turned them over to the "specialist". They never sent them back and the pathology department at UCLA had no record of receiving them! Many frantic phone call were made by several people trying to locate the slides. We received the news that they were found just before Steve was put under for the new biopsy.

Please keep us in prayer. The days are very busy for many reasons and are becoming more stressful. We love you all and we will keep the updates coming.

Screening Tests

We are still in waiting mode. We were told Steve would have all of the necessary tests scheduled and completed in two weeks. Well it's been 10 days and we are still waiting to be scheduled. I know many of you care to know how Steve is doing and continue to pray for us. As things progress I will post new updates. Once Steve is in the hospital, the blog will be the best way to find out out things are going.
Thanks again for your prayers.

Love, Deanna
AKA Mrs. Liscom!

Stem Cell Transplant

Yesterday we learned that Steve's best chance at a longer, healthier life will be to have stem cell transplant. Before they begin he has to have a myriad of tests to determine if his body can handle the transplant. The most important test will be the bone marrow biopsy. They want to make sure the current treatment has not damaged his stem cells. We knew this was a possibility but we had no other choice. (If you are interested in reading more about an autologous stem cell transplant click here.)

All the tests will be scheduled in the next two weeks. Once they are complete and everything looks good UCLA will contact the insurance company for authorization. So we are looking at starting the procedure in early October. I plan on taking a leave of absence from work so I can focus on him and his recovery. There is a lot we have to talk about and decide upon. Steve could be in th hospital I want to stay with him as much as possible.

Please pray for the following;
-Steve's stem cells are not damaged from the current treatment and all of his tests come back in his favor
-Steve will respond well to the transplant with limited side effects
-Our time at UCLA will be minimal
-For both of us to be prepared for what lies ahead, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally
-The Lord's provision and wisdom during the time I will be off work
-The Lord to help me manage our home and all that entails during Steve's transplant and recovery
-Protection over our home
-Strength for our marriage
-And most importantly we would glorify the Lord, always trusting in his perfect plan.

September 8th

Hi Everyone,

Steve's appointment at UCLA is the 8th. We are going to see the stem cell transplant specialist. He will be the one who decides if Steve can or cannot have a transplant. Please pray that the Lord will prepare both us for what lies ahead, to provide a restful night the night before so we will have clear minds to ask all the right questions and especially for his leading to make the right choice if other options are presented. To God be the Glory. Amen

Enjoying Life!

Steve and I have been enjoying life these past 4 months. Life "seems" to have returned to normal. You know, life before cancer. When he began the new treatment I have to say I was worried that he would not do well and have severe side effects that would limit him in many ways. As each month went by I was waiting for it to get worse. Boy, was I happy to be wrong. I don't want to minimize the side effects he is experiencing. Sometimes they are hard for him to bear. But through it all he has continued to do pretty good. He's done so well we've been able to go out of town a few times.

First we sent to Solvang in June to celebrate our fourth anniversary. Here is Steve outside of our hotel. Looks pretty good huh?

Then we went to South Lake Tahoe during the first week of August. We love spending time in Tahoe. It's where we went on our honeymoon. We just love the fresh mountain air and we get to spend time bicycling, swimming and going for walks around town.

From Tahoe we headed off to Reno for "Hot August Nights" and to see Steve's son, Dane. He we are at one of the venues, "Victorian Square". Dane took this picture of us. He did pretty good. And below is Steve and Dane at one of our favorite restaurants, Los Tres Hombres. Even though it gets pretty hot in Reno, Steve and I are very grateful that we were able to go.

Please, please keep us in prayer. The months ahead bring much uncertainty. We go to UCLA in September to find out if Dr. Schiller thinks Steve should and can have a stem cell transplant. If he can it will be a very tough road. If he can't we are unsure of what will happen next. God will have the final say.

But in the mean time Steve has begun some very ambitious projects. He wants to get the outside of the house painted, the garage a new roof and completely redo the front yard! A brand new planter bed with a new tree, plants and pavers. And do it all in the next 3 weeks! Yikes!