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Post by steve201 on Jul 15, 2012 18:19:51 GMT -5
Hi everyone..
sorry I hadn't been on the site in awhile..it's been a rough time....ended up in ER 3 times....now in Virginia mason ..had 3 xrays.....2 ct scans....found out that I have leukemia aml....let me back up some ...about 13 yrs ago I contracted Scleroderma and was only given 6mos......mainly a walking dead...the treatment for it was cytoxan which arrested the disease but due to the lack of imperical data at the time...they didn't know it caused leukemia 10 yrs down the road...so..they gave me 13 yrs more life than I would have....
so..on top of that ...my gut came down with a massive gut bug that made me extremely ill.....couldn't poop....couldn't fart....couldn't eat until it all came to a head causing massive violent vomiting....
since I've been admitted to VM...they have had a great team taking care of me and my needs....I'm on chemo drugs and a host of other stuff to help kill off my stem cells...get the white cells back in line and then hopefully I can find a donor for me for some stem cells to save my life.....I've got things working and I thank god for every second and all the friends that have stood by my side....marsha and I greatful for all the caring comments from everyone....
Steve
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Post by kathsherman on Jul 15, 2012 19:33:24 GMT -5
hi steve...really wish there was something I could do for you and marsha...feeling a bit helpless and wanting to help somehow??? Please know that I will PRAY ....
kathleen xoxo
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Randy
Junior Member
Racing Gloves on!
Posts: 81 
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Post by Randy on Jul 15, 2012 23:36:20 GMT -5
Steve,
Thanks for letting us know what's going on. My prayers are with you, and I'm confident you can beat this.
Sincerely,
Randy
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Post by christel on Jul 16, 2012 9:23:46 GMT -5
At least you now know what you are fighting.. Keep the faith, Steve! I will keep you and Marsha in my thoughts and prayers!
Christel
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Post by Nancy - South Jersey on Jul 16, 2012 10:18:04 GMT -5
Aw geee, this all stinks!! Praying for the doctors' wisdom in treating you and that you will respond favorably. You have a great wife and you have all of us!!! Prayers are going out from all over the US for you. Please take care and feel better soon.
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Post by nhnancy on Jul 16, 2012 13:49:59 GMT -5
Hoping that all my prayers and positive thoughts can help you in your fight!
You and Marsha are in my thoughts everyday (((hugs)))
Nancy~
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Post by grammie on Jul 16, 2012 19:37:04 GMT -5
Hello Steve....and Marsha too,
When I opened up tonight to see if there was an update, I never dreamed what I would read. It left me speechless, sad, and then into prayer for you both. May the donor come through and may you respond to the treatment. Through it all, may you gain strength and may the 'feeling better' become longer and longer with shorter times of feeling lousy. Praying for strength, the peace from God that passes all understanding, and wisdom for Marsha. And comfort for your family.
It is a tough road but with your sense of humor, upbeat attitude, and gumption, I pray that the donor is found and you are on your way to recovery. Your positive outlook is catchy!
Hope you are able to keep us posted, or have you or Marsha set up a "keep us posted" from the hospital that we can sign into to read of your progress? I know several that have done that. Different hospitals call it different names.
In my prayers, Grammie
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Post by Cubby on Jul 17, 2012 17:06:37 GMT -5
Steve, I love you and Marsha. God bless u pal. DO NOT give in to this! If we can beat scleroderma, honey, we can beat just about anything. If I can help in any way, just tell me.
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Post by steve201 on Jul 17, 2012 19:47:06 GMT -5
thanks cubby........greatly appreciated...
there is a website for virginia mason hospital in seattle and cards can be sent free.....just select one of many and they will deliver the card and any message...
address it to harry stephens in rm 1559..
I'll be here for about a month..
Steve
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Post by steve201 on Jul 19, 2012 21:59:56 GMT -5
got a stack of cards today again and thanks to Grammie and chrystal.....great getting them from you...
Steve
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Post by steve201 on Jul 21, 2012 2:37:27 GMT -5
ok...today was sorta funny.....at least I thought so....I have this team ..which I call the 3 amigos ...doc's Holister parker and poole..which also sounds like cheesie lawyers from the 3 stooges......holister, a nice young man is obviously limp wrtisted.....but seems to know his medicine........poole, a very serious young lady but a bit masculine in the way she stands .....well...they come in and see how I'm doing every day...then talk for a bit reviewing meds, blood count ...etc....all that doctor stuff.......then
without missing a beat...all 3 pull out there stethescopes and start poking and prodding and listening.......
well...after I started feeling a bit better...I had one of the nurse techs get me a spare stethescopes for a gag.....hid it under my blanket ...and yep...here comes holister and poole...parker was on another case so it was just the 2 amigos....well...the usual hits and they ask thier questions.....poke ...prod.....review meds/labs etc....then they each reach for thier stethescopes......just like me...I grab mine under the sheets....and then start listening around my chest...the move onto holisters back....pooles shoulder all the while they are trying to be serious.....well....poole started cracking up and then holister.....my sister and wife were just giggling cuz I had those things in my ears going "mmm hmmm"....."hmmmmm"...and where were you listening over here???....just making a pain out of myself.....well...it was too funny and the serious dr. poole couldn't contain it....she walked out laughing down the hall....
thought I'd share some fun since sometimes it gets really boring here.....
Steve
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Post by jeffn on Jul 21, 2012 6:50:37 GMT -5
Sounds like you are feeling a bit better if you are well enough to torment your medical team  Keep up the good work! How is the chemo going? |
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Post by steve201 on Jul 21, 2012 8:21:37 GMT -5
I finished off the last of the chemo about 3 am this morning..........so..now it's just letting the blood work show if the white cells coming out are badly deformed or new and of course the stem cell transplant will happen in a few weeks.....I pray...then it's get back some strength..
Steve
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Randy
Junior Member
Racing Gloves on!
Posts: 81
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Post by Randy on Jul 21, 2012 10:56:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the update Steve. You will beat this!
Randy
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Post by thefangs on Jul 22, 2012 16:47:01 GMT -5
hey steve......long time, no see. i still pop on here every few months or so, and was shocked to read all that you've been through over the last 6 weeks or so. it just plain sucks, in my opinion. i hope you are able to keep your chin up and focus on the positives in your life. a year and a half ago, jeff got extremely sick and i was afraid we were going to lose him before summer was out. i will be praying for you AND marsha, because as a caregiver, i know how stressful and nerve-wracking it can be to see your loved on suffer. *HUGS* and prayers coming your way buddy. in friendship, laurie (and jeff)
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Keep up the good work! How is the chemo going?