Where We Are Now: May 2024

We are in a bit of a whiplash moment: We saw the oncologist, who told us he had been prepared to stop treatment and put Steve on hospice care due to his profound weakness. He has been watching Steve decline with weight loss, lack of energy, and struggling with simple, daily tasks. We have been in a waiting period post-radiation, hoping Steve’s body could recover from the harsh treatments. It takes everything we have to press on and keep moving forward. I can’t overestimate how much your meals, gift cards, notes, and power prayers make the difference on a daily basis. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

We haven’t known if the combination of immunotherapy and radiation was even working to shrink the cancer tumors. Steve recently had a PET scan, and we learned the tumor in his lung is practically gone, though the larger tumor in his psoas muscle is unchanged, not larger but also not smaller. The doctor was encouraged enough by this news to schedule more immunotherapy for as long as Steve’s body can handle it. He will soon begin another round of in-home PT to hopefully build muscle strength.

Cancer is such an insidious disease, and the course of treatment isn’t linear; it’s up and down and all around like a rollercoaster. And not a fun one, either. Each day builds upon the next, and the toll is heavy with no respite at this point. We hold onto hope, and we refuse to give up on that. 

We never feel alone, because the presence of God is palpable in our home. We treasure your companionship and support, please keep praying for strength for all of us, we need it!

Our son Ryan helped Steve arrive at the oncologist’s office