November update
Apologies to those who have been checking this site regularly for updates on Steve and finding no news since August. The lack of posts was simply because there were no significant changes to report. However, the adage, “ no news is good news” is not always the case, and while we knew that this was actually true in this case, you didn’t know that, and we realize that our long silence brought anything but peace of mind to some. So going forward we resolve to be more conscientious about posting updates--at least every other month.
Since the August update, another semester has almost run its course. Steve has been teaching his seminar on the history and philosophy of epidemiology and acting as adviser to eight grad students. He has remained passionately engaged in his environmental justice work and was honored in October with a beautiful tribute and celebration by the NC environmental justice network community. Music gigs continue to come his way, he makes time for and enjoys hearing from and getting together with friends, family, colleagues and students, and he’s keeping up with chores and projects at home, including cutting and splitting firewood and making benches from wood milled from trees on our land. He loves helping Betsy babysit the 2 year old twin grandchildren.
Steve had his first CT scan this past week since going on maintenance chemotherapy in August. The results were mixed. The good news is that there was no change in the liver tumors; the not so good news is that there was some regrowth of the primary colon tumor. His oncologist was quite positive, though, saying that overall this was a good report and there was no indication that the chemo should be escalated at this point. So the plan is to stay on the current chemo regimen for another 3 months until the next scan in February. The stepped-down chemo still has its share of negative side effects and Steve clearly has good days and bad days, but as always his spirit remains strong.
Thank you all for your steadfast care and support.
Comments (12)
Dear Steve, Your friends are so happy that your treatment is allowing you to do so many things that are meaningful and give you satisfaction. Raymond Neutra
Thank you for the update. It's heartening to hear that you are able to be so engaged in the life you love, Steve. Wishing you lots more of that, and plenty of good days as you continue your treatments. Sending you all lots of love and healing wishes, Cynthia & Ken Crossen
Thanks for the update ladies, we think of Steve and all of you often and you remain in our prayers! Would love to see Steve and Dad playing with their grandkids together and Miss Bella would have a big time with the twins! Tons of love and positive energy from KY! Karen, Walker, Bella, Dave & Joyce
Steve: I'm heartened that you're in the classroom and doing physical chores, even rigorous ones. I think of you often, especially recently when writing about the misleading character of standards for permissible exposure to radiation. Sounds like you're hanging in there even on the bad days. I send strength and blessing. LeRoy
Thank you for the update about Steve. I am always hoping that he wins this battle. Playing music with him is so much fun! I and the Second Line Stompers can't wait to play again with him on Dec. 1 at C Grace (when Chris Gelb is also playing) and again on Dec. 5th at Irregardless. Gregg
Thanks Y'all for posting about Steve.... Diane and i are really glad that he is doing so well. I can only imagine that keeping up w/ the Chemo, and the many things he is doing that he loves must take a strength of Spirit that i find so inspriring, and might find extremely challenging. It was so Very Very Awesome that Steve played a song w/Zambamboogee at our cd release party, that was such a fine time and a fine honor to play with Steve again. Such a fine man and musician, i have often felt intimidated around musicians of his Amazing Quality, but not w/ Steve, i always felt safe, honored/ appreciated. Playing w/ Steve always inspired me to play better. Steve Wing, Your presence vastly improves the quality of Life on Earth.... Thank You Brother Love, Scotty and Diane
Steve, you never cease to amaze me. if my wife were to recount my activities since August, and someone compared the two lists without knowing more, they would infer that I was the one on chemo. Perhaps next year I can record your History and Philosophy of Epidemiology class to go with the video of our interview that is now on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-739rz7IwQ Hang in there, Vic P.S. If you or your family would like to learn the practice of TM, I would be happy to provide a partial scholarship. E.g., see: http://www.tm.org/blog/video/tm-helps-cancer/ http://tmhome.com/benefits/study-cancer-patients-benefit-from-meditation/ http://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/blog/transcendental-meditation-cancer-patients-life/ http://www.tm-women.org/benefits-body-cancer.html
Yes, we who have checked the site are very appreciative that you have written again. That is amazing to keep the schedule of so many activities that bring value to so many of us in the larger community. Thank you all for your strength and Jerry and I send our love and wishes for good days throughout the holidays and continuing this coming year. Cathy Markatos
Lots of love to you Steve and Betsy! from me in ever-sunny Southern California. I can see you both in front of me just as clear as day, all the times I ran into you each at Weaver St., and we got to share a conversation. Steve, you inspire me, how you are continuing to do the many things you love. Keep on truckin', and it is good to get this update. So many of us here, cheerleading you on! Big hugs to you both. Love, Barbara Janeway
Steve: I also am amazed that you are able to keep up with your teaching, your music, and your outdoor activities. So glad to get the update. I pray daily for you and your family, and look forward to paying a visit some day.
Yes, thanks so much for this update. It is a privilege to be included on the journey that life is taking you on. I am thankful for the inspiration you each provide. I think, if it is possible to post it, that everyone would love to see the printed program that the NC Environmental Justice Network put together for their appreciation tribute for Steve and his work. I, too, send love from California, where I am spending an extended TG vacation. Too bad I am not close to Barbara. Jo
We were watching PBS NewsHour Friday night and a segment came on about a McClatchy investigation of the unrecognized and overlooked health effects from employment in the nuclear weapons industry. I was thinking "I bet they read some of Steve's stuff" and moments later there was Steve on the tube!! Great to see you, almost jumping out of the chair pointing out importance of healthy worker effect to understand the data. I am including the link so that others can see the video and the related stories. Hey to Betsy and the girls, keep the faith. http://media.mcclatchydc.com/static/features/irradiated/