May 8th Update
Steve has been scheduled for surgery this Thursday, May 12 at UNC Hospital. The surgery will initially be exploratory to assess the extent of Steve’s metastases and if it makes sense to do so, then proceed to remove the primary colon mass and fix the perforation. The ultimate goal is to make Steve more comfortable and improve his quality of life.
While it is good to be out of the hospital, the last two weeks have been very difficult and uncomfortable for Steve. For the past three weeks, he has been unable to eat and has been sustained on artificial nutrition. He also has a drain installed in his abdomen to continue to manage the effects of the perforation. On top of those discomforts, the spasms are back, which have been very discouraging and leave him constantly exhausted.
We are all so appreciative of everyone’s caring and support. While our family is focused inwardly at this time in order to get through each day, your well wishes and love do so much to help hold us up. It’s a comfort to know that you will be sending positive energy our way on Thursday.
Comments (29)
Dear Betsy, Ann, and Marion.. and all... Sending strong well wishes and love... thank you for keeping us updated, and making it possible for us to be with you and Steve on this journey, to the extent possible. Holding you tight in my prayers (you know what i mean- meditations, thoughts, dreams, heart.)
Steve: Obviously these past days have been difficult. I'm hopeful that the surgery coming up Thursday will ease things for you and possibly begin a genuine recovery. You have been and continue to be an inspiration to multitudes of others. Thank you for your lifelong contribution. Bidding you strength and grace, LeRoy
Thank you for the update. My heart goes out to you all. Hoping for the best, Vic
Thank you Betsy and the girls for all these updates. Stay strong to face this another challenge. By knowing how Steve is, I am sure he will find his way to enjoy these moments with you all. I loved the pictures you shared.
Thanks Betsy and girls for keeping us updated..... We Love You guys, hang in there..... biggest Love possible coming your way, and wishes for comfort, and highest possible quality of Life.......
I know how difficult this is for all of you, I wish you didn't have to endure this discomfort. I hope the surgery alleviates the spasms and get you back home soon Steve. Again my heart is with you all.
Aaron, Tom, Crystal, Lizzie and I are all wishing you much peace and hopefully a good rest following Thursday's surgery. You are always with us and we are always with you! Much love, Mary
Dearest Wings. Each update, and certainly this one, makes me more aware and so appreciative of the community you are honoring and nurturing by allowing us be with you. The upcoming surgery is a milestone that we all will be with you on in spirit and grateful that you have each other in the flesh. Love, Jo
Having the surgery this soon looks to help all these difficulties. We send our best to you all and can perhaps help in some way in the near future as we are close by at 542-2139. Thank you for the good photo with grandhildren. With love from Jerry and Cathy
We continue to think of you every day, Steve, and hope for results on Thursday that exceed all expectations for improving your comfort and quality of life. You remind me so much of my brother, how that he made all the time together with his wife and the rest of us the most meaningful and memorable times for us all despite all the pain and discomfort associated with his colon cancer. It's still amazing looking back, how that we did so much living under what seemed to be the worst of times, than in any other part of our lives together. We love you, David & Kathy Lewis
Steve, Betsy, Marion, and Ann - may love nourish you. I'm hoping for the very best outcome for the surgery. craig
My love to all of you as Thursday approaches, and I'll be with you in spirit that day. Love to you Betsy , on this day that celebrates mothers. You have always been one of the best!
Steve, my heart goes out to you in this hard deep and exhausting time. I will not soon forget the kindness you shared and the fun we had in our sojourns through Three Mile Island. Your life has beeb a touchstone. I wish you strength for this coming Thursday. Love, Bob Del Tredici
Steve and Betsy: I'm so appreciate of your updates. Every day I hope and pray for the best for you and family, and send my thoughts and best wishes for peace and as much comfort as possible. Will be thinking especially of you on Thursday and hoping for the best possible outcome.
Steve and family, I am constantly praying for a miracle and for comfort to the family. I can see your sweet smile and it makes me smile.
We are sending the best of vibes for the surgery this Thursday and the biggest hugs to let you know how much love there is for each of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May God surround and strengthen all of you! Please know how much all of you are loved and how much your extended family is behind you in spirit!
Hi, Steve and Betsy: Sending my love and thoughts your way -- Cat
We also appreciate the updates and hope for good results on Thursday and more hanging out with those young people and critters in Chatham County.
Betsy, Ann, and Marion thank you for sharing these updates. I have never met you, but we are connected through Steve, whom I think is an amazing person. You and Steve are all in my thoughts and prayers this week. Peace. --Liam
Steve, Everyday thinking of you and your family's efforts to enjoy life and each other. All our best. Jane Gallagher George Lucier
Hi, Steve, Betsy Ann and Marion, Cathy and I wish you the best with this upcoming surgery, and we are thrilled, as always, to see you quoted, Steve. The article by Sue Sturgis in the latest Institute for Southern Studies dispatch quotes your "negative by design" assessment of the state's look at cancer clusters from coal ash and your explanation why. http://www.southernstudies.org/2016/05/nc-produces-flawed-study-to-dismiss-cancer-cluster.html It was great to see the interview with you that was linked earlier in this series of friends' and colleagues' posts, illuminating how you found your way to a level of public service that our universities like to claim, but often fall short on delivering.
Thanks for these updates, and for your clarity and courage. Will be especially thinking about you all on Thursday. Love and hope, Trude
Sending my love and thoughts and care. I appreciate hearing these updates. I suppose surgeons will work be able to provide some information and perhaps they'll work a little magic to help manage spasms and other issues. Thanks for keeping me and others in the know.
Continued love. hope and prayers for all of you. Nancy
Love and concern and hope for your family in this huge sad and painful process are alway in my heart and mind. May you find moments of peace and surcease every day. Stephen
We wish Steve the best in his upcoming surgery and look forward to seeing him after recovery. From his old buddy in Nutrition, John Anderson
Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion, My prayers are with with you during this difficult time. Sue Wolf