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.[...]

Earlier this month Steve completed the prescribed 6 months/12 cycles of what is considered very aggressive chemotherapy (for those of you familiar with this stuff it was FOLFIRI + BEV).  As is standard at the 6 month mark, the most toxic of the 4 drug mix was dropped in order to, among other things, give his body a break. This new regimen is known as “maintenance” therapy. He continues to go to the hospital every other week to be infused with two of the drugs, then he wears a pump home which infuses the third drug over the next 46 hours.  So in essence his chemo schedule is the same, just minus one drug.  He has already noticed fewer and less debilitating side effects on the new regimen and is very happy about that![...]

Just a brief update as there is little to add since our last post.  Steve is faring much the same as last month with no obvious changes good or bad.  He did see a well-respected oncologist at Duke last week for a second opinion.  The Duke doc has been conducting some promising research/clinical trials in the area of immunotherapy, but he said unequivocally that colon cancer was not responsive to this approach.  In essence, he agreed with Steve’s current treatment plan with a couple of tweaks here and there.  We liked him enough and found his thoughts on Steve’s case to be sufficiently helpful that we may well check in with him again in the future when/if we reach a crossroads regarding treatment choices.  In the meantime, Steve will continue with his bi-weekly chemo infusions at UNC for two more months, then another scan to check on the metastatic tumors, then a treatment plan based on the scan results.[...]

A few days ago Steve had his first CT scan since starting chemotherapy in February and the news is good!  The images show an overall reduction (about 30%) in the size of the metastatic tumors in his liver as well as in the primary colon tumor.  This means that the chemo is working! (Thanks to you all for willing, praying, hoping for this.)  The oncologist said that Steve is doing better than average in terms of the combination of his response to and toleration of the treatment.  We were hoping that this good result would mean that his infusions could be stretched further apart (e.g., every 3 or 4 weeks rather than the current every 2 weeks), but apparently that’s not how it works, so he will stay on this aggressive treatment plan for three more months, have another scan to check progress, and then a decision will be made as to what happens next.  For now, though, we can celebrate where he is today.  One day at a time….[...]

Steve’s oncologist was all smiles at his most recent visit last week. His nutritional status and hemoglobin levels are improving and he’s regained some weight. Further, he has had no pain from the colon tumor for the past few weeks which is a clear indication that the primary tumor is responding to the chemotherapy and is shrinking.  A CT scan scheduled for the latter part of May will provide information on the status of the metastatic tumors in his liver (and possibly lung, this was not definitive on the earlier scan in Feb). The cessation of abdominal pain has allowed him to resume his regular diet (a super healthy and scrumptious one) which has contributed not only to his improved health status but to his day to day quality of life.  Overall, Steve is feeling much better than he had been two months ago.[...]

It’s been a month since Steve received his diagnosis. He’s had two chemotherapy treatments; the third is coming up this week. So far he’s tolerating the treatments fairly well, fatigue being the most constant symptom. He is working from home regularly and going into the office to teach class and meet with students.[...]

I am deeply touched and inspired by your beautiful posts.  When Marion, Ann and Betsy asked me if it would be ok to set up a web page where people could find news about my cancer and treatment, I thought it would mostly be updates for others.  I didn’t expect it to be a collection of testimonials, but I’m getting used to that, and I truly appreciate your support. Thanks also to those of you who have sent beautiful gifts and cards filled with reflection and hope. [...]

Since last fall Steve had not been feeling his best, but he carried on with his normal activities including his community activism, music gigs, research, home projects and family time with his usual passion and enthusiasm. Steve isn’t one to visit the doctor very often, but eventually when his increasing lack of energy began to impact his day to day activities, he decided to seek some answers. One test led to another and on February 20 he was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. The following week he started on an aggressive course of chemotherapy at UNC’s Cancer Center in the hopes of slowing the spread of the cancer. Steve is planning to continue to engage in things that are important to him and that he enjoys doing. His family and community are rallying around him in ways to be supportive.[...]