I will use this page to update you on my Sister's and Mother's condition. You can jump to this page anytime
from the "What's New" page.
Just a note to let you all know things are going very good with my family. I have a great job with a great company now. My mom and sister have been perfectly healthy now for several years and all things seem look good for the future. thank you all again for your powerful prayers that have really help me and my family. Below is a current picture of Susie, you can tell she is now full of life. Thank you!
Dear Dorothy Fans,
Thank you in advance for your great support.
My love always,
Just a note to let you all know that my mom and sister are doing very well. There have been no complications and both feel good. Thank you all again for your constant prayers that have helped to heal my family.
But on 2/10/06 Susie had to have surgery on her Ovaries. A scan had detected cysts on her Ovaries. They did not know if they were cancerous but the doctors felt total removal of the left ovary and partial removable of the right were in order. Once the surgery began and the doctor could see the ovaries he decided total removable of both was warranted as they both had endometriosis and very large cysts.
11/06/05
Here is the latest on my mom and sister.
After my mother's successful treatment for her lymphoma cancer she was immediately diagnosed with thyroid cancer. This setback did not stop her determination to be healed. She had thyroid surgery where they removed her thyroid then had Radiation again with radioactive iodine. After all that she got her body scan which showed her to be cancer free! Finally her ordeal is over. All your prayers have aided her healing and recovery and she told me to give you her biggest thanks.
My sister has healed well after her breast surgery and reconstruction. However her latest scans have showed two problems. First a new 3cm lump has been discovered in the same breast that she has had all the trouble with. The doctors are unsure as to what it is. It could be scar tissue but they are taking no chances. They plan to do an MRI to get a better look at it then decide whether they need to do a biopsy.
Second they have found some cysts on her ovaries. They did not show up on her PET scan so they don't think they are cancer, but they may consider a removal surgery just for safety. So please continue your prayers for my sister and let's get her past all this into healing.
Thank you,
Steve
On 8/16/05 my sister had her reconstructive surgery for her left breast. They also reduced and lifted her right breast so it would be a nice match for her new left breast. She came through it well and is resting at home. Hopefully she is finally done with this ordeal and can get back to a happy life with her son. All your prayers have really strengthened her and helped her endure and recover. I can't thank you enough.
My mom's situation is another story however. Even though the lymphoma cancer tumor was eliminated by chemo and radiation, an abnormal growth was noticed on her thyroid. A biopsy confirmed it to be cancer. It looks like she will have to have her thyroid removed. This has been a painful shock to her. She was so happy and proud to have survived the lymphoma cancer, she really feels hurt by this new cancer.
My mom really needs your prayers to beat this last tumor. You have really helped her and my sister through everything so far, please help my mom Helen through this last hurdle.
The surgery to remove my sister's left breast was successful. After an analysis of the removed breast tissue they did find more cancer in it. It is the doctors belief that the cancer did not spread out of the breast and they caught it early enough. After my sister has had sometime to recover they will do another PET scan just to be sure. She is in pain but recovering nicely and in good spirits. Below are some pictures of her a week after the surgery. As you can see her hair has begun to grow back but it is all curly! My mom has begun her radiation treatments and plans on going back to work on Monday the 27th. All your prayers have really helped our family through this terrible time. Please keep praying for us.
Love Always,
Steve
5/25/05
After much discussion with her doctors they have decided it is best for Susie to get her left breast removed. It is a very sad thing and my sister really needs your prayers. She has decided it is better to have one breast and a full life with her son.
She will have a good plastic surgeon on hand to begin the reconstructive surgery at the same time as the removal. The surgery is scheduled for June
7th. Please pray.
On a better note my mom has had complete remission of her Lymphoma tumor. She will have some light radiation treatment as a precaution but we hope the worst is over. There was a spot on her Thyroid that showed up in the PET scan and we will be doing some investigation as to what that is.
I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster. Please pray for them both and for me as well.
I need strength.
Love always,
Steve
2/12/05
Today was my mother's birthday, she is 67. Two days earlier we got a call from her doctor. After three chemo treatments she was scanned to see the progress of the tumor in her chest. It was originally 8cm or about the size of a tennis ball. It has now shrunk to only 1.8cm! The doctor says that she has responded extremely well to the treatment and will have three more treatments and then get a full body PET scan. If the tumor is completely gone and there are no signs anywhere else in her body then she could be done. The radiologist may still recommend some radiation treatment as a precaution but depending on her progress this may be optional. My sister and I threw my mom a big birthday party and invited all the family and friends. She had a great time. My sister has gone back to work now and is almost done with her treatment. There are only a few more tests for her left. All is going well for them both and all your prayers have been instrumental in helping their recovery. Thank you so much and please keep praying for them. Below are some pictures from her birthday party.
Check out their cool wigs!
1/19/05
Just an update to let you all know your prayers are paying off. This Friday the 21st my mom Helen will have her third chemo treatment. She has handled these treatments quite well and is often only nauseated for a couple of days and hasn't thrown up at all since the first treatment. Her hair has even started to grow back! Go figure.
My sister Susie was recently part of a presentation at her work. The company she works for awarded her with a cash donation of $1000 and several Christmas presents. The company also created a new foundation with Susie as it symbol and inspiration because of her bravery. They will now provide for financial donations to help other employees that fall upon hard times. It is all very wonderful. Susie's health has been good and she is getting stronger every day.
You are all an important part of creating these blessings.
Thank you!
Here are some pictures of Susie and Travis from Christmas 2004. We all had a good time, hope you did as well.
Some people have requested a picture of me too so here it is. Me and my sister.
11/25/04
As many of you are aware, for the last two months my mother Helen has been experiencing various symptoms such as swelling of her face and left arm, shortness of breath, persistent cough and overall bad feeling. We at first thought this might be caused by the stress of dealing with my sister’s Susie’s recent diagnosis and fight against breast cancer these last two months. Susie’s cancer has caused my mom much sadness as well as myself so it was understandable at first that this could cause basic illness.
My mom saw her doctor and went to the emergency care on a few occasions when things got bad for her. Various diagnoses were given by each doctor, everything from a viral infection to rheumatoid arthritis. Finally a female doctor by the name of Lee Boone called for a chest X ray. The X ray revealed a dark spot near her heart and left lung. Dr. Boone scheduled an immediate CAT scan.
The next day, with dread, my mom and I went for the scan. After it was complete we were able to talk with the radiologist. She was a nice woman who took us into her office and showed us the scans. She told us a 3 inch diameter mass existed near the right lung. She told us she was very sorry but in her opinion it was cancer.
We left her office in silence and slowly walked like two shell-shocked soldiers to the car in the parking lot where we both broke down. My mom was totally devastated, how could this be? She never smoked, or drank, or did any of the things they say not to do. First my sister and now my mom. The day I found out I had to call my sick sister and tell her the news. She was so hurt and saddened. It is truly a horrible thing to be completely helpless, to know that the people you love are in pain.
When we got home doctor Boone called us and arranged for us to go to the hospital the next day for a needle biopsy. We checked in and the next day they performed the test. My mom had to be in a CAT scan machine while a very thin long needle was inserted into her chest so a sample of the cells of the tumor could be extracted for analysis.
They needed to know what kind of cancer it was. After spending the night in the hospital she was released the next morning. It would not be for three days that we would learn the results. The not knowing and constant fear and stress made it impossible to sleep or eat. The results finally came, she had Lymphoma cancer. A treatable cancer but no guarantees. Several other tests were performed such as a bone marrow biopsy and PET scan of her whole body. We prayed and prayed that the cancer had not spread. On 11/24/04 the day before thanksgiving the doctor called us and told us all the tests were negative. The cancer had not spread. In one week my mom will start chemo therapy.
We are celebrating thanksgiving today with the spirit of hope. My mom Helen, my sister and nephew Travis are together. We need your prayers to make it through these trials. Below are some shots from Thanksgiving.
Thank you all.
Steve
Hi D fans!
