Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2013!

I asked Steven what his New Year's resolution is, he said "no surgeries".

He also walked without a pole or any assistance yesterday and finally started to have some energy tonight.

Love to all.
Tracy

10,000 Page Views!

Wow :)

Thank you to everyone for following Steven on this journey. We are so grateful for your love, support, feedback and understanding. I know Steven has a lot of people who care about him and who have been pulling for him all along and so I felt this would be the best way to keep everyone in the loop.

As many of you know, when we first found out about Steven's cancer this past January I did not want to talk about it. That is why this blog worked so well for me, it allowed me to share important news while letting me maintain my walls. At certain points during this past month it's those walls that held me up, held me together and allowed me to remain strong.

That being said, I also took the time over this past year to write about how this experience effected us. With everything that has been given to us, I want to find a way to contribute and so I have decided to complete a short book (hopefully finished February) and collect donations with 100% of  proceeds going towards the fight against cancer and/or supporting individuals effected by cancer.

To those of you who weren't on the receiving end of my updates, upsets or hopeful optimism this past year and are interested in a book email me at tracycargo@gmail.com and I will order one for you. I am not a sales person, so no pressure - this just seemed like a good opportunity to do something.

Love to all.

Tracy

Dr. T Visit

Dr. T came to see Steven this morning and says that he is doing really well (even if he doesn't feel like it). It sounds like they will be removing a tube today that will allow Steven to start wearing pants :) It also sounds like things should start to improve quickly next week. Depending on the results of his CT scan on Monday he may have another tube removed early in the week.

Steven has started to eat since his Christmas meal. He requested Pho but we have to wait for the restaurant to open on Jan 2nd. He had Chinese last night and will have spaghetti tonight.

I am starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, even if we still have 2 weeks left to go.

Love Tracy

Christmas Dinner

A HUGE thank you to Uncle Harry, Aunty Harriett, Alison and Jurgen for giving us a fantastic catered Christmas dinner. The highlight was seeing Steven really enjoy his first full meal since his surgery. He loved it. 

Another highlight was Steven having a nice visit with James and going for a walk without his walker (aka a "Zimmer Frame" according to John).

Another big event... my mom turned 50 today! Happy Birthday MOM! (What better way to show my love?).

Hope everyone really enjoyed their Christmas.

BIG Hugs,

Tracy

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. We look forward to getting home in the New Year.

Love to all.
Tracy

3 More Weeks...

Steven had an ultrasound, CT scan and x-ray all before I was even out of bed this morning. Dr. T stopped by to say that Steven needs to stay in the hospital for 3 more weeks but that things are looking well. Progress is slow and Steven needs to work on nutrition, otherwise a good report. Of course, Steven is not excited to hear we have 3 more weeks but as far as bad news goes, this news is ok.

Steven has started to walk faster and all of his tests and cultures have been negative (in a positive way). Yesterday was a weird day and he slept through most of it since he didn't sleep much the night before.

We are hoping for a good day today.

Love Tracy

A Positive Story...

Hello All,

I just have to share a story I am so excited about! A friend of ours who went through this journey last June emailed last night to say that she got her MRI results and there is "no evidence of disease"!!

We are so grateful for everyone who has traveled this road before us and can share their good news stories with us.

Sending you lots of love.

Tracy

The Road to Recovery

Steven has had a slow start but his doctor confirmed that he should start getting stronger now and eating more.

- Finally -

A lot longer/harder than we expected. Especially for Steven who has been fighting the good fight every day. He has been amazing.

Steven had a nice visit with James and my mom last night in the waiting area. James finally shared some of his smiles with Steven. I think James smiling is just the kind of medicine Steven needs :)

A big thanks to the Chapman gang who sent us Christmas presents to stick under the tree here - starting to feel a little like Christmas now.

Love Tracy

A Little Better

Steven said he feels a little better today. YAY! He has put in a lot of effort to eat more and managed a bit more sleep last night. He also walked to the waiting area and sat on the couch to visit my mom and James last night. They are still doing lots of tests (an ultrasound this morning and a CT scan later in the week) to keep a close eye on Steven. This is a good thing. The weekend was rough but Dr. T says Steven may have turned a corner - the week will soon tell. Dr. T also told us he's got a couple weeks left in the hospital as it is a slow recovery.

All that being said, Steven is working so hard every day. And while it may be slow, every day he get s a little better.

Love Tracy

And James :)

He has Steven's hair.

Tessa... from Don

Don painted Tessa :) So talented!! Thanks Don.

Fever...

Steven had a drain removed earlier this week but unfortunately had a new one inserted yesterday to drain an abscess. He is also still fighting a fever. I think once he can rid himself of this fever the healing will really begin. I am hoping to have Steven home for Christmas but only time will tell. He feels like his healing is going slower than it should but so long as it is headed in the right direction, we are happy.

Jake was here to visit today and will be back again tomorrow which is really nice. My dad is also talking about making an appearance. I would like him to come near the end of the month to drive us home - I hate driving in the snow.

Brent and Ruth planned to visit today but the snow kept them home. Definitely better to be safe this time of year. We hope to see them when we go home and stop in Salmon Arm on the way.

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. I will be celebrating whenever Steven gets home.

Love to all.

Tracy

A White Christmas

We met with Dr T this morning. Steven is doing good. If all goes well they may remove the vacuum from his incision sometime next week. Steven is going for a CT scan today because he still has a fever. Overall, Dr T seems happy with Steven's progress; however, I think we will be having a white Christmas this year.

Dr T thinks Steven will be a couple weeks in the hospital still. Happy Shelley suggested we celebrate Christmas in January, we will do this on both sides.

Phillip was here earlier this week and Steven really enjoyed the visit. Steven was also up and walking 3 times yesterday! The progress is slow and steady... and probably not as fast as Steven would like it.

Love Tracy

BIG Thank You!

Hi All,

I just want to take a second to thank everyone for all of your love and support. Both Steven and I are so lucky to work with people that we love and who have been amazing to us both during the past year (Fransen Engineering and The Career Centre). A special thank you to Jason and Schwabe who have been able to make Steven laugh every step of the way.

I could dedicate a whole blog to thanking Steven's parents. They have been at our side since January (literally!) supporting us with John's positivity and Ethel's amazing cooking :) Thank you to Jonathan, Jennifer and Steve for EVERYTHING and to Shelley for always spoiling us but most importantly for an incredibly thoughtful book of motivational pictures of Ashley and Ryan.

Thank you to my mom who took a break from fostering kids so that she could be available to Steven and I. She has been looking after James every day for the last 3 weeks so I can be with Steven. Thanks to my dad for holding down the fort while she gone and for constantly being an ear to listen. BIG thank you to my brother and Amy who are gifting me with my mom's time when they've just had a baby.

Thank you to James and Denyse for looking after our first baby, Tessa. We are so lucky to have such great friends and to know that Tessa is happy and well cared for while we are away.

Thank you to Steven's Granny and Granda and the Brown's for always thinking of us and reaching out to share your love.

We are staying in the most beautiful condo so a HUGE thank you to Wayne and Elaine. In addition to the free accommodation they have taken me to yoga, Steven's parents out for lunch and dropped off gifts along the way. As my mom says, if everyone was half as generous and thoughtful as Elaine this world would be a better place.

Jake - you are amazing. It's times like this when you find out who your true friends are (not that there was ever any doubt) and you have been there for us every step of the way. Carly you have been a huge support this past year as well. 

This journey has blessed us with new friends who have traveled similar paths - thank you to Apis and Caylee for all of your insight. And my BIGGEST thank you to Ruth and Brent. You two have carried us through the most difficult year. Without your story to offer us hope and then your friendship to guide us we would not be where we are today. 

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Foothills Hospital - we highly recommend this hospital to anyone who ever needs it. Dr. T and his team have a place forever in our hearts... no words can possibly thank them enough.

Everyone has offered us huge amount of supports and our thank yous could go on and on. We have amazing friends and family and we are so grateful. We will spend the rest of our lives trying to pay it forward.

Thank you.

Love Steven and Tracy

Missing Home

Steven’s hemoglobin is low so he had a blood transfusion yesterday and today it is still low but not so much that he needs another transfusion. This leaves Steven feeling quite drained. Still, he managed to go for two walks today J

More than anything I think Steven just wants to be home. So everyone heading to their own beds tonight please take a second to appreciate the comfort of being home.

Love Tracy

Busy Day

Yesterday was a busy day for Steven. He had an x-ray early in the morning. This was followed by inserting a vacuum in part of his incision (and yes, opening the incision up first). He had a day full of visitors (the usual suspects), physio and an ultrasound.

The additional tests were to help determine why Steven still has a fever. They opened up the incision to help it to heal. Steven started the day and ended the day in good spirits, although the opening of the incision without an explanation was not well received.

Love Tracy

No More View

Steven was moved to a semi-private room last night as someone was in need of the private room for isolation. His new roommate seems good - another 29 year old guy who will likely be in the hospital for about a week. Once settled Steven seemed happy with his new accommodations but we had to take a lot of his stuff home as there just isn't the space.

Otherwise, Steven continued to improve. Jonathan is up so Steven enjoyed having some variety in his visitors. We received a really nice email from Caylee last night with some good suggestions of things we can do while Steven is in the hospital, like bring Steven in a milkshake. Caylee is our inspiration over here as she went through this surgery 2.5 years ago and has been a fantastic and positive support. She is at the hospital again right now as she gave birth to twins in November! Congratulations Caylee :)

Our love to all.

Tracy

Best Day Yet

Steven got up today and moved to a chair and sat for quite a long time. Later he had a CT scan and walked to the stretcher (to be taken down for the scan) and then back to his bed afterwards. He was also eating solid food including half an egg salad sandwich. Overall, a very good day.

Never have I looked so forward to having a "normal" day but I am happy with every day Steven feels better.

Love to all.

Tracy

Off the Epidural

The doctors took Steven off the epidural yesterday and he did well. He said the pain was manageable through the night. He also stood yesterday... without fainting!

Steven is getting a CT scan today because his temp is back up along with his heart rate. He said he feels good though. He is still on his antibiotics through the weekend.

Love Tracy

Room with a view...

Happy to report Steven is in a private room. He had a sip of black coffee, some jello, broth and apple juice at breakfast. He also had a popsicle as part of his lunch. It's a liquid diet at this point but so far he is keeping everything down.

I look forward to bringing James in with the stroller so he can visit longer. And the room even has a view.

P.S.

Jennifer and Steve arrived and had a good visit with Steven yesterday afternoon. I am sure Steven appreciated seeing some new faces with new topics of conversation.

Good Morning :)

It has been a few days since I have been inspired to post; however, a text from Steven this morning has me eager to share the news! He said ""Good news today. Drs were here on rounds and back again with Dr. T. They took out the chest tube and going to clamp the g-tube". The g-tube has been emptying his stomach, so clamping it off means that for the first time in over a week Steven might be able to eat. He also says he can breath more freely with the chest tube out.

It also looks like Steven might get a private room which would be ideal. Especially when we bring James in with his stroller to visit.

My morning is off to a great start and I hope everyone else is having an equally good day. I will post again later.

Love Tracy

Looking Good

Steven had another CT scan today and things are looking good which means the conservative approach is likely working. His infection symptoms are also getting better. Steven seemed in good spirits today, his pain is under control and he sat by the bed last night and didn't feel dizzy.

Not much else to report. I left Steven with his cellphone today and he has been texting me. I went shopping with my mom and got Steven some Christmas presents to open in the hospital. I also got him a snowman decoration :)

Love Tracy

A "procedure" instead...

Steven managed to avoid going back in for surgery today as  they found another conservative way to try to rinse out the area. They will rinse it again later today and hope that this works. Steven will have another scan done to determine if the conservative approach has been successful. Otherwise, the doctor will have to go back in tomorrow.

I will try to update this blog whenever I know more. In the meantime, we look forward to having Jennifer and Steve join us tomorrow. Steven also enjoyed having Doug (from Fransen) come and visit him on Sunday night.

Tracy

Nuisance

Yesterday overall seemed to be a better day for Steven. His pain was finally under control and he seemed much more himself. He did good with his exercises in the morning but unfortunately this left him in pain afterwards. Once the pain was managed Steven spent a few hours frustrated by shaking uncontrollably. The shaking was accompanied by a fever of 39.7 and low blood pressure. Dr. T came to check on Steven and confirmed he had an infection. Luckily they started Steven on antibiotics yesterday morning and by last night he improved quite a bit.

Steven had a CT scan to determine the cause of the infection. Dr. T explained he may have to go back in but clarified that this is not a major complication, just a nuisance. That was the reason I didn't post last night... we were waiting on the CT results from the Dr and didn't get the call until 1am. This call let us know that they are not going back in, yet (and hopefully not at all!).

So why did I think this was a good day for Steven? He joked with the nurses, asking about the flavour of his IV nutritional fluid (the nurse informed him it's strawberry). He was happy to get to drink the drinks in prep for the CT scan. He commented on another patient getting coffee and that McDonalds has peppermint mochas on for $1. So anyone who likes coffee, let Steven know how those peppermint mochas are.

Thanks to Moira for Frolic the dog and to the Career Centre for the card with warm wishes and gift cards.

Our love to all!
Tracy  

A Bit Better :)

We had a good visit with Steven this morning. He seemed to talk a bit louder and was in less pain. He bent his knees right up and was moving his arms around and did his breathing exercises. We left when physio got there and he sat by the edge of the bed and moved his legs around. Then he had a sponge bath by two young, cute nurses.

As often happens when you start to feel a little better, you move a little too much so we were back to managing his pain after his busy morning.

I'll be back to visit him with James and my mom this afternoon and John and Ethel will visit again tonight.

Love Tracy

Progress

Hi All,

Steven sat at the edge of the bed and stood up twice in a row today. He also did arm lifts, knee bends (while lying on his back) and breathing exercises. He also slept a lot throughout the day to catch up on sleep from the night before.

Tonight Steven had a pain in the upper right side of his back and had an x-ray but has not yet received the results.

I will keep you posted on the results tomorrow. 

Good Night.

Tracy

Epidural is working.

Morning,

I visited with Steven yesterday afternoon and he was sleeping quite well during our 3 hour visit :) He was interrupted a few times by the ICU staff (they came up to check on him), the pain team (pain is down to a 5/10) and the new nursing staff. The epidural seems to be working much better. Steven managed to do a few arm, leg and breathing exercises while I was there and during the evening visit with John and Ethel he managed to sit up.

One of the goals in switching him to an epidural is that he will be less groggy but as of the evening visit he was still very sleepy. John called the hospital this morning and he slept well through the night - finally.

I imagine they will try to have him stand today and will post how that goes.

Tracy

Out of the ICU!

Happy to report Steven seemed to have a better night. They came to do his epidural at 11am and he seemed better afterwards.They had not started the pump on the epidural as of the time we left but they gave him a shot through the epidural and Steven feels it is working. This should make it possible for Steven to feel less pain but be more alert. He had to sit up and bend over for the epidural which wasn't ideal but it was good for him to move.

Prior to the epidural Steven did some work with the physiotherapist. She was fantastic. He was moving his arms up and down and she worked on his breathing and assisted him with coughing to help clear his lungs. He needs to work on breathing deeper.  

When we left this afternoon Steven was being moved from the ICU to a high observation unit on the floor he will be staying on for the next few weeks.Overall a good start to the day as we are progressing forward.

Talk soon.

Tracy

Winter Wonderland

Morning,

John and Ethel had a good visit with Steven last night and he even managed to talk to Jennifer and me on the phone. This morning we make the decision about the epidural so we need to get to the hospital soon to make sure we don't miss the pain team. My mom visited with Steven yesterday and would have received a nice hug if the bed wasn't so high. 

We awoke to a winter wonderland in Calgary or "Siberia" as Ethel says.

I'll update again later.

Love Tracy