Chamberlain – Page 47 – St. Joseph's Indian School

Staff update on Fr. Steve

There will still be another hour before Fr. Steve will be finished with surgery; then, there’s recovery time before being moved to the critical care unit.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Fr. Bill here …

It is just about 11 PM. We just finished speaking with Fr. Steve’s main surgeon.

There will still be another hour before Fr. Steve will be finished with surgery; then, there’s recovery time before being moved to the critical care unit.

His doctor was pleased with the surgery and indicated that the mass took quite a bit longer to remove than expected. She was confident that they were able to remove it all without removing any bones, major arteries or nerves.

We thank God that there are no major complications with his surgery. As his doctor mentioned, Fr. Steve is going to be quite sore for a time after this surgery.

Due to the lateness of the hour, Fr. Steve will be transferred to the recovery hospital around midday tomorrow. He will remain in critical care until he is ready to move to a regular surgical recovery unit. We will keep you posted regarding his recovery progress.

Fr. Steve’s dad and mom continue to express their gratitude to God for the capable hands during his surgery and for the prayers of so many who have been praying for him over these past several months, especially during this very long day for us all.

On their behalf, we thank you for all your support, love and prayers. We can go home now, tired from the day and rest well with grateful hearts that all has gone as well as possible for Fr. Steve’s surgery. THANKS BE TO GOD!

Fr. Steve’s updates

I met with four of the doctors on the surgical team. My test results show no further problems, but it’s still going to be a complicated surgery.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Fr. Bill and I arrived at the hospital last night.

Mom and dad arrived today to be extra support for the duration of the time I’m here. They’ve been there so many times in the past for me in so many ways, but this will be my first surgery.

I met with four of the doctors on the surgical team. My test results show no further problems, but it’s still going to be a complicated surgery.

The biggest area of concern is what they’ll need to do to the blood vessels in my leg and nerve endings on my spine once they remove the tumor and see how much damage has been done.

They still can’t say if the surgery will take a few hours or all day. They just won’t know until they go in, and I won’t know until I come out!

While roaming the halls in between appointments, I ran into two of the couples I got to know from Hope Lodge.

Bill was in for a follow-up check up, and Robin in for a surgery of her own. I again experienced the caring bond of support that saw me through the weeks of chemotherapy and radiation.

This will be the last time I write for a while, but staff will provide an occasional update here until I’m able to speak for myself.

Thanks for all the prayers and support. It’s been awesome, and I’m confident that, with God’s help, we’re going to come through this OK.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Today at mass I received the sacrament of anointing of the sick, as the students and staff prayed for me before I got ready to head off to the hospital.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Today at mass I received the sacrament of anointing of the sick, as the students and staff prayed for me before I got ready to head off to the hospital.

I actually feel fairly calm and confident about the doctors’ ability to handle the tumor, and my body and the Good Lord’s abilities to heal.

The surgery doesn’t scare me. It’s the unknown period of rehab and limitation afterward that I won’t know how to handle until I’m in the midst of it. Yet, it’s in the tough times of life I have to trust God to carry me through.

Maria, a third grader, brought me up a beautifully wrapped present from the students – a liturgical stole with images of Old Testament characters sewn upon it. The base color was green – ordinary time, which we return to after today’s Feast of Pentecost.

I’m looking forward to the time when I feel ordinary and life gets back to its regular routine. The gesture was a nice and fitting send off.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I mostly answered cards and letters and got my desk cleared off as much as possible. I really don’t know how long I’ll be gone for medical leave.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

I spent most of the day in the office, with no one else around.

I mostly answered cards and letters and got my desk cleared off as much as possible. I really don’t know how long I’ll be gone for medical leave.

Rather than feeling like a chore, each letter gave me a sense of blessing and being cared for. I also fielded several phone calls from friends and relatives checking up on me and offering their encouragement.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Today was our end of the year retreat for our graduating 8th graders.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Today was our end of the year retreat for our graduating 8th graders.

Parts of the day recalled memories of the year and asked the students to share some of their highs and lows. Other parts of the day were meant to help them think about high school and beyond, while helping identify their hopes and fears. Other events were meant to help them pray and celebrate being together.

Staff were invited to write a few words of advice or congratulations to any of the students in a letter. We took a half hour of quiet to let the students read through the notes. I noticed quite a few tears of gratitude, nostalgia and laughter. Many of these young people I’ve known since they were third graders, and they’ve grown up right in front of my eyes. I have vivid memories of so many of them.

I said a few words of goodbye since I won’t be at graduation. Graduation is a big event for our youngsters, and I’ll miss being a part of it all. But, I plan to be back strong in the fall and be what support I can through their high school years.

Our current crop of high school students finished their semester at the public school today. As I walked around campus, I noticed many of their families had arrived and were loading up their cars with clothes and memorabilia from another year completed. We’ll see a good number of them back in another week to start summer school or work experiences.

Fr. Steve’s updates

It’s no secret that the present and birthday wish I’m asking for is to be in good health and cleared to come home after the surgery.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A day of many celebrations!

For morning break the Development office had scrumptious cake and Marina’s famous homemade strawberry ice cream to celebrate my birthday a little early.

For lunch my management team treated me to a sandwich and conversation at the downtown bistro. It’s no secret that the present and birthday wish I’m asking for is to be in good health and cleared to come home after the surgery.

This afternoon we had a reception for one of our teacher’s aides that completed her student teaching this semester. Congratulations to Michelle, we know that your training will help you reach the students in new ways.

I’ve been helping Nate, one of our houseparents, learn how to play guitar. After working on some liturgical music he’ll use for church, we went into Rock and Roll mode and had fun jamming to Cat Steven’s “Peace Train”, which took me way back to my high school days.

Brenton and Bryan from the Rec Center gave me a tour of an area in the hills behind the main campus where they are considering putting in an obstacle/team building course designed to teach our youth how to cooperate and build self confidence. Quality recreation is always important. Because students live here, we look for ways the fun times can also reinforce values and learning.

Fr. Steve’s updates

The oncologist called today with last week’s MRI results. The tumor has been steadily shrinking, which is such encouraging news. It will also make the surgeon’s job that much easier next week.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The oncologist called today with last week’s MRI results. The tumor has been steadily shrinking, which is such encouraging news. It will also make the surgeon’s job that much easier next week.

First diagnosis – 12 x 11 x 10 centimeters

After chemotherapy – 11.8 x 8.9 x 8.5 cm

After radiation – 9.5 x 7.7 x 6.9 cm

Since it’s shrinking in all 3 directions, the size is significantly smaller – 1320 cubic cm at first, and now under 500! The combination of good medical care and so many prayers is apparently working!

After school we gathered in the Rec Center to say farewell to the seven Child Services staff who will moving on to other adventures in their lives. Some staff serve at St. Joseph’s for a limited time.

Three of the departing houseparents have been here between one and two years, and have contributed a lot in a short time. The other four, two teachers and two houseparents, have been on staff for between 15 and 25 years! We will surely miss each of their gifts. Yet I’m confident that new people will step in and bring new gifts, abilities and talents. They will become the characters, and the rock, that St. Joseph’s is built on.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I’m growing impatient with the waiting and am ready to get on with surgery, which is one week from today. The sooner the tumor is removed, the sooner I can allow for healing and let the recovery begin.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

At this point it has become harder to focus on work. I’m growing impatient with the waiting and am ready to get on with surgery, which is one week from today. The sooner the tumor is removed, the sooner I can allow for healing and let the recovery begin.

Today was a day full of meetings to sit through that helped me focus on the tasks at hand. The meetings also took on a festive air as staff are starting to celebrate my birthday a few weeks early since I’ll be in the hospital then.

At the morning management meeting we had some tasty muffins complete with a lit birthday candle and song. At the afternoon Child Services Team meeting Karla brought a pizza sized sugar cookie from the local bakery that we could all share.

If there is one thing we do well around St. Joseph’s, it’s taking time to celebrate.

Dr. Mitchell, Chamberlain’s public school superintendent, is moving on to another job next month. I dropped by the open house to wish well. I especially wanted to say thanks for how he’s collaborated with our St. Joseph’s staff and students over the years.

There are times we need special accommodations – like at parent-teacher conferences when a houseparent has to meet with the teachers of all ten of their kids! The superintendent has initiated some productive discussions on how to provide good transitions and experiences for our students.

The new superintendent worked at St. Joseph’s some years back, and then became the high school principal. Because Dr. Johnson also knows our students and programs well, we look forward to keeping that collaborative relationship strong.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I ate supper with the David Home girls. Afterwards, I experienced a battle of the books. I tried to get two first graders to take turns reading, but they were not in a very sharing kind of mood.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Today, I had the usual meetings with the Director of Child Services and the Child Services Team. As we wrap up the last three weeks of school, everyone is getting in full gear for the summer.

As soon as school is out, we start a seven week smorgasbord of summer programs. The high school program has the most complicated schedule to coordinate. Our students come and go to a variety of camps, jobs and summer classes.

We also had our monthly Strategic Protection Committee meeting, which deals with issues of campus security ranging from preventing accidents to monitoring access to campus and the homes. We place a premium on staff and student safety.

There are so many trainings our staff do that I forget about until being reminded. The college students who will work on maintenance crew for the summer need a defensive driving course.

Other staff need a refresher course in lawnmower and forklift safety. I appreciate that our supervisors make sure those happen.

I ate supper with the David Home girls. Afterwards, I experienced a battle of the books. I tried to get two first graders to take turns reading, but they were not in a very sharing kind of mood.

Both Sasha and Jasmine wanted my full attention. First graders are sometimes hard to reason with, so both girls read different stories out loud on either side of me, a competition in stereo. But, they both seemed OK with that, so I just bounced back and forth to listen as I could and to help or correct where needed.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Monday seems to have more of those small but time-consuming tasks as people have time over the weekend to think, then get back to work.

Monday, May 10, 2010

I didn’t accomplish anything big today … just stayed with 10 and 15-minute tasks, phone calls, questions and emails that can fill up so much of the day. Monday seems to have more of those small but time-consuming tasks as people have time over the weekend to think, then get back to work.

At the development office, we’ve seen an upswing in interest from Europe about Lakota culture and our school programs. We discussed ways to continue connecting with those folks.

Overall, it was a cold, rainy day! In South Dakota we appreciate the moisture most anytime, but it has been hard on our track team.

They’ve competed three times, but had four other meets rained out. At this point in the school year, with all the other events, there is no chance to reschedule, so our season came to an inglorious end.

After school the coaches passed out the ribbons our athletes earned for the season, and held a pizza party. No school records were broken this year, but the students showed a lot of heart in their events.