Fr. Steve’s updates

The nerves in my right leg and foot are very sore and sensitive, which makes it hard to walk or stand for very long.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

I’m starting to get out and about a bit, even if only for a couple of hours. The nerves in my right leg and foot are very sore and sensitive, which makes it hard to walk or stand for very long. But, that’s what the doctors expected after the surgery. With time, they also expect the pain to diminish.

In the morning, I dropped by the business office to see folks. I’ve been back on campus for some 10 days now, yet there are so many folks I haven’t seen, so I did a lot of catching up.

Our summer day camps are in full swing, and I stopped by the dining hall for lunch. For these next two weeks, the camp is for children from Lower Brule.

They ride our bus in each day for arts and crafts, cultural activities, recreation and a couple of good square meals.  Several of the children are St. Joseph’s students, so I got lots of hugs as I worked my way through the tables.

In between activities, I took a few naps and didn’t do a whole lot else.

I’m still very tired and pay attention to my body when it needs rest. I’m learning to cope with the limitations. A simple task like getting dressed takes lots of extra time and effort, especially putting on my socks.

The first time I was back in chapel I genuflected out of habit but found it very difficult to get back up without the pew to lean on. My foot doesn’t work so well on the brake or gas pedal of the car, so I’m grounded for now.

Yet, I count my blessings every day, grateful they found the cancer in time to successfully remove it. This healing time just takes patience and time.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

12 thoughts on “Fr. Steve’s updates”

  1. Father Steve, I am so Thankful to The Lord for your successful surgery. I am now praying that your right leg and foot soon will be healed and you will return to your health as was in past. God Bless YOU and I am happy to know YOU are taking care and resting when your body says do it. Many prayers and Christian Love to YOU. Truly, NITA MArie

  2. Fr. Steve,
    So glad to hear you are doing so well. It does take a lot of time to heal. I am over a year now, and still surprised sometimes at how my body reacts to certain things. Take it slow and try to enjoy the “down time”. God’s blessings on you and the children at t Joe’s!

  3. JMJ / MMM 16 June 2010 100616
    Dear Father Steve —
    I’ve been following your postings & have kept you in prayer. Thanks to Jesus that you’re back home & are recovering. Your words about how it takes longer to get dressed, especially your socks, caught my attention. In 5 months I’ll be 80 and I thank God for my very good health. But sometimes I overwork physically and in the evening its very exhausting just to walk from one room to another. But the next morning God has me ready to function well, especially on Fridays when I spend most of the day in the hospital bringing Jesus in the Eucharist to many patients, eight floors, all units, twice to catch the ones I missed. (Fr Steve, I do this with great devotion and NO RUSH. To see anyone rush this displeases me.) /// Katie, my wife, has not returned to me, continues to abandon me, 2 1/2 years now. I have surrended absolutely everything to God’s Eternal Will, that Unchanging Divine Decision made before Katie and I were born. Until yesterday I suffered hell, often great depression. But this has changed. I DO Love Katie as God Loves me, as God has made clear to me to do. But God in Jesus is my Eternal Lover and I am “in” God, and God is “in” me. I hope soon for the words, (God speaks) “Arise My love, my beautiful one! The winter is now over, and the voice of the dove is heard in our Land, and the flowers have appeared in our Land. Arise, clasp My hand, and come. We’re going Home!” /// I will continue to pray for your complete recovery, complete cure, and for the help you need to be a good priest always, Loving God. John

  4. It’s good to hear you are getting around St. Joseeph’s again. It sounds like you are used to being very active so this rest and recover time must seem long and tedious. Try to enyoy the rest and take good care of yourself.

    The prayers continue.
    Theresa

  5. LORD, WATCHOVER FR. STEVE AS HE CONTINUES TO RECOVER. I ASK YOU JESUS TO BE WITH HIM. AMEN NEVEN

  6. We are not at all surprised to learn that you are getting back into the saddle..and will soon be fit as a fiddle..After all..You are the only one of you..and that special you is soooo needed..!
    You have NO IDEA of how special and needed you are..!
    And We can say that, because we know..!
    Our prayers are always with you..where ever you go…
    Best Wishes
    Always..
    Mia and Bob

  7. Keep up the good work. You’re an inspiration to me.

    Be good to yourself.

    Peace & prayers,
    Leah

  8. Hi Fr.Steve, I was very happy to hear that you are getting around so well. Just take it easy & take your time doing things. You are in my prayers & thoughts every day. God Bless you Angie & Kenny

  9. Father Steve,

    Please remember that Rome was not built in a day. You have been through two strenuous journeys: First, the medication and second, the surgery. Please take care and try not to overdue. The Lord is with you in this recovery as He has been in the last two journeys. I know you will keep this in mind as He watches over you in this slow recovery process.

    With our continued prayers for a full and complete recovery.

  10. Dear Fr. Steve,

    I know exactly what you are going through. Patience and lots of rest although frustrating helps the body to heal. Thank God they caught the cancer in time to renmove it completely. My husband and I are so happy to hear that.

    I’m still grounded too. Every day seems to bring me that much closer to the finish line though and I can’t wait to be able to get around again also. I hope and pray that you don’t take as long as I am to get over your healing process and back to your happy-go-lucky self again.

    God Bless you Fr. Steve and the staff and children too. Take care and hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for all the updates.

    Love,

    Nancy & Kenny Raymond

  11. It’s so good to see you blogging. Our bodies are amazing machines, your’s is getting stronger every day. Keep up the good work and know that we are praying for you and thinking of you every day!

    Jim & Marianne

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