Tag: radiation

Welcoming St. Joseph’s visitors

I started the day at the eye doctor for my bi-annual exam. I wondered if the surgery or medications would have any effect on my eyesight.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I started the day at the eye doctor for my bi-annual exam. I wondered if the surgery or medications would have any effect on my eyesight. I’m happy to report I got a clean bill of health there … nice to know part of me is still in good working order.

Part of small town life is many people know your story. I didn’t know the technician very well who first saw me, but she didn’t have to ask if I’d had any changes in my health history. She knew all about the cancer because I’d been on their prayer list at church.

Later in the day, some visitors stopped in at the museum. One couple from Ohio had called ahead weeks ago and I planned time to see them. Another group from Tennessee just dropped in and toured the museum and campus until I was done with afternoon meetings.

People ask such insightful questions about our school and programs when they visit and appreciate seeing where their donations go. One of the folks from Tennessee – fairly new to St. Joseph’s – said, “I had to see if it was real.”

Because of distance so many of our donors don’t get the chance to see the campus up close and personal. But we enjoy seeing folks who are able to make the trek.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I appreciate good staff, grow close to them and hate to see them go. But we always seem to find others who take up the commitment to our mission and help out with their own unique gifts, talents and personalities.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

At afternoon work break, our business office said goodbye to Desiree, who will leave us to work at home on the family ranch. I appreciate good staff, grow close to them and hate to see them go. But we always seem to find others who take up the commitment to our mission and help out with their own unique gifts, talents and personalities.

We have two homes open for our students who need the support of  St. Joseph’s  summer program. I stopped in for supper in the Summerlee home, and enjoyed the company of a half dozen of our young women, grades 3-8. They have three hours of school each morning, then afternoons filled with recreation or other activities. The favorite activity seems to be the trips into the town pool, and playful interaction with other kids their age.

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.

Staff update on Fr. Steve

Fr. Steve’s recovery continues slowly but surely; right now, the need for sleep and rest is great.

Monday, June 14, 2010

No news is good news!

Fr. Steve’s recovery continues slowly but surely; right now, the need for sleep and rest is great. All the prayers and concern friends continue to shower upon Fr. Steve are deeply appreciated; we all look forward to his full recovery!

After a doctor visit this morning, blood tests show Fr. Steve is stabilizing. Of course, this is wonderful news.

While Fr. Steve heals and looks forward to a busy fall, St. Joseph’s campus is bustling with lots of fun summer activities. From our day camp projects to our student work opportunities, there’s rarely a dull moment …

Of course, lately, our weather has also ensured there’s rarely a dry moment!

Here’s to a wonderful week and continued progress on many levels.

Staff update on Fr. Steve

I just received a call from Fr. Steve telling me his doctors want him to stay in the hospital until Friday. They want to adjust his blood clotting medications.

Hi all – quick change of plans!

I just received a call from Fr. Steve telling me his doctors want him to stay in the hospital until Friday. They want to adjust his blood clotting medications.

So, we will be staying here a couple extra days to make sure things are well and steady for Fr. Steve to come home. He is very ok with staying to make sure things are ok before we leave.

There’s another Chamberlain man here receiving treatments, and since we’ll be staying, I plan to visit with Jim as well.

Please keep Fr. Steve and all who are battling or healing from cancer in your prayers and thoughts.

As ever,
Fr. Bill

Staff update on Fr. Steve

I arrived back at the hospital last evening to find Fr. Steve doing quite well and looking forward to heading home today! There will be a few final things to put in order before we leave.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Good day from Fr. Bill!

I arrived back at the hospital last evening to find Fr. Steve doing quite well and looking forward to heading home today! There will be a few final things to put in order before we leave.

Gratefully, Fr. Steve is now “tube free” after a week.  We reflected on these past days and the many feelings and thoughts we have all been feeling during Fr. Steve’s experience. I am sure this has been one of the longest weeks for Fr. Steve, but he mentioned he will write more on all of this when he settles back at home … what great, normal news!

Fr. Steve has been meeting with his doctors and therapist to plan his therapy and exercise routine. One routine will focus on working his right leg in an effort to regain strength in it since some of the nerves were effected during surgery. I know he is committed to doing all he must in order to heal completely.

We are not sure when we will leave today, but we’re anxious to head home. Normally, the trip takes about six hours; however, it may take longer today since we need more stops than usual. In the end, it will be good to get home … no matter how long it takes.

Thanks continue from Fr. Steve for your prayers and thoughts. Your support has been a real source of strength for him. I know he will continue to count on your prayers as he returns home to continue his recovery.

I believe Fr. Steve will be writing you all in the near future!

Staff update on Fr. Steve

Fr. Steve entered surgery at 3:15 this afternoon. Although an unexpected and lengthy wait for the operating room caused Fr. Steve and his family a bit of restlessness, the family is now waiting patiently for an update from the surgical team.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Fr. Steve entered surgery at 3:15 this afternoon. Although an unexpected and lengthy wait for the operating room caused Fr. Steve and his family a bit of restlessness, the family is now waiting patiently for an update from the surgical team.

At this point, it is not known how long surgery will take; there may be no news for up to eight hours.

Be assured we’ll share news of Fr. Steve’s progress as quickly as we’re able. In the meantime, thank you for keeping Fr. Steve, his medical team, his family and all at St. Joseph’s in your prayers.

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

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.