Aug 16

Hey, gang! Carl here. You'll probably notice the difference in writing from Patty's input. ;-)

I was too tired last night to update the blog when I got home. I'll do my best to be more diligent about this.

I provided some rather negative information in the last blog. The reason I did that was several people appeared to be unaware of the seriousness of Rick's condition, judging from the questions in the different comments. It is not my intent to keep a running blow-by-blow account of problems Rick is experiencing.

Having said that, I understand that unless I am providing accurate information I'm defeating the purpose of the blog, which will likely result in many additional phone calls.

Rick has small cell, or oat cell cancer. Unlike large cell cancers, small cell has only two stages. Limited stage refers to cancer that is localized to the lungs and has not spread to other areas of the body. Extensive stage refers to a cancer that has moved beyond the original cancer site.

Rick is in the extensive stage. The cancer has spread beyond the lungs. For more in depth details about this type of cancer, please click on "External Links" under the Site Functions menu to the right of this article.

Rick was again in very good spirits yesterday. Rick's brother Curt came up from Las Vegas, so the Rick, Larry, and Curt had a brothers' reunion in the hospital. The guys shot the breeze and traded war stories for a couple of hours. You'll all probably have some difficulty imaging Rick being able to tell war stories for a couple of hours, but there it is!

Rick will remain in the hospital until his next chemo treatment tomorrow. Our expectation is that we will bring him home after the treatment.

There are a couple of reasons for the extended stay in the hospital. The first is Rick's blood pressure. Rick's blood pressure was elevated because of a combination of IV fluids and medications. They altered the meds on Sunday, and Rick's blood pressure is now into the normal range (120-140/75-100).

The second issue was with Rick's saline levels. A side effect of the cancer growth process is that it reduces the saline levels in the body. A normal saline level is around 135. Rick's has been in the 120 range, which is the reason he experienced vertigo and lost concsiousness when he stood up a couple of nights ago. The saline levels were at 126 and climbing yesterday.

Sharon has been getting a full night's rest for the past two nights. This has had resulted in a marked improvement in her outlook and mood.

Today Rick has an echo cardiogram scheduled, and we will all attend the oncology outpatient information seminar. As I previously noted, Rick will remain in the hospital tonight, and will have his second chemo treatment tomorrow. The docs don't intend to do any further evalation with CT scans or other monitoring techniques until after Rick completes the full first round of treatment (3 weeks on; 1 week off).

I haven't read all of the comments yet, but will do so after we get some breakfast.

Tentative coverage schedule:

Patty & Carl Stephens: Aug 12 - 27
Jerry Pennington: Aug 28 - Sep 5
Ursula Windey/Patti Cothren: Sep 6 - Sep 12
Jane Bennett: Sep 12 - Sep 23

For those listed, please confirm or correct the above schedule. I also need to know anyone else who is available to come, so please send me an email or post in a comment your availability. For this site, I'm using the following email address:

cstepmailbox-bad2@yahoo.com

Easy Does It, everyone!!

Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:54 am MST by SquiresUpdate | Email Article |

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Comments

23 August 2005 13:56 Hrs. [Local; McChord AFB, Washington] Dear Rick and Sharon; When I called on Sunday [21 Aug'05] I really was shocked to hear about Rick' illness. We were missing you at Our Lady of Queen of Heaven [OLQH] on Sundays. That along with me being TDY to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska for three days and then on vacation for three weeks I kind of lost touch with everybody. Rick if it wasn't for your persistence and patience I would not be where I am today [you know what I am talking about]. I miss our long conversations and discussions, they really helped! From all of us here in Spanaway; myself, Zaida and Joanna, we wish you well and a speedy recovery. Have Sharon give me a call whenever you are at a point that you could stand a little company or a walk and I be over with bells on. May the wind be at your back, and may you have following seas always, God Bless! The Mazer Family!

Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:20 pm MST by David J. Mazer & Family

Hello from Qatar, Enjoy the rare commodity of the sun, I can bring some desert sun and sand when we come over in December. There is a prayer group in Alberta, Canada that has adopted both Rick and Sharon.The blog takes away the distance and makes me feel closer to you. Blessings to Carl and Patty for keeping it up. take care. love, Ken and Maria

Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:12 pm MST by Maria Engleson

Hi from Penny B. Spoke with Cindy tonight, we're trying to sort through our schedules and figure out when we can both fly in together (she is in NM and I live in Boulder, CO.) With her crazy schedule it will probably be just a 3-4 day weekend sort of thing. Rick and Sharon are in my prayers. I keep trying to focus on laughter, the love, and fun of Germany. Keep posting you two! Oh and (((((Patty and Carl)))))) Who loves ya.

Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:13 pm MST by Penny B

Dear Rick & Sharon: We have fond memories of the two of you coming to Hutchinson, KS last year. The time that you spent with Christina, Steven and Alyssa and Connie were memorable for them as well as for us. Remember the time we took all of the Sunday School Class to the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon. It was a rootin', tootin' whale of a night. Yahoo!! We see Connie and Richard several times a week and Christina and the kids we see about every week. They all have a genuine love for the two of you. We will continue to help Connie and Christina in whatever way we can. We continue to pray daily for health, comfort and wisdom in knowing what to do each and every day. May the Lord be with you both. We know that friends makes the world special. Your friends, Warren & Yvonne

Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:24 pm MST by Warren & Yvonne Stanton

Dear Rick and Sharon, I have just gotten the news about Rick's illness. You are both in my thoughts and prayers, as you've been often in my thoughts since I left Germany in '02. I hope that you both understand what a source of strength and support you were to me for those years that I knew you in Landstuhl/Ramstein, from '95 to the present. Please let me know if there is anything that I can possibly do to help, besides offer you my prayers, of both gratitude and hope. Much love, Bill

Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:12 am MST by Bill Carroll

Thank you Carl and Patty for the great updates. We miss you all and wish we were still there with you. We made it home safe and sound Saturday night. During our 3 hour layover in San Francisco, Arthur B's sister met us in the airport with a Birthday Party Breakfast for him. It was really fun. Getting out of Seattle airport takes time. It took us 1 hour 35 minutes checking in and getting through security so plan accordingly on your trip home. Thank you all for the love and support you showed all of us during our time with Rick and Sharon. I am totally amazed how this program works and the support everyone has given. Take care and know you are loved. Arthur B. and Julie McPhail

Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:26 pm MST by julie.mcphail@killeenisd.org

Tell Rick that I talked with Lou Toldy today and up dated him. He passes his best wishes to Rick and Sharon. He is in the middle of his move to K-town and if he comes down, I will have him over to the house so he can write a personal message to Rick. Lou grilled me for about ten minutes to make sure that everything i said he heard clearly. Lou would have made one hell of a drill sargeant!. Father Marc is going to try and call and said he would like to speak with Rick and Sharon. Is there a good time and a phone number I can give him? Thank you all for watching out for one who has watched over so many of us. Take care In the Spirit of the Fellowship Chris Kuhn

Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:00 pm MST by Chris Kuhn

Another Hello from Ramstien! We where talking about you (Rick) this morning in TX planning! Wish you where here, your patients still ask about you!! Please let me know what hospital you are in, we would like to send flowers!! Please take care!! We miss you!! Ramstein LSSC!! Joann Wilder

Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:16 pm MST by Joann Wilder

Aug 16

Aug 16

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