Life After Chemo

For as many years as I can remember Steve has always been excited to attend air shows. He has been fortunate enough to attend several all over the world. Last Saturday at Hill AFB, here in Layton, the Thunderbirds as well as other pilots in a variety of planes performed. Naturally Steve wanted to attend. Me I am thinking - thousands and thousands of people, walking a long distance to get to the side of the runway - of course watching anywhere else is not satisfactory as any purist would know - heat and a recovering cancer patient! Yeah - perfect scenario for a collapse. But I have learned that there are some battles that are better left alone. It was a wonderful day and the temperature was very moderate for this time of year. Steve left exhausted and a very happy man.

Kimball, Steve and Carter

Steve is with our niece's cute boys standing in front of the plane he flew as an instructor pilot over the dessert of Oklahoma and Texas. Though maybe not the most impressive of the planes on the flight line that day, Steve said it was very fun to fly and always an adventure with students at the controls.

Casey, Kimball, Steve P. and Steve T.

In his element Steve told many stories and answered lots of questions. Steve Petersen won the prize for number of questions asked and nothing could have made my Steve's day more enjoyable. Thanks to all for making it such a fun day, especially Cindy who spent her birthday doing what the men in her life wanted to do.

Getting back to normal

You know it must be time for a new post on the Blog-site when you start getting calls from friends and family who are worried because the site hasn’t been updated for a month. “Are you OK?”, “Have you had a relapse?”, “You haven’t been back in the hospital have you?” Imaginations run wild when there are no facts to keep them in check.

However, in this case I am happy to report that no news is good news. Other than a little setback last week as a result of overdoing my exercise program, I am doing fine. I continue to feel stronger and less fatigued every day. I even have a little hair growing on my head, if you can call peach fuzz hair.

I have gone back to work part time. My company has been great about letting me work the hours that I can. As my strength and endurance increase so will the hours I work. Hopefully back to a full time schedule sometime in July.

What’s next?

On the 29th of this month I will repeat all of the tests (MRI, Bone Marrow Biopsy, etc.) that allow the Dr.’s to evaluate the status of my cancer. Then on July 2nd we will meet with Dr. Zangari for the results of the tests. Following Transplant #1 I was very close to being in remission and so we are optimistic that Transplant #2 has done its job and put me into complete remission. Even so it is kind of a nerve racking time as we approach the tests and await the results.

As for future treatment, I will be on a maintenance program for the next 18 months. This is a periodic round of low dose chemo and steroids. These are drugs I have taken in the past with minimal side effects, allowing me to lead a normal life.

So, all is going well at the Tanner house. Life is slowly getting back to normal and best of all we have kids and grandkids coming to visit later this month and in August as well.

Thanks again for all your support and prayers.

Steve