Hopefully this is the last entry on Steve's journey in beating the big 'C'. Today a total body scan was completed to determine the presence of any cancer and the scan showed NO Cancer!!!!!! The past year of radiation and chemo therapy (sickness and pain) has finally ended with positive results. Steve is still on a stomach feeding tube and will have to slowly try to take food orally. Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers.

Second chemo treatment completed and was followed by severe nausea. Hopefully the final treatment will be less invasive. Nourishment continues via the stomach tube; we hope by turkey day Steve can have real food. This is a slow process with ups and downs and the goal is complete remission.

First week of chemo treatments is complete. There will be a two week rest period, followed by another week of chemo. So far the side affects have been nausea and discomfort in the throat. Nourishment still continues through the stomach feeding tube.

Into the first week of R-N-R after radiation/chemo treatment and recovery seems worse than during treatment. There will probably no signs of significant change for another week or two. Thanks to Sandy at Bel-Air for the fund raiser. Steve's cost for his food supplement runs about $350 to $400 per month (this is not covered by insurance) so the extra funds will be put to good use.

Final week of radiation/chemo and not too soon. Radiation treatments results in fatigue and radiation burns which really zap the energy level. The burns make it very difficult to swallow or get anything down orally. The liquid feeding was increased to allow for more calories and hydration. The month of no treatments will be a welcome rest and recuperation.

In the home stretch for this phase of treatment..two more weeks of radiation. Weight loss is still a concern. Calories from the stomach feeding is not sustaining Steve's weight. The feedings will need to be increased in order to give him more calories. It will take about one month after radiation for the mouth and throat to heal from the radiation burns, hopefully this will help ease the discomfort he's experiencing from this side effect of radiation.

Week four has ended with no signs of fever. We are hoping this will continue into the up coming weeks. Steve felt good enough to walk a few blocks today, but he must still take caution in over doing the exercise since he's still weak from the radiation and weight loss. Currently he is striving to maintain his weight and gaining a few pounds will be a bonus going into the next phase of treatment.