We returned to Denver June 2 about 5:30 p.m. after a flight from HK to Tokyo to LA to Denver. Strange we left on June 2 and arrived on June 2 but many hours in between.
We left with confidence that Steve is ready for the next phase of his journey. He reported tonight that his stitches were removed and all was well there. He starts radiation on Monday (HK) and that will be five days a week - for six weeks. Fortunately they live only about 5 minutes from the Hospital which is a taxi ride away. Taxis are plentiful - you just have to flag one down and the round trip cost is approximately $4.00 US. Will take about an hour - I suppose this includes getting him ready - the procedure, etc.
This is an incredible journey that we wouldn't wish on anyone but when the going gets tough the tough get going and you can see that in Annie and Steve - they are ready to face this and win the battle. What is helping are the prayers and thoughts of their family - their friends in HK and the friends from all over the world. So keep those prayers and thoughts coming not only for Steve and Annie but for the caregivers and decision makers on the treatment plan.
Thanks again for all that everyone is doing to be a part of the journey. And most of all I want to thank Kathy who took the time to help me post this note. She walked me through the steps so look for my comments from Denver.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Home at Last
Steve was released from the hospital and is now waiting the radiation treatments and chemo to start. Feels a bit restless and is having a tid bit of trouble sleeping at night but that is what naps are for!
Winnie and Jim are back in the states feeling good about things with Steve and Annie. They both said that Steve and Annie's determination and love will get them through this tough fight ahead. Steve and Annie are both ready to take this head on! Ha Ha. Excuse the pun!
Annie wrote in an email dated June 2, "I'm pleased to inform you that finally Steve was discharged from the hospital yesterday for home rest before moving on to his follow up treatment (chemo and radiation therapy) on this coming Monday (8th June). The doctor prefer him to stay in the hospital until removing the stitch today but Steve is making progress nicely so he allow us to come back home for a break. Anyway, we have to go back to the hospital again today for removing the stitches on his head, but it's better to be at home than the hospital.
Sandy Monteiro and Anthony Shih are in town and it was great to see them. Seeing Anthony looks so healthy is really a big inspiring to us. It help lift up our spirits. And thanks again for all your positive feeds and success stories that you guys shared with us. It keeps us going.
Before I closed, I have Steve's short ID for you guys to view. It was taken on 3rd day after the operation. Thanks to the modern technology, great surgery team for a remarkable operation. Thanks to all nurses that took care of Steve and lastly thanks to all our friends and family members plus God and Lord Buddha for blessing him with a safe and successful operation .....
OK, below is the link for the vdo. I've sent the link to some friends on facebook, so pls accept my apology if you receive this vdo again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqI5RHEK4d8
We are keeping ourselves healthy and stay positive for the next 6 weeks treatment beginning this Monday, so pls keep us in your prayers.... We hope that we will have the least side effects from the treatment. Anyway, we have no choice but move on ... and get out Wining !!! We promise ourselves to take it day by day, and stay strong and positive as we love to live.
Cheers,
Annie & Steve
Winnie and Jim are back in the states feeling good about things with Steve and Annie. They both said that Steve and Annie's determination and love will get them through this tough fight ahead. Steve and Annie are both ready to take this head on! Ha Ha. Excuse the pun!
Annie wrote in an email dated June 2, "I'm pleased to inform you that finally Steve was discharged from the hospital yesterday for home rest before moving on to his follow up treatment (chemo and radiation therapy) on this coming Monday (8th June). The doctor prefer him to stay in the hospital until removing the stitch today but Steve is making progress nicely so he allow us to come back home for a break. Anyway, we have to go back to the hospital again today for removing the stitches on his head, but it's better to be at home than the hospital.
Sandy Monteiro and Anthony Shih are in town and it was great to see them. Seeing Anthony looks so healthy is really a big inspiring to us. It help lift up our spirits. And thanks again for all your positive feeds and success stories that you guys shared with us. It keeps us going.
Before I closed, I have Steve's short ID for you guys to view. It was taken on 3rd day after the operation. Thanks to the modern technology, great surgery team for a remarkable operation. Thanks to all nurses that took care of Steve and lastly thanks to all our friends and family members plus God and Lord Buddha for blessing him with a safe and successful operation .....
OK, below is the link for the vdo. I've sent the link to some friends on facebook, so pls accept my apology if you receive this vdo again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqI5RHEK4d8
We are keeping ourselves healthy and stay positive for the next 6 weeks treatment beginning this Monday, so pls keep us in your prayers.... We hope that we will have the least side effects from the treatment. Anyway, we have no choice but move on ... and get out Wining !!! We promise ourselves to take it day by day, and stay strong and positive as we love to live.
Cheers,
Annie & Steve
Monday, June 1, 2009
Updates
A long weekend of running a soccer tournament has kept me from the blog...but no news should be good news at this point.
As far as I know they are waiting to confirm that there is no bleeding at the site of the surgery before Steve will be released from the hospital. Apparently he is climbing the walls to get home but that will happen soon. The plan is to start chemo next Monday.
Steve writes, "We now move onto the second weopon in the treament which will be radiology and chemo. HK is a one of the best Oncology centers in Asia with affiliations to the big programs in the Houston and New York. Those treatments will continue for the next six weeks. They are so advanced in this area now that it will be outpatient basis and they feel confident about their program with more weopons in thei pocket. Bottom line is we have tough tumor but also a tough, healthy patient with a good medical care and lots of support from friends around the world. Still many steps to go".
Jim and Winnie will leave Tuesday (HK) time and arrive in Denver on Tuesday afternoon. I am certain they will have lots to tell and more to report at that time.
As far as I know they are waiting to confirm that there is no bleeding at the site of the surgery before Steve will be released from the hospital. Apparently he is climbing the walls to get home but that will happen soon. The plan is to start chemo next Monday.
Steve writes, "We now move onto the second weopon in the treament which will be radiology and chemo. HK is a one of the best Oncology centers in Asia with affiliations to the big programs in the Houston and New York. Those treatments will continue for the next six weeks. They are so advanced in this area now that it will be outpatient basis and they feel confident about their program with more weopons in thei pocket. Bottom line is we have tough tumor but also a tough, healthy patient with a good medical care and lots of support from friends around the world. Still many steps to go".
Jim and Winnie will leave Tuesday (HK) time and arrive in Denver on Tuesday afternoon. I am certain they will have lots to tell and more to report at that time.
Friday, May 29, 2009
DAY 1: Post Operation
I'm pleased to tell you all that Steve is doing great today. He enjoyed watching Nuggets with Jim & Winnie this morning. Doctor is very happy with his condition and so are we !! Steve was able to walk on his feet with no problem. The only problem is doctor has to remind him to slow down!
Also he was able to eat his first meal at lunch today and he used chopstick which doctor is very happy to see that. The first question he asked me after finished his lunch was "Where is my blackberry?" so I guess he will be back to work sooner than plan ! :) Anyway, this is only just the beginning of the trip and we still have a long way to go. Your friendship, love and support has lifted up our spirits and we are sure to knock out this disease !
Again, I'd like to thank you all again for all your prayer. Steve said he really feel all of your prayer. I have passed all of your phone message, email, calls, and SMS to Steve and he is very appreciate all your support, well wishing. I apologized if sometimes I missed your calls and I can't return the call as there were none caller ID appear etc.
I'm sure he will leave comments on this blog soon. And please let's continue to pray for his fast recovery ! I will go to bed and have a happy long sleep tonight !
Cheers,
Annie
Also he was able to eat his first meal at lunch today and he used chopstick which doctor is very happy to see that. The first question he asked me after finished his lunch was "Where is my blackberry?" so I guess he will be back to work sooner than plan ! :) Anyway, this is only just the beginning of the trip and we still have a long way to go. Your friendship, love and support has lifted up our spirits and we are sure to knock out this disease !
Again, I'd like to thank you all again for all your prayer. Steve said he really feel all of your prayer. I have passed all of your phone message, email, calls, and SMS to Steve and he is very appreciate all your support, well wishing. I apologized if sometimes I missed your calls and I can't return the call as there were none caller ID appear etc.
I'm sure he will leave comments on this blog soon. And please let's continue to pray for his fast recovery ! I will go to bed and have a happy long sleep tonight !
Cheers,
Annie
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Words of Encouragement
Hi Steve & Annie,
Good to hear the operation went well as expected. Steve, you will be ok and we will play golf and drink together again very soon. Stay tough and be strong.
You are the man!
Cheers,
Foorungsriroj Family
You are the man! I second that.
Steve the courageous.
From Mark Hayes
Good to hear the operation went well as expected. Steve, you will be ok and we will play golf and drink together again very soon. Stay tough and be strong.
You are the man!
Cheers,
Foorungsriroj Family
You are the man! I second that.
Steve the courageous.
From Mark Hayes
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Updates from Hong Kong
The surgery went well.
Here are a series of emails from Steve, Annie and Winnie which will help understand their last 24 hours:
Wednesday morning 6 a.m. from Steve:
It is early morning the day of surgury. Suregeon and patient are ready. Thanks for all your support for the last week. Thanks for Skype. Thanks for taking the late night calls. We are a a stronger family than we can imagine. Each of us contribute on our own way. Annie also thanks for your love amd support. I don't think that I could have gotten to this point without yout help and support. I look forward to discussing this in person when this is all over. Just know that I love you and determined to get better. Thank goodness for the Nuggets. I am counting on you all to fill in my shoes and cheer the Nuggets thru the series so that I can watch the Nuggets in the championship next week.
Annie emailed:
Dear All,
First of all, I'd like to thank you all for your love and kind support you guys all have extended to us during this difficult time either by call, SMS or in person. We couldn't have passed all those dark days without the great support from you guys. Also thanks for all beautiful flowers you have sent. It brighten our spirits. We thank ourselves, God and Lord Buddha that has bless us to be in great family and surrounded by great friends. The crisis has made us become stronger as a couple, friendship and family.
OK, Steve is now resting in ICU. Doctor has managed to remove most of the tumor. We have to do chemo and radiation for follow up treatment. The operation was not an easy one and it took almost 6 hours. Steve was in good condition when he came out of the operation room. He started asking questions right away! We only seen him for couple of minute in ICU as doctor advise to let him rest as much as possible. So now, let's all pray for his fast recovery.
Steve won't be able to receive visitors for few days after the operation. I will SMS or email you as soon as he is ready to see you guys. For any of you who want to send him flowers, pls send to our house in a week time as we stay in a semi private room and the table is small !!! Our address is 5A Stubbs Villa, 2 Shiu Fai Terrace. Wanchai.
Thank you again and talk to you soon.
Annie & Steve
And Winnie emailed:
Wanted you to know that things went well today. He went to surgery about 11:00 a.m. He came out of the recovery room about 5:30 p.m. The anesthesiologist said that the surgery was not as complicated as originally thought - was not as long as originally thought - that Steve had done well under anesthesia - came out of the anesthesia as he should.
The neurosurgeon came out and talked to us. It is a malignant tumor they removed. They were able to remove most of it but the tumor had lots of vascular involement which causes bleeding and they didn't want to do anything to "lose" in that area. He will now be having radiation and chemotherapy. He said the tumor was pressing on the brain and when they removed it the brain seemed to relax, which is good.
We were able to talk to him - he recognized us - Dr. said the limbs all moved in the recovery room. He was complaining that his head hurt and they said that they could give him some medication for that. They have sent samples for biopsy so until they know the kind of cancer, they will not predict what type of therapy will work, etc. He went to ICU and will be there for 24 hours for observation. They don't want any bleeding problems.
David - he has his head wrapped similiar to what you had when you had your cochlear surgery. He tells people you were his inspiration since you had had the head surgery with your cochlears.
Kathy - he wants to stress that the 11:00 p.m. call was probably one of the most important calls he made to anyone because after the two of you talked he was able to actually say the word "brain cancer" and talk about the future. So all in all it was a good day - we didn't do much but it still was stressful. They don't have a waiting room so we came back to the condo but went back to the hospital and sat in the hall for several hours. Steve was ready to go this morning. Anxious to get over it and get on with whatever future holds for him. We were glad that we could be here to be with him.
So all in all things went as predicted. Let the healing begin!
Here are a series of emails from Steve, Annie and Winnie which will help understand their last 24 hours:
Wednesday morning 6 a.m. from Steve:
It is early morning the day of surgury. Suregeon and patient are ready. Thanks for all your support for the last week. Thanks for Skype. Thanks for taking the late night calls. We are a a stronger family than we can imagine. Each of us contribute on our own way. Annie also thanks for your love amd support. I don't think that I could have gotten to this point without yout help and support. I look forward to discussing this in person when this is all over. Just know that I love you and determined to get better. Thank goodness for the Nuggets. I am counting on you all to fill in my shoes and cheer the Nuggets thru the series so that I can watch the Nuggets in the championship next week.
Annie emailed:
Dear All,
First of all, I'd like to thank you all for your love and kind support you guys all have extended to us during this difficult time either by call, SMS or in person. We couldn't have passed all those dark days without the great support from you guys. Also thanks for all beautiful flowers you have sent. It brighten our spirits. We thank ourselves, God and Lord Buddha that has bless us to be in great family and surrounded by great friends. The crisis has made us become stronger as a couple, friendship and family.
OK, Steve is now resting in ICU. Doctor has managed to remove most of the tumor. We have to do chemo and radiation for follow up treatment. The operation was not an easy one and it took almost 6 hours. Steve was in good condition when he came out of the operation room. He started asking questions right away! We only seen him for couple of minute in ICU as doctor advise to let him rest as much as possible. So now, let's all pray for his fast recovery.
Steve won't be able to receive visitors for few days after the operation. I will SMS or email you as soon as he is ready to see you guys. For any of you who want to send him flowers, pls send to our house in a week time as we stay in a semi private room and the table is small !!! Our address is 5A Stubbs Villa, 2 Shiu Fai Terrace. Wanchai.
Thank you again and talk to you soon.
Annie & Steve
And Winnie emailed:
Wanted you to know that things went well today. He went to surgery about 11:00 a.m. He came out of the recovery room about 5:30 p.m. The anesthesiologist said that the surgery was not as complicated as originally thought - was not as long as originally thought - that Steve had done well under anesthesia - came out of the anesthesia as he should.
The neurosurgeon came out and talked to us. It is a malignant tumor they removed. They were able to remove most of it but the tumor had lots of vascular involement which causes bleeding and they didn't want to do anything to "lose" in that area. He will now be having radiation and chemotherapy. He said the tumor was pressing on the brain and when they removed it the brain seemed to relax, which is good.
We were able to talk to him - he recognized us - Dr. said the limbs all moved in the recovery room. He was complaining that his head hurt and they said that they could give him some medication for that. They have sent samples for biopsy so until they know the kind of cancer, they will not predict what type of therapy will work, etc. He went to ICU and will be there for 24 hours for observation. They don't want any bleeding problems.
David - he has his head wrapped similiar to what you had when you had your cochlear surgery. He tells people you were his inspiration since you had had the head surgery with your cochlears.
Kathy - he wants to stress that the 11:00 p.m. call was probably one of the most important calls he made to anyone because after the two of you talked he was able to actually say the word "brain cancer" and talk about the future. So all in all it was a good day - we didn't do much but it still was stressful. They don't have a waiting room so we came back to the condo but went back to the hospital and sat in the hall for several hours. Steve was ready to go this morning. Anxious to get over it and get on with whatever future holds for him. We were glad that we could be here to be with him.
So all in all things went as predicted. Let the healing begin!
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