On the Upswing

Following the final chemo session Steve returned to the hospital for some TLC from nurse Jennifer. Got out Monday June 29 and has been resting at home since. Steve is in good spirits, looking good, moving around quite a bit. Seems to have a overwhelming need for Hawaiian pancakes from I-hop? Didn't get that one done!

Kelly has been cooking up a storm in the kitchen, preparing some yummy meals and some stuff for the freezer. That is when she isn't driving all over Southern Cal getting to the outlet malls.

Me, I've been tending to the putting green and the wine!

Steve and I did contact the American Cancer Society today regarding a transportation program they offer. Our initial discussions with this group left some questions as to the utility of this service. I will follow up for more details.

Rick B is here from Toronto from July 3 to July 10.

IMPORTANT: The visitor/driver/drop-in and say "Hi" board is empty after July 10.

Need volunteers (preferably local, winter is approaching in Canada) to sign up for some driving, errands, light chores duty for a few weeks after July 10.

Notwithstanding Steve's optimisim, he will need some help at that time, and for a while after.

I think I hear the Wolf Pack howling!

Contact Bill G at dr.bill@wildblue.net or George I. at (714) 863-3704 to schedule a few hours or a period of time where you can cover a few lifts or chores.

Thanks.

Chem-O-ver...and out.

From the desk of Doctor Perrier:


First of all I would like to thank Dr. Derek Shackle for his work with Steve the week before I arrived. Although the medical community is still split on the usefulness of "BEER" as a cancer cure-all, I sensed that there were some positive results from his treatment. I tried to follow up this experiment with a "greener" drug but have not had any luck just yet.
Steve took his last round of chemotherapy today and is back home cheering on Mike Weir in the US Open as I type. He is tired but in good spirits , so I should take this opportunity to take a cribbage game from him (we are tied 4-4 and Steve has won all his games while hooked up to the
chemo in the hospital ?). I don't have any "red or whiteblood stats" or "platelette" updates as I don't understand that stuff much...I will leave that in the hands of my esteemed colleague Dr. Tom Gardiner who arrives later next week to help out. Other than that it will be a weekend of rest for Steve -so that he can cook me breakfast in bed for Fathers Day on Sunday...I think it's the least that he could do, no?
Hope you all have a nice weekend ...

Dr. P

June 8th Update from Derek Shackell

HI Guys I arrived here in SoCal Sunday. Took Steve to his apptmnt yesterday , his numbers are very good , WBC 9.70 , Platelets 72.1 , Creotine - Dr. Hamburg was very happy with. Round 4 begins 15June. I asked if there would be a Round 5 , "Absolutely not , this is an aggressive cancer , therefore we treat it aggressively " Steevers is looking good , George was very happy with his progress. Steve had a big lunch ( Double Cheeseburger & Strawberry shake ) & an excellent pasta dinner that Susie had prepared., We gotta get the calories in him ! He was up moving around , blowing the leaves off his putting green , so I am giving you all fair warning , he's getting ready to lay a beating on you guys at the Humes Tourney. He is in very good spirits , and gaining strength rapidly . He is very much looking forward to moving ahead to Round 4. Although he was hospitalized last Friday , what seemed like bad news at the time , was really a great decision by his caregivers , it has allowed him to keep moving forward. I will be leaving Saturday , picking up Paul , Friday. Best Regards Derek

Hospital Stay/Coverage/Blood Needed - May 31 Update

To Everyone,

After a very tough week, Stephen had to be re-admitted to the hospital on Friday (May 29th) - likely for 3-5 days. The principle reason is that his blood counts are low and his kidneys are under severe stress, having had to absorb so much chemo over the last two weeks. Hopefully he will be out early this week. Despite all of this Stephen remains in very good spirits. A temporary readmittance is not unusual for patients in Stephen's situation.

In terms of coverage we have Tom Gardiner coming down from June 27 - July 2, and Richard Bluteau returning for yet another visit July 3 - July 10. Thank you Tom and Ric for these commitments. If you pr anyone you know can cover for any the remaining weeks of July please let me know at dr.bill@wildblue.net

Stephen is still in need of your blood and platelettes. If you have time to donate, please call Cedars-Sinai to make an appointment @ (310) 423-5346. And again, please be sure to let them know that you're doing this for Steven Grevatt.

Thanks very much,
Bill Grevatt

May 20 Update - Good News!

Hi Everyone,

Very good news. Stephen started his third round of chemotherapy early, this past Monday, which means if all goes well, he could be finished his fourth and last round by mid-June.

Also, Mike Grevatt will be covering from June 2-June 6, so we're looking good for coverage right up until June 25th at this point.

Thanks again to everyone who is coming down for their week or two tour of duty, and to many more for their continuing support.

Bill G.

May 13th Update

To Everyone,

Stephen would like again to thank everyone for the great support he's receiving. He is recovering well from Round 2 of the chemo and is on track feeling better each day.

We are doing very well in the "coverage" department with so many committed individuals.
Following is the upcoming schedule of who will be helping Steve out over the nex two months:

May 9 - 15 - Hartley Barber
May 15 - 21 - Rick Bluteau
May 21 - May 23 - George & Carol
May 24 - 27 - Brendan Grevatt
May 28 - 29 - George & Susan
May 29 - June 3 - Brian Humes
June 3 - June 7 - Need coverage
June 7 - June 13 - Derek Shackell
June 11 - June 25 - Paul Perrier
June 26 - July 3 - Need coverage

Thanks again,
Bill

May 6th Update - Stephen's Status/Coverage

To All,

Stephen is doing well this week recovering strength from last week's second round of chemo. His brother Mike is here this week helping him out.

Derek (Costa Rica) Shakell has committed to coming down to be with Steve from June 7th - June 14. Thank you Derek and go Bruins (at least until they meet the Ducks)!

This means that the following dates are still left uncovered:

May 21 - May 28

June 4 - 7

June 15 - 30

Please let me know at: dr.bill@wildblue.net if you or anyone you know may be albe to cover these dates.

Thanks very much,
Bill Grevatt