History

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:22 PM CDT

We thought of you with love today 
But that is nothing new, 
We thought about you yesterday 
And days before that too. 
We think of you in silence 
We often speak your name,
 Now all we have are memories
 And your picture in a frame. 
Some may think you are forgotten
 Though on earth you are no more,
 But in our memory you are with us
 As you always were before. 
A million times we've thought of you
 A million times we've cried, 
If loving could have saved you 
You would have never died. 
You left us beautiful memories 
Your love is still our guide,
 And though we cannot see you 
You are always at our side. 
It broke our hearts to lose you
 But you did not go alone, 
Part of us went with you 
On the day God called you home. 

Stevie has been gone almost a year and we miss him every day.He will forever be a part of us.

Thursday, April 15, 2010 9:10 PM CDT

It has been 6 months since we lost our precious Steve. There is a hole in our heart that cannot be filled. We know Steve is in the hands of the Lord. Family and friends have been so supportive and God continues to heal our family. Thanks to all of you who have been there for us each step of the way.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 11:14 AM CDT

Our precious son passed away early this morning. He fought an incredible battle against his cancer. He was unable to battle the secondary leukemia that he acquired. Our hearts are breaking but we know that he is with the Lord and suffers no more from the horrible cancer. We thank so many for supporting us throughout this journey. God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends and family. We are truly grateful for all of you.

A Memorial Service has been planned for Saturday, Oct. 24th. Visitation is from 9 to 11 with a Memorial Service following at Christ Church of Oak Brook located at 31st and York Rd

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 11:43 AM CDT

This update is long overdue. Steve finished up his Proton Therapy this summer and took the rest of the summer to recover. He was able to get up to the cottage to enjoy some summer fun and even water skied.

The past month has been a rough one. Steve has been fighting an infection. He has had a low grade fever. He went into the hospital two weeks ago. He was extremely weak and nauseous and was running a fever. He has a rare bacterial infection and the doctors at Loyola have been trying to find the right combination of drugs to fight this infection. He now has pneumonia. As you might well imagine, Steve is very anxious to get out.

Steve's blood counts, specifically his platelets continue to need to be transfused. He has a condition called Myleodysplasia which means that he will need an allogeneic stem cell transplant. We have switched doctors and are now at Loyola. They do more transplants than almost anyone in the country. This will be a 3 to 4 week stay at the hospital during treatment and then months of recovery time.

Steve continues to enjoy his friends and brothers and has not lost his sense of humor. The Payne family asks for your prayers; first that the right antibiotics are found to knock out this infection, that a donor is found for the stem cell transplant, and that Steve stays strong both emotionally and physically. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Monday, July 20, 2009 9:39 PM CDT

Steve has completed his Proton Therapy treatment. He has been home for two weeks and is recovering from some of the side effects. His indigestion has settled down and the nausea has begun to subside. The exhaustion is the the side effect that is most affecting Steve. He is happy to be home although I'm sure he misses the independence he had in Bloomington. We will do a CT scan in 4 weeks to see the effectiveness of the Proton Treatment. We have a doctor's appointment Friday to do a bone marrow biopsy. This will help determine what is going on in Steve's bone marrow. His blood counts, specifically his platelets are low and transfusions are almost weekly. We will begin to address his low counts. We need to get those under control so we can continue treatment. We have several ideas and will discuss these with the oncologist.
Steve is enjoying spending time with friends. His appetite has begun to come back. We as a family are so enjoying having Steve back. We continue to pray for God's guiding hand. He has blessed us with good friends and a wonderful supportive family.

Saturday, May 16, 2009 10:10 PM CDT

Steven has begun this Proton Therapy. After a lot of emails, phone calls, faxes, and trips down to Bloomington, Indiana Steve is 1 week into his treatments. He is living with 3 other guys who are in summer school down at Indiana University. Steve will be down their until the end of June. He goes for proton therapy everyday,Monday through Friday. He is enjoying the life of a college student without actually going to classes. It doesn't get any better than that. He seems to be enjoying himself and has had no side effects from the therapy. Some of the side effects that Steve will expect to feel are fatigue and acid reflux type symptoms because the esophagus is being slightly radiated. Since these will accumulate over time, he can expect to feel them in June. I get out of school in early June, so I can go down there if needed.

Once again God has answered prayer. Through a series of seemingly unrelated emails, a woman contacted us asking if she could help with our insurance issue. Our insurance company had refused to pay for this treatment and denied us on appeal. We were ready to pay out of pocket. Within a week, we got the unbelievable news that our insurance company had reversed its decision. Praise God.

Steve is getting the treatment he needs and he is having a great time doing it. Life is good! Thanks to all of you who have prayed for Steve. God Bless.

Saturday, April 11, 2009 11:05 AM CDT

Steve is well on his way to a new treatment. It has been a long time getting there, but Steve is about to begin his journey,going down to Bloomingon, IN for Proton Therapy for 8 weeks. We researched many options and finally decided upon Proton Therapy because it does the least amount of damage to surrounding tissue. Steve will go Monday through Friday for an hour or so to the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. They will shoot external beams of protons at Steve's tumors in his chest and abdomen. The beauty of Proton Therapy is it stops at the tumor and does not exit the body damaging whatever is behind the tumor. This makes it a much better option than conventional radiation. It also leaves us more options if more tumors grow. There is only so much conventional radiation the body can take and Steve has already had quite a bit of radiation. Side effects are also minimal- fatigue and possible nausea.Steve is looking forward to living down in Bloomington and will either sublet an apartment with friends or rent a house. God has been so good leading us to this therapy. We feel confident that this therapy will be effective. One area a concern is Steve's blood counts. His counts have really crashed and we are worried that his bone marrow is not producing enough platelets. Pray that Steve's counts will rebound. Although we feel we have found a life-saving treatment for Steve,our insurance company has denied payment. Regardless of the outcome of that battle, we are moving ahead with this therapy. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for Steve and our family.

Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:53 AM CST

A lot has happened since our last post. Since Steve's counts will not hold up during chemo, he has only been able to have chemo about once every 3 months. His scan in January showed some growth in two areas so we began to look into other options. He is now taking a new chemo which will not affect his counts. We have also had several consultations about various radiation technologies. One very promising therapy is Proton Therapy. This sends protons shooting very precisely at the tumor but unlike conventional radiation, it stops at the tumor and does not affect healthy tissue. There are only 5 facilities in the United States and we were turned down by 4 of them. The 5th, Midwest Proton Institute is in Bloomington, Indiana (which is where Steve went to school). He would be down there for 7 weeks receiving therapy Monday through Friday for about an hour. He likes this option because he would have an apartment down there and be able to catch up with old friends. The doctor really connected with Steve. It was a done deal when the doctor told us he was a christian and asked us if he could pray with us. Talk about answered prayer! We still have a couple of hurdles yet. We need to see if insurance will pay for it. If this option does not work out, Steve may go to the University of Chicago where he will receive stereotactic radiosurgery. This is also a good option. Pray that God will lead us to the best option.
Steve is taking internet classes and would be able to continue those classes even if he is down in Bloomington. So as you can see a lot has been happening. We appreciate all of your prayers and thank God that He has put you into our lives.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 1:23 PM CST

As we celebrate our savior's birth, we find much to celebrate in our own family. Steve's counts have miraculously come up. He had another round of chemo adding one new drug and dropping another. He tolerated it well and is now taking a break until after the new year. He is feeling good and is enjoying having friends home from college to hang out with. Steve finished a class this past quarter and will take a couple more in the Winter term. We are hoping that he can consistently tolerate chemo- one week on, two weeks off. His counts look good now so we are hopeful. The Payne family would like to wish all of our friends and family a Merry Christmas and a blessed, healthy New Year!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 5:37 PM CST

Today we got AWESOME news. Steve had a CT scan and ALL of his tumors have shrunk. This is a miracle since he has only been able to have 2 rounds of chemotherapy. Steve's counts dropped after his second round of chemo and they have not come up high enough to begin treatment again. Steve has not had treatment in 8 weeks. The oncologist was worried that Steve's tumors would be chemo resistant. Apparently, that is not the case right now.

Steve is still waiting for his platelet count to come up. He had a bone marrow biopsy two weeks ago. We were relieved that the biopsy ruled out a secondary cancer. His bone marrow has been compromised by the stem cell transplant and will take longer to rebound. So we are in a wait and see mode. We may have to switch chemo's since it has taken his platelets so long to come up. We hate to do this since the chemo was obviously effective. We will meet with the doctor to determine the next course of action.

We are so grateful to our LORD who has continued to work his miracle in Steve's body. We are also grateful to all our friends and family who have relentlessly prayed and supported us. We have much to be thankful for this holiday season.
"Don't be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God"

Saturday, October 18, 2008 2:55 PM CDT

I guess it's time for another update. After round two, Steve had counts taken. They were low so they had to transfuse four units of blood. Chemo has been delayed until his counts come back. His next blood test a week later showed that his platelets were still dropping so much to Steve's disappointment, he had to get his platelets transfused. Still no treatment. Counts taken yesterday showed that his counts are now climbing. The plan is to take counts again at the end of this week and if they are high enough, he will begin chemo Oct. 27th. We will be switching up his chemotherapy. Steve will have one new chemo (which was used the last time he was in treatment 4 years ago) for the first day pf treatment, along with another chemo (Irinotecan) days 1-5. He will get a two week break and then 1 week of chemo again. This will be great for Steve because he has an extra week to recover. These chemos should not effect his counts like the other protocol. After this third round of chemo, Steve will have another scan. Please pray that the chemo will do it's job.

We have begun to look into 2nd opinions and will pursue them depending on his next scan. We may have to travel as far as Texas to talk to doctors that have had some experience with DSRCT. There are a number of clinical studies that show promise. We are also looking into a new type of radiation called Proton Therapy. Steve's scans will determine if he is ready for any of these treatments. We ask for prayer that God will guide us in our upcoming decisions.

Steve continues to show strength and a great sense of humor as he faces the many challenges of being a 19 year old with cancer. He is working to stay current in his classes and still finds time to spend time with friends and family. He has also visited friends at various college campuses.

God has blessed us with a fabulous family (thanks everyone of you!) and terrific friends.
"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Monday, September 29, 2008 9:38 PM CDT

Steve has completed two rounds of chemo. He is nauseous a good deal of the time, but amazes us with his great sense of humor and easy going ways. We are still trying to adjust some meds to get the nausea under control.

This is his week off and he is beginning to feel better. During the chemo free weeks, Steve spends a lot of his time trying to catch up in school. Although he is signed up for 12 hours, he is finding it difficult to keep up, so right now he is concentrating on 2 of his classes. We are pursuing getting Steve a special waiver with our insurance company which would allow Steve to keep his medical coverage even though he may not be a full time student. He can then concentrate on getting healthy. Pray that this waiver comes through. God is in control!!

Steve will go to clinic this Friday to see the doctor and have a blood test. His platelets are dropping and we may have to switch one of the chemo's. It may be a blessing in disguise as we were hoping to add this particular chemo to the mix.

All three boys have been glued to the TV as our Cubs and Sox continue their quest for the World Series! Steve is a Sox fan along with this brother Kyle. Ryan, Jeff, and I are Chicago fans and would love to see a Cubs vs White Sox World Series. It has been a great distraction.

The Lord continues to bless our family with an incredible family and extraordinary friends. Thank you for your continued prayers. Expect Miracles!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:52 PM CDT

Steve has begun the battle. He had his port put in on Monday and also received his first chemo treatment. He takes chemo by mouth in pill form and then receives a transfusion an hour later. Steve handled the surgical procedure with his usual calm attitude and was wisked off to chemo shortly after the recovery room. Although he was not thrilled about the reason he was at Children's Memorial, he did get to see some of the nurses from his past treatment. We were again reminded of how wonderful they all were. Chemo went well and Steve tolerated the treatment without adverse effects. Because he tolerated the treatment well, he was able to receive today's treatment at home. Initially he had trouble swallowing the oral chemo but after that he finished the treatment with minimal discomfort. He is taking zophran, an anti-nausea medicine to stem any nausea. He was able to go to a friend's house tonight so I guess he's feeling pretty good. We will add radiation to the mix in the next two months or so. Steve will begin classes this week so pray that he has the stamina to get through his classes. He has 2 internet classes and 2 self-paced video classes. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 7:09 PM CDT

UPDATED 8/15/2008

Today we got the terrible news that Steve's cancer is back. He had a biopsy at LaGrange Hospital and the results showed that Steve's DSRCT is indeed back. We have been tracking some lymph nodes in his chest and abdomen for the past few months. It is unusual for DSRCT to be confined to lymph nodes so we were hoping it was just an infection.

Since we are still processing the news, we have not put together a treatment plan. We hope to meet with the doctor at the end of this week and agressively begin to treat Steve's disease. Although we are all dreading the treatments ahead, we know that Steve's cancer has responded well to chemo in the past. We continue to have faith that God will be with us every step of this journey.

We feel blessed to have had three cancer free years and look forward to Steve again being without evidence of disease. Please pray that God will lead us to the right treatment and that our family will stay strong in our resolve to beat this disease. Also pray that Steve will be able to continue his studies. We ask that you will pray for strength for Steve and our family as we meet this disease head on.

8/15/2008
Steve, Jeff, and I went down to Children's Memorial Hospital and discussed the different options for treatment. Because some cancer cells survived, his cancer may be more resistant to chemo. We are going to try a new chemo. The good news is that Steve will be able to get the chemo infusions at home and he will not lose his hair!! We will have another CT scan in 3 months and revise our plans if necessary based on the CT scan. Steve's treatment should begin the week of August 25th if everything goes as planned. Steve is in good spirits and is determined to fight the battle. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Sunday, April 6, 2008 8:33 PM CDT

It has been a long time since we last posted. Fortunately there had not been any change in Steve's health. Recently Steve's scans have showed some growth in lymph nodes in Steve's chest. The oncologist does not feel its cancer. It is growing extremely slowly which is not a trait of Steve's type of cancer. However a second opinion felt that it was indeed back. We have had CT scans and a PET scan every 4 to 6 weeks since December. A blood test revealed that Steve has resolving mono (mono that is dissipating) This could be a reason for the change in the lymph nodes. We would still like a clearer picture so Steve will probably have a biopsy in the next week.

Steve came home for second semester. He is at COD. It has been an adjustment for Steve but health issues dictate that Steve needs to be home and close to health care for now.

We continue to be hopeful that this disease has been beat but will continue to monitor Steve with frequent CT's. If Steve does have to go back into treatment, we will continue to trust that God is in control. Please pray that Steve remains cancer free. Your prayers are appreciated.

Sunday, June 24, 2007 4:36 PM CDT

Today is a very special day. Eighteen years ago today, Steve came into the world, a week late, weighing 10 lb 1 oz. We fell in love with him immediately and have loved him ever since. We feel especially blessed that we have been able to spend 18 awesome years with Steve. The last 3 years have been filled with anguish, fear, uncertainty,faith, gratitude, and miracles. Another miracle occurred this May when Steve's CT scan again showed no evidence of disease. In July, he will have been cancer free for 2 years. When this journey with cancer began, we were afraid to look beyond the present. Now we look with eagerness at the future.
Steve will head to Indiana University in the fall. He graduated with his class, which is a major accomplishment. The doctors never thought he would be able to go to school at all, let alone graduate on time. Steve continues to amaze the medical community. He has beat all the odds and we feel that God has worked a miracle in Steve. We no longer take each day for granted but try to enjoy each day with Steve as a gift.
Steve has had a busy spring. Besides classes, Steve went to prom and involved himself in all the senior activities! He goes for orientation at IU in July and then he's off to school in late August. Before he leaves, Steve will have yet another CT scan. We plan to continue the CT scans every 3 months due to the aggressive nature of the cancer.
So as Steve enters another phase of his life, Jeff and I would like to thank so many people for the part they have played in Steve's life. We are overwhelmed by the amount of love, support, and prayers that so many of you have shared with Steve and our family. We celebrate Steve's life today, and we thank God for all of you who God has placed in our lives. God Bless!

Monday, February 19, 2007 4:31 PM CST

Steve has completed his first half of his senior years. He continues to enjoy a relatively "normal" school experience. (if there is such thing as a normal teenage existence-Haha) He is taking a full load again this semester and is still on track to graduate in June with his class. The most recent CT scan last week, once again was clear. We are so grateful to God for the miracle of Steve's remission. He has been without evidence of disease for 19 months now. We were particularly worried with this last scan because Steve hadn't been feeling well the last few weeks. We of course over analyze every little ache and pain and were so relieved to hear the good news.

The college decisions have not been made yet. We are still waiting to hear from a couple and he has been accepted to Illinois State University. That of course is Mom's number one choice as it is close, but Steve has his eye on Indiana University where his brother Ryan attends. Hopefully this decision will be made soon.

Steve is still taking a maintenance drug twice a day. He will continue his CT scans every three months. Steve is also getting all his immunizations over again because the stem cell transplant he had a year ago last fall wiped out his old immune system and essentially gave him a new one. These immunizations will take a full two years to complete. This seems like a walk in the park compared to what Steve has endured.

Steve has enjoyed his Senior year so far. He is working at a local restaurant and is getting ready to go to the turn-about-dance with his girlfriend. She has been a gift from God. She was there for him every step of his treatments and recovery. What a great distraction!!! Jeff and I are beginning to prepare ourselves for the inevitable empty-nest experience next fall. We look forward to it but know we will miss Steve tremendously. We feel so blessed that Steve will be able to go to college and hopefully experience a healthy future. We ask for your continued prayers. You have all been such an incredible support to us during these past few years. Thank you one and all.

Saturday, December 16, 2006 4:28 PM CST

As we enter this season of joy and hope, the Payne family finds itself with an abundance of both. Steve's latest CT scan in November was clear again! Steve has been without evidence of disease for 17 months now. We are so grateful for the miracle of Steve's health. Steve has enjoyed this time of health and has had a chance to hang out with friends and go to school full time for the first time since Freshman year. Steve is working at a local restaurant and hopefully saving some of that hard earned money!! Steve remains on a maintenance drug and will continue to have scans every 3 months.

With Christmas a week and a half away, the family is looking forward to some family time and of course some time up at the cottage. We are hoping for snow!! Steve and his brothers will bring up some friends. It is easy to forget that just a year ago Steve was recuperating from his stem cell transplants. When making plans for the cottage, we had to bring a slew of meds and worry about blood transfusions this time last year. What a difference a year makes.

We hope that this Christmas season finds you appreciating the things that God has provided. We wish everyone a joyous, Christmas, remembering the true reason for the season. We appreciate the prayers and support you have given us over this long, difficult journey. As we look to the new year, we have much to look forward to. Steve has college and a future we were afraid to hope for just a short time ago. God has been good! Have a terrific New Year!

Sunday, October 29, 2006 8:09 AM CST

Steve's last CT scan was clear! Praise God!! Since Steve's blood counts have not rebounded after this summer's radiation, we have decided to discontinue radiation.The good news of Steve's clear scan has prompted us to look at maintenance drugs.During a recent meeting with the doctor it was decided that Steve would begin taking Celebrex, an anti-inflammatory which research shows retards tumor growth by cutting off the blood supply that tumors need to grow. Steve has tolerated it but has had stomach aches at times. Although Steve has been without evidence of disease for 15 months we continue to have CT scans every 3 months because of the high reoccurence rate of this cancer. His next scan is due in mid November.

Steve continues his college search and has narrowed it down to Indiana University, Illinois State, and Iowa. We have not heard but will keep you up to date. Steve is enjoying his senior year and is now working. He is a host at a local restaurant. He will also begin playing basketball this year in the local church league. He is excited about this because basketball was an important part of his life before cancer struck.

We are so blessed. Two years ago we didn't dare to hope that we would be talking about Steve graduating and going on to college. We thank God daily for the miracle of Steve's continuing good health. We also thank God for all the friends and family who have continually upheld us in prayer and given us support through these difficult times. Thank you one and all.

Friday, September 8, 2006 6:48 PM CDT

UPDATE

We have had great news. Steve's latest CT scan came out clear. He has had no evidence of disease for over a year. We praise God daily for the miracle he has worked in Steve's body and life. Just a year ago Steve was in the hospital having a stem cell transplant. Since then Steve has had radiation. He had radiation this summer but it was discontinued in July because his counts dropped. They are coming up slowly but are still not high enough to continue. We are currently weighing the possiblity of whether to continue radiation or not. Please pray for wisdom for this important decision.

Steve has begun his senior year at LTHS. He is taking a full load of classes for the first time since his freshman year. He is making plans to go to homecoming, prom, graduation, and college- all things we were afraid to hope for and now look forward too. We have made several college visits and Steve will be applying to some of these schools very soon. We will keep you updated on his final choice.

It has been such a pleasure to watch Steve get healthy and resume his life. He continues to look at life with a positive attitude and has an inner strength that never ceases to amaze us. We are grateful to friends and family who continue to keep us in their prayers. Those prayers are precious to us.

Friday, September 8, 2006 6:48 PM CDT

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 10:01 PM CDT

I hope this update finds all of you enjoying the beautiful summer weather. As school wound down for Steve his treatment planning began. Steve had a CT scan in June to plan for his radiation. Although he has been cancer free since last July, we have aggressively treated Steve hoping to get any microscopic cells that the chemo may have missed. As you know Steve had a double stem cell transplant in August, September, and October of last year. We tried radiation in December and January but Steve's counts dropped and he was unable to continue-until now. Today,(Tues,July 11th)Steve began radiation again. We know that Steve's blood counts are much stronger now and hopefully he will not have the drop in his counts that would delay radiation once again. Since his entire abdomen is being radiated nausea and fatigue can be side effects. Pray that Steve will have minimal side effects from radiation.

Steve has been very busy this summer so far. He took 3 weeks of Physics in summer school. He was unable to take the first semester of Physics because of his hospitalization so he completed the first semester in summer school. He has also been up to the cottage and for the first time in two years was able to swim, wakeboard, and tube. It brought tears to my eyes to watch him enjoy those things he was unable to do until now.

Steve will continue with radiation throughout most of the summer. He will go Monday through Friday for the next 5 weeks. Radiation takes about 45 minutes.Once radiation is completed he will have another CT scan. The doctors at Children's Memorial will continue to monitor him every 3 months with CT scans. He may also take some preventive maintenance drugs.

Steve is in a good place right now. We have so many people to thank. Friends, family, and people literally all over the world have supported him with kind words and prayers. Thank you one and all - you have made a difference. We believe God has worked a miracle in Steve's body and continue to turn to him for guidance and comfort.

Monday, May 22, 2006 9:27 PM CDT

UPDATE-

Steve was unable to begin radiation because he came down with Shingles. He was in a lot of pain but the worst of it seems to be over. We hope he can get back to school this week to complete his finals. Pray for relief from the pain and burning, and that he can concentrate on his finals.

More Good News!!

Steve had a CT scan last week which was clear. Steve had been battling a fungus in his lungs and that is gone. He is now infection free as well. His counts are on the rise. This had been a concern because there was a possibility that the stem cells were not taking. Now that his blood counts are so strong, there is no question that his immune system is coming back. Steve will begin radiation next week. He will be going 5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks. After that we may look for a maintenance medication but all active therapy will be done. A CT scan every few months will help us monitor the disease.

Steve is feeling great. It was a joy to watch him play basketball in the yard with his brothers. His energy is slowly coming back. We will be heading for the cottage over Memorial Day weekend and Steve will be able to wakeboard and ski for the first time in two years. We are thrilled for him. All of the little things we take for granted have become very important to us.

He has finals in a few weeks. He will be going to summer school for 3 weeks to make up the first half of the year of Physics which he could not complete due to the stem cell transplant. Steve is on track to graduate on time. This is due to a lot of hard work and dragging himself to school even on days when he didn't feel well. We are so proud of Steve's determination.

We are looking forward to a relaxing, healthy summer. We continue to thank God for all the miracles he has showered on us. Thanks to everyone who continues to keep Steve in their prayers.

A special prayer request-Please pray that my school district and the third party administrator will pay for the stem cell transplant.

Sunday, April 16, 2006 8:17 PM CDT

As we reflect on the message of Easter- new life -good coming from something as bad as Christ's death on the cross, we have also seen something good come from something as bad as cancer. Steve has endured alot this past year and a half and yet we can say that for today at least he is cancer free. We rejoice that he can finally enjoy the things in life that we all tend to take for granted.

Steve has been battling an infection and a fungus since around Christmas. He has been tired and dragged out. He started school again in January and although his grades have been good, he still has had missed days and always seems to be playing catch up. Last week Steve had his central line taken out.(This was the line which was surgically inserted so that he could be given chemo)He had a line infection which has been treated with antibiotics. Since the line has come out Steve has felt better and has had lots more energy. Since the line is gone, we also have no more upkeep which tends to be time consuming.

Steve had a much needed Spring Break in March. We took a college trip to Illinois State and also looked at Indiana University when we went to visit Ryan. Since the line is gone, Steve was able to go into the hot tub for the first time since he can now get wet. He had a big group of friends over and hot tubbed it up!!! Stop by and see the new and much improved Steve Payne with hair!!!!

Steve's blood counts are on the way up so in the next month he may begin radiation again. He was being treated at Hinsdale Hospital before Steve's counts dropped. He will have 25-30 treatments over the next month or so. Steve's not looking forward to that, but is enjoying the time right now without treatment.

We continue to be amazed by how God has been there for us every step of the way. We truly believe that God has worked a miracle in Steve's body. It is an amazing thing to watch. Thanks again to everyone who continues to pray and support us in so many ways.

Sunday, February 26, 2006 5:07 PM CST

Our family just spent a week in paradise. Steve's Make-A-Wish trip was phenomenal. On Oahu we had the opportunity to whale watch, snorkel, explore, and of course go to the Pro-Bowl. Steve had the chance to meet some of the players and get their autographs and even got a pictue with Shaun Alexander. Make-A-Wish was incredible. We stayed in a beautiful suite overlooking a harbor. They planned a luau and some NFC and AFC practices, as well as the Pro-Bowl.It was a great opportunity for our family to be together and leave all of the medical issues we've dealt with over the past year and a half behind us. Steve was healthy and able to enjoy thorougly the whole experience.

Steve had a CT scan about a month ago that showed spots on his lungs and liver. The doctors suspected it was fungus because of the shape of the spots. They treated it accordingly. Steve's most recent scan showed that the spots had totally disappeared from the liver and that the spots in the lungs had disappeared but new, smaller, ones had appeared. This led us to believe that it was fungus and not tumor. So we continue to keep him on his meds and hope it will clear up fast.

We are still waiting for Steve's blood counts to rise high enough so he can go back to radiation. They have risen steadily lately, however not high enough to begin treatment since radiation tends to lower counts. Pray that Steve's counts continue to climb.

Steve is back in school and loving it. He is enjoying seeing friends and oh yeah going to classes. He kinda forgot that studying goes along with school.(Ha) He has completed 1st semester of Alg. II and English but will complete his 1st semester of Physics in summer school and still is being tutored to complete US History.

We are enjoying this time without treatment. It has given Steve a chance to catch up in his classes and just enjoy going about the routine of a teenage life without the fatigue and nausea that often accompanies chemo or radiation. We feel blessed that Steve is doing so well and ask for your prayers that he continue to be healthy and cancer free.

Sunday, February 5, 2006 12:34 AM CST

Steve returned to school for second semester which started January 25th. He was very happy to be back. LT has been wonderful and gave Steve a much sought after parking space. He starts school at 9:30 and finishes at 3:00. We expected Steve to be exhausted but were pleasantly suprised to see that he was feeling fine. Steve had not been feeling well several weeks before with fever, exhaustion, and lack of appetite. God was good because by the time Steve was ready to go to school he was feeling great.

Steve had a CT scan and it showed that Steve possibly has a fungus. He is taking some meds to clear it up. He also had a bone biopsy to find out why his counts have stayed so low. He has been unable to have radiation because of these low counts. The biopsy showed that Steve is only producing 5f what he should be producing. It is not uncommon in post stem cell transplant patients. The doctors will wait and see and give him transfusions when needed. We hope the counts will begin coming up soon.

On Tuesday, February 7th, our family will be going to Oahu to fulfill Steve's Make-a-Wish. We will go to the Pro Bowl and have lots of plans to explore the island and do lots of relaxing with the family. We are all really excited. Hopefully the next pictures on this website will be some from Hawaii. ALOHA!!

Saturday, December 24, 2005 1:24 PM CST

News Flash (and a warning) STEVE HAS HIS LICENSE!!! You've had fair warning. I hope you have a fantastic New Year.

Our Christmas gift this year has been the gift of hope. This battle with cancer has at times seemed insurmountable but God has provided strength and has put key people in our lives to give us hope and support. The prayer support from so many has been incredible. My prayer for you this Christmas season is that you will see God's blessings in your life.

Steve completed Stem Cell Transplant two months ago. He has once again beaten the odds and has had no infection or negative side effects from the transplant except for fatigue. Steve's days are spent sleeping in late and then several hours of school work to prepare for the tutors who come Monday through Thursday after their school day is over. Steve still has time for normal teenage stuff like seeing friends, instant messaging, video games, and eating fast food. He is looking forward to beginning second semester in late January at LT North.

Steve is doing so well that he only has to go to Children's Memorial Hospital once a month for check-ups. Steve began radiation this week. He is receiving his radiation at Hinsdale Hospital. He will have 30 days of full abdominal radiation which takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. It is uncomfortable for Steve to lay still with his arms over his head for that amount of time but he is determined to finish strong. One of the side effects of this procedure is nausea and he has had a bit of this. If he eats a lot of small meals he seems to do better. Steve's hair is coming back in and he is beginning to get eyebrows and eyelashes back. He even had to shave yesterday!! We look forward to Steve's stamina as well as his looks to come back to normal. The radiation can have a cumulative effect so he may be more tired as the process continues. Hopefully Steve will be almost done with radiation when we head to Hawaii in early February to watch the Pro-Bowl. The entire family will be together in Hawaii as Steve's Make-a-Wish is fulfilled.

We hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Friday, November 25, 2005 12:21 AM CST

As we enter this holiday season, we feel such a sense of love and peace. Steve has been home from Stem Cell Transplant for 5 weeks now and he is doing great. He looks great and his appetite is back. (My food bill reflects that). Steve had a scan a few weeks ago and it is clear. Praise the Lord!! Steve is done with the stem cell team of doctors and has begun to see the oncologist again. Since his counts are good he only has to go into the clinic once every two to three weeks. The doctors are always worried about infection and Steve continues to amaze them with his awesome health. It is unusual for stem cell patients not to end up back in the hospital with some form of infection.

Steve's next course of treatment is radiation. We hope this will happen soon but this is totally dependent on Steve's counts which are hovering where they need to be but not there yet. We hope to do the radiation at a local hospital but we are still in the process of interviewing oncology radiologists. Speaking of interviews, Steve was interviewed at the LOOP radio station. Make a Wish is a foundation who grants kids with life-threatening diseases their wishes. Steve's wish is to go to the Pro-Bowl in February. Of course the Pro-Bowl being in Hawaii had nothing to do with his wish!!! The LOOP radio station sponsors a Make-a-Wish Phoneathon in December so they choose kids who have had their wishes fulfilled or are going to have their wishes fulfilled. It was a great experience for Steve, Jeff, and me. We'll keep you updated as to the date it will be aired.

Steve's days are filled with doing schoolwork and being tutored by some of LT's finest. He is doing well, and although he is still behind, we think he will be caught up in most classes by second semester. Friends and family continue to stop by and visit making his days more interesting. Steve goes out with friends, eats fast food, and does all the other normal things teens do.We are so grateful for this normalcy. We feel Steve is a walking miracle and when we look back at where he was a year ago we are overwhelmed with gratitude towards so many people and the Lord. We know that Steve is the exception rather than the rule. So as we enter this Christmas season we have so many blessings to be thankful for. God has been so good to us. We continue to seek his guidance in all things.
Thank you one and all for your role in Steve's amazing journey. He is in remission and we ask you to pray for his continued remission and health.

Saturday, October 22, 2005 10:02 AM CDT

There is reason to celebrate at the Paynes!!! Steve has completed his Stem Cell treatment in his usual amazing way. He was released from the hospital on Monday, Oct. 17th in record time. The doctors and nurses have continually been astonished by how Steve has perservered and how quickly his blood counts came back. (We know it's all the prayers that so many people have spoken on Steve's behalf!)
He has completed both Stem Cell Transplants and is now home letting his body recover from the high dose chemo he has received. Although the treatment was not easy, Steve actually did better during the second Stem Cell Transplant which is unusual. He had seven days of high dose chemo (he had ony 5 days the first round and had different drugs this time) and he was not as nauseous this time around. Then his stem cells were transplanted which went well. Steve then experienced mouth sores and fever for about 10 to 12 days. Although painful, Steve was able to talk through this time period but did not eat or drink anything. He lost more weight but he looks great. One highlight of his stay in the hospital was when Kathryn suprised Steve on homecoming day and came down in her dress to see him. That was certainly incentive to get well faster. Although he was so happy to leave Children's Memorial Hospital, we will miss the wonderful nurses who brightened up his day with their upbeat, positive attitudes. A big THANKS to all the nurses and staff at Children's. They are truly amazing people.

Steve's next step is radiation. When his counts come back he will begin 6 weeks of radiation. We don't have too many details about this yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we do. Steve will begin home tutoring this coming week. While not looking forward to it, he knows it is a necessary step to him getting back to school second semester.

Steve would love to have friends and family drop by as long as you are healthy. He is going out on a limited basis although at times he pushes those limits. (he is a teenager after all and thats what teens do). Sometime in the near future Steve will have another scan to see if the treatment staved off the cancer. We are confident that it did. We are looking forward to life getting back to normal for Steve. What a blessing it will be for him to be able to do normal teenager things without fatigue and nausea. I think he is especially looking forward to his hair growing back. Thanks to friends and family who have supported us throughout this battle. We are hoping this battle is won!
Finally we thank God for his unending blessings and for healing Steve. Praise God.

Please continue to pray that Steve stays cancer-free. Our insurance company has denied payment on Steve's Stem Cell Transplant so please pray that they will reverse their decision when we appeal.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we find ourselves with so much to be thankful for. Friends, family, church, colleagues,and of course our God have all played an important role in Steve's recovery. We thank each one of you for the love and support you have shown the Payne family during this difficult journey.

Thursday, Sept. 29th

Steve goes in for his 2nd stem cell transplant, tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 30th. He has had 3 days of chemo out-patient and will be admitted for 4 more days of chemo and then stem cell insertion. He has had a great time at home and although he's not looking forward to this, he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep him in your prayers for the next 20 or so days.

Steve is home!!! After 20 days in the hospital Steve arrived home yesterday, Monday, Sept. 12th. The stem cell transplant was every bit as tough as the doctors said it would be. The chemo was very tough and Steve was pretty sick throughout those 5 days. He still had that great attitude and sense of humor that we have all come to love. Steve had his stem cells reinserted 2 days after chemo ended and it went very well. Within a day or two Steve began to experience mouth sores and fever. That was a painful time for Steve. He started feeling better by last Friday. His blood counts began to rise and by the time he left the hospital yesterday he was well within the normal range.

With that being said, Steve is still very suseptible to infection so we are keeping him isolated. He can have friends and family over but only in small numbers and if you are healthy. It would do Steve a world of good to see friends after his 2 week isolation.

Steve is feeling well but tires easily. He had not eaten anything in over ten days so he has lost his appetite as well as some weight (25 lbs) He is slowly beginning to eat again but nothing seems to taste good. Hopefully with time he will regain his taste buds.

Thanks to all of you who have continually prayed for Steve and our family. Please continue to pray that Steve handles this next stem cell with minimal side effects. We also ask that you pray that our insurance will pay for this treatment as they have denied us twice so far. Finally pray that we will continually keep our eyes on the Lord.We know that without his mercy and love we would not be where we are today.

I hope to update again when this treatment is over hopefully sometime near the end of October. Thanks again for all the support. It gives us hope and lifts our spirits.

July 16, 2005

There is rejoicing at the Payne household today!! Steve's PET scan showed that Steve is disease free. We are thrilled beyond words. We believe that this is a miracle from God. The prayers of so many have been answered. Steve had his typical response, "OK, What's next?"

Although we are encouraged that he is disease free, we have to be mindful that this type of cancer has a high reoccurrence rate. The doctor has recommended stem cell transplant. We will be praying and researching to see if this is the next step for Steve. Next week Steve is to have his stem cells harvested. He will then have one more round of the chemo he's been on. Sometime in the middle of August, Steve will probably have a stem cell transplant. This consists of several extremely high doses of chemotherapy which will bring his immune system down to nothing and hopefully kill any microscopic disease. His stem cells will then be reinserted. This will be a very difficult time for Steve as he will be hospitalized in isolation for two to four weeks. There is a high risk of infection so he will be monitored constantly. Please keep him in your prayers as he will be isolated from his friends and limited visits by family.

As you can imagine we are sooo happy. Steve is a walking miracle and we thank God for this awesome blessing. We know that we could not have made it through this past year without the support, love, and prayers of family, friends, church, and colleagues. You are truly amazing and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will be in Three Lakes the second week in August for a much needed family vacation. I hope all of you have a wonderful summer. Expect miracles!

Thursday, July 7, 2005 10:51 PM CDT

UPDATE

Steve had a CT scan on Tuesday, July 5th. We received good news. All tumors have shrunk and are very small. The chemo medicine is doing its job. Praise the Lord. We will be meeting with the doctor Friday, July 8th to discuss different treatments. Steve cannot stay on the chemo he's been on
because it can damage his kidneys. We have been researching some new drugs as I'm sure the doctors have been. Steve will have a PET scan sometime next week. The PET scan will help us
know what is active tumor and what is simply tissue. Once we have that information we will be better able to make decisions on future treatments.

As you know Steve had a birthday last week. We installed a hot tub!!! Steve has been asking for one for a long time. The whole family has enjoyed it. Steve likes to think it's his but we all know better. Come by and join us for a hot tub experience.

Summer school is over for Steve tomorrow, July 8th. He feels like his summer will now begin. He can't wait to sleep in. I hope you all are having a wonderful, relaxing summer.

I still have not figured out how to scan pictures onto this website. Hopefully soon you can see some more up to date pictures of Steve and the family. Thanks for your patience.

Continue to pray that God will lead us to the right treatment. He continues to keep Steve healthy even though his white counts are very low which means his immune system is compromised. God has been good.

Saturday, June 18th

Since school is out for the summer, I (Claudia) will be taking over this website for the summer. A big thank you to Nan who did a terrific job all these months.

Summer will be a busy time for Steve. Steve successfully finished his sophomore year and made the honor roll. We're so proud of him. He will begin 3 weeks of summer school this coming week. He will also find time to spend a week or two at Three Lakes.

Steve has completed his 12th round of chemotherapy. While not easy, he met it head on with his usual laid back determination. He usually gets to the hospital around 10:00 and gets "hooked up" by 10:30. The nurses are terrific and love Steve because he is an easy patient and of course is very charming and funny. He gets through the 5 to 6 hours by playing cards,talking, watching an occasional movie or sleeping. He has gotten to know those precious people who bring him down to the hospital; his aunts and friends of the family in a special way and it has been a privilege for him. His brothers have also stepped up big time and have taken him to chemo countless times. I will be taking him this summer as I am now out of school. Since school is out, Steve had the added bonus of having his friends come down to the hospital on Monday and Tuesday. That really made the day go quickly. Thanks Kathryn and Nate!!

The next step is a CT scan on July 5th. We'd appreciate a lot of prayer because that is often a very stressful time for our family. The CT scan will dictate the next course of action. We have been talking to researchers, doctors, and doing our own research. There are some promising drugs out there so we will keep you posted if treatment changes.

Steve's 16th birthday is June 24th so stay tuned to find out what Steve's big surprise will be.

Steve is still taking driving instruction and will probably get his license some time in July. As you may have read Steve hit a deer on the way to Three Lakes. As in everything he calmly handled the situation with ease. He was able to joke about it minutes after it happened while I was still in my catatonic state. We'll make sure we warn I mean let everyone know when Steve gets his drivers license.

Summer is a time for relaxing and taking time to be with those you love.
Our family would like to thank all of you for your incredible love and support. It has been almost a year since Steve's diagnosis and we have been continually surrounded by friends and family who have given us support and hope. God has blessed us richly.
We hope to see many of you this summer and hope you have a truly wonderful summer.

Sunday, April 24, 2005 9:48 AM CDT

Well, the results are in and we are kicking butt on a couple of fronts. First, Steve completed round 10 recently and felt so well at the end of five days of chemo, that he went to a Sox game with his brother, Kyle and cousin, Jonathan. Steve gets hydrated each evening after chemo. He had to be careful celebrating base hits lest his lines from the machine detached. People around him must have thought Steve was super charged. THEY HAVE NO IDEA!!!

The Steven Payne Benefit also kicked butt. The final numbers were awesome!!! Everyone's emotional and financial support far exceeded the committee members dreams. There is a lot of love, care, concern and prayers directed toward Steve and his family. How does the saying go --- "Thanks to you, it's working." I don't remember what product coined that phrase, but it is true.

After abdominal surgery was cancelled the day before it was schedulted to be done because there were no lesions in the belly, we thought a follow up RFA (radio frequency ablation) would be in order. The interventional radiologist who performed the "groundbreaking" RFA on the lesions in Steve's liver talked with Jeff and Claudia after viewing the recent CT scan. He said the lesions are now measured in millimeters rather than centimeters and it is best to continue with the chemo regiment as it appears to be working.

Is it the power of prayer, the unyielding support, Divine intervention, the outstanding care Steve has received? - - or perhaps, all of the above. For sure, it is wonderful people supporting a strong and determined young man.

In the waning weeks of Sophomore year, Steve has another round of chemo to conquer, school work and finals to complete, and the milestone we remember from our 16th year - Driver Education. Steve is currently enrolled in drivers ed after school. I usually tease new drivers by asking that they call me when they will be on the road. I have such respect for Steve and all that he has accomplished that I will not be teasing him. Besides, he's bigger than I am. Have a great time driving, Steve!!!

Summer will bring the Payne family together for a few months with Ryan home from school and working, Kyle working at an internship and going to summer school, Claudia getting a well deserved summer break, Jeff working and occasionally watching a ball game with his family. Steve will be taking a summer school class and perfecting his driving skills. A summer evening at the Payne's home will renew your faith in the American family. Stop by sometime and challenge one of the big guys to a game of HORSE. You will enjoy every minute!

Tuesday, April 5, 2005 9:25 PM CDT

UPDATE FOLLOWING CT SCAN RESULTS -

The results of Monday's CT scan came through today (Tuesday) and it was such positive news that surgery scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th has been canceled. The doctor's could not see any cancer in Steve's belly and there was encouraging news on the cancer in the liver. Alternative treatment to surgery will be explored as more doctors are asked to interpret the CT scan results. The doctor who performed the RFA is on vacation now. Once he has a chance to read the scan results, he will be in a better position to decide whether another RFA treatment is in order.

Steve will have another round of chemo starting Monday, April 11th.

There was celebrating and high five's at the Payne's tonight - right before Steve settled down to get the homework done that now needed to be turned in.

Once again, we see the POWER OF PRAYER being answered. Thank you to everyone and,especially, for His divine intervention.

*********************************************************************************

OH WHAT A NIGHT!!!

The benefit on Saturday, March 19th was a complete success. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time socializing, bidding on auction items, eating, drinking and being merry. Jeff and Claudia, along with Kyle, Ryan, and Steve, addressed the over 350 people to express their heartfelt thanks, appreciation and love for all the support extended to them over the past nine months during the family's battle against Steve's cancer.

The skills of many people combined to make the evening wonderful. Special thanks goes to everyone who attended the event, donated the fabulous auction items, made cash contributions, and provided emotional support for the Paynes. Big hugs go to the friends and family who were not able to attend the benefit in person due to other commitments. Your well wishes and prayers were felt and appreciated.

Regarding Steve, his chemo treatment was slightly modified by reducing it to a three day couse earlier in March, thereby allowing time for his blood counts to rise. Accordingly, the family was able to go to Florida knowing that Steve would likely not require a blood transfusion while away. We all know how tough Steve is!!! Higher blood counts allowed Steve to go on some of the rides at Busch Gardens, i.e. too much jostling could cause internal bleeds. Steve, also, went to a baseball game, spent time with friends on spring break, and relaxed.

The Paynes vacationed with another family who have been key supporters during (and before) Steve's diagnosis. Since it has been impossible to do any long range planning, the two families "camped out" in a one bedroom condo and had a great time. On the drive down, they timed their arrival in Atlanta to coincide with Kathryn's volleyball tournament. SWEET! On the way home, I heard that Steve was doing homework in the car. He is way too tough to get carsick from reading while riding.

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED

This week will be one of the most important periods since last summer. On Monday, April 4th, Steve will have a CT scan with the results available on Tuesday. He will likely have abdominal surgery on Wednesday, April 6th to remove remaining cancer and view the tissue directly. An alternative treatment to surgery is RFA - radio frequency ablation. Check in for further updates.

Everyone's support and prayers have been instrumental in the many successes seen so far. Please continue to pray for great CT scan results. Ask for His blessing during the decision making/treatment process and to provide Steve with the strength needed to conquer the cancer.

Bless you all!

Saturday, March 19, 2005 12:06 AM CST

TODAY IS THE DAY!!! In a matter of hours we will be celebrating Steve's many accomplishments throughout the past nime months at the Shoot for the Stars Benefit. The strength and determination we have seen in this 15 year old young man is unbelievable; the compassion and maturity from his peers is truly remarkable; and, the support from LTHS has been outstanding.

An awesome evening of fun, fellowship, hoops, auction items, shared stories, and well wishes will start at 7 p.m. along with NCAA games shown on the big screen TV. Friends, family and complete strangers, who have a common bond of helping in Steve's fight, have mobilized in countless ways to offer support for the benefit. Over the past months, we have witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of love for a family who has come face to face with cancer and not doubted for a minute their resolve to fight it with every tool at their disposal.

Steve has been so strong throughout his treatments and continues to inspire everyone around him. It is fitting that Saturday, March 19th be dedicated to Steve Payne, who has shown a community of people how to Live Strong and Be Strong. God bless everyone for their generosity.

Have a wonderful time at the benefit!

Saturday, March 19, 2005 12:06 AM CST

Monday, February 28, 2005 10:48 PM CST

***************************************************************************
Just for the record - the website address for Shoot for the Stars is www.stevejpayne.org - check it out.

***************************************************************************

Steve has been busy lately with typical teenager stuff - school, studying, friends, etc. and with not so typical things - like chemo. He and Kathryn will be going to the King of Hearts dance this weekend (see the photo of the balloons). Kathryn asked Steve to go to the turnaround dance on Valentine's Day which was the first day of the most recent round of chemo. A bunch of friends will be going to the dance and out to dinner afterwards. They will have a great time!

School is going well. Steve is able to go to school almost every day when he is not at the hospital. His current progress reports show that he has (3) A's and (1) C right now. This shows the strength of Steve's resolve and spirit.

His latest round of chemo was the week of 2/14. While he did very well, there was some nausea during the week. Medication will be adjusted in the future in an effort to anticipate the triggers. The next round of chemo will probably start on 3/14. Steve's weight has fluctuated since last summer by around 50 pounds due to mouth sores (weight loss) and meds (potential weight gain). Right now his weight seems appropriate and he looks good. I am looking forward to seeing another GQ picture from the dance this weekend.

The timing of the next CT scan has not be finalized as it depends on a couple of other factors. Hopefully, a single CT scan can be scheduled prior to surgery, which is tenatively scheduled on 4/6.

Since Steve's blood count is so low today, he will need to go to the hospital for a transfusion on Tuesday, 3/1. Steve has had a cold for the past two weeks and he needs to be careful with a low blood count. In the past, he has felt much better following a transfusion.

The results of the study of the section of tumor that was sent to a lab following the RFA procedure should be back in the next week. The sample was to be grown and tested against different chemo regiments to see which chemo would work best on the tumor now. Apparently, a tumor changes as it is "hit" with chemo and it is important to know which chemo is most effective at this stage.

Speaking of RFA, it sounds like Children's Hospital is interested in using the RFA procedure as a treatment for certain cases based on Steve's experience.

Steve has had a couple of fun things to do lately. Yesterday he went to ESPN Zone and had a great time. In addition, the BULLS provided tickets to Steve and his family (including Kathryn!) for a game last week. They were in the first level suite and enjoyed the game (the Bulls won in overtime) and the food, especially the dessert cart. As a huge plus, Ray Meyer and Norm Van Lear were also in the suite. SWEET!!!

Plans for the benefit on March 19th are going well. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and generosity.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 2:15 PM CST

WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS, SHARE IT
**********************************************************
UPDATE - Wednesday 2/2/05 10:00 p.m. Steve had the radio frequency ablation this afternoon at LaGrange Hospital. It was a 3 hour procedure using CT scan technology performed by a interventional radiologist. Everything went well and Steve was in his hospital room before dinner time. The procedure involves going throught the lung to get to the cancerous tissue. In doing so, one of Steve's lungs partially collapsed, which is not uncommon. It is expected to "re-inflate" on its own, so the doctor did not intervene with a tube. It will be monitored overnight. Steve is expected to be released tomorrow - Thursday - and will hopefully be back in school on Friday. (Or he might want to kick back and study the football stats in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday.) Friends stopped by the hospital to see his infamous grin. They were not disappointed. Congratulations to the radiologist/s, oncologist/s, staff members, clinical specialist and other who took part in today's ground-breaking procedure. We think that he may be one of the first people with his type of cancer to have this procedure done. Please keep Steve in your prayers as he recovers from this procedure.
Steve did come home on Thursday and has slept alot today. He will go back to LaGrange Friday for a chest x-ray to check on that lung. He is enjoying being home and is watching the big basketball games as I write this.

Sample tissue has been sent to a laboratory to test it's reaction to different chemos. We anticipate continued positive results with the next round of chemo.

Thanks so much for all your prayers!!!
******************************************************
After facing and conquering the seventh round of chemo, Steve encountered another formidable challenge - LT's mid-year finals. But just like the winner he is, Steve came out on top. Steve aced the English final and received an A in the class. In addition, he got a B (in some class) and a C in Geometry. Way to go, Steve !!!

An honorable mention goes to his study buddies and the LT teachers who provide extra tutoring and lesson plans. It goes to show that learning and life work best with a team approach.

There is even more awesome news. Last week's CT scan does NOT show any cancer in Steve's belly or lymph nodes. When the cancerous spleen was removed early last summer, tentacles of cancer cells were entwined with other organs in the area and could not be removed during the surgery. The January 19th CT scan confirmed what the December scan indicated - the new chemo was working to clear the cancer in the belly.

The cancer that metastasized to the liver is the current focus and presents it's own challenges. The new chemo treatments seem to have shrunk a few of the tumors and others appear to remain the same. Jeff and Claudia have met with the doctors to review the scan results, but additional doctor-to-doctor and family-to-doctor/s consultations need to happen in order to determine a course of action.

On Wednesday, February 2nd Steve will have the Radio Frequency Ablation procedure at LaGrange Hospital. The procedure will take place at 11:45A.M. Please pray that the doctors are successful in locating and ablating the tumors with no complications. We don't have an exact time yet. We are very excited about this procedure and feel confident it is going to be successful.

Potential treatments include -
* RFA - radio frequency ablation
* Surgery on the liver
* Additional chemo
* Growing the tumor in rats to determine the most effective chemo

As previously mentioned in past journals, some expenses incurred will likely not be covered by insurance as treatment is tailored to Steve's individual case. Diversion from this cancers' standard protocol started months ago and has been very, very successful. A committee of friends and family has been formed to help the Payne family. Please check out this website for more information about the Shoot for the Stars benefit - www.stevejpayne.org.

The benefit is planned to be a celebration of the Payne's courageous fight against cancer.

Someone with a new baby recently said to me that they now get what "it takes a village" means. The Payne family's fight against cancer has drawn incredible strength from everyone's prayers, well wishes, and support from those in nearby and far away "villages".

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 4:40 PM CST

Steve is back in school following his chemo treatment last week. Ryan was still in town for his holiday vacation from IU and was at the hospital for two full days with Steve. Kyle and Jeff spent days down at Children's Hospital, also. The Chicago weather and rush hour traffic created the expected challenges.

Steve did well with the treatment though there were occasional bouts of nausea which are treated with medication. He continues to look good and has maintained the weight he gained in the fall.

During Steve's chemo week, he hydrates himself in the evening following a day at the hospital with a small machine that holds the fluid. The fluid is injected through his central line. The hydration process means that Steve is awakened every hour or so to eliminate the fluid. Steve also takes medications at night administrated by Claudia and/or Jeff. It is amazing what a great job the family is doing keeping up with everything and everyone.

There are continuing discussions with doctors over what the future course of treatment should be and more news will be forthcoming soon on that front. During the Christmas break, Claudia was on the telephone with people from New York, Tennessee, and Texas along with the usual local "players". Plans are firming up and will include a CT scan which provides much needed information.

Speaking of Christmas - a very good time was had by all. The whole Jeff Payne family was together for four weeks. Besides the awesome holiday celebrations with family and friends, there was a large group that went up to Three Lakes for snowmobiling. There was just enough snow and the lake trails were marked making them "safe" for travel. (See the new pictures in the photo gallery.) Some of Steve's friends were able to go up to the lake, too. Typical teenagers, sleep until noon and stay up until 3 a.m. talking - those were the days. (I know I can't do that anymore.)

A committee of friends and family is busy collecting items for the benefit on Saturday, March 19th. It will be a great time to rally around the family and express or love and support to a truly remarkable family.

Hoping your New Year is blessed with good health and exceptional relationships!

Monday December 13, 2004 2:15 PM CDT

Don't Underestimate the Power of Prayer

Jeff and I would like to wish everyone a blessed holiday. We are so grateful for all of the love, prayer, and support you have all showered upon us. God has blessed us with wonderful family and friends. Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy and happiness.

Round 6 has been completed in the usual Stevie style with tremendous strength and fortitude that inspires us all. Kyle and Steve's weekday angels provided daily transportation and their required presence at the hospital during the day.

We have all pondered how we personally would face treatment after treatment of chemo; how anticipation of CT scan results would affect our mood and psyche. We have learned a lot from our 15 year-old hero.

Following Steve's first three rounds, the CT results did not show significant improvement. The tumor sizes were largely unchanged and did not permit the next treatment in the standard protocol - abdominal surgery.

********************************************************************
However, one of life's lessons is "Watch what you wish for."
********************************************************************

The marginal results after three rounds of chemo prompted research which identified a patient with Steve's exceedingly rare form of cancer, who had tried a new combination of drugs and had successfully eradicated it from the liver.

The combination of Steve's chemo drugs was changed, accordingly. Examination of the CT scan pictures taken the day after Thanksgiving was completed this past week and told a markedly different story than the original written report. In fact, there has been a significant reduction in the sizes of the tumors.

THANK YOU, LORD!

Many things are going on behind the scenes. A Steven Payne Medical Trust has been established and a benefit is planned for March 19th. In addition, "support Steve" t-shirts have been ordered and sales of Pampered Chef products will contribute to the trust.

Everyone has been so supportive during this continuing battle. The family is truly blessed to have wonderful, compassionate friends who go out of their way to provide tangible items AND things money cannot buy - emotional support.

While thanking people who have helped in Steve's fight against cancer, let's recognize the invaluable service provided by Caringbridge. Jeff and Claudia have often expressed how very much they appreciate this website. Perhaps during your holiday gift giving, you could consider including a contribution to Caringbridge. Caringbridge's website (caringbridge.org) provides instructions for contribution options. I was able to receive corporate matching to my gift.

Lastly, thanks to all of Steve's high school friends who continue to lift his spirits and make him laugh. You are the current and future "good guys" of our society.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS TO THE FULLEST!

Love from the Payne and Parro families

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2003 10:31 PM CDT

**********************************
ADDED NOTE FROM JEFF AND CLAUDIA

God has been so good. He continues to surround us with wonderful friends and family. Jeff and I would like to thank everyone who has supported our family through this difficult time. Kyle and Ryan continue to be a comfort and help to Steve and we are grateful and proud to have such great sons. We continue to be overwhelmed with the amount of cards, e-mails, and calls that continue to come in daily. People have been incredibly generous: from supplying meals, gift certificates, bringing by treats, and even having the house cleaned. Friends stop and cheer us up and keep our spirits high. Steve's friends continue to amaze us with their instant messages, calls, trips to the hospital, and visits at home. You can't imagine what this does for his spirits. LT has been amazing with their support. Steve's teachers have gone above and beyond the call of duty to meet Steve's needs. Thanks to LT and all the support they have shown Steve. Family continues to surround us with their love and support. Without the support of friends and family, we would be in a much different place. Our God has brought us strength and peace that we cannot begin to understand. Thank you to all who have been so faithful in your prayers and support. We are forever grateful for each and everyone of you.

**********************************

Time for another update. Steve is back in chemo this week for round #4. We are going with a new round of drugs so Steve has to be there an extra day.
He's not real happy about that but he continues to keep a positive outlook.

Steve went to homecoming and had a fabulous time. He looked smashing in his suit and his date, Kathryn, was beautiful (as usual). Steve danced so much that he had to have his central lines rebandaged-no harm done!! They went in a bus to Maggiano's and ate with a group of thirty or more. Needless to say, Steve had a great time. Pictures will be coming soon!

Steve will be home on Saturday and is looking forward to hanging out with friends. His brother Ryan is coming in so that will keep him busy.

Hopefully Steve will be back in school on Tuesday. As usual, his friends have been a great support. Please continue to pray for Steve's health.

Thanks again to all friends and family who have made this journey with us. We appreciate all the love and support you have shown us.

Sunday, September 26, 2004 1:45 PM CDT

The CAT scan that was scheduled for Friday has been postponed. Steve had a rough week. His mouth sores were really painful and Steve had difficulty eating and drinking. On Thursday, Steve ended up in the emergency room. He was admitted and spent Friday and part of Saturday in the hospital. We knew he was feeling better when he started cracking jokes and playing poker with his brothers. Steve is home now and doing great. He was able to go out to dinner for his brother Ryan's 20th birthday.

We expect that he will be in school next week and even go to homecoming- of course he has yet to actually ask anyone! Get going on that one Steve. He is back to his usual routine-spending time with friends, watching sports on TV, and of course eating junk food. Or in other words- a typical teenage existence. The CAT scan will be rescheduled for sometime in the next 2 weeks. A possible surgery is in the near future depending on the outcome of the scan. Pray that the scan shows miraculous results. We hope that Steve can put on weight in the next 2 weeks. So it looks like pizza every night at the Payne household!!!

God has been so good. He continues to surround us with wonderful friends and family. Jeff and I would like to thank everyone who has supported our family through this difficult time. Kyle and Ryan continue to be a comfort and help to Steve and we are grateful and proud to have such great sons. We continue to be overwhelmed with the amount of cards, e-mails, and calls that continue to come in daily. People have been incredibly generous: from supplying meals, gift certificates, bringing by treats, and even having the house cleaned. Friends stop by and cheer us up and keep our spirits high. Steve's friends continue to amaze us with their instant messages, calls, trips to the hospital, and visits at home. You can't imagine what this does for his spirits. LT has been amazing with their support. Steve's teachers have gone above and beyond the call of duty to meet Steve's needs.Thanks to LT and all the support they have shown Steve. Family continues to surround us with their love and support. Without the support of friends and family we would be in a much different place. Our God has brought us strength and peace that we cannot begin to understand. Thank you to all who have been so faithful in your prayers and support. We are forever grateful for each and everyone of you.

Tuesday, September 14, 2004 10:44 PM CDT

Steve got home around 11 p.m. on Monday, September 13th. According to Jeff, Steve seems to have done better this round. As of Tuesday afternoon, he was watching TV and did not have any signs of a temperature. Hopefully, Steve will feel well enough to go to school tomorrow; even better, the homework fairy completes all of his school assignments.

Again, the visitors and telephone calls give Steve a huge emotional and psychological lift. We all know that strong relationships in life are a key to a healthy outlook. Steve's friends work miracles every time they visit. Thanks so much for being there for him.

A CT scan will be done toward the end of next week. This will show how the cancer is responding to the chemo. The results will be a strong factor in determining future treatments. If you need something specific to pray about, this is it.

Steve's cousin, Liz, plans to stop by this Sunday to take him for a ride in her new street-legal race car. (Steve, you should ask if you can drive it - just flash your baby blues.) Who can resist a "cutie" like you??? - we might find out who.

Just yesterday another family friend found out about this website - - keep spreading the word to:

* leave notes on the guestbook,
* feel free to stop past the house,
* encourage Steve to keep eating to keep his strength up.

May God bless each and every one of you with a wonderful "family" of friends as loyal as the Payne family friends!

Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:43 PM CDT

It's that time again. Steve starts the third round of chemo on Friday, September 10th. The daytime is spent hydrating Steve and the chemo drip will begin in the late afternoon. Steve should be home Monday evening.

School started Monday, August 30th. Steve's class schedule permits a 10:30 start time. A Vice Principal met Steve at the front door and gave him a pass stating Steve is allowed to wear a hat. I'm afraid the school made a mistake by not specifying a baseball cap, because I understand Steve's Uncle Jack has a parrot hat that may be pressed into service.

With one day of school under his belt, Steve took Tuesday off to go to Children's for a blood transfusion and whatever they do to platelets. (Science is not my thing.) These procedures took 12 hours. Kyle has really stepped up to the plate and is hitting home runs. Many times, he has taken Steve to Children's and spent the entire day with him. Thanks, Kyle!!! Ryan is doing exactly what he is supposed to do - studying hard and not missing a class. This has not been verified, but I believe it to be true. Hard to believe my kids say I'm naive.

Claudia is back at CHMS and after two weeks has the kids whipped (not literally) into shape. There are five "special angels" consisting of friends and family that are on-call one day a week to stay with Steve on those days when he is not able to go to school. Claudia has organized a schedule and instruction sheet regarding the required care. Another group of angels are the women who hired someone to clean the house for the next few months. And, thanks so much to everyone who has been delivering yummy meals. Last night's pork roast, mashed potatoes and corn looked wonderful. Jeff had two large servings!

Generally, Steve continues to do well. A new mouthwash has definitely helped the chemo induced mouth sores that interfere with one's appetite and strength.

Take care, Steve. Show 'em whose boss.

As AF writes - YAAWSIS and LSBS!

Tuesday, August 24, 2004 9:01 PM CDT

Steve got home from the second chemo treatment on Saturday night. Things went very well during the 3 1/2 days. He did not have a roommate, consequently friends and family were able to spread out a bit. Once again, the staff was awesome! and the friends and family who drove downtown to visit Steve are absolute gems. Thank you so much!!!

Since getting home from Children's, Steve has done a few notable things - gone to a birthday party with friends and entertained the family and a few friends with an impromptu dance. I cannot not tell you how unusual it is for a Payne to dance to salsa music. More astounding, Steve let Ryan videotape the event. Jeff said - "He was putting on the moves." and after seeing the video, I must agree. He must get this from his grandparents, who were very good dancers. Good dancing, like twins, must skip a generation. If you are feeling lucky, you might ask to see the video when you stop by the house.

As with most of us, Steve moves slower in the morning. Fortunately, Steve's first class this semester does not start until 10:35. Claudia has met with the LT staff and worked out a number of things designed to help Steve attend school, such as the delayed start time, an extra set of books, etc. Steve will try to go to the football game on Friday night and cheer, of course, for LT.

On the medical side, the home nurse takes blood samples twice a week to see how the white cell count is. During the times that his white count is low, it is very important ensure that Steve is not exposed to germs. Please be cognizant of this when visiting. The medications are well coordinated by the Children's staff and communication with the doctors is very good.

The Payne family continues to be amazed and inspired by your notes from the guestbook and the vast array of ways that people show their support. So far, the multitude of prayers are working - Steve is strong and tolerating the chemo very well.

Love to everyone!

Wednesday, August 18, 2004 3:34 PM CDT

Round One (chemo) is over and Stevie won - BIG TIME. Round Two started this morning, Wednesday, 8/18, at Children's Hospital. We are anticipating a 3 to 4 day stay in the hospital followed by a few weeks "recharging" at home.

THANKS TO ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE for your continued support, friendship, well wishes, and prayers. The family is truly touched by the innovative and traditional ways that everyone has expressed their love. The support from Steve's friends have made an immeasurable difference.

To provide an example of how well Stevie has been doing, I want to share a (paraphased) exchange between the nurse and Claudia.

NURSE: We have the results of Steve's blood test and things look good. His white count is down to zero and he should be tired in reaction to the chemo.
CLAUDIA: Yes, Steve's mornings are a little rough and he is slow to get going. (definition of a teenager!)
NURSE: And he is sick in bed.
CLAUDIA: Well, actually he is up and about!
NURSE: NO - he is home in bed! He should be really tired,
CLAUDIA: He may be tired, but he is out with his friends right now !!!

THANKS, also, to everyone who has written a note in the guest book. We now have over 1000 hits to the website, and this number will be outdated by the end of today. My personal favorite is "Steve, you are my hero. Dad." 8/1/04

If anyone has photos of Steve in action, please e-mail them to Steve or drop them past the house. I can scan them into the photo gallery. I want to give Steve a chance to edit them first . . . no embarrassing butt naked baby pictures - unless they are really cute!

In order to facilitate communication, I promise to update the website more frequently. "Life" temporarily got in the way, but everyone seems to be back on an even keel now.

Friday, July 30, 2004 9:41 PM CDT

Steve has been at Children's Memorial Hospital for the past few days for his first round of chemotherapy. He has done extraordinarily well and been an inspiration to staff, family and friends.

Everyone has been on their best behavior. I have not heard anything about a silly string or Saturday night pizza party. I did hear that Steve was not following all the rules of Candyland, but similar allegations made years ago did not precluded Steve from entering Kindergarten.

Many friends continue to visit Steve and bring that boyish grin to his face. See the photo gallery for an example of "The Grin".

There will be challenges in the coming days. We all have to remember that Steve's resistance will be down. Consequently, if you have a cold or do not feel well, please send extra notes in the guest book and visit with Steve in person when you are feeling better.

A quilt is being constructed for Steve, so please complete a square with a picture, story or just your name. Colorfast markers and cloth squares are available at Steve's home.

Steve's entire family is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and prayers. The kindness, concern and generosity are deeply appreciated. Please continue to pray for Steve's ability to remain strong throughout chemotherapy.

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 8:13 PM CDT

On Wednesday, July 7th, Steve had surgery to remove a tumor in his spleen, which was diagnosed as cancer. Friends and family have been a great source of support during recovery from the surgery. A big thanks to the staff at La Grange Hospital for accommodating so many visitors and making everyone feel welcome.

Treatment will begin at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago the week of July 26th beginning with chemotherapy. The medical staff has been very thorough in their explanation of treatment and scheduling of services.

Steve will begin chemotherapy on Wednesday, 7/28 for a four day course of treatment. Please pray that Steve will tolerate the chemo well.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone for all the prayers and support that you have given Stevie and his family in the last few weeks, and, of course, in the months to come.

Please keep praying and believe in your heart that with God's intervention Steve will fully recover and be back on the basketball court.

Thanks so much for all your encouraging messages. The entire family enjoys reading them over and over.

Click here to go back to the main page.

----End of History----