Steve’s Story

Site created on July 11, 2012

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your prayers,support and words of hope and encouragement as we prepare to live our lives with cancer. We have great faith and hope, as we move forward!!



Previous Email Updates:

July 9 - 


Hi All:
Continued thanks for all of your prayers and good thoughts. They make a huge difference!!
 
As in the last update, I put together a health plan for myself very early July 4. I was just wired that morning and finally had to get up and write it down. Since then, I have been completely positive and upbeat (after finishing Week of chemo with no adverse symptoms). Also, have started implementing many of the measures in that health plan.
 
That period from first finding out about the PT scan images and the 4th was very difficult, as many of you can attest after such a diagnosis. I even used the analogy in the last update of being in a stupor, in the desert. The good news is that the positive change from before to after has been orders of magnitude. I am back to living life and doing things.
 
I decided to go back and count the number of days from that May 25 to the "visitation" early July 4. I was amazed to count 40 days!! The number of days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan. What are the odds!?!? I believe this is a sign, and that this process is a part of God's miraculous plan. My hope and faith are soaring!
 
I plan to switch to a different type site (Caring Bridge) to post future updates, so each of your email addresses are not vulnerable. Instructions will be coming. Also, as my next oncology visit is not until July 17, will probably not have another update for a few weeks.
 
God Bless You All,
Steve
 
July 5:

Hi All:
Leslie and I think constantly about all the support and prayers we have from friends, family, and those we don't even know. Please keep them coming, as I can assure you they make a huge difference!!
 
I woke up early on the 4th, and after wandering in a stupor through a relative desert for over a month, God has cleared away some of the fog, and I am starting to see some of what He has in store for us as we continue forward.
 
First, I have cut out all non-natural sugar, and am no longer eating processed foods. Both will lead to reduced cancer risks. (Thanks again to John Finnell and Dave Humphreys, from good old BHS, for their great input on eating right!!) I am developing a health plan that doesn't just depend on medical treatment and faith (which I call a defensive plan). Rather, my plan will include as much of a Chip Kelly OFFENSE as I can muster. As I learned long ago, no battle was ever won on defense!!
 
Faith, Treatment at Providence CC, continued support of friends and family, exercise, supplements (such as Vitamin D and IP6), continued work, and continued living the dream...and I also think of Jim Valvano's great quote: "don't give up, don't ever give up..."
 
After loosing 5 lbs during week #1 Chemo, I am also learning that 3 squares is a thing of the past. I need to have food ready to eat around the clock, so that I can eat right but also maximize caloric intake. Leslie has been great about learning, buying, and fixing the right stuff!! I am determined to gain that 5 #'s back!
 
Next week is the third of a three-week cycle, with no chemo treatment that third week. Am hoping to catch up on some fishing for sure. I see the Dr on July 17, and will have my Draft Health Plan in tow when I see her, to seek her feedback. Kelly, Leslie's RN niece and our earthly angel this past month, is reviewing it now. She says the time if finally right for western physicians to agree that an integrated medicinal-naturopathic approach is now best for battling the beast.
 
I may walk out of the door and be hit by a truck tomorrow morning, but as of tonight, and after having good workouts yesterday and today, I feel great!! (I withdrew my membership from 24-Hour Fitness two weeks ago before Chemo, but they allowed me to have it back today!!) So far, everyone's prayers are being heard on high, and a miracle is in the making. Leslie and my hope and faith have never been so high, thanks in large part to support and prayers from all of you. God sure hears them!!!
 
A Hearty Thanks, and God Bless!!
 
Steve
 

Newest Update

April 22, 2024

Journal entry by Steve Rainey —

I have loved you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3

 April 22, 2024

My last journal entry was January 3rd. Since that time, I have had two scans, with April 15th being the most recent. I met with Dr. Sanborn the next day to review the results, and was elated to learn that the tumor on my heart lining has not grown even though my last chemo infusion was December 1st. I will have another bimonthly scan in June, then potentially go to quarterly scans.  Sounds pretty uplifting, I had no idea whether the chemo might have protracted benefits after treatments, and purposefully didn’t ask.

I continue to awaken each morning, and marvel that I feel as good as I do. I celebrate that God has blessed me physically these last twelve years since my 2012 stage 4 thymus cancer diagnosis!! I continue to trust in Him, and have been blessed with the gift of peace, knowing that once you have stage 4, the cells will always be in you waiting to spring up somewhere else. My hair has grown back, and I am living the most healthy lifestyle possible with smoothie, fruit and yogurt in the morning, veggies and fish, beef, or chicken for supper. And I’ve cut back on sweets. Am continuing with powerwalks a few times per week, between treadmill and weight workouts at the gym once a week.

I want to again thank all who have prayed for me these last dozen years. Between prayer and medical breakthroughs, we were able to miraculously blow by the original two years of life expectancy projected with the original diagnosis. Each day is truly “A BEAUTIFUL DAY”!!!

Janelle and I drove with a neighbor to Palm Desert in late January after our local cold snap. We took four days to get there, traveling on Hwy 101 through Carmel, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. Enjoyed a couple vineyard stops, watched some surfers on the beaches, and just enjoyed being out of the ice and snow. Even played a little golf. We flew back home February 6th, just as LA was getting seven inches of rain in two days.

Wishing each of you a blessed summer!!! Have fun and be safe!!!

Read More of the journal titled "April 22, 2024"
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