Stephen Clark

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
As many know Steve has a journey ahead of him as he fights his diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, we are having a consult with a team at UPMC in Pittsburgh PA.  Once we know what their plan is we will post it.  
Steve has so many people in his life that love and care about him and this site will give all an opportunity to connect with him knowing he can rest undisturbed and "check in" when he is able. 
1/26/18
Well that was a longggg trip!  Met sister Fran there who traveled from central PA, saw both doctors and many others at UPMC in Pittsburgh yesterday, they had a tumor board meeting before we arrived to discuss his care. The surgeon wants to lay his eyes on the tumors and get samples for their pathologists to exam as he thinks there is more to what is going on in Steve's gut. That is scheduled for 2/5 and insert a port for his chemo, not sure of the time but trying to get them to schedule us so we need not make back to back trips there.  The goal is still to do 3 rounds of chemo, the debunking ands chemo wash surgery and more rounds of chemo but....they still could change after the surgeon "sees" Steve on 2/5.


1/29/18
Rain, rain, rain and windy, and cold, not walking weather the last two days but we did walk Saturday around the neighbourhood.  Guess we will just to have to go shopping to get those steps in, sorry Greg.... had many phone calls today, Steve sources in Richmond have recommended Dr Sarah Gordon for his chemo, set up an appointment.  Also tracked down his pathology slides, Geisinger just mailed them out today to Pittsburgh, grrrrr.  Made a smoothie with high protein Ensure trying to get more protein as he is still losing weight, verdict was a yum!  
Went out for sushi last night with the lovely Miss Lucy, who loves, loves, loves him!  As do many folks down here.  We are hoping the weather is clear tomorrow to look for the super moon at Sue and Peter's home.


2/6/18
So, we managed to make it to Pittsburgh without incident Sunday for Steve's scoping/biopsy/port installation on Monday, it was horrible weather and God was our co-pilot.  Frances had a beast of a drive too from central PA and too arrived safe. 
Procedure went well, Dr Pingpank indicates that all should be ready for Steve to start chemo on 2/15 as pathology report will give them a clearer picture as to what type of chemo to use.  He states their pathology dept sees all mesothelioma slides in the country.  He definitely wants to do several rounds of chemo first to shrink the tumors before they try to do the surgery to remove what they can of them. 
He and I are returning to E City for the week and will come back to Richmond for the chemo. 
Keep those prayers coming!
2/7/18
Back in Elizabeth City, Steve has an annoying cough but otherwise seems to be doing better. 
2/9/18
Steve and I went out yesterday to pick up supplies, had lunch at Firehouse Subs(sorry Greg), and ran into some folks he knows who stop and offer words of encouragement. This man, my brother, is so loved by so many. We don't go anywhere that we don't run into someone he knows! To spend time with him in his "life" has given me a different view of him that is hard to explain.  Since he has lived away most of his adult life, getting together at visits we talk family stuff, we don't see each other doing our daily living. I'm awed by the out pouring of love and concern for him, thank you all.
We stopped to visit the lovely Miss Lucy after touring the Art Council and theater, need the get some walking in. Steve requested chilli for dinner as his appetite has been picking up, yea!  Today out again, got his locks clipped, shopped, lunch downtown and running into folks he knows, walked to Sue and Peters home on the river for tea and talk.
Had some concern with one of the lap sites it is weeping but have been assured it is not unusual but to keep an eye on it. Thank you Charlie and Frances for the face time medical check up and peace of mind. Steve's spirits are better as is his energy but trying to stay out of crowds so he can be healthy for chemo, he has a chest cold he is fighting.

2/15/18
Went to Richmond for consult with Dr Sarah Gordon(lovely girl!), she gave Steve the "skinny" on what, when,where and how. He starts on 2/22, I will be his escort to this first session but he should be able to get himself to and from future sessions that are to be every three weeks. After 2 sessions they will do a cat scan to see how things are and after 4 he will go to Pittsburgh for another cat scan and consult with surgeon, Dr Pingpank, to determine if ready for debulking.


2/23/18
Had first chemo yesterday, had a hiccup with his port(not unusual)got it cleared and left the hospital by 4.  No complaints today other than metallic taste and states with trepidation that he feels pretty good. 


2/25/18
I have returned to PA to my loving family that allowed me this time to walk with Steve on this journey.  Hoping his children take great care of him!!(I know they will) I will be there if and when you need me brother.  Have a wonderful birthday!