Steve Bitting

Steve started experiencing itching all over his body in June of 2014.  It gradually increased to an intense level.  After PET Scans, CT Scans, X-rays, a lymph nod and bone marrow biopsy he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma stage 4B in Match of 2015.  We were devastated with the news since Steve is others wise very healthy.  We made an appointment with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida to get a second opinion.  They confirmed the diagnosis and course of treatment.  We decided to have his chemotherapy locally in Orange City because of the many doctors visits.  He had surgery to implant a port in his chest to receive chemotherapy.  It feeds the chemicals directly into your heart and they are dispersed quickly and equally into his body.  After 12 treatments his PET scan showed he was in remission but he still had a large mass of lymph nods in his abdomen.   He then began 17 rounds of radiation therapy.  Dr. Nair, his oncologist, said that he we in remission and could have the port removed.  Steve wasn't completely well so he decided to wait to have it removed.  His next PET scan was December 17, 2015.  Dr. Nair called on December 31st to say that Steve was no longer in remission.  The next course of treatment is a bone marrow transplant.  We were referred to a Dr. Patel in Orlando.  We met with him and we also met with a Dr. Perez in Tampa with the Moffitt Cancer Center.  We chose Dr. Patel in Orlando because of his knowledge and approach to Steve's condition.  His treatment requires daily trips to the hospital for the next 4 to 6 months and a month long stay during the transplant process.  Steve is preparing for an autologous bone marrow transplant which means his own bone marrow.  His brother, Scott, was tested and found to be a perfect match if Steve needs a donor in the future.  We handle each day with prayer, positive thinking, thankfulness and humor.   We believe in God's power to heal and are confident that Steve's health will be restored.