I have what!?!?
25 07 2007Well, I am out of the hospital and continuing on my “medical journey”. Right now, we are not longer using the term medical journey. It is now a journey of greater proportions. Bigger than I would have ever expected in my life. I am not a story first then get to the ending kinda guy. Let’s talk about the bullet and then I will tell the story. So here is the bullet:
I have stage 4 colon cancer. Ouch, didn’t see that one coming did you.
This all started last Monday, July 16th with some sever lower abdomen and pelvic pain. Being a guy, I let it ride for a few days and finally could not take it anymore. I go see my doctor on Thursday. They had dome ideas, but we needed to take a look inside to see what was going on.
Friday morning, I had a CT scan done. The radiologists found what they thought might be clot in a major vein and they also found a tumor in my sigmoid colon. I was admitted to a local hospital at 8pm on Friday night. Over the weekend, I had a few more CTs done and the clot in the vein was ruled out. That was good news for us and the only good news we would receive. Over the weekend the doctors kept prepping us for worst case scenarios and, unfortunately, the worst case scenario happened.
On Monday, I had a colonoscopy and the cancer was confirmed. They took some tissue biopsies and we found that the tissue type is adenocarcinoma. This is not the tissue type that we wanted.
Anyway, Sandi and I are not running. We are facing this head on. We are usually people that do things ourselves and handle things on our own. Not this time. We will need to reach out and ask for help. Here is what you can do for us, PRAY!! Pray for patience, strength (mental and physical), wisdom of physicians, and COMPLETE HEALING!!!
We are claiming the following verses as well (compliments of some very close friends):
Psalms 56:4 - In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalms 103:2-3 (really the whole chapter) - 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
So, thanks for reading. Thanks for praying. I will keep you all informed through this site. Yes, I will still post the random things, but you can follow THE JOURNEY on this site as well. To see nothing but posts on the journey, just select, “The Journey” from my categories list. Also, please feel free to link to this or upcoming posts and, please, share this prayer request with as many as you can. I need prayer and so does my family.
We have not shared this with our children yet. We are going to seek out the best way to tell them, so pray for that as well.
So, buckle up, here we go!! First stop, the oncologist on Thursday, July 26th at 2:40pm!!
Hey Stef!
You already have a small army of people out there praying for your family all over the country. Your strength, spirit, and attitude is inspiring to us all! God bless and we are all on board with you..
Troy
Philippians 4:12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength”
[...] across my blog. I have three requests. The first is prayer. You can read all of the details (here). Second, if you feel led, would you pass along Stef’s blog address and the word to cover [...]
[...] *UPDATE* Stef has made his Journey public. Read about it here. [...]
[...] Will you join me in praying for Stef and his family as they embark in a tremendous journey? Not only has Stef been on my blogroll for some time, he is [...]
Stef you are an awesome guy! I will be praying often for you and your family!
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
[...] I have what!?!? « Stef’s Random Ramblings [...]
[...] know, I have been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. You can read my initial post about this here. You can follow my journey on my personal blog at Stef’s Random Ramblings. I will not [...]
I am with you buddy…
so is the great physician
Stef,
Thanks for your openness. I know God will give you guys the words and timing to bring your kids into the journey as well. We serve a BIG God…
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rest my salvation and my glory, my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before him, God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:5-8
Stef,
I’m not sure if you know who I am (Debbie Stickel) but I know Sandi and my husband John and I had J in our Sunday school class a couple of years ago.
When I heard about what was going on with you on Tuesday all I have done is pray. I’ve been praying for you, for Sandi, and for the kids.
I will obviously continue to do this.
Have you read pilgrims progress?
Gods journey isn’t always an easy one. Praying with you….
Kristina
you are covered in prayer
My prayers are with you! Your spirit and your determination will help you and your family through this! Never lose that! We Believe in the power of God’s healiing for you and will pray His word for your healing!
Just read your blog and I am joining you in prayer and asking God, who is above colon cancer to completely remove all trace of this cancer before your next appointment. Only He can do this.
How old are your children? It must be hard for them.
Stef & Sandi -
Cass and Troy continue to keep me informed. Please know that you and your beautiful children are in my heart and in my prayers.
Much love,
Pat
Praying for you daily … believing God, and praying that this cancer would be gone from your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit … that on the cross, “by His stripes you are healed” .. is a promise of redemption of this disease.
“Beloved, I pray that you be in good health and prosper in all things, even as your soul prospers” ….
In the meantime, during this battle, I pray for peace, strength, and grace to endure the process and trial. I pray for the peace of God that surpasses all understanding for you, your wife, your children, and family.
For the Kingdom,
fred
Stef and Sandi,
I don’t even know where to start. So much I want to say but just can’t at this time. I just wanted you and Sandi to know that you are both in our prayers. I am praying that God reaches down with his grace and mercy to you and your family and gives you the strength to beat this. I’m sure you have everyone under the sun offering help, but if there is anything you need, let me know. My schedule is wide open for babysitting and errand running. Again, just know that we love you and will be praying for you, Sandi and the kids.
Randall and Teresa
Stef and Sandi,
I can only imagine how it would feel to get such news. May the Lord be very near throughout every moment, every test and whatever else comes.
We will be praying for you and believing for complete healing, in Jesus name! He is able.
Blessings grace and peace to you,
Susan
[...] husband, father to 3 young kids and is taking this head-on. He has posted all the details on his blog, so I won’t fill them in here. But he and his family need prayer as they begin this journey [...]
Never met you - came across your blog via Fred McKinnon.
Praying for you today. May you look to Him for peace, comfort, strength and healing.
Brother you know I am praying. I am BELIEVING and it’s my honor to share the journey. Your strength, wisdom and courage have already been amazing. While I continue to pray, I also continue to thank God that our paths intersected and our friendship. His providence is amazing. We love you guys.
Christ heals and I thank Him, in advance, for the healing is is bringing you that He might receive all the glory. Bless you! Bless your family! You are all in my prayers.
Read my husbands’ blog. He has stave 4 colorectal also. He is not a christian, but his blog may help you feel less alone with your battle:
http://www.penmachine.com
Best wishes.
I’m not sure what exactly to say. I just want you to know that I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Steph and Sandi,
Where do I start–You 2 are in my prayers. I wanted to call you guys to let you know Matt and I are available for anything-help with kids, dinner or just to talk-at any time. Steph, you are such a strong person and you will conquer this. Matt and I were in church Sunday and they played “I will Praise You in this Storm” and you immediatley came to mind. Faith is such a comfort and can bring a true peace during your “STORM”. Please don’t hesitate to call us for help.
Love,
Ronna and Matt
Steph, I don’t know what to say.. I am holding back the tears at work. PLEASE let me know if we can do anything to help. I live near you so we can help with soccer transport and everything. I had lost 4 family members within 2 years because of cancer. We will talk soon. Diane
Hey Stef. I just got the news yesterday and I am so sorry that this has hit you and your family. You are an amazing man to have the strength and courage to take this thing head on. With your faith and your kick butt attitude, I have faith that you’ll make it through this. When your in your low points in battling this, just reach to God and look on this website and see how many people are supporing you and I’m sure you’ll find strength in yourself to get through those crappy days. A lot of us ex-orderlies are wanting to get together with you and possibly go out to eat and catch up on old times and ultimately stand behind you in helping you battle this thing! You and your family are in our prayers. Hope to talk to ya soon!
God Bless!
Qiana
Hello Stef, it took me by surprise to hear this news from a classmate from SCA. I to went to school with you, I was a year a head of you. The name “Parke” ring a bell?
I read this blog and immediately prayed for you and your family. I just want you to know that my husband and I will be praying for you as well as my prayer warriors friends. May your faith be strengthen, may you gain much wisdom,strength & Grace through this time. Here is a good prayer for you to pray. (by Stormie Omartian)
“I praise you, Jesus. I exalt and thank you that you are my healer. Thank you for dying for me on the cross, for bearing the consequences of my sin in your body. You are greater than anything I face or suffer, and thank you that in Your name I can find healing. Your power is unlimited. I know that if you heal me, I will be healed completely. Thank you that you will rise up with healing for those who fear Your name (Malachi 4:2). “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!) For my soul trusts in you; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” (Psalm 57:1)
God be with you and your family during this time, I will cont. to look for updates and pray that God’s Will will be complete in your life and you will be healed. He can do what He says He can do. In Christ, Linda
I want to let you know that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. This is a difficult time in your life, and I am happy to hear that you have your family and a wonderful team of medical professionals and specialists surrounding you during this time in your life. I hope that all will go well with your surgery and the healing process. Keeping the faith and having a positive outlook always adds to the hope and better outcomes. I have seen it first hand. God bless and best wishes.
Andrew
aka: CancerGeek
[...] is a friend of the blog, and fellow contributor to AC180.com. Just a few months ago he found out that he has Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Tomorrow he will be going in for his first surgery where the doctor will look around inside and do [...]
[...] 2007 by David As you read this, Stef, our AC180 brother, is undergoing a 9-hour surgery for Stage 4 colon cancer. Please join me in lifting up Stef, his family and medical staff in prayer. All glory and honor to [...]
[...] Last July Stef received news that he has stage 4 colon cancer. He and his family chose not to let this news own him, but to let Him own it. As a result I Refuse To Lose has become the theme for his journey in battling colon cancer. Sandi and I are not running. We are facing this head on. We are usually people that do things ourselves and handle things on our own. Not this time. We will need to reach out and ask for help. Here is what you can do for us, PRAY!! Pray for patience, strength (mental and physical), wisdom of physicians, and COMPLETE HEALING!!! [...]