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Real Name: Steve E. Swenson Address: PO Bin 440 Bakersfield, Ca 93302 Cell: (395)736-7 Gender: male Date of Birth: January 03, 1949 Member Since: March 17, 2006 Last Signed In: September 30, 2009 Profile Views: 10866 Blog Views: 14986 Didn't catch any fish and Lopez Lake, but lots of fun anyway I feel oppressed, and out $33 Eating a burger in the shadow of Michelle Obama A must watch and pass on Lovey dovey on my patio Mexico trip rerouted to California -- oh yippee, skippy Met up today with an old cancer buddy The governator wants to tax golf???????? Took my love to Red Rock Canyon Ending fish plants in the Kern River???? June 06 July 06 August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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Cancer has left the building
On my birthday, I got this phone message from Dr. Dean Davis about a recent CAT scan to check on how my throat cancer was doing. Saying he reviewed the scan very carefully, he said, "At this point in time, I am not able to identify any residual cancer." So after four months of chemotherapy and radiation that knocked me down and made me more sick and fatigued than I have ever been in my life, those little neck pictures showed none of the cancer tumor is left. Your prayers and good wishes paid off. That doesn't mean I'm done. I have nine more radiation treatments to handle any microscopic leftovers and to try to make sure the cancer will never return. By Jan. 17, I should be done with the treatment. Then it will take a couple months or more to fully recover. It's worth noting that throat cancer is one of the more difficult treatments there is for bad side effects. Dr. Davis has said my throat looks like a war zone. My mouth and throat are sore most of the time. But my wife's extraordinary care and your support have meant the world to me. Time moved so slowly through the worst of my suffering. You and my extended family played a huge part in helping me get through it all. I'm not done. I expect more pain and discomfort in the next two weeks. But it has been nine days since I had any treatment and I have much more strength than I've had in weeks. Watching TV for as little as a half hour would wipe me out. Last night I watched a full-length movie for the first time in months. This break has shown me I will get better. I'll keep you updated. I'm still eating through a stomach tube (six cans of Ensure a day) and I am looking forward to eating the old fashioned way. I've lost my taste buds in this treatment. It will take weeks or more to get them back. My throat will have to heal enough so I can swallow food. So I'll endure whatever comes up until I'm back to my old self. What I've been given in the last months is nothing short of my life back. It seems worth more now. Bless you all. And especially my wife, Mary. As a cancer survivor herself, her care has done the most to make me one too. 28 comments from 27 users
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posted by
Wayfarer
on Jan 5, 2008 at 05:46 PM
+Praise God+
posted by
ChristinePeterson
on Jan 5, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Steve, your strength — and humor — amaze me. I am sitting here crying tears of joy. posted by
anglo1
on Jan 5, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Congratulations, you can probably survive anything now. Your updates have become something to really look forward too.
posted by
possummomma
on Jan 5, 2008 at 06:12 PM
OUTSTANDING!! That's such great news.
posted by
NancyII
on Jan 5, 2008 at 06:19 PM
WAY TO GO STEVE AND MARY !!! You looked the enemy in the eye and spit in it. Well, you would have if you'd had any spit left. :-) I am so proud of both of you and the courage it took to go through all you've endured. Todays medical marvels are nothing short of miracles and Gods blessings. I just hope there'll come a day when the cure for cancer isn't so devastating to the body. We're with ya through the next treatments. Hang in there..the end is in sight. posted by
allRED
on Jan 5, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Steve my game hasnt been up to par since you've been sick I get on the course game seems to be going good and then I remember you I'll play and fill better when your back out there Please make it soon I'd like to break 83 before I turn 70. Get well my friend Ron. posted by
montfred
on Jan 5, 2008 at 06:55 PM
This is the best news I have heard in a real long time, it is a another very strong argument for the power of prayer.Thank you so much for sharing this experience with the Californian, it has been the "must read" in the newspaper for months. I admire your character you demonstrate on the blogs, and your expression of love for your wife, and your loyalty to your employer. Great things continue to those who do great things. Congradulations posted by
sagefever
on Jan 5, 2008 at 07:24 PM
*Happy Happy Joy Joy* Best news I have had in a while! Continued thoughts for nothing but the best~sage
posted by
tchudilowsky
on Jan 5, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Thanks for sharing your GREAT news! I am so happy for you. I am totally positive it was your strong kick a** attitude and your sweet wife that got you through this. :-) posted by
randomfactor
on Jan 5, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Especially good news today...karma is being balanced, I think. Congratulations to Steve & Scary Mary.
posted by
r44time
on Jan 5, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Steve, I'm so happy things are going better for you! My dad has had three chemos for lymphoma and seems to be coming through OK. He has 5 more to go. We know what you are going through and we are praying you make a complete recovery. Sincerely, your friend ,r44time
posted by
JeffHarbin
on Jan 5, 2008 at 08:06 PM
That is really great news Steve. Any chance I can schedule a quick 18 with you before you get all the way better? It's the only chance I have to keep the score close. P.S.--And I still want 6 a side.
posted by
Mom2CandC
on Jan 5, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Woo Hoo!! That's great news! Congrats on making it through the worst of the worst. Isn't it amazing how we take so many things for granted, until we face a major crisis...congrats and thank God you are almost done with your treatments! What a great gift for your b-day!! Stil keeping you in our prayers, Mom2CandC posted by
steveeswenson
on Jan 5, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Nancy, I do have some spit left but it's kind of thick. So it was more of a drool in the eye of the enemy. posted by
NancyII
on Jan 5, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Geeeezzzz Steve, I LOVE your sense of humor. Not to mention your uh.... visuals... :-)
posted by
OldBlue56
on Jan 5, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Steve, get your putter out and keep working on those lag putts across the living room carpet. Remember, the short game is where you score. Also, just like Buena Vista, where everything breaks towards the lakes, or North Kern, where everything breaks towards Shafter, the living room carpet breaks towards the kitchen!
posted by
theColorNine
on Jan 5, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Steve (and Mary) -- Words fall far, FAR short in expressing the joy I feel for the two of you!! WAY. TO. GO!!! posted by
GlennJohnson
on Jan 5, 2008 at 11:10 PM
OH MY GOSH!!! What absolutely fantastic news and what a great birthday present!! We are soooo thrilled for you and wish the remaining treatments speed by quickly. We're in your corner and knew you would conquer this cancer and come out on the other side as a true survivor and one truly amazing individual. I guess this means I'll have to get our guest room ready for your visit this summer ~ With Our Love, Glenn & Vicki Johnson (up in God's country ~ northern Idaho) posted by
gube
on Jan 5, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Steve i got to tell you in i enjoy your writings.You are an inspiration to many. good luck and stay well. posted by
Neverleft
on Jan 6, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Great news Steve and Mary. It's going to be a GOOD year.....
posted by
saberhagen
on Jan 6, 2008 at 03:59 AM
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY birthday Stevee!!!! Shan and saber posted by
tkozy
on Jan 6, 2008 at 04:44 AM
Great news Steve. posted by
robbwillis
on Jan 6, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Happy new year, Steve! What an ordeal. posted by
elizab
on Jan 6, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Steve, Thank you for sharing your story. Your news is wonderful! I think I can help you with the mouth sores. I have had canker sores my whole life and now tongue and mouth sores from the rheumatoid arthritis (and cancer) medicine, methotrexate. A former dental assisant turned me on to a cure for a sore mouth. In the first aid section on the drug store, look for a bottle of Compound Benzoin Tincture made by Cumberland Swan. When I can't find it, the pharmacy will order it. It is dirt cheap and works! It numbs the pain and coats the sore with aloe, and tree resins benzoin, storax, and Tolu Balsam. The coating protects it all day so you only have to use it once or twice. To use, dry the sore (not a problem when you have dry mouth), apply a thick coat with a Q-tip and hold the Q-tip to the sore until the screaming stops (yes--that would be you--it hurts going on), then apply another thick coat. You'll forget you have mouth sores after that, so you'll have to remind yourself to do it again for another two days. Also, use Biotene toothpaste exclusively. Other toothpastes tend to aggravate the problem. If you call around and can't find it, I will give you a bottle from my stash. I ordered extra so I would never be without. Just drop me an email. Another spitless friend...
posted by
JohnTello
on Jan 6, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Congratulations, Steve: It has been very uplifting reading your account of your battle with throat cancer. You are an inspiration to us all. May God Bless and keep you cancer free! John Tello posted by
Laurah
on Jan 7, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Dear Stevie, I am extremely pleased to hear your good news. But are you absolutely, positively sure you want to go back to your old self? Some of us liked to pick on that guy ... a lot. ;-) posted by
campbell45
on Jan 8, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Steve, this is the best news we could possibly get. What a wonderful way to start the new year. After you finish you final treatments you will have time to practice the "chicken dance". We will have a contest this summer. Looking forward to seeing you and Mary soon. All our best to a real winner. Love, Pat & Jack posted by
drice
on Jan 8, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Hi Steve, my heart goes out to you! Keep up your strength and humor! You will get through this, I promise. Take care and hurry back to work. They need you! ( : Dionne
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