An Added Journey: About Steve AND ADDED UPDATE

This post will remain on top for a couple of days.

Most of our readers have probably noticed Steve’s absence. This post is meant to share the reason for that.

A couple of weeks ago, Steve was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As far as we know now, it is Stage II. He will be visiting with a doctor later today. [We've now learned that it is Stage III and in the spleen. His chances for recovery are excellent they say.]And there will be a change in his treatment. More chemo, less radiation.

Steve will be at M. D. Anderson for the next seven weeks anyway. He had been undergoing treatment with the VA in Amarillo for the past week and a half. Currently, Steve is undergoing radiation five times a week and chemotherapy twice a week.

We ask for your prayers. And in the same breath we both want you all to know that we believe with God’s help that Steve can beat this. And above all, we believe that God will have His way in the end no matter what. We trust God with our lives and with our deaths. We believe that Steve’s journey is not quite finished on this earth. This disease reinforces our belief that God brought Steve into mine and Greg’s life, and that ultimately, Aaron had something to do with that. As Steve once wrote, “In our lives there are no coincidences.” And as odd as it may sound, we thank God for our suffering and pray that it may be used for His glory and for His Kingdom and for you all, our Gunz Up readers.

While Steve is much too tired to write at this point in time, I trust that VB and I won’t have a problem in picking up his slack (:) now that I have my Internet problems worked out. My dad continues with medical problems that are bound to require more of his elder daughter’s attention, but still, our blogging will continue.

You all are very important to us. In a big way, you are part of our family. It is only right and fitting that you join us in the newest journey that has been brought into our lives.

I will keep everyone updated as to any changes one way or another: diagnosis, mental and physical health. While we know that God will be the One to take us through, we also know that through is going to be a very active adjective during these treatments.

Regular series will continue on Gunz Up along with new and fresh thoughts as they occur. Our new website will be on hold for a while, until Steve is able to finish it. I can’t take that one on and I don’t imagine anyone wants me to!

Steve’s email is suthernroper@hotmail.com

He may be slow or even absent in responding, but he appreciates hearing from you and about you.

This is now an open subject on Gunz Up and will be treated as such; meaning, if anyone has questions or comments in the future, don’t hesitate to share them.

Love to all.

Semper Fi,
De’on