I'm doing great! I worked monday thru friday half days. I'm getting stronger each day. I walked the dogs every other day this week. they need the exercise and I'm happy to get outside. work has been good and got a few orders processed this week. I'm hoping to get some big quotes turned into orders in January. Thanks for praying I'm doing great....

I came home on Wednesday. Finally in my own bed. Nice to be home and not having to be at the doctors all the time. I go again next wednesday. I'm feeling great and looking forward to getting stronger every day. I wear out quickly. I took the dogs on a short walk this morning. So far I took 3 naps today. Look forward to getting stronger

released from hospital

It's Monday night and we are in the hotel near UCLA. The doctors wanted us to stay near by just in case there are complication. I did throw up just as we were leaving the hospital. Still queasy and have a little headache. But all in all I'm doing great. My immune system is like a new born baby. I am getting stronger each day. But it takes a long time to get back to where I was. So pray that I start feeling normal and get stronger each day. Thanks for your prayers and support,

MOnday post transplant

It's monday. I made it thru the transplant no problems. I have been queasy and nauseated until this morning. the transplant took 27 minutes to thaw and infuse the stem cells. they were put back thru the IV line in my chest. I'm feeling better today and am hungry. Thanks for praying I needed it. I hope to be out of the hospital by early December.

STeve

stem cell day

The stem cell transplant went very well. two bags of stem cells we infused in 29 minutes. now its recovery for 10 days. Thanks for praying

big day

I go into the hospital today for 2 to 3 weeks. Thanks for praying and I'll chat with you onthe other side of the stem cell transplant.

After 1st chemo

Its been 10 days since the first chemo. I"m doing ok. Had to spend a few days in the hospital with a neutrapenic fever and intestnal infection. I was able to get out of hospital on Monday and had my stem cells collected today as planned. Great news they were able to collect all the stem cells in one collection so i dont have to go in again until Monday for a dr apt. I'm happy to not have to do anything else until next week. I'm still fighting a tempature today but all in all I'm so glad I have gotten true everything. Schedule Tuesday Enter hospital for CVC cather and Chemo, Wed another day of Chemo, Thursday day of rest, Friday 20th (my birthday) stem cells put back in, then recuperation for 10 to 14 days in the hospital. Pray that I have no sickness for the next week and for a smooth 2 weeks in the hospital. No complications from the Chemo!

Thanks for praying

Next step

Hi Everyone, I'm doing fine. It's Tuesday and I'm ok. Get queazy from the steroids but mostly I'm doing great. So far I have been working and sales have been good. Starting tomorrow I'll limit my work activities for the next 6 weeks. This will be hard because I'm always very active working.

So it will be hard not to want to make things happen. I'll work from home until the 17th and then I'm in the hospital for 2 weeks.

Thanks for praying and keeping my family in your prayers.

Steve

Chemo Day

Hi Everyone, Thanks for praying. All the blood work came back normal and so we started the Chemo today. It was a good process no hickups, slight headache from the drugs but it should go away shortly. Jill, Patty (sister) and I arrived at UCLA at 1:30. Started with saline solution 1 hour, took an anti-nausea pill when we started the saline. Then 2 hours of Chemo followed with more saline. All went very well. We finally left UCLA at 7:15. Oh I also forgot they gave me Dexamethozone Steroid, along with a steroid they gave me early with breakfast at home. So needless to say i'm wired up on steroids. Its after 12 am and I'm still up. But all in all everything is better than I expected. For two more days i take steroids and then 8 days of shots 3 times a day.

I'm glad to be in the process and moving forward. Steve

Tuesday Update

Jill and I were at UCLA today. Long morning commute but a good meeting with the Doctor and Nurse. They answered all our questions showed us around the facility. My tentative date for the first Chemo is Friday 30th. We did some blood work today to make sure that i'm still in remission. I may need to get another Bone Marrow Biopsy if the blood work is higher than the last report. If the blood work is higher than it will delay the process to start on Friday. I'll let you know what the result of the blood work are.

Stem Cell Transplant (SCT)

Hi Everyone, The stem cell Transplant is starting this week. My tentative schedule is Friday I go UCLA for Chemo treatment about 6 hours, then steroids for 10 days to develop stem cells. The stem cell grow in the bone marrow and usually stay there but with the steroids they grow faster and are pushed into the blood. day 11 to 14 they collect the stem cells. Nov 17 I go into the hospital for two days of chemo and then reintroduction of the stem cells and then recovery. The process takes 10 to 14 days in the hospital. My body will be going thru a major ordeal and will be very week after the process is completed. The information I read indicated that most people are 50% of the normal strength after a year. So pray that I'm not normal and that I can recover quicker. Thanks so much for praying. I'll try to update the site even when I'm in the hospital.

I received a call tonight from UCLA. The insurance company approved the transplant and we are scheduled to start next Tuesday 10/27. Thanks for praying and helping us with expenses during the stay at UCLA.

No word yet from the insurance company. This is not unusual for them to take a little time to approve such a large expenditure. I'm feeling better today so far. I worked from 7 to 4 yesterday but was tired when I got home. JIll and I were out to dinner with friends last night. We used a gift card given to us by one of the couples that were at dinner. Had a nice time. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Steve

Jill and I visited with long time friends Marv and Linda Mings, who are missionaries to the Navajo Indians in Ely NV area. It was a nice visit at my sister Patty Schramms house.

Well we are getting closer for the stem cell transplant. All the pre-operation information is in to UCLA. They have requested from my insurance company authorization to complete the transplant. We are just waiting for the ok at this point and then we can schedule a date for the procedure. I"m still not feeling well but am working half days. I have been walking most days with the dogs (Molly and Ruby labs). They need to exercise as do I. At times its difficult to get going but I'm always glad after we done. We usually walk at 5:30 am but it is getting cooler in the mornings. I know what your thinking, Los Angeles cooler huh! its 12 degrees here where I live... Well I did live in Michigan for 1o years so I know what its like to be cold and your right this is not cold. I still wear shorts when I'm walking the dogs. I'm looking forward to get the stem cell procedure behind me and move on with life. Its been a challenging year for us. Thanks for your prayers.

Oct 4th

Hi Everyone, it's Sunday evening. Jill and I were with her side of the family for a little reunion. Cousins, aunts and uncles came from La Habra and Santa Barbara. It was nice to see everyone again. As for Me: I had the eko cardiogram and on Friday evening I had a meeting with a social worker. After all the reports get back to my coordinator at UCLA then a letter goes to the insurance agency for approval of the procedure. No problems are expected. I'm guessing now that I may start the stem cell transplant on or about the 19th. I hope this will be a good date to get started. The stem cell transplant process takes from 4 to 8 weeks to recover. The first two weeks are driving back and forth the next 2 to 4 weeks are in the hospital then I have to stay in the area for 1 to 4 weeks after discharge just in case I need to go to emergency. This is my road to take in the near future. Steve

JIll and I had a nice weekend at Bullhead City AZ. The boat ran well and the kids had a great time. The lake was smooth which is not normal. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were flat. We were out on the lake at 7 am and were on the lake until 2 on Friday n Saturday. Sunday was a short day so the kids could get back for evening church. JIll had a birthday dinner for Andrea Fitzgerald Sunday night. I ended up getting sick last week and started an antibiodic on Thursday evening. I just dont have an immune system. Sunday night was not a good night. Migraine headache, throwing up. But I'm feeling much better today. Headache finally dicipated. all in all everything is going great. I did my eko cardiogram today and the tech said I had a strong heart. Nice to hear something is working well. There is no date for the stem cell transplant yet. I have to have a meeting with social worker before the stem cell transplant. So right now I'm waiting for that meeting. Keep praying for a smooth transition and stem cell transplant.

Steve

HI Everyone, Its Sunday. The bone strengthener I took on Wednesday is still impacting my pain. My bone pain is still in my lower back and legs. but it is starting to lessen. I did my X-ray and blood work this past week. I'm still needing the eko cardiogram scheduled for Sept 28. After the results are in they will schedule my stem cell transplant. Jills side of the family is having a family reunion Oct 3 or 4. This should be fun. Hope your all safe. Thanks for checking up on me

Steve

HI everyone, I'm going okay. i thought I would up date this account since not all of you use facebook. I have a list of things that have to be done before the stem cell can be done. I have a few of the things done and have one procedure scheduled for 9/28. so im guessing that the stem cell will be done in October some time.

Back on track... I have been using face book to communicate my progress. If your not on face book and want up dates please email me at rietze6@roadrunner.com, I'm trying to use one site to keep everyone informed.

Thanks for your patience

Steve

Kevin's Wedding Coming Soon!

Hi everyone. Jill again. Steve has continued to do pretty well, but yesterday he received a bone strengthening drug and he has quite a bit of bone pain. This can be a common side effect. He gets this by iv once a month. Hopefully tomorrow he will be feeling much better. Pray that he can feel well to be able to enjoy the wedding and festivities. Rehearsal dinner here tomorrow night, have been busy with that! We are so excited for Kevin and Alina and their big day on Saturday. While they are on their honeymoon, they will be celebrating 5 years of going out together! amazing. I pray that they have a wonderful wedding and enjoy the celebration of starting out their lives together.

Please pray that we can get all the necessary tests done before the stem cell transplant in a timely manner and that Steve would have strength and health throughout the process. If anyone is interested, Steve started a facebook but he doesn't visit it every day :) God bless, Jill

DOING GOOD!

Yea I remembered the password so we can communicate again!!!! This is Jill. Steve is at work today. He has been feeling good for the most part. Praise God! He went off the chemo drugs around the end of June. He slowly started to feel back to normal. The doctors for those who haven't heard said Steve is in partial remission. The next step is a stem cell replacement procedure. We just heard from a UCLA coordinating nurse and she is sending a list of things that need to be done before the procedure. We are looking at having it done after labor day.

We praise God for good blood test results, only 1 thing came back in the not normal range. Before he would have many things out of range. We are thankful for the reprieve and that Steve is feeling pretty good and energy level is much better. He is able to work more and more productively. Prayer requests: Steve is having a lot of back pain, which he feels is just like old pain, being "out of whack" and not being able to go to the chiropractor. Pray that the insurance will ok the stem cell procedure and for all the details to work out, for Steve's strength throughout and success with full remission, to God's glory.

Thank you for all your prayers and keep it up! Hope all of you are doing well, Scott Bell we are praying for you, glad your surgery was successful. ~Jill

I'm doing very well. Still have some pain from the cancer cells. My bone marrow report shows 2% of my bone marrow still being affected. That is down from 11% 4 months ago. Thank you lord. The next step is the stem cell transplant. I'm trying to get a schedule for after Kevin's wedding in August on the 22nd. I sent an email to the doctor asking if there is a check list I should be working from to get ready and if I need blood for this process. I should get an answer this week.

Hope your all in good health. I am finally feeling good and working half days each day. I still need a nap and find it hard to move at about 2:00 when my pain killer wears off. I take 1 tablet every 12 hours. I take it a 6am and 6pm. so for a few hours I have trouble with my pain levels. I also dont have problems with my blood sugar since I stopped taking the steroids. what a releaf.

Steve

Saturday evening, I have been feeling great. Jill and I were out for dinner tonight. Red Robin for the fries and burger. I finally can taste the food for its real taste. The food would have a metallic taste to it before when I was taking the steroids. My doctor emailed me the results of the bone biospy. my cancer is down from 11%of the cells to 3% of the cells. Great news!!! I'm working toward getting my stem cell transplant just after Kevin's wedding. late August to early September. This will put me in complete remission. I really have felt almost normal these days since I stopped taking the chemo drugs. I even worked for 3. hours today at the carpet store as the back up sale person. David H was working the full schedule 8 to 4. Tomorrow night we are going to celebrate Jill's step mom's birthday at claim jumpers. That should be fun as well.

Thanks for praying and supporting me. best wishes to you and extended family.

Need prayer please send me your request via email at rietze6@roadrunner.com

Steve

Hi everyone. Its Friday and I'm feeling great. I have been doing very well the last couple of days. I have more energy and almost feel normal. Jill has commented that i'm doing much better and back to my normal self. We start a large job today that I sold. John Fitzgerald is doing some prep work and sealing the floor. This is in prepration for wood that will be installed next week.

My next step is to get a list of steps to get ready for the stem cell transplant. There is a check list of things that have to be done. Thanks for praying and supporting me in my illness. Have a great day.

Monica is dating a young man. Every morning they text each other a bible verse. Nice to see that communication tools are being used for the right reason.

prayer request: scheduled date for the stem cell transplant after Kevin's wedding.

Steve

i'm doing much better these days. I have been working and working longer hours. The result of dropping all he medications has made me feel weak but less ups and downs. We were at the river over the weekend. I was still recovering from weakness and naussea. thankfully Patty an Ted bought a window airconditioner which helped keep me cool. It seems the heat and my energy level dont mix very well. I was able to get out on the boat on friday night and enjoyed a couple of hours watching the kids wake surf. I'm feeling good today and look forward to a good day.

Prayer request: I'm scheduling my stem cell replacement for just after Kevin and Alina get married on August 22. So Pray this works out.

Steve

Its Thursday, Wednesday was a normal day. No chemo treatment any more the next step is the stem cell transplant. I have to see about the timing since Kevins wedding is august 22. hopefully the treatment time will be within the next 4 to 5 weeks and i can be done before the wedding. The stemcell treatment will make sure that i am completely free of the multiple myeloma and that i'll be in remission. How long I stay in remission is up to God. but i'm willing to go that route. we are going to the river this weekend. I'll try to have fun on the boat (HA Ha Ha). i'm looking forward to this trip. I will not have chemo to worry about.

have a fun 4th of July.

It's Tuesday am 1:40 am. I'm not sleeping again. I had the bone marrow biopsy yesterday at ucla and dr eradat at 5:00pm. It hurt of course. The most painful part is when the doctor extracts the bone marrow. The doctor can not numb the bone marrow. so this hurt and hurt does it ever. Dr eradat thinks it's time to do the stem cell replacement. The bone marrow biopsy will tell us how far along the chemo treatment has taken me. Dr Vakil thinks it is 50% improvement. The bone marrow biopsy will confirm what the actual numbers are. The only thing is the wedding is in 2 months and that is what it would take to get the stem cell replacement.

Hi It's Tuesday am. I'm doing great today. I had a little sleep last night. maybe 4 hours. But i'm feeling great. Yesterday was a good day for pain and ablility to work. In the morning I had the runs so it took me some time to get going. but after 12:00 I was ok. I drove to santa fe springs and picked up wood at golden state flooring. It was a unfinished white oak 3/4" x 4 inches wide. We will finish the floor after it is installed rather than install a prefinished floor. The reason is that the color the customer wants can only be achieved by finishing the floor after it is installed. Jason and I delivered the wood about 3 pm and then I took Jason to his friends house. I then went to measure the floor at Dale Rehfeld's house in glendora. This is Harry Steinbach (step brother) sister in law Nancy and hubby Dale. I have done work for dale in the past. He is trying to surprise his wife, who is on vacation, with a gift of a remodelI >'m not sure it will be done in time. I came home and Peter Perrson came over for a visit. We chatted about my illness. Today I have an appointment for a bone marrow biopsity at 4 pm at ucla. This will tell me if the chemo has been working and how far alone I am toward remission.

HI Everyone. It's Sunday June 28th. I'm doing ok today. I have been running to the bathroom often these days. Since I was in the hospital last week i changed my steroid to take it once a week rather than 4 days on and 4 days off. I'm getting used to the new schedule. It does not seem to effect my energy like it did when I was taking it 4 days in a row. I'm doing ok. and feeling great. I worked all week and so I was able to process a few orders. I was in church last sunday on fathers day. and I'm heading that way now. Mike (my brother) is going to be 50 tomorrow. We had a birthday party at my step dad's yesterday for him. I bought him candy for his birthday. Worthers, snickers, orange slices, krackles, etc. I also added some money to his card. He has two small childern that could not stop pawing the candy. I really bought it for the kids anyway. They did enjoy the chochlate. I had monica's headliner in her car changed. It looks so much better.

Jason is going to class for junior lifegaurd training 4 days a week, He seems to be enjoying it.

Have a great day in Jesus.

Good morning, It's Tuesday morning. Sleep has been difficult these days. I'm still running a tempature and have the runs. I"m going to work this morning. I have some measures to do and orders to complete. Fathers days was quiet and monday I spent reading a book. Jason received a new lap top computer and he likes it. I wanted my desk back so I could do my work when I needed to. Monica has been a big help while I'v been sick. She is alwasy trying to get me something I need. She dropped off prescriptions and picked up supplies. I real help. Jill is doing ok. She is still trying to adjust to my sickness. It is hard on her. Prayer request - I'm on the steroid for one day a week now rather then 4 days. On Wednesdays I take the steroid. Pray i transition smoothly into the drug without getting sick again.

It's Fathers Day. Have a great day today. I'm having Lunch at home with the family. Steak, twice baked patatoes, corn, salad, ect. I'm hoping to make it to church today. 4 weeks sick and no church during that time. I'm hopeful to get there today and see some of you. I'm still recovering from the pneomonia. Jill and the kids are doing okay. a little scare last week with my health brought us to the hospital. I"m working some and could use some extra energy to get the jobs done. Have a great day.

Steve is home - yeah!

Steve was released from the hospital last night and is doing well. They ran quite a few tests and ruled out everything except a sinus infection and the slight pneumonia. He is continuing on oral antibiotics for 2 weeks and is following up with an infectious disease specialist in 2 weeks. If he has any more fevers we are supposed to go back to the hospital. Pray that he doesn't get any more!

We are going in to work together for a little bit and we will see how he does. Thanks for all your prayers and hopefully we will enjoy the weekend and Steve (and all the other fathers out there) can have a great father's day just being home with his family. Thank you

God for our fathers! and husbands and sons and daughters and extended family and friends.....

:)

Looking up,

Jill

Confusing Day

It is Wednesday night and I (Jill) need to say that Steve appears not to have bilateral pneumonia, according to an infectious disease doctor. He said he did not think it was pneumonia according to the x-rays, there wasn't enough there. He believes there is something else going on, which he said we will figure it out and treat it. In the meantime, he is on anitbiotics and he is doing sooo much better. He felt really good today and no fever. We are not sure how long he will have to be in the hospital, another couple of days at least.

Please pray that they can figure out what is causing infection in his body, and it can be treated. I am always encouraged and more hopeful when he is feeling good (relatively speaking). He is resting comfortably, reading a lot and looking forward to meals :)

Looking up,

Jill

Wednesday earlyy in the morning

Its monica here. We took my dad to the er today around 3 pm. The doctors finally emailed us back and told us to admit my dad in to be tested on to figure out what is causing the high fevers. They ran some tests and took x rays and blood work. It took hours and hours for my parents to finally hear back the results. only to hear that they couldnt find anything except maybe a beginning infection. so they did a catscan and found out that my dad has bilateral pneumonia. Which is pneumonia in both lungs. The doctors said that he will have to stay for at least 3 days to get antibiotics through an IV. So they admitted him into the foothill hospital here in Glendora and he will be there until he is healthy enough to come home. Although the hospital and ER are never fun it is good for my dad to get the medicine and care he needs to get better. Pray for antibiotics to fight off infection and to get my dad healthy so he can come home. 

Monday June 15th

Hello everyone this is Monica here. My dad has been very sick for the past 3 weeks. He will be feeling okay for about 3 days then be sick with a fever and joint pain. He has been too weak and tired to come and write on the blog therefore i am writing on it. We don't know why he keeps having high fevers because that means that there is an infection somewhere. My dad has been taking 2 antibiotics a day for it but it does not seem to be working. not sure what is going on. We praise God about the news that 50% of the igg cells are gone, this is wonderful news. Pray for strength for my dad and our family, its quite difficult to deal with. Very hard on us kids to see our dad in so much pain and suffering all the time. It makes us wonder why God would put us through something like this. But we know as Christians that everything is in God's hand and he has a plan and a reason for all this to happen. This situation has made our family grow so much closer, and I know at least for me, so much closer to God. I thank God for my family and friends who are there to support me and help me through this time. I couldn't ask for a more loving and caring family. I, we, are so blessed to have everyone who is so supportive to help us and lift us up through this time. Even when it seems like all hope is lost, and things cant get much worse, we just have to remember that the Lord is with us at all times. He is in charge. & no matter how bad we have it, somebody out there has it worse. So we are thankful and blessed for our lives and everyday that we have on this earth. Each day is a gift, not a given right. So cherish every day and make the most of what you've got. Love you all & thank you so much for the support and prayers.

-Monica.

Its Friday, I'm sick again for week number 3. The diarirea is back. Not sur why but will accept all christ wants me to go thru. Last night we celebrated Alina's 21 birthday. She is working in pasadena and at church. What a blessing she is. We enjoy her. The have found an apartment for 990 / month in monrovia near the office. They get married on 22of august. Jill is working to get everything done in for our side of the wedding. I have had a couple of good days at work and home. Energy was good because i was on the steroid. I have Jill's dad on vacation for 12 days starting yeserday. They are visiting relatives in he north. I took some xrays this week. Hopefully they will begin the process of getting my shoulder worked on. the color bone is chewed up half way done they bone now. so i have no support left in the right shoulder. I saw dr vakil this week and he thinks that the steroids have helped kill about 50% of the tumors. this is great news. I'm happy to get such a good report. Jill and i are happy to see progress. It still will take time toget into remisssioin if I do get into remissioin.

Prayer- keep getting better on the drugs. and blood sugar control

WEdsnesday june 10

Hi, Yesterday was a normal day. I was at UCLA for xrays. I worked a few hours before going to the doctors. The xrays were for a follow up from a couple of months ago. Spine and shoulder, and ribs. The collor bone was the one that has been bothering me the most. It seems the tumors have eaten up most of the right side of the collor bone up to the middle of the shoulder. The shoulder support has been poor and so it hurts more. I started taking a 12 hour pain pill and eliminated the every 4 hour pill. it makes it easier to keep pain under controll. My blood sugar has been better because i was not taking the steroid for the first part of the week. but the last to days my sugar has been up to 200 so i have been taking the insulin shots on tuesday and wednesday. i took about 30 ml on tuesday and should be about the same today. I just got over 2 weeks of flu and pneumonia. I was not feeling well those two weeks. missed some work. today i go to doctor Vakil for a follow. It seems i have an new tumor in my ribs. Hopefully its just a flare up of an old one. The kids from JR high at Church are coming to the river for a few days next week. I'm ready but my body may not be.

Hi everyone. This is Jill. Steve has been sick off and on the past week. It is very frustrating. He is ok for 2 - 3 days, can work @ 1/2 day and then he will get a fever, flu symptoms and just be so weak he can't even hardly walk around the house. Today and yesterday he is much better. He is also on the steroids so he has some energy. He went to work this morning but is coming home @ 10 so we can drive out to UCLA for some xrays that were ordered. We might know more about his progress after oncology visit tomorrow here in Glendora. Blood sugars are still a problem but we are attending a diabetes education class to learn more. No steroid days he usually doesn't have to take insulin.

Pray for his emotional health to keep looking up (also for the whole family). Our hope is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Some day this world will be restored to what God intended it to be :) In the meantime we go from strength to strength and our God will see us through. Thanks for praying and reading! Jill.

Monday June 1

I went to work today. It was has a hard day, I did a couple of measures and processed a few orders to keep things going. I have some more work to do today. I see doctor Burrows at 9:15. I was in the hospital andthis is just a routine follow up visit. Blood work is all over the place on the steroids. As high as 440 to 86 inthe mornings. Its hard to control. My cell has been acting up so i got a new phone yesterday. I switching to a new carrier but keeping the old number. 6264851364. Prayer request control the blood sugars.

Jason will be out of school in a couple of days. "What will he do"

Monday June 1

Hi Its Monday. I have been in the hospital on sunday with fever and Pneumonia. I was having fever on Wednesday night about 102.5. So I got a presription for amoxiccillin on friday. Friday and Saturday I tried working on Friday but was too sick for work. Saturday I was resting and trying to recouperate. Sunday I finally gave up and told Jill to take me to the hospital. It was just a short visit about 2.5 hours. The gave me stronger antibotics and sent me home. I worked 4 hours today and did okay. I was able to process several orders and do a couple of measures. I'm happy to be running around and getting better. Jason is getting older and having more time away from the house. he is ready to start driving. He wants to move to cars around in the driveway. Monica has been busy running around with friends. Kevin is getting ready for the wedding in August. he is getting an apartment in Monroia July 15th. I'm on the dexamethodone today. I have more energy but the diabetis is causing my blood sugars to to cracy. Last night it was 439. It took two doses to bring it down to 197. so prayer request is getting to know how to control the blood sugar with diet and exercise. I dont want to exercise but have to do more.

Tuesday after the river

Hi We came home about 10 pm last night. I slept well and am some what rested. It's a steroid day and I'm a little jittery. I'm on my way to work this morning. I ran out of test strips yesterday so im guessing on my insulin medications. I have been taking 4 to 5 ml quick acting shots about 4 to 5 times a day. I think I'm doing ok. But we will see. The river was good. I took Ron and Debbie Jensen out on the boat on Saturday and right at the launch ramp I hit an under water curb with the prop. Banged 3 blades so we were only able to go about 10 miles an hour. We made our way to the dam on lake Mohave. We pulled into the cove near the enterance to Katherins landing. We hung out for a couple of hours and then came back in after lunch. It was a real pleasent day on the water even though we hit the prop. The rest of the weekend I rested. I am on day four of the steroid. Usually an uneventful day but we will see. I need to get to work and produce some sales.

Jill will be happy about that. The Covina Auto Electric seems to be going well. We have had a few cars in and out. I have to go have a blessed day. Peter Get well. (Step brother 3pl by pass)

Sunday

HI everyone. Jill and I are at the river. Its sunday and I'm having Blood sugar problems, Most of the day I have been at about 200+ in my readings. I'm trying to eat right but its hard to keep the sugar in line when the sugar is so out of wack. I hit my prop at the doc yesterday with in 5 minutes of being in the water. I bent to of the four fins. So we had a hard time getting the boat running. I took it for a few a little run with the Jensens. We went to a cove and had fun just sitting and swimming. Ted and the kids finally showed up and we sat and had lunch. I took a little nap and then Ted took us back to the launch ramp. For a holiday weekend it was very busy. So I was very sad when I hit the prop. I was pulling out of the launch area when a boat almost hit us. That made me pull forward so that I would not get hit by the boat. I hit a curd under the water. I thought I was done hitting props in the water. Anyway we did get out a little and had fun. Today is day 3 on the steroid. I have one more day and have one more day of test strips. I took 4 shot of insulin today and have 2 more to go. I hope to get things in line before I go to work next week. 

Wednesday Aril 21

Good News, Thank the Lord for his provision. I receieved a  bill for Dr Chmelowski's first visist when I was doing poorly. The bill was paid by the insurance and all I need to do is add the copay. The Copay's have been pretty expensive these days. But I'm glad to have insurance. Jason had his birthday this week. 15 years old. He is growing up and becoming a man. I thank Jesus for his love of his family. Kevin is getting married and has found a nice paying job with Parson's. This is a big company that has different engineering jobs. He starts this in June. Alina is working at church and hopes to get more hours for the near future. Brian and Kristine are working and living in Pasadena. They are doing ok. Brian is passing his exams for CPA and should have everything done for his CPA by the end of Next year or early 2010. I'm doing ok for now. I have started insullin for the days I'm on the steroid. I took two shots on Wednesday and hope I dont have to use it again until next Saturday. I'm feeling week and old when I'm not on the steroids.  Monica is looking for a job today and hopes to be working in the mall. I hope it works out for her. I hope she finds a job soon.

Monday a good day

Monday, I had a good day at work. I worked until 5 pm which was all day. I did a measure in Alhambra at 3:30 for carpet and linoleum. The day went fairly well with a short nap at 10:30 am. I had a good nights sleep last night again with about 7 hours of sleep. Thank you Lord for the rest I have been getting. I feel refreshed in the morning and I call upon your name to restore my strength. You are to be praised and glorified so I do that this morning. It's Tuesday 6:49 am and you are to be trusted. Jason is 15 years old today. Im proud of the man he is becoming. Lord bless his day and give him the strength to do your will in his life. give him wisdom to know what is right and wrong and courage to follow your leading all the days of this life.  He is having friends coming over for a swim this afternoon. We are having a BBQ for his birthday and he wants to eat a stake. I'm happy to have stake as well. 

Satuday and Sunday

I had a quiet weekend. No major or minor issues. the blood sugar is still a problem when I'm on the steroids. I talked to the doctor on Wednesday. He thinks it is best to get on insulin for the days i'm on the steroid. This will help blance out my days so that my blood sugar will not create high and low spikes. Today i had a reading of 244 and yesterday 299. These are very high and can cause long term problems if not corrected. Strokes, heart attaches, kidney failure. right now I take a pill metrormin 500 ml. This helps the natural insulin in my body absorb into my blood sugar. I'm not sure how quickly this works but it is the most prescribed diabetes pill on the market. Monday I'm going to work and see how much I can get done before 2:30 pm. Jill and I bought into an automotive repair business in Covina. Covina Auto Electric. 341 3 San Bernardino rd. Ron Welch and Jill are the owners. Kevin -23 engineering student is starting to work for Parsons Engineering in Pasadena. This is a large engineering company. He will be paid intern. Nice, he needs the job because he is getting married in August.

Wednesday April 15th

Wednesday was a difficult day. Tuesday night I was up all night with the runs and then I started my revilmid in the morning. The revilimid has sever side effects so I slept all day on Wednesday. I finally feel okay this morning. I was able to eat a little oatmeal and bread. I'm planning on taking the revilimid later in the day so I can get some work done. Tomorrow I start the dexamethodone again. Hopefully I'll be able to make it thru the day without problems.  My blood sugar is okay right now. I have to watch it when I go on the steroids again.  The doctor wants me to take insullin on the steroid days. This is to keep my blood sugar closer in line so that I dont have the big mood swings. Prayer request - as I start the chemo drugs again balance in my life. Help me to get to work and then back home without being sick.  

Today was a day without energy. I had a dr's appointment at 1:30 today. Jill and I went to visit Chrissy in the hospital. She had a apendix rupture and had surgery. She looked good and was sleeping ok. The doctor said that I needed to get my blood sugar in line. This morning I had blood sugar at 70 this morning. I'm way off this afternoon. I need to get things together with this blood sugar.

Steve

Mothers Day

We had a nice day yesterday. JIll and I went to the 11:00 service with Jason. Then came home. Kevin bbq'd the stakes and we had lunch out side on the patio. I slept most of the afternoon until company started coming over. MY Mom and Loretta, Patty came over for games and pizza. I slept some more and finally went to bed. Jill and I were in Newport Beach on Saturday. We rode the bikes to Wilma's for lunch and then went to the beach for a little sun and reading, and resting. I made it thru the day without a problem. We had a nice weekend here and enjoyed a little relaxing. Sunday was good as well altough I was worn out from the day before. Hope you had a nice mothers day.

Steve

saturday morning. i'm on the dexamethodone and i have more energy. I'm hoping to get a good day of rest.I did walk with Jill yesterday. Its day 2 on the steroid. I want to get out and maybe ride the bike at the beach today. Its hot and i need to get out and exercise some more. I am still having problems with my blood sugar when I'm on the steroid. This morning my blood sugar reading was 191. this is really high. I am having problems with diaareria when I'm on the steroid. 

Tough Day

Hi Everyone, It's 4:30 am this morning. I'm up and recovering from a head cold and cough. Yesterday was not a good day. I spent most of the day recovering from the cough and runny nose as well as the flu. I had trouble with the adjustment from the steroids this time. I dont know why this happens but it does. I tried to work yesterday but had problems concentrating on the measurements. I have a few jobs going this week so I'm okay for now. I just landed a 30,000 job for unfinished wood which will be installed. It will be a very nice home in Glendora, and I'm excited to get this one done and installed. I am quoting a nice job for a staircase of wood. It looks like it will be about 9,000. So hopefully, I'll be able to get both started and installed quickly. I have a few more bids to finish if I can concentrate on getting the bid done. My head keeps spinning which makes me lie down for a rest. Today I get my bone strengthener shot. For some reason my body is my making enough Calcium. This shot takes the calcium in my body and welds it to the bones. So somehow I need to get more calcium into my body for today.

Still getting thur

Hi I'm still trying to get thru the adjustment period for the chemo drugs. I keep having to run to the bathroom for the first day or to. Today I;m still working but have been home most of the day recovering from the flu and a bad cold. I have my bone strengthener tomorrow in which i need to have more calcium in my stystem. I am planning on taking suppliments and iron for tomorrow and hopefully I make it thru. My blood sugar is better when im not on the steroids. Today I was able to eat my regular food and not be effected by the swing in blood sugar. Leslie Hans the former owner of the house stopped by and visited.  Prayer reqest - My blood sugar is still a learning curve for me. I need to know how to deal with it effectively. My bone strengtherner will be a challenge to manage. I need more calcium in my system for tomorrow.

Steve 

Saturday Morning

HI All. I made it thru this week. Monday to Wednesday were recovery days at home. I was pretty sick with no energy, and I picked up a bug over the weekend. I'm on an anitbody this week for a broncial infection. Thurday and Friday Jill and I went to work toghter. She drove me to my appointments. I made some good headway on the Quotes and some orders. I did enter about 10 orders this week. I did a couple of walk thru and finished up a couple of refinish jobs. The high light was the house in La Canada, We put in 1400 sf of walnut and finished to a amber brown. the carpets were installed this week and the house was turned over to the customer to move in. It came out beautiful. I just quoted a 1400 sf project here in glendora. I believe we got this one too. I'm doing okay my meyloma blood work is showing a slight improvement. its a slow process. The hard thing is getting used to the cycle of drugs. My revilimid drugs have so many side affects that are causing my the main problems. but I have to take them. I did sleep 7 hours last night. I'm happy to be alive today. let the sun shine in your life today.

Steve 

It's wednesday. I'm still pretty sick with a chest throat infection. I tried working for a couple of hours today. I was able to get into the shop and then come home. I slept most of the day. Jill and i are going to watch Jason swim at one of the schools. Glad that Jill is driving. Have to leave right now. have a great day.

Dizzy

Hi All, Its Tuesday morning early. I'm not sleeping and am pretty dizzy. I'm having a hard time this session without the dexamethodone. My blood sugar has been all over the place and i'm trying to figure out how to stabalize it. MY blood sugar is normal when i'm off the steroids. But this time my head is spinning and i'm pretty dizzy. I hope ot make it thru today at work. Monica and Jack drove me to a couple of stops yesterday. I measured appartments for cornerstone and then went to the shop and put the paperwork together so the jobs could be done today and tomorrow. I am going to get some blood work done this morning. Hopefully I will be able to get the blood work results so that we can learn from them. I'm just not doing well right now with the change in dexamethone. I think the drugs are working really well. but it is taking it's toll on my body this time. Well enough complaining. I started reading a book yesterday. That has kept me occupied. I'm trying to do my bible study but am having a hard time with focus. Cant seem to keep focused on my verses this morning. Have a great day today see you later

Slept Saturday away

I woke up early on Saturday after 7 hours of sleep. Came down and did my normal routine which included breakfast at 5am, gave Molly and Ruby a snack at 5:30am, read my bible etc, I feel asleep at about 7 to 8. Jill and I went to take Jason to MT SAC for a swim meet. After that we went to breadfast at corner cafe in Glendora. I had the country scramble adn coffee. Then we came home to get ready for the swim meet. We arrived about 11:00 and were able to watch Jason do his thing. He swam the 100 back stroke and came in first in his heat at 1:22.08. A very good time for him. He also did the free style stroke and swam it in 1:18.38. Also a good time for him. At 1 pm we came home because Jill had a tea to attend with the women of our small group. She had a great time. I finally woke up from my slumber at 7 pm. JIll and I went to Applebees for our anniversary dinner. I was able to stay awake long enough to eat. Jill went into Bed Bath and Beyond with some birthday  burning a hole in her pocket. I slept in the car while she shopped. I came home and went right to bed. I slept 15 hours yesterday and last night. I hope to be awake for today.

sleeping better

I'ts saturday, I'm happy to report a strong day at work and rest. Seven hours sleep and i'm feeling very good. blood sugar is very high, as are my emotions. I was watching the bucket list and cried when the funeral started. Had to switch the movie. Not much new to report this morning, ate breakfast already, Jill and I have a date tonight. Out Twenth-eigth anniverary. Not sure where we will be going but we will be going out for dinner. Kevin and Alina are working to get all the details for the wedding done. Alina and her mom picked out a cake maker yesterday. The cake sounds like a winner. I got Jill a new tea pot and some cute mugs. Two smaller ones and Two larger mugs with hearts on them. very nice if I have to say so myself.

Im quoting a large wood job for a contractor in the area. its 1400 sf of wood and 115 sy cartpet with 340 sf of tile to install. hope to get this job.

Friday is here.. hurray

I'm donig okay. The dexamethone is giving me energy and I slept 7 hours last night plus multiple naps in the afternoon. I needed the rest. I has my teeth cleaned yesterday. My mouth sore has been an issue for the past 6 weeks. I have an appointment with a oral surgen regarding the mouth sore at 945 today. I want to make sure the insurance will cover this appointment. I noramlly dont have dental insurance. But since it requires removing some of the bone in my jaw im wondering if it will be covered by the insurance. My blood sugar was up yesterday afternoon. I'm trying to watch what I eat but it seems that on dexamethone my sugar is alway too high. So on these days i take a sugar pill twice a day. My oldest sister loaded me up with supplements for my immune systemn. I now take three times the supplements and 1/4 the chemo and related drugs. I suppose this will help keep my immune system stronger over the long run.

Prayer request - allow the chemo pills to do there job effectively and quickly. I seems to have more normal days now with fewer abnormal days. The drugs seem to be working.

Tuesday Doctors Visit

Well Jill and I went To UCLA for dr Eradat's visit. The visit was very good and we received a lot of instruction and education about the Myeloma. The blood work markers that we are looking for are red blood tobe normal, The IGA, IGC, and IGG Hemoglobin antibodies tobe normal again. The disease is about the hemoglobin antibodies in my case IGC with are the cancer do not die. They multiple instead of dying. They take over the bone marrow and will not let the other antibodies grow and do their job. So I'm prone to alot of infections since my antibodies are not working correctly. I think I have 11% of my bone marrow affected. That has to be corrected and then I'll be in remission. At that point we can start the stem cell transplant process, It takes about a month to complete. The dexamethodone Steroid, is the drug that helps kill the bad cells. When the die it allows the good antibodies to grow again. My test show very few of the correct antibodies exist in my bone marrow and far too many of the bad. Prayer - That the continued high dose dexamthodone will quickly engage and distroy the bad antibodies allowing the good antibodies to grow.

tuesday Normal day

Tuesday was a normal day. I am thankful that it was a regular day as if I had no illness. I spent a couple of hours chasing down a linoleum in Long Beach and then had Lunch with my mom. I came back tothe shop for a few minutes, It was over 100 degrees inside the shop so I did not stay long. Came home and had a regular day. Jill's small group of girls took her to Disneyland and dinner. She had a great time with the girls. She came home about 9pm. I slept fairly well last night. about 7 hours. Thankful Thankful Thankful.

Prayer request - I have my Dr appt today at UCLA with the stem cell transplant doctor. I'm hoping to get some answers for possible timing of the transplant. I know I have to be in remission first before they can do the transplant. I would like to know what markers my blood work can provide or what to look at so I can tell if I'm getting better. My orginal starting point is cancer in 11% of my bone marrow and 41% of my blood being infected. So i'm trying to figure out how to read all he blood work results. Still seem to have very low red blood cells counts. 

Monday and "Tuesday

It's Tuesday April 21. Happy Birthday Jill.. It's finally here. Your officially 50 today. I'm sure your going to have a great day since I know what the kids have in store for you. Many Blessings on this Tuesday for you. Ive been up since 3 am which is par for the course. Started praying for Pastor Gene in the Phillippians. He is leading a group discussion on change in the church with Key pastors in the area. 

I took a nap about 5am outside in the lawn chair. The dogs wanted to play but I could not keep my eyes open enough to throw the ball. It's about 85 debrees outside at 5am. it was very comfortable for a nap. I'm doing ok. My blood sugar is all over place which makes me jittery. I'm still having headaches everyday. But am so glad that I'm not sick with the flu symtoms. It's now time to get into a routine of life. Tomorrow I start the 4 days of chemo again. So I'm trying to get used to and ready for the daily grind. Thanks for praying. All seems to be going well for me right now. See you soon.

Steve

Monday Morning

Hi Everyone. It's early Monday morning. I slept almost all day Sunday. I'm thankful to be getting the rest. I'm ready to go for today. I had breakfast, gave the dogs a treat, Sat outside for a few minutes. Its very warm this morning. Nice weather for a river trip. JIll and I were at Walmart yesterday and picked up a solor powered rock light. I put them in to shine on the queen palms. It looks very nice out there. Happy Birthday Jilly. This week is full of expectations. I have a doctors visit with the StemCell Transplant Dr. at UCLA. I hope all goes well and we can get into remission sooner than later. Prayer Requests - Tom Relph is going thru Chemo this week. Pray for his strength and courage. 

I'm feeling great compared to last week. I have not been sick for 5 days now. I'm very thankful about that. Hopefully I'm getting used to the medications. Thanks for praying for me.

Love you all Steve

Saturdays Party A HIT!!

Jill had her 50th birthday party Saturday. It was a hit. The food was from Speghitti Eddies, and family. The evening was warm and we had such a good time. Many many family and friends showed up and I count it a privilige to had seen each or you. Thanks so much for coming. Jill was very happy and really appreciated the toned down birthday party. It's hard for her to be reaching this age. Although, I have to say, I'm happy to have her and she looks better to me each year we live. I really don't know how I ended up with such a beautiful woman. I made it through the party without falling asleep. I nearly crashed but we moved to the video the kids made for Jill. That woke me up seeing how the kids love their mom. The decorations were done by Monica and Alina, Food by patty, Maria, Chrissy, Anne, Mom Steinbach. Thanks for all who participated in this fun event. If I have forgotten someone Please forgive me.  

I slept most of Saturday. That helped me make it thru the party. Today is day 2 without my steroids. I'm looking forward to being in Church today. Hope to see you there.

Friday not much energy

HI It's 330 am. I'm up writing enstead of sleeping. Yesterday was an uneventful day. Drove to La Canada to take pictures of a job. The job was still in process. Drove to the county court house and retrieved small claims court docutmentation for filing two suits. Went to Monrovia to give Monica Z. a starbuck gift card. She rode her bike for me in the marathon. I was very thankful that she took me as a cancer patient and rode for me. It was nice to meet her. She is Anne's friend at work. Then I took Jill and Anne to lunch at Mimi's. Jill's birthday choice. I tried working some more but by body was too tired. I came home after 3 day suit broker visit. Collasped the rest of the day with no energy and slept most of the afternoon away. Glad to sleep. Of course that makes it had for the night sleep. Thus I'm up at the blog. Mr Holt placed and order for carpet yesterday. It is a nice order. Thank you Jesus. It was a referral from Dr Gary and Paula Miller. So thank you Millers for the confidence in our shops ability to help put carpet and flooring into your friends homes. Blessings on your home and transition. Prayer request - I make it thru the party tonight.

Steve

Thursday

It's Friday 5 am. I'm happy to report that I am rested. Thursday 4 hours of sleep at night but it was followed up by 5 hours of sleep throughtout the day. I could not keep my eyes open yesterday. Not much was achieved yesterday. Today, I will be going to Small Claims court to file two claims for jobs that have been unpaid by customers. This is a very difficult process for me to complete. But it's 9,000 in revenue. The company is a small company that can not afford to absorb this type of loss. In sales it represents 450,000 on sales effort. Tomorrow is Jill's 50th birthday party at Patty Schramms. I'm expecting about 60 people to come and hope to have a great time. It's my first day off the Dexamethodone. So please pray that i can have the energy to make the day and evening without crashing. I really want to be part of the party from 5 to 9. We ordered food from Spighetti Eddies. They have very good food. We are planning to eat at 6 pm. Since yesterday was so uneventful I don't have much to write about. But Pray for my strength since I'm on the steroid and should have much more energy than I did yersterday. Love you

Steve at rietze6@roadrunner.com 

Wednesday April 15th

Good morning, Sleep evades me again. I slept about 4 hours last night. I'm tired and trying to make it thru Thursday. I'm looking forward to day. Ill try to go into work about 12 of so. I'll rest up so I can make it to the end of the day. I;m getting good help from David Herman. I have transfered much of my work load to him. H will be following up my open pending orders and trying to close the orders. I still have to work at this point. I tried filing for Social Security for but this was denied due to the large income that I make monthly thru my business. You can only make 200.oo per month in order to recieve benefits. Not exactly, enough or keep up with the spending habits of people. I'm choosing to work as long as I can so we can get thru 2009.  Jill is still working at Contractors Carpet Center as the book keeper for her dad. Taxes were very high this year. So we transfered money from savings to help out make ends meet. I'm happy to get this done for Dad. 

Doctors visit- we saw Dr Vakil yesterday and talked about my progress. So far we are keeping on track for the treatments. Next month we will have a full blood panel done on my blood. I'm still taking the zomeda bone strengther at the end of the month. I'm hoping my calcium levels will be high enough to accept the treatment with out too much reaction.

It seems I just need to get used to all the different drugs I'm taking. It causes me problems with flu like systoms. 

Prayer request - Tom Relph is now undergoing Chemo teatements. Half the days he feels okay but after 2 pm he becomes ill. Please pray he gets used to the shift and can tolerate it day after day. 

Wednesday April 15th

Molly my yellow lab is in heat. Patty my sister noticed the spotting and so I invited Alina's buddy for a sleep over. I hope Molly will not be an old maid about is little venture. They are both yellow labs and are healthy. Patty do you need another romeo in your life?

Tuesday I started up on the steroids again. The days went well. Worked until 12:30 and then went home to see the Social security administration about my disability. Not a good visit. seems they dont want the people that pay in to get anything back. They want to give it to people that did not pay into the system. 

I have to start the process all over again with the disability claim. So Im thinking of not doing it because it would be a hardship taking such a large cut in income for the month. I'll have to do it when and if I can drive or see clearly.

Easter we were at my Moms for lunch. what a great day for easter. Sunny and warm. lots of family around. I was not feeling well. had flu type systoms. TMI too much information. The food was good and we had a great time. Monica, Jason, Brian Kristine, kevin, alina, Jill and I were there. It was good. We watched Kenny Perry choke at the masters. 

came home at 8 pm so we could see Jack Monicas boyfriend. He came over with gifts from his trip to colorado. 

Monday was a very quite recovery day for me. spent it resting.

Tuesday morning at work. and afternoon resting again. not much energy these days.

More to come.

steve

back up and running??

I'm starting the blog again, Not sure what happend at the last site, it disappeared