Steve's initial condition

Our family picked up Steve at the SLC airport late Thursday afternoon. He looked and felt very good. We had a precious family time at our home that evening.

Carolyn and I took Steve to the Primary Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) Friday morning. The preliminary diagnosis is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) pre-B. Dr. Michael Pulsipher, who is in our ward, is the head of the PCMC Hematology/Oncology Department and the expert in the region, and only deals with the most critical cases, but he requested to supervise Steve’s care. Steve’s direct care provider is Dr. Wright who is over the more typical ALL cases. Dr. Wright informed us that she has been also caring for my brother’s grandson, Carson (who has the same condition). Steve will be in treatment for about two-and-a-half years. We are convinced we have Steve in the right place receiving the right care. What are the chances Steve would contract this disease and have in his ward the expert in the region and live this close to the best venue for its treatment? Steve is doing great and is in good spirits and good humor.

Friday Steve was tested and was in the O.R. for an hour-and-a-half receiving a port, having a spinal tap and a marrow sample. He spent Friday night at our home, but will be back in the PCMC through Tuesday. Steve received his first full chemotherapy treatment Saturday afternoon. He was groggy Friday night and Saturday morning from the pain medicine, but is doing much better Saturday. He is in good spirits. When we checked him in Saturday morning, he was really pleased that immediately upon his request the nurses brought him a portable, Wi-Fi connected laptop to use for e-mails, and all the room service food he wants whenever he wants it (which may turn out to be not all that often). Nevertheless, he thinks it is great. He is getting incredible attention at PCMC because the staff in his area only deal with 2 or 3 patients at a time while at the other venues they have 7 or 8 patients at a time.

So far, all the reports have been on the better side of what we hope for: 1) the white cell count is low and there is no infection, 2) there is no leukemia in his spinal fluid, and 3) he is so far in the category of “Pre B” ALL, which is the one with the high rate of survival. We won’t know until after two weeks of treatment whether he will be in one of the high risk categories, but so far the likelihood of that is low. We continue to hope and pray that his body will deal well with the treatment. He is quite restricted on visitors.

All of the 160 missionaries in Steve’s mission together with many members and some investigators who know Steve fasted for Steve last Tuesday. Like Steve, they are hoping he will get well and, if possible, be able to return for his last four months. Now that it is clear that his treatment will take a long time, however, Steve will no longer be on medical leave from his mission in anticipation of returning for his last four months; President McConkie, extended Steve an honorable release from his mission Saturday morning. He had a very fulfilling and rewarding 20 months. Some of Steve’s mission companions who have been home for a few months visited Steve Friday night at our house. That was really great for Steve too.

Steve is doing very well. He is energized by the prayers and support of family and friends. Having just completed a long hike on his mission, Steve finds himself at the base of another mountain starting another long hike to the top, but Steve loves a good hike. And we love Steve.

From Steve and his entire family, thanks for all of your faith, prayers and love.