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Friday, February 28, 2014

from Steve | no place like HOME!

Well, it has been 11 days since my surgery to remove the tumor and my left eye and today I got to come home! This is about a week or two earlier than originally planned by the doctors and staff. This has to be a God-thing because all the reports keep coming back that I have been healing faster than anticipated. Also, I am now too healthy to stay in a facility for any further treatments if we want the insurance company to pay for it. We met a lot of great people and had great care but being home is the best!

There are so many thoughts to share about this experience but I do not want to write a LONG treatise that no one will want to read. Here are some highlights to the 11 days:

-          For me the surgery was easy (I was unconscious for 24 hrs!). Now the days following in ICU were pretty intense. So Sandy’s worst day was Monday (day of surgery), mine was Tuesday, the following day.

-          The doctors and staff at the hospital, burn center, and the rehab facility were tremendous. (of course, they had half the world praying for them!) We met a lot of great, talented people and had many interesting conversations. It definitely takes a special type of person to do that kind of work! We thank God for them.

-          Our kids have been such a huge support to Sandy and I. Way beyond what words can describe! How privileged we are as parents! (Ps 127:3)

-          We have been blessed by so many visits, posts, comments, cards of encouragement, flowers, and gifts from all over this planet – it still just amazes us! Thank you very much!!

-          Sandy has been such a trooper throughout this entire journey. I know this isn’t easy on her and I hate she has to go through it but she knows as well that God can be trusted and He does everything perfect and in His time.

-          Our pastor and church family have been such a HUGE support for myself, Sandy, and our family (just the way God designed it to be) – He is honored

-          The follow up visit with the ENT surgeon yesterday was very encouraging

o   The pathology report showed no cancer was found in lymph nodes taken from my neck or margins of where tumor was – AMEN!

o   Healing process is going really well. All tubes, IV’s, drains, some of the 200+ stitches removed

o   The trach hole is still healing so it makes talking difficult (no comments please…) :)

o   Most of my face is numb and will be for about 5-6 months (so I feel no pain where the tumor surgery took place)

o   Most of my pain is in my neck (all the way across) where lymph nodes were extracted and on my back side where all the tissue, muscle, etc was taken to make the free flap for the face – but my pain over all has been surprisingly low (I am very thankful for that!) – actually less pain than before the surgery

-          What is really awesome is I can now sleep more than an hour or two stretch! I slept 3.5 hours two times last night – that is a record for the past 8 months! Woo-hoo!

-          Future expectations: it is supposed to take several months for the free-flap (the 11cm skin patch) to shrink down to its intended size for future cosmetic surgery. In the meantime, my face looks like it has an over-inflated half softball sewn on my face as a tarp. Most people think I have a HUGE patch on half my face but it is the actual skin flap taken from my left middle back (which still has staples in it to keep my back together). So, it will take months to fully recover from this but the scary stuff is over.

 

There are more details we would love to share but you get the idea of the our progress along with the other posts. You, as with us, can see God’s hand in this entire event and we give Him thanks and praise. Again, we want to express our thanks to you for your thoughts and prayers and concern! You have been amazing! God has been honored by your participation in our journey. We are anticipating to see exciting things on how God orchestrates this into His majestic plan. He has brought us through a big, dark valley – thank you for holding us up when we could not do that ourselves. We rejoice together!!

 

Much love!

Steve & Sandy

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

post surgery update | one week!

Oh what a week! God has been so good to our family. Thinking about last Monday so much has happened - thanks to our God, Steve is doing so well recovering!

Steve is now officially moved out of the University Medical Center and is now at Cedar Village. 
[5467 Cedar Village Dr. | Mason]

Ryan was able to transport him there this afternoon and help him get all situated in his new room. 

The doctors are very pleased with the progress he is making in his recovery. He should be able to get his feeding tube out tomorrow, which I know he will be so thrilled for-as it had been really irritating his throat. 

Steve has another checkup with the doctors on Thursday, so pending the status of that appointment he may be able to go home after that!! (A big praise there!)

I know many of you have been so kind and thoughtful asking about sending cards and visiting him.
It is best to keep mailing cards to their home address. We will make sure Steve and Sandy get them! 

Also. Visits to see Steve at this rehab facility are available. The best time to come would be between 3p-8p. (And just a friendly reminder to please be cautious of sickness/germs-as he has to be very careful.)

Saturday, February 22, 2014

day 4 post-op update | by Roanna

Good news Dad was moved to a new room that's not in ICU.  
The doctors were able to remove the trach.  Now he will just wait for that area to heal.  It does make it difficult to talk, but that doesn't stop him from cracking jokes.  
The area on his back where they removed skin, fat, muscle is really sore.  But the area on his face is accepting that skin flap really well.  

When I see or hear about all of the hourly, daily things that our Dad is going through to heal the word COURAGEOUS keeps coming to mind. 
He is strong & courageous because God is with him everywhere he goes.  
 
"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Blessings,
Roanna 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

post surgery update | "thanks to The Lord"

"He's doing so well! I don't see any problems here!"
We kept hearing this news over and over today from all the doctors and nurses checking in on Steve. 

Today he took several walks up and down the hall of the ICU. And we could see little sparks of his sarcasm coming out.

In the midst of all the great progress it is still tough to see him struggle to get a few mouthed words out or to get a few minutes of sleep as he deals with a new normal with no eye and over 200 stitches.  Steve mention he feels like he is living in slow motion and time is just crawling by. As tough as it to see him in this state we know it's by Gods grace he is with us today. 

There's been talk of getting his trach removed within the next week and possibly moving to another room out if the ICU for the remainder of the hospital stay. 

So thankfully there is not too much to update from today - the recovery is going as planned. The doctors and nurses are very happy and in the exact words of Steve from today "Thanks to The Lord!"

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

post surgery update | can't keep that Steve down!

[lastNIGHT]
After surgery yesterday evening Steve was moved to another room in the
ICU. There, he was kept a close eye on - monitoring all his levels and
making sure all that was done stayed that way after the surgery. He
was kept asleep until this morning.

We were able to see our dad for the first time around 715pm last
night. Only several hours after the surgery. They only allowed 1
visitor at a time due to the abundance of nurses and staff still
working on him.


Small portion of my point of view at 715pm | Ryan Kuenkel
I was sitting in the waiting room on the 5th floor that consists ofabout 15 chairs and one small table in the middle of the room. 
All of us have found our spots to sit and call home for that night. I madesure I found the spot closest to the outlet to charge my phone. 
Yes I'm selfish. 

I look over and see my mom anxiously waiting trying tostay calm in her chair while Donna sits quietly by her side. I knowall my mom wants to do it go see her husband. I look around and seeour whole family waiting. Well almost everyone. Alisa just landed atCVG airport traveling from Africa and Jayme(my wife) along withDanielle(Jamison's wife) went to go pick her up and bring her to thehospital to meet up with the family.

They announced we are now able to send one visitor to his room. My momjumped up and walked down the hallway to the door and pushed thesilver button to speak to the secretary to allow her to enter. I couldonly imagine what might be going through her mind.


While waiting for the girls to get back from the airport and for mymom to return from seeing my dad, I sit there and I truly don't recallwhat coincided during those minutes but I look up and see my mom. 

then see Jamison and Roanna run to my mom. I soon follow.Red eyed and tears running down her face she sits and cries and wesurround her. She stumbles out a few words as she explains what shejust experienced. 

We were shocked.

She said that My dad opened his eye and looked at her and mouthedsoftly that he loves her as he squeezed her hand. I'm sure that isexactly what my mom needed to hear and I'm sure my mom was the firstperson my dad wanted to see.


There is more to share of all the little things God is doing to givestrength to our family. All of the doctors and nurses have been greatto my dad.



[thi
sMORNING]
This morning they noticed he needed more blood and the doctors ordered
for a blood transfusion. Steve was awake at that point to give the
nurse the approval for the procedure. His coloring already looks a lot
better.

Because of the trach, it is uncomfortable for him to talk so he is
using a dry erase board to communicate. But we will count that as a
win!!
He said most of his pain was from the back of his shoulder where they
took muscle and skin.

All of the nurses are saying he is doing so well and that most people
are not trying to talk and sit in a chair only 16 hours after surgery.

Continue to pray for him in his recovery and pain.

Pray for strength and peace for Sandy.
And for the rest of the family.

All of the love and support from all our family and friends has simply
been incredible.

Monday, February 17, 2014

surgery update #3

[stepTWO - surgery officially complete]

Steve made it through the reconstruction portion of the surgery without any complications according to the doctors at this time. They will keep monitoring him closely over the next few days. They are paying close attention to the arteries and veins that they accept each other well and do not clot. 

The tumor has been removed and now it's time for recovery. 

[stepTHREE - recovery]

He is now in an intensive care unit room for recovery and will be woken up tomorrow afternoon. He has a trachea and feeding tube in at this time. 

The doctors were very pleased with how the surgery went. They will inform us on what's next to help insure all of the cancer is gone. 

We have not been able to see him yet but should by the end of the day. 

surgery update #2

So Steve is now officially over half way through the surgery - and everything is going GREAT! Praise God!

[partONE - complete]
We were able to sit down with the eye doctor and ENT doctor. They were able to remove the tumor without any issues and the cancer had not reached past the skull - which is a huge deal! The doctors were pleased with the extraction. 

[partTWO - in progress]
Another set of doctors are now currently working on Steve to do the reconstruction portion of the surgery. This is the delicate portion of the surgery as they put everything back together. 

Looks like it is all on track to finish around 4:30-5:00 if everything goes well. 

They will not wake Steve up until tomorrow morning. He will remain here in ICU for 5-7 days. They will provide more information at the end of the day. 

Thank you for all your continued prayers today!!

#76417 | surgery in progress

Steve is currently is surgery! 
The day is here! 
I have never seen someone going into a day like this so calm and under control. His sarcasm was still in tact even at 5 this morning! 
The prayers are felt and all the encouragement is much appreciated and so very helpful!


Continue to pray for Steve. 
Pray for Sandy as she sits here and waits. 
Pray for Ryan, Jamison, Roanna, & Alisa and their families. (And especially for Alisa as she is still traveling in to the country today)
Pray for the doctors and surgeons (even this morning Steve said "well I sure hope all the surgeons had a good weekend and no one is ticked off this morning!") :) ha!
Pray that there would be no complications and that Steve's recovery would be best case scenario. 

Thanks to you all for the overwhelming love you have shown!
Love 
The Kuenkel family 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Last update from Steve BEFORE surgery day!

Well, in about 36 hours my life will change. This painful, haunting tumor on my face will be gone! Oh, I cannot wait. What a journey this has been, not one I would have volunteered for, but one God chose for me – for my good and for His glory (Rom 8:28). Nothing can come into the life of one of His children without going through His loving and merciful hands first. A Texas preacher friend of mine calls it being “Father-filtered.” Amen.

Oh, and as you know, there are still 30  hours remaining for our LORD to speak and totally heal me before the doctors get a shot at it. That is still my primary prayer and if it is His will to do that then it WILL happen. And if not, then what He does is still perfect and good. He never makes mistakes! I do know our expectations of what we think God should or should not do get all messed up but the problem is not with God. Never is. I think Isaiah’s analogy was the clay pot challenging the potter on how he was making the pot! We humans have a tendency to overrate ourselves a lot. That is why it is so important for us to have accurate thoughts about God. And that is why the word of God is so critical for life and especially during challenges. Can you think of a better place to put your hope? We trust in the LORD with all our heart, we do not lean unto our own understanding, we acknowledge him in all our ways, and He directs our paths…

I will be honest with you – I do not know how a person deals with life on earth without the Lord Jesus Christ? Life is challenging enough but doing life without any real hope now and for after this life, wow, that has to be totally discouraging. I cannot even fathom it... especially when it isn’t necessary. Jesus’ invitation is to all and He rejects none that come to Him.

To sum it up: one of our kids will send updates about the surgery outcome, etc until I can get back to a laptop. I may be offline a couple weeks. The healing is coming! Pray for these very talented surgeons and hospital staff and my recovery. Surgery starts 7:30am Monday. When the doctors said it was going to be an 8-10 hour surgery I told them we’re going to have to order in pizza for dinner JI like green pepper on mine….

 

MANY ARE PRAYING, ALL OVER THE WORLD – WE ARE BLESSED INDEED!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! (Your labor of love is not in vain)

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I (Jesus) say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” BOOM!

 

Steve & Sandy

Romans 8:32 “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Monday, February 10, 2014

THANK$$$ | from Steve

Since we began this cancer journey about a year ago there have been many of you that have been a great blessing to us, particularly financially. It has been totally amazing how God has used so many people to bless us, materially and in prayer. People have sacrificed large sums of money to help us. We have received gift cards, encouragement cards, hand-made blankets from Grace Kidz (personally signed by the kids we teach), devotional books, food, fruit baskets, lots of organic carrots and green apples (for juicing), letting us borrow a hospital bed since I had been sleeping in a recliner for 5 months, transportation, a money tree, loaning us a mineral FIR lamp for treatments, and a LOT of cash donations that has helped us to do all the treatments we have been doing for the past 9-10 months.

Since this journey began we had no way to fund the cost of doing these treatments. In fact, I remember a particular day when totally overwhelmed  where I cried out to the LORD about how was I supposed to pay for all this when all I had at the time was $40 (when I needed like $150/day). Long story short…within 2-3 weeks funds started coming in and we have been able to do all the treatments the entire time!God has miraculously provided everything we have needed. And He used you, His people to be generous and sacrificial with your resources. We are truly blessed!! Does God care? Oh yes! Does God provide? Oh yes!

So, this email is to say THANK YOU! God has used you to bless us and our prayer for you is that He will in return bless you in a huge way for participating in His  program. In Luke 14 Jesus tells those around him (and us) that when we give or do things for others that cannot recompense (repay) us several things will happen: 1) you will be blessed, and 2) it will be later. Guaranteed!

 

We say THANKS!!! And we thank God for you!!

 

Steve & Sandy

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Saturday, February 01, 2014

Steve's email [[02.01.14]]


Well, it looks like Valentines Day freed up. No surgery on the 14th. The surgery date was moved to the nextMonday – Feb 17, 7:30am. One doctor was not included in the original schedule so it had to be amended.

I am definitely looking forward to being well! Thank you again for all your prayers for my healing – each morning upon awakening I get a little disappointed because the tumor is still there…but then I know it wasn’t God’s will yetto touch and heal me. But soon! I cannot help but remember Martha’s words to Jesus about her dead brother “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (no limits with the Omnipotent One!). Believest thou this?
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND INTERCEDING!!

Steve & Sandy
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. – the Best is yet to come!