From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Stratford, Connecticut

To all Steve's friends and acquaintances on BigPumpkins. I would like to update what is happening with Steve. As of yesterday afternoon, Steve was admitted to St Vincents Hospital in Bridgeport, CT. Unfortunately, MS continues to wreck havoc and the disease has only worsened as we his family, knew it would. He is scheduled for an MRI tonight, since the doctors believe he has inflammation/infection on the brain. All other tests they did over the last 1 1/2 days has come back fine, with an exception they are "growing cells" in their lab and can take anywhere up to 72 hours to come back. The water he has consumed over these many weeks being home,(he was probably drinking at least 20 to 25 bottles a day) has actually thinned his blood, so they are only giving him a normal amount to keep him hydrate. Please keep Steve in your prayers and anyone who reads this and is close to Bridgeport, please stop by and see him. The last resort (if the steroids do not work)and this is only short term - is to keep him as comfortable as possible and pray he finds peace, with no discomfort. Thank you to all for your thoughts and prayers - we are losing so quickly one hell of a man - who never let anything stand in his way of finding answers to everything! Lorraine

6/28/2011 10:12:10 PM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

I wish I lived closer Lorraine - you and Steve are in my prayers

6/28/2011 10:27:15 PM

San Diego, Ca.

It is so sad to hear what a terrible disease is doing to such a fine person. I think of Steve often. He is in our prayers as well as you and Stephen. Vince

6/28/2011 10:43:19 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Lorraine, will certainly continue to keep Steve, and YOU, and you family in my prayers. Be Strong. Peace, Wayne

6/28/2011 11:25:29 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Thank you for the update. STEVE is in our prayers

6/28/2011 11:31:33 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Will be praying for God's healing touch for Steve as well as you and the rest of your family. God Bless!

6/28/2011 11:35:07 PM

Arden, NC

I'm so sorry to hear of Steve's worsening condition. I can only hope that you and your family can feel the love, hope and prayers that this community has wrapped around you, Steve and the family as you suffer with Steve through this very sad time.

6/29/2011 12:50:38 AM

Rhode Island

lorraine

steve is one of those people who will be remembered and spoken of with kindness for many future years.i hope he can make it back one more.
my best to all of you

dick w

6/29/2011 5:17:35 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Peace to you all Lorraine. Prayers, thought, and hope from me.

6/29/2011 5:40:01 AM

Connecticut

your family is in my prayers..

6/29/2011 6:15:48 AM

Ontario

So sorry to hear of Steve's worsening condition Lorraine....my thoughts and prayers are with you. Bryan

6/29/2011 8:15:31 AM

Massillon, Ohio

May God bless you and comfort you through this terrible time.

6/29/2011 8:29:26 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Lorraine,
Steve is in our prayers.
Tom & Kim

6/29/2011 8:29:50 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Our prayers are with you. Steve has touched many lives and will continue to do so. God Bless Steve and Your Family.

6/29/2011 8:30:24 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Lorraine and family
Steve is in our prayers.
John, Carissa and Breanne

6/29/2011 9:07:09 AM

Preston CT

Steve will be in my thoughts and prayers.

6/29/2011 9:38:34 AM

Glosta

Lorraine, Steve will be in our prayers

6/29/2011 9:58:21 AM

Indiana

Praying for everyone in this time. Steve has affected more people for the better than most, perhaps all on this site. He has been more helpful to me over the years in helping diagnose and treat problems, and I miss our random 2 hour chats on the phone. He is a real GEM and I for one am better because of him.

Tom Beachy

6/29/2011 9:59:22 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Thoughts and prayers for Stephen and family. I pray for healing and comfort. God Bless.

6/29/2011 12:38:09 PM

Southeast

I saw Steve in the hospital. He looks better today from my understanding. My heart to the Jepsen family and Steven his son. Dave

6/29/2011 12:48:49 PM

sevierville, Tn

Our family is praying for your family in these difficult times.

6/29/2011 2:46:31 PM

Cedar City, Ut

ours prayers are with steve and his family.. curt and sue saxton

6/29/2011 4:21:36 PM

Bethlehem CT

My prayers go out to the Jepsen family. May you be granted a peace beyond all understanding.

6/29/2011 9:05:46 PM

Portland, Or.

I miss Tremor's great advice.

Please get healthy soon - Prayers for healing on the way.

6/29/2011 9:07:55 PM

East Jordan, MI

We are keeping Steve and your entire family in our prayers. God Bless.

6/29/2011 10:05:56 PM

So. Maine

Thoughts and prayers to Steve and his family . Got to meet Steve once a few years back was great chatting with him .

AL Berard

6/29/2011 10:21:55 PM

Stratford, Connecticut

Update: Thank you all for you kind words, I wish I could someday meet each and everyone of you and tell you face to face what you have done for Steve (we know that's impossible), so I tell you here - you helped him grow to the person he was by being his friend. He couldn't have been the person he is without you all. It was a rough road for Steve this afternoon, an MRI (which finally came about after 18 hours of talking about it),the stat x-ray on his chest, the clearing of his lungs, which brought several nurses it to help and the immediate removal of any food or water intake is not a sign his condition has improved - in fact, he could barely speak, let alone open his eyes. His condition has not improved, in-fact has deteriorated since being admitted to the hospital. Steve opened his eyes wide one time, to hear Stephen whisper close I love you Dad, as we were leaving and Dad whispered back those same three words. My son's heart is breaking. God Bless you all for listening and being there when he needed you!

6/29/2011 10:35:54 PM

Littleton, Colo

Lorraine.....stay strong! ! ...........Your Family is in my Prayers !!!..

6/29/2011 11:20:07 PM

Midwest

It's heartbreaking to hear his condition is worse. Can you post the hospital address?

6/30/2011 12:33:48 AM

Stratford, Connecticut

Here is the hospital Steve is in: St. Vincent's Medical Center
2800 Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06606-4201

6/30/2011 5:33:14 AM

Niagara Falls,NY

Thoughts and prayers for Steve and his family.

6/30/2011 7:34:22 AM

Cameron

Our thoughts & prayers to steve & his family. We've met several times in Niagara & have talked a few times on the phone. Thanks for all your help & advise. Take care my friend.

Jane & Phil

6/30/2011 8:37:48 AM

Westford, MA

Thoughts and Prayers going out to you guys.
God Bless.
Kevin and Anne

6/30/2011 9:21:39 AM

Corbin, KY

Im praying for your family now.
God Bless

6/30/2011 9:36:20 AM

churchville, ny

I've thought of Steve often - thank you for the update - you are all in our prayers.

6/30/2011 10:30:46 PM

Puyallup, WA

Steve's illness has cast a pall over this year's growing season. It hurts so much to see a loved one slipping away.
The Giant Pumpkin growers want you to know that we all admire Steve for what he has done for our sport. He can never be replaced.

7/1/2011 12:21:07 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

I am very sorry to hear this news. You all are in my prayers.
Doug Adams
Carrollton, Ga.
John 3:16

7/1/2011 9:49:45 AM

Connecticut

May the Jepsen family know prayers are going out to you.

7/1/2011 11:23:01 AM

Stratford, Connecticut

Again, I can't thank you enough for all the kind words you have written - my heart goes out to everyone of you. Steve was moved to a Nursing Home this afternoon near home. Here is the address if you'd like to pin his wall. For even though he can't see - his hearing still is perfect and I will make sure everyone of those cards is read, talked about and posted over his bed.
Maefair Health Care Center 21 Maefair Court,(Room 315) Trumbull, CT 06611-4872 (203) 459-5152 ‎ He is on a liquid honey diet over these past several days because of problems swallowing (Another nasty side effect with MS) and his oxygen level just dropped again within the past hour, so he is back on it after 24 hours off. I was able to see scans of the MRI today before leaving the hospital (I knew w/o seeing them how far advanced he was)and the prognosis does not look good - he is in very rough shape. The only thing I ask if you pray for anything, is to ask God to be kind to a gentle, warm, smart, loving, human being. He should not need to suffer any more indignity this awful disease has put him through. God Bless you all for your prayers. Lorraine

7/1/2011 8:20:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

God's speed Lorraine!!! Peace, Wayne

7/2/2011 2:56:31 AM

Fairfield Ct

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steve and his family. Steve always came to my patch when in need. Wyatt and family.

7/2/2011 9:48:44 PM

Massillon, Ohio

praying for you guys.

7/2/2011 10:51:29 PM

ordinary,VA

Im so very sorry to hear the heartbreaking news.
in my prayers ......

7/3/2011 9:58:31 PM