Go Steve!
NDSU student Steve Symons hospitalized for osteosarcoma

By Kristy A. Simmons
Head Copy Editor

Friends surround Steve Symons in his room at Fairview-University Medical Center. Symons remains hospitalized for a type of bone cancer that caused his femur to snap. Submitted Photo

     Steve Symons’ femur snapped at 3:30 p.m., leading to three hours in the emergency room and an ambulance ride to Minneapolis April 20.

      Symons, president of Alpha Tao Omega fraternity, a Shriner, a Mason, a member of Blue Key Honor Society and involved in other aspects of community service, now lies in bed at the Fairview-University Medical Center.

      Symons, a junior in mass communication from Langdon, N.D., had pain in his knee since mid-December 2004. In March, he was prescribed painkillers and physical therapy for one month as treatment for tendonitis. When his condition worsened, an MRI revealed a tumor 3 inches long and about the width of his femur bone.

      Because he has osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer common to teens and young adults, he was placed in the pediatric ward.

      Symons controls his pain medication with a button that increases the flow every 10 minutes, if his pain levels are high on a scale of one to 10. His broken leg is elevated and immobilized to prevent further injury.

      He watches movies to pass the time, and his parents will order him a laptop to communicate with friends and family in North Dakota.

      “It (the Internet) will be my lifeline for the next four months,” Symons said in a telephone interview.

      Brandon Oye, vice president of ATO, took responsibility of the chapter’s leadership when Symons was hospitalized.

      He describes Symons as humorous, approachable and welcoming.

      “What chokes me up the most is what a great guy he is,” Oye said. “He is such a genuine guy … he’s very involved in the campus. A lot of people know who he is. I don’t think anyone would have anything bad to say about him.”

      Chemotherapy, the use of medical drugs to kill cancer cells, began recently for Symons. The first series of chemotherapy will last until mid-July, when the tumor will be removed surgically. Another series of chemotherapy will follow, he said.

      ATO members set up a Web site called GoSteve.org, “devoted to helping a brother and friend in need.” The site contains information about the cancer, the treatment he will receive and survival rates. Also, users can make donations and purchase fundraising merchandise, Leighton Mohl, the Web site’s designer, said.

      Baby blue “Go Steve” bracelets will be sold in the Union between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. this week and next.

      “I am sure he’s going to be blown away by the support from everybody. He served the community so much that it is the community’s turn to serve him back in his time of need,” Oye said.

      Symons checks his e-mail in the hospital, and he said he has received countless messages about how much people love, miss and are praying for him. After recovery, he wants to finish his degree at NDSU.

      “I’m not going to let this hinder my outlook on life,” Symons said. “It’s a pretty big bump in the road, though.”