Friday, November 25, 2011

Too Long

Well I know for those few of you who follow me it has been too long since I have last blogged and I am sorry. To say that things have been rough would be an understatmtent. Yes I am on a new drug and it has been very difficult on me. One issue we are having has nothing to do with the durg. The turmor under my arm continues to grow and in in doing so is causuing the skin to split open and bleed more than it doesn't. And when it bleeds, it really bleeds, not just a little bit. Keeping it under control continues to to be more and more of a challenge. The drug itself is proving to be a challenge as well. It has cuased more nauaesa, more to the point of not eating. I went about two solid weeks without eating much of anything, losing around 20 pounds. I was finally able to eat yesterday (Thanksgiving) so I am hoping we are over that hump for a while.

I went to the doctor here last week for reglularly scheduled blood work and found most of my count's were way out of whack. I won't bore you with the all the details other that to say it wasn't good. I ended up having to have another transfusion and had to be given lots's of fluid. I will go back on Monday for another round of test's and after a conversation with the nurse expect that I will have another transfusion next week and more fluids. (When I say transfusion, I do mean blood transfusion by the way.) When we first got home after my first treatment I was having really high fevers and very loose stools. Part of the side effects we are supposed to watch for. I pretty much have had all of the things you don't want. The simplest way I know to put it is I have been really sick. And scared.

I can say this. I think my body if getting worn out between constantly fighting the cancer and dealing with the side effects of all the drugs they have running through my body. The pain is better thanks in large part to being on a program with a pain doctor at MD Anderson. That has made some things a little easier. But I can tell that things have changed for the worse just by the way I feel both physcially, and emotionally. It has become more difficult on a daily basis. I am able to to alone less and less as things have gotten worse. I am unable to to do for myself more each day which is alway's a difficult thing for me. As you can imgaine that had put a lot more pressure on my wife and parents. Especially my wife and as you can guess she needs lot's of prayers right now.

We all need lot's of prayers and support right now. We go back to Houston on the 2nd of December for the next round of drugs. (That I am not looking forward to) We are talking about seeing if we can maybe move the treatments here and do them with the doctor's here. The trips to Houston are simply getting too hard on me. The doctor's here have proven they know what they are doing with this new drug which was one of the big questions we had when we started it. We should know more in a few weeks. That is all I have in me for now. We needs all the prayers we can get, and thank each of you for your support.

Remember everyday to put one foot in front of the other, drink a lot of water and don't forget to breath........................

31 comments:

  1. Praying for you and your family.
    Bobby and Laura Smith

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  2. Andy, So happy you got to come for dinner two days in a row. I know it was hard for you. We love you and are praying constantly for you and your family. Grandma Day

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  3. Andy--- You and your wife continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as you struggle through all of this. I wish there was something we could say or do to make everything better for you just know your family is thought of daily here in Alaska and we wish you more days where you feel well than not. Take Care!

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  4. Andy y'all are in my daily prayers. You are also on the prayer list at my Moms Church.

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  5. Andy - I am so sorry you aren't feeling well lately, but if I remember correctly with Yervoy/Ipi - the more severe the side effects, the better the chances of it working. Also, it normally makes things worse (tumors grow) before they get better at around the 12 week mark. Are they keeping the tumor in your arm to gauge the success of the drug? Let me know if you want more info. Thinking of you. Emily

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  6. Praying for u and ur family. I know that this has been a long and trying journey for you, your wife, kids, family members, friends, doctors and nurses and ppl that have read your blog. God has blessed you in so many ways, especially the time with your family through the best of days and the bad ones. Sometimes there are no words one can say but knowing you are loved and the time cherished with your family are the most precious moments. God bless you and your family.

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  7. Andy,
    I got a lump in my throat when I read your latest post. I am so sorry that you are not feeling physically or emotionally great right now. I'm sure that your sweet wife and family need our prayers just as much as you do!

    I will continue to pray for you. Remember, miracles never cease. I have witnessed many in my own life, as well as my family. Go the Lord and plead for peace and comfort. Ask for clarity and understanding. I know he will answer you!

    It is hard to see other melanoma warriors doing poorly. I want and wish for every one of them, including yourself, to overcome this horrible disease, and fight like hell. Sometimes, actually quite often, I don't feel worthy of doing well and feeling good right now. How did I get so lucky? Not that I am free and in the clear now, but I know that it was an absolute miracle that I even got to remission. Now, if I can just stay there...We are all equals though and the Lord just has different paths and purposes for us. I guess that's where faith kicks in, right?!

    I pray that your path will keep you here, keep you fighting, get you well, and able to live pain free again so you can fully enjoy your life and your sweet family!

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  8. Praying in NC! Please feel free to post prayer requests on Melanoma Prayer Center on FB. That's how I found out about you, someone posted and I'm getting ready to lift you up on that page. Prayers.

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  9. Dear Andy & Rebecca,
    Please know that I am praying for you and your family. May God Bless you !
    Tari & Courtney in KY

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  10. Andy,

    This is Jill Foster Curry.... I've gone to South Tulsa Baptist Church forever and was good friends with Jared.

    I want you to know that I've been praying for you and your family for many months. I am so sorry you are having such a rough time. I'm praying for peace, comfort, and wisdom.

    My brother, Brandon Foster, considers you a good friend from "back in the day" and is praying for you as well!

    Love to your entire family.

    Jill Foster Curry

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  11. Andy,
    You, your family and your parents have been in our prayers for many, many months. STBC has also been praying for you. There are many people who care about you and what you are going through. The Lord cares most about you and your circumstances. Thea and Larry Lancaster, STBC

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  12. THANK YOU for being the man that you are! for the job that you did here in collinsville to protecting us as you did! for having a caring and loving spirit! for some of those that you had to deal with on your job that you may have taken home rather then to jail,! for loving your children an taking care of them as only a FATHER can and does! for loving your wife with all your heart soul and body! for being kind and considerate to all of us that is in your life! for laughing at some stupid jokes that you just shuck your head at! for caring about us and what was and is going on with the house (we are closeing on the 15th)! for understanding what some others would not nor care to understand or even want to know! for knowing no matter what that your their for so many! i now want to say thank you to your parents for having raised such a good caring loving son. i know you have heard this so many times over the years from me but from my heart i say again THANK YOU for doing the job you do its a much safer place cause you did a great job. we think GOD that he let out paths cross and brought you into donnies and my life THANK YOU ANDY FOR BEING OUR FRIEND we love you!
    sharen and donnie

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  13. So many places to start. So we will start by pretending to sit down with a budweiser and a coors light acting like we are grilling some steaks getting ready to watch some football.
    The years living next to me we some of those time I value. 1 you as a friend 2 a neighbor 3 a brother in soul. I am glad to have gotten to know u and your family as I have over the yrs. You are definatley a genuine person and a fine officer.
    You where fair to many that you might not have needed to be "possibly me included " but I a grateful for that.
    And another thing, to u and Rebecca if not for you two getting married and moving in to gether I may not have had the chance to completey reunite with my wife.
    Times come times pass. Life remains forever, some will dispute but thinking about, if u saved or made a impact on someones life it is forever changed. Their for life continues on. Time her may someday end but the life u have established will forever be mocked, laughed about, cried upon and most of all cherished forever by those that knew you and those who most definately understood you.
    With this in closing your in my daily thoughts as is your wife and kids. And your family for having endured this battle with you.
    CANCERSUCKS!!!!!
    big ronn

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  14. Rest in peace brother. You have fought the good fight and will always have the respect and love of your comrades. Andy left us to be with the Lord on December 17, 2011. He will be missed and cherished.

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  15. Today as we set in the church and heard your cousion speak i was reminded that these earth is only our temperery home . And that God has a better place feld with no more pain . Andy we are greatful for the time we got to know you here on earth but we well see you someday soon. Thank you for your love and that big heart .
    The Smiths

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