Getting back to normal, for now.

As I am recovering, I have noticed that it really sucks. I have been really tired lately, whenever I get some work done, I have to take a nap for a couple of hours to recover. I am trying to lengthen what I do every day, but it seems to backfire. However on a good note. I am feeling a lot better. I am thinking clearer, and I have lost weight. My color is back to normal, and my appetite has returned. So we will see how long my weight loss stays. Just to keep everyone informed. I will be going in for a CT scan on Thursday, and then will be meeting with the doctor on Friday to see if the treatments are working. If they are, then on next Sunday (April 4) I go in for my next series of treatments. So wish me luck and once again, thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. Merry Christmas and have a lovely day,
Love, Andy.

The Merry Christmas thing

Ok, I have had a lot of questions on what is the deal with ending every post with Merry Christmas. Well, it started a long time ago, when I was on my mission in Taiwan. I was talking to a preacher there and he said wasn't it a shame that it wasn't a celebration of Christ everyday. From that day all my letters home included Merry Christmas, and I thought it fitting to include it in my postings, as it is through my faith and others faith in Christ that is helping me make it through this difficult time in my life.
Merry Christmas, and have a lovely day.
Love Andy.

Birthdays

Hey all, Shaeli's birthday was yesterday and Caity's birthday is today. So its been kinda busy around here lately. I have been recovering a little slower this time than last time, as far as energy level goes. But I look a lot better and haven't been as sick as I was last time. With any luck I will be able to go back to work tomorrow (Friday). I am looking forward to that, and getting life back to normal for a couple of weeks before treatment begins again on the 4th of April. We looked at the calendar the other day and if this treatment works, which we will find out on the 2nd of April, my last half of the third treatment will start on the 4th of July. I went in on the first treatment on valentines day. I will start my second treatment, (hopefully) on Easter. So if there is a holiday coming up, plan on me being in the hospital. I would once again like to show my appreciation and thanks for the thoughts and prayers that are bent offered in mine and my family's behalf. Also the wonderful things that people are doing for us. We truly appreciate the help and meals that are being brought in. Merry Christmas and Have a lovely day.
Love Andy.

Just hanging with my peeps

I was just sitting here as the lasics do their job, (it gets rid of all the water I retained). Looking around my domain, There are three, well two really, loyal companions, who whether thick and thin. My two dogs and the cat. The only time the cat likes me is when he can sleep on my chest, or is about to sneeze, then its really important to be right by my side. Go figure.. The dogs on the other hand, if I so much as adjust my position in my chair they are right by my side. They usually just want a treat or go outside, or go for a walk, but all of these things involve me. One of the recommendations the doctor gave me was to get exposed to some vitamin D, which apparently comes from the sun. So as I was sitting in the bright rays of the sun this morning (almost noon). I realized that my two faithful companions, while outside, just wanted to be with me, well the big one did, the small one just wanted to run to the neighbors and play with the other dogs. But when it was time to come in, they both came running happy as can be, so like the big pushover that I am, I gave them a treat, now they are worn out, from sitting. Oh the cone is from an injury he had a while ago, it comes off tomorrow, hurray for Reese(the big black dog). You can see the top of the cats head as he waits in the window for Peggy to come home and spoil him. While he does it there is no need for me to sit at the window, so I guess thats a good thing. Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.

Love Andy.

A great day to be out and about.

I went out today to attend a baptism of a good friend of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Spirit was strong there and it helped to put things in perspective. About what the big picture is. I was feeling kinda crappy going to the baptism, but while I was there I was comforted and was able to enjoy the talks and testimonies shared. I was grateful for all the people who were and are concerned about me, that I got to see today. Thank you for not swarming me, I don't think emotionally I could have taken it today. I am still in pain, I am yellow, and I have to be careful when I walk I don't lose my balance. Having said that, I went for two short walks with my wife today on the road. She kept me balanced and helped me not to fall over. I have had a rough day with getting toxins out of my body today, while the treatment was worse than last time, at least the recovery has been worse too. At least its consistent. But I will keep on smiling, and being happy. Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Love, Andy.

The first night is usually the worst night

Well, I made it through the first night without too much trouble. I didn't sleep well, but I did get more sleep than i was getting in the hospital. So I figure it was a good night. I am still tired, when i left the hospital I weighed in at 253. According to my scale I weigh 240 so not too bad, 10 lbs in one day. I only have another 10 to go. I go back in to have a CT scan on April 1, then meet with the doctor on April 2, and if its working, I go back in for treatment on April 4. So keep your prayers coming, I am not out of trouble yet. And by the way thank you all for your thoughts a prayers. I can attest to you that they are truly being felt and that they help me through the really hard times. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and have a Merry Christmas and a lovely day.
Love Andy,

Home on the Range,

I have returned home. Peggy brought me home today. I am really tired and a little yellow, nothing as dramatic as last time but still a bit odd colored. I was really amazed how fast it hit me this time and how long the side effects lingered. By Wednesday I was out of it mentally and was seeing people in my room who weren't really there. They were kind of popping in and out from behind chairs and dressers and stuff. I even saw Morgan here, (my son). I called my wife to see if he was with her which he was. But that tells you how messed up you can get while on IL-2. But like I said before, I am doing well. At least as well as I can be doing for what I have gone through. Have a Merry Christmas and a Lovely Day,
Love Andy.

I figured out the weird stuff

I tried to set up mobile blogging, apparently it didn't work. I check the time data stamp on the blog posting and the text I sent. They matched. Guess what, I still can't get it to work. Thats ok I just wont use it until I get further instruction. So for those of you who thought I was typing in a foriegn language, apparently I was, but it ws not chinese. So don't fret too much today and I will get back with you later. So have a lovely day.
Peace out,
Andy

Wow, I don't know what I typed last time.

Hey that was some fancy typing wasn't it. I am doing well. If you can't tell. This treatment has been harder than the first. I have had all of the side effects, and it wasn't pleasant. I have received a total of four doses. I should be going home on Friday. I am starting to feel better so I hope to put a couple more posts this weekend. Merry Christmas, and have a lovely day.
Love Andy

Back in the saddle again.

Ok, It is Sunday night and I am back at Hunstman, getting ready for the treatment to start tomorrow. I have been poked and an IV installed. My wife and son have left for the evening, and have left me on my own, to deal with the nurses, (who are awesome). While I am filled with some dread of what is to come. There is some peace as well. Knowing that while it may be bad, the long term goal is to have the cancer in remission. So going through short term trials, to have a long term benefit is worth it. Besides, if I wasn't going through all of this, would you all really read my blog. See, now you are hanging on most of the stuff I put down. All because of a couple of black spots on an x-ray. But really, I appreciate the prayers and thoughts for me and my family. They help get through the hard times, like tonight will probably be. Once I start the treatment, my brain turns off and it doesn't get hard again until I go home and some of the sanity starts creeping back in. (what little sanity I have) But for tonight, I am doing well, and the nurses are keeping me company, making sure I make good choices and do what I am supposed to. Its kinda like being at home with a less comfortable bed.
Love you all,
Andy

Couple of setbacks but still going forward

The last couple of days have been really hard. For some reason I have been sick in the mornings and tired the rest of the day. We are going forward and planning on having treatment on Sunday, I have a call in to the doctor to see if there is something I can do, or if its still the toxins getting out of my body, (it feels the same as when I was coming off the toxins). My wife says maybe I am pregnant and am having morning sickness. I will leave it at that and not comment. The kids have been watching Mary Poppins a lot lately, so i have a joke; two men were talking, the one said to the other, "I know a man with a wooden leg named smith." the second man said, "whats the name of his other leg?" On that note I will sign off.
Thanks for everything all of you do for me and my family.
Andy.