Vegas and back in record time.

I went to Vegas yesterday for treatment. I left my house about 5:45am and got home last night about 9pm. It was definitely a whirl-wind trip. I had treatment, it went smooth, and a quick lunch while there. Rene and Andee flew me down in their version of the trusty Sopwith camel. I had a great time, and the best part, it only took 2-3 hours each way. I even fell asleep for a while on the way back, I credit that to Rene's great flying and the treatment, you can put it in whichever order you want.
I want to put out a special thanks to my Sin City Cousins, you know who you are, (Kallee and Ashley), thanks for lending me your car while I was down, and when I come down next I will pick up the GPS that was left behind. Until then you better not get lost.
I was able to talk to Clyde, (I am pretty sure that is his name,) while I was there. He has melanoma as well, and is on the same schedule as I am. We decided that next treatment we are going to order pizza and have balloons. His daughter was there, (I apologize but I don't remember her name), she is an oncology nurse at another hospital. I had a great conversation with Clyde and his daughter. I would like to ask all of you to put a special spot in your prayers for a while for Clyde and his family. Like me and mine, they are having a hard time dealing with this unfortunate hand life has dealt them. So prayers and good thoughts going out toward Iowa for his family. And pizza and balloons on Oct 15th.
The shirt went over well, and got lots of smiles and even a few laughs. If Clyde's daughter reads this we'll have to get together I would like to send your dad a shirt.
A reminder to all, let the ideas come forth so we can get some shirts made.
We also have a scan date (Oct 29th) and a followup date (Nov 12) scheduled. So sometime in the future, (Nov 12th) we will get to know if this treatment is working. I am feeling fine, and doing well. If you hear different, the person telling you this is an uninformed dolt. Please let them know that is my official opinion of them. So, there will be a lapse for a while of comments from me, because I am headin to the hills to kill a bambi, sorry to those people who don't like me killin stuff, but I am going to do it anyway. Maybe not a bambi, but a deer none-the-less. That's if I get a chance. So until some undecided date in the future, Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Andy.

New Shirt- possible contest?

I found a local print shop that is willing to work with me on making shirts. Here is the first one. The ipi is on the front and cancer is on the back. I personally like it... anyway it is a prototype and some of your ideas will be put on the shirts. This one is my favorite, so far, so I think we will have a little contest of sayings to put on shirts, regarding cancer. The leaders that have been entered so far are .. the one on the shirt Gabe, "I wish cancer would get cancer and die" Shelly S., and "IL2 = Doctor speak for no wimps allowed"Gabe and I, So these are the front runners, the winner will get a pat on the back and a digital high five. so let the creative juices flow. Some ideas that go with the - my friend, dad, husband, son, brother, is fighting cancer.. would be welcomed too. Oh I almost forgot, things are going good. I will be going in for treatment again tomorrow. This time I am flying down. So I will leave in the morning and be back in the late afternoon. How cool is that. Merry Christmas and have a lovely day. Andy Oh I almost forgot, I am wearing this down to treatment on Friday.

One more day, and crazy stuff happens

I am feeling a lot better lately. I even went to work early today, it felt good to be out and about before the sun came up. I get a phone call that water was shooting all over the bathroom, and Peggy had turned off the water to the house. So I wander back home. After some time and a little effort, the problem was fixed. Here is what happened.
Morgan went to take a shower this morning, and the water knob, came off and water was shooting out of it and spraying everywhere. So he ran and was pounding on the door, yelling, Mom, Mom, Mom, verily rapidly. Peg said his eyes were as big as saucers. It would have been awesome to see. Anyway they turned off the water and called me. I came home fixed it and now I am a hero. (well not really, but I like to think I am.) So we had a little bit of drama today. Oh, I almost forgot. When they turned off the water, Peggy and Morgan were looking down at the water meter and Morgan said, "Well... now what?" I think that is hilarious. well I hope you have an exciting and fun filled day. Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Andy.

False Alarm, sort of

I am feeling a lot better today. I am still having some slight problems, but nothing that can't be handled. Fortunately I can take care of it without medication, at this point. So we are good for now.
On my last treatment I met a guy who has melanoma and is going through the same treatment as me. He had an interesting story and told me his cancer history, I found it interesting, but I won't bore you with it, I will give you the short version.
To make a long story short, late 2006 found out he had melanoma, had surgery, thought they got it all. 2008 had a lump on shoulder, checked into it, melanoma. It was in his brain, lungs, and colon. They focused on the brain, and shrunk that tumor, the others grew and he has a new one in his abdomen. He is hoping this Ipi treatment will work for him, so do I.
What was interesting to me, (keep in mind it's all about me), was how sad I felt for him, and at the same time, how blessed (lucky) I am to have my cancer only spread to what it has. For him, in two years, it has gone throughout his body, in 5 years for me, it is barely starting to grow in my lungs. One of the most treatable areas it can go. We caught mine early, and it helped to catch a potentially fatal heart problem.
While it totally sucks to have cancer, I have to admit if it wasn't for the cancer there is a really good chance that I wouldn't be here because of the heart problem.
Well, anyway, I had an eyeopening experience to how fortunate I am to be as healthy as I am at this point. And to have the great support in place that all of you give to me. It makes going through the hard days, a whole lot easier knowing that all of you are praying, and pulling for me. Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you! Merry Christmas, and have a lovely day.
Love Andy.

Side Effects are starting to show up.

Well, I knew they were coming and they finally made it here. Side effects, you can't have cancer treatment without side effects. While they aren't likely to do me in, they are a nuisance none the less. Started feeling them come on last night. While they are side effects, they are not the ones I expected to first have so I guess this is sort of a good thing. This is mostly nausea, and achy stomach. Nothing too serious, just need to get a handle on it so I can return to my normal day to day schedule. But on a good note, the sun is shining and it is a really lovely day outside, I can see it through the window. If I get feeling better I may even wander out and sit on the front porch and enjoy the sun. Everyone is doing well, and has adjusted to school ok. Even Peggy, is doing good in school. It takes up a lot of every one's schedule, but such is life. Well, Merry Christmas and have a lovely day. Love Andy

Gone and back in a flash

Hey all, We went to Las Vegas this weekend. My Brother Scott and my Mother drove with me down. Well, Scott drove most of the way down and all the way back. He is a speed demon. Lets just say we made record time. I am very grateful that they were there to help me out this trip. We had a great time and lots of laughs. The treatment went well, and there were no complications. We have reached the halfway mark on this treatment. Two more doses to go and then we will have some scans to see if it worked or not. It has been a great weekend, I got home early Saturday morning and we have been almost non-stop all weekend with more of the same scheduled for tomorrow. Wish us well, because we do all of you. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Merry Christmas and Have a lovely day. Love Andy.

Updated look, and some updates on us.

School has started for everyone but me. I am still trying to finish some classes from this spring. I am getting ready to head to Las Vegas again in the next little while. But first let me address some changes.
The most obvious is the color change. I like it so thats what we went with. Peggy can choose which one she wants when we get bored with the color scheme.
Second, There is a new thing, over there ------------>. It tells how to donate if you want to. I have had some people ask me, for other people of course, how they could donate. I checked with some people who have had experience in dealing with similar situations, ie cancer, death, etc... and this was their recommendations. So it is over to the right and if you have any questions, what I know is over there-------->. I don't know much beyond what I already put down.
Ok, on to more important things you want to read about.
There have been some rumors going around that I am not doing well. Sorry to burst the bubbles of some people, but I am doing better than expected. While emotionally I had a slight setback when I found that the original treatments didn't work how we wanted, I was marginally upset. But I am all better now, SQUIRREL, sorry about that uncontrolled outburst. (ha, ha, ha) I am doing well. I am looking forward to completing this next series of treatments and like all of you,(except the rumor spreaders), I am hoping that it will send the cancer in remission. So, if you hear a rumor that I am not doing well, check the blog, it will set you straight. or sort of in the right direction, usually.
A big thanks to go out to my Mom and little brother Scott, for driving me down this next trip. I had Scott come along to keep Mom and I on the straight and narrow, because we really are trouble makers. So..... other than that all is well, I haven't had any side effects from the treatment yet, and hope I don't have any. On a good note, my energy level is starting to come back, I walked a mile the other night with Peggy, and didn't need oxygen when we were done. I still needed the walker to help me the last few yards. If schedules work out we are going to go hiking sometime this weekend, and really see what kind of shape I am in. Its late, I am going to go to bed now. Merry Christmas and Have a Lovely day.
Love Andy