This is the killing machine. Isn't it great, lots more counterspace and storage. It looks better in person.

What's up?

Sorry we haven't written something on the blog as of late, but life seems to continually speed forward even when sometimes we would like it to stop and wait for us to be ready. Andy has been doing okay for what he has been through. He hasn't had the energy or strength that he or I was hoping for, but he is alive and trying to keep going. He has been to work and his goal was to be at work 8 hours for 5 days straight. Well, it's a good goal, however, we are constantly reminded that cancer and the treatments that Andy has completed are really the deciding vote on many issues. A week or two ago Andy wasn't feeling well (mostly coughing and in some pain), so while he was driving to work he called one of our huntsman helpers. Tony told Andy to come all the way down to meet with one of their docs. So, instead of going to work he drove to Huntsman. After x-rays and tests they concluded that Andy needed a special little pearl-like pill that would help alleviate his cough and hopefully stave off a serious side effect of the radiation to his lungs call pleurisy. That is where the lining of the lung pulls away from the lungs. This is a bad thing and could make recover difficult. So Andy and I have continued as always and are just happy that things have not progressed as quickly as statistics say they should. During these last weeks we have tried to work and be normal (ahh... what dreams we have.). Fast forward to this weekend and more importantly today(Wednesday). Andy built a kitchen island over the weekend that seemed to be more physically difficult than we both were thinking. He completed it with all of our help and we thought that we were so clever. Well, this morning Andy woke fairly early (6:20a.m.) and went to work, except as he drove closer to Brigham he felt a stabbing pain that was not improving. So he call me to ask my opinion. I told him to call Hunstman. He turned around and went to Dr. Schow's in Garland instead. He said he didn't think he could make it SLC. Garland was closer and knew Dr. Schow would work him in. After many test (8 vials of blood and EKG and chest x-ray), Dr. Schow told him he probably had acute pleurisy and needed to go home take some pain pills and relax in bed. So, that is where Andy is today drugged and sleeping in bed. I have to tell you something a little funny. Yesterday I texted my mom to come over and see the wonderful island that Andy constructed (he really built it from scratch). In my text to her I mention that it nearly killed Andy to finish this project. I refer to the fact that Andy starts projects but rarely finishes them(I usually have to complete the project, whether I know how or not). Well, I guess we did push the boundaries of his physical limits with recovering from the radiation on this one. You just don't know how much energy and exertion it take to do simple tasks that use to take half the thought until you lose so much. It could have been so much worse than what has transpired and we are thankful that the Lord is looking out for us and our stupidity. I know what you are thinking. "Andy has cancer don't make him do things to hurt or aggravate his condition!" Well, this is what I and Andy think of that. While we still have breath to breathe, so we are going to do just that. Breathe!! I hope that you are all doing well and we want to continue to thank you for all your support. Your prayers are heard and felt. We love you all.

Sorry, I'm a slacker

Ok, apologies have been issued, and explanations will ensue. This last while has gone by fast and has been really crazy. I spent an unplanned day in the hospital doing tests, they came back inconclusive. I was having chest pain and it took effort to breath. So after all the tests, I had an choice to make. Either go on steroids, at about 20 times the current dose I was taking, or take a little round pill with no mentionable side effects. So having the aversion to side effects that I do, I went with the little pills. I have done a lot better, but have been having reoccurring killer headaches. But good news on that, they have become less and less painful as time goes on, so they are either going away or I am getting used to them. Coming up is Valentines day, so give your sweetheart a hug, and a nice gift, flower, chocolate, rubies, maybe a diamond, something nice that you both can appreciate. Me, I am giving Peggy nothing but me. And what a great present that is, too bad you all aren't as lucky as her to be having me for a present. ( I hope you can sense the sarcasm here.) I wouldn't put what I was getting her here, she would read it, silly. Ok, If you can tell I am feeling really good at the moment. I have even started to lose some weight. If you find the weight I loss, you can keep it, that's just how generous I am. May the Lord bless and keep you all safe and warm in this chilly, but not freezing weather (check local listings). Merry Christmas and have a lovely day, spring in on the march. he he he.
Love, Andy.

Oh I almost forgot, we will be selling shirts for a fund raiser, there is a picture of what they look like. The front says "The fight against Melanoma", the back says "In it to Win it." We are still trying to decide on pricing and how to order, more news to follow. Thanks to Caity my wonderful Model.