Perspective changes everything.

A DISCLAIMER FOR THE FOLLOWING POST--- I DON'T HAVE A TUMOR IN MY BRAIN!!!


Doc: Andy we have some bad news for you.

Andy: Ok Doc what is it I can take it.

Doc: Well it’s really not good news.

Andy: Well Doc, you’ve already told me I was going to die once. How much worse can it get than that?

Doc: You might have another tumor, this time in your brain.

Andy: If there is a tumor, wouldn’t that mean we caught it early?

Doc: yes.

Andy: So we can treat a small tumor right?

Doc: Yes.

Andy: So where is the bad news? We might have a tumor, but if we do it is treatable, I am having a hard time seeing the not goodness here.

My conversations don’t really go like this, my doctors are awesome and are always upbeat. I have only had one doctor tell me that I might not make it, and that was a long time ago. After scans, that doctor changed their tune as well.

All in all, cancer is not a fun thing to have. Treatments cause side-effects, cancer causes side-effects, and stress causes side-effects. All of which I have, but I will only admit to two of them, which in turn increases the side-effects of the third.
But I have been having some problems lately with dizziness and nausea. If I didn’t have melanoma, it wouldn’t be a big deal and most likely we would wait it out to see what comes of it. But because my Doctors want to be proactive and keep ahead of the cancer, we are doing scans. One of melanoma’s favorite places to spread is the brain, which causes dizziness and nausea. But so does about fifty other things.

Bottom line, I am doing ok, and life is good, just a little fuzzy right now. Oh and Morgan is playing soccer we have some video, as soon as I figure out how to cut it into small pieces I will put some up.

Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Love Andy.

Pain, stress, and getting your tricycle kicked in the ditch. I know, a typical day for anyone.

This may sound odd, but this is a good day, and I am happy to be a part of it. It is strange how when you get a chance to realize that we truly are mortals, it only lasts a short time (in perspective). I am feeling a lot better than I was last year at this time. My energy level is up, I am not in near as much pain, just annoying things going on, like not being able to wear a shirt because my radiated skin hurts (don’t worry Alan, I won’t post a picture). I don’t think anyone would appreciate me wandering around the country-side topless. Other than that I am doing exceptionally well.
We went dove hunting the other day, yes I kill little birdies and eat them; because they taste good, that’s why. Anyway, no doves so far this year, they all just disappeared, maybe because they knew I wanted to eat them. I will keep my eyes open for some more legal fowl to hunt and eat.
I don’t know what else to tell you, other than we are all doing well, having the same problems that you all have, school, work, family, you know, that thing called life. We laugh when we can, cry when we must, and try not to whine. In the words of the genius Red Green, “ remember, I’m pulling for you, we’re all in this together.”
Merry Christmas and have a lovely day,
Love your friend Andy

Have you ever had deja vu?

Well, we made it. Sort of. If surviving the first week of school(for the kids), going back to work(with kids), and ending a long series of radiation treatments making it, I guess we did okay. I was thinking that we would just go back to the schedule we had before summer vacation and things would be calmer, quieter, and more stable. Boy am I delusional. This has been the week from... I won't end that sentence. I think you can put in any expletives that you feel would be appropriate.
As I went back to work in the elementary school, I found that what I left in June was waiting for me with gusto, just the only difference is location. And trying to help my kids through the whole shift of new schools has made me learn more patience. Andy finished his treatments at Huntsman and has a break until we have scans again in October.
We really didn't slow down or stabilize. In fact, we have cranked it up. My classes at WSU for this semester have turned into my worst nightmares. Let me think about this, math is frustrating and difficult. Public speaking is HORRIFYING!! Yes, that's right I have public speaking as one of my classes. This was an accident. I thought I was signing up for interpersonal communication. What I got is PUBLIC SPEAKING. What have I done. Don't answer that.
Morgan has soccer on Tue.,Thurs., Fri., and Saturday. On Wednesday the girls have music lessons in Logan, then we scream home to make it to Young Women's just in time. I have scholarship meetings on Friday and gathering time (public speaking class) on Tues. We all have homework, housework, yard work, and have I said we are fixing the fascia on the house this weekend, and possibly painting the house as well.
Okay we are over doing things. Oh well, that's where the deja vu comes into view. I feel like we are exactly where we were in the spring. Crazy schedule and chaos surrounding us. There a platypus controlling me...what...a platypus controlling me...gotta stop...don't stop...