elaboration on update

Overall it was a good report.

Keeping perspective in mind.

After you read this next line, don't panic.

I have a new tumor, sort of.
Now for the explanation. I have a tumor that is now showing as wanting to grow. It is in my lower left lung.

I haven't had a tumor in this area yet, so why not.

This tumor has been around for several scans, just really small. It still is really small. Small enough that if we were to do treatment on it, more damage than good would take place.

So, how could this be good news you ask?

Well, I am not really sure but it definitely was not bad news, nor was it great news, so I am counting this as good news.
The only changes in what is going on with observations, are I was demoted back to three month scans instead of scans every four month, and back to mri's with every scan for a while.

So there you have it in a nutshell.

Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Love Andy.

New update

Good news. I will fill you in later

lymphe-dagnabbit

Well, recently I have had bigger "Guns" unfortunately they are soft and squishy.  Let us go back on a journey through time.  The year was 2005, I had many surgeries, the doctor took some lymph nodes from me.  He said they were cancer free, but that they were keeping them anyway.  There was no talk of hey in 5 years your cancer might come back inside you not on the outside where your skin is.  Nor was there any talk of maybe 7 years down the road your right side where we took the lymph nodes from will swell and cause you grief. 

And we're back.  I have been told that I have lymphedema, which is short for your lymphatic swells up and makes your arm swell and joints hurt.

So the best way I have found to help with the swelling, is to drink liquor and chase wild women.  Ok that one was for my Dad.  But getting a massage that makes me want to pee my pants works pretty good on keeping the swelling down. 

I recently (today) found that if I wear one of those under armor type work out shirts that are tight and go clear to the wrist, I don't have hardly any swelling at all.

But in the summer it gets pretty warm.  And the only color I have makes me look like I am wearing a superman costume under my shirt.  Its bright blue and kinda shiny. 

Well enough of that, Work is good, school is good for Peggy, and the kids are pains in the Butt most of the time, but weren't we all.

Except for me, I was a perfect child, just ask my mom, she will tell you.  (She is kinda senile so she might get me confused with my troublesome brothers.)  (love you mom!)

Merry Christmas and Have a lovely day.
Andy Layne,

PS       Don't forget to keep the Griggs family in your prayers, they need them with all the crud they are going through.

learn'in is a good thing

In the last post I mentioned the fronts were giving me grief.  Well, it turns out I have a little bout of pneumonia.  Who woulda thunk?  A heavy dose of antibiotics, and some rest, I am back on the mend, although I think the antibiotics make me feel worse than the pneumonia.  On a good note, the pain in my chest is gone, I am just a little more tired latley.  That should go away fairly quickly as I keep resting and taking my pills.  So there you have it, an update.  I will carry on and press forward. 
thanks for the concern and prayers.
Have a lovely day and Merry Christmas,
Andy.
PS. we have a new member of our family, Massey, I will put up some pictures later.

sometimes talking helps

Hello all,
some of you know I spoke in stake conference this last week.  The topic I was given was "developing Christ like attributes in the midst of adversities."  I found this a hard topic to prepare.  I usually find it easy to talk in church or in front of a bunch of people, like stake conference.  But it was hard, because instead of speaking on gospel doctrine, and sharing scriptures, I had to share my personal trials, and weaknesses, to get the points across I wanted to share.  But on a good note, I only blubbered a little bit, and I wasn't alone.  I saw a few people in the audience wipe their eyes, maybe they were trying to stay awake.  It made me realize how blessed I and my family are, and want to reiterate once again, thank you with all my heart, for the support, prayers and assistance that you have all given us.  I have also realized over the last little while that melanoma is like a chronic illness and needs to be treated as such.  We are happy with the time we have together as a family and with you all.  We work hard to stay healthy and aware of how my body is behaving.  When something isn't quite right, I get on the phone or email my doctor and counsel with them to plan our next step.  Sometimes we wait, and sometimes I have to hurry down to the emergency room.  I prefer the waiting most days.  I learned a new trick, having breathing problems when storm fronts come through.  I never said it was a good trick, just a trick.  I am learning to adjust to this one, but it really is a pain, literally.  Having said that, we are all doing well and continue to pray for all of your good health and to never have to go through what we have and are going through.  If it ever turns out you start down this same path, let us know, we are always willing to lend a shoulder to cry on, or a ear to listen to your problems.  We might give you some advice you don't like, or don't understand why, but we have a weird sense of how to do things.  It has worked out pretty good for us.  We love you all and thanks again,
Merry Christmas and have a lovely day,
Love Andy and Family.

Request for some help

Everything is going well with me and my family. 

We are assisting a family in North Logan, whose 17 year old son is battling bone cancer.  There is a good chance he may lose a leg in this battle.  We are having a yard sale on June 9th for him, and his family.  If you have some things you could donate to this please let me know.  We need the items by June 8th.  I can come get most items or you could drop them off at my house.  If you would also put them in your prayers that would be great too.  The boys name is Jake, I will post some updates when I have some more. 

Also, just in case you missed my previous posts, I currently have "no evidence of disease", which is kinda like cancer free.  But melanoma is more like a chronic illness, it keeps coming back so for now, I am living large and loving life.
Thanks and Have a lovely day,  and Merry Christmas,
Andy Layne.

Good news / Bad news

Bad news first.  Peggy and the doctors want me to lose weight and exercise. 

Good news, still no evidence of disease, or in a less medical term, no cancer for Andy.  We have pushed out the tests to every 4 months instead of 3 and only having a brain mri to once a year.  Things are going really well for us.  Everyone is healthy and doing well.  I am working regularly again.

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. 

If you can, there is a young man who is going through a hard trial in his life right now, Jake, he is 17 and has Osteosarcoma.  Information on Jake can be found at jakestandingtall.blogspot.com and liking  standing tall for Jake on facebook.

They need prayers and support too.  I know there are a lot of things going on in our lives right now, and it seems people are down on their luck in most places we look.  Support can be free and only take a few minutes on your knees, or driving, or in the shower.  Just send some good thoughts their way. 

Once again,
Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts,
Merry Christmas and have a lovely day,
Love Andy

PS.  See I told you I would post more.  I will try to keep it up.