The Latest Update

I realized we never posted the results from Andrew's visit to Houston a few weeks back. His scans and tests revealed more great news. His tumors continue to shrink or remain stable. We were thrilled to hear this. Andrew will stay on the same chemo schedule at Swedish Hospital in Seattle - 10 days on and 10 days off - until he goes back to Houston on December 17.

Please continue to pray that Andrews whole body is healed. We are coming up next month on the 1-year mark of being diagnosed. This has been a long haul! Although Andrews physical body has continued to provide miracle after miracle - - it can be a very weary process.

We love you all and thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers and support!

Round 2 at Swedish Finished

I have officially finished my 2nd round of my "new" dosage. So far so good. No side effects to report. This week my counts will be a little lower, so I'm trying to stay clear of the sick bay, as its a big flu season as many of you know. I'm heading to Houston next week (21st and 22nd) for a set of PET Scans, and to meet with Dr. Araujo. I'm looking forward to continued good news on the scans, and we will be planning the next few sessions of chemotherapy. I hope to have more updates for everybody once I leave that meeting, in regards to test results, and length of this dose of chemo. Its been great being in Seattle around my entire family, and all the really great Seattle friends that I have. Also big Thank you to all my St. Louis friends who have helped me out tremendously with details back in Missouri, and also being a great support system even from afar. Thank You.

Talk to you guys soon,

Andrew

Just something cool I saw...

Hey!

I started chemo today, Day 1 of the cycle in the books. The service continues to be great at Swedish Hospital, I actually got a foot massage today while sitting there getting the chemo. A local company donates a certain amount of hours per month to cancer patients for hand or foot massages, so I lucked out today and the gal was in my unit and I got to get one! yeehaw! Anyhow enough of that, I was just typing on the computer last Thursday night and my mom was watching Grey's Anatomy. There was a scene that I overheard that in its own way reminded me of some very similar conversations that I have had with my doctors, and also some of the feelings that I have had. Now everything is not verbatim of course, but I thought it might be kind of cool to pass along to all of you who follow my blog so faithfully, just a small window into what's going on, but I felt it to be very similar to what I am going through (for now at least!)

Have a sweet week everyone, to bad for the Hawks, and Dawgs this past weekend. But Kudos to the STL Cardinals! Post season bound again!

Andrew



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zL6gjBos5Y

Chemo Thoughts Phase II

Whats up everyone,

I wanted to give an update on how everything went during my first dose of my "new" chemo rounds from Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. The treatment cycle was 12 days long, of which 10 of the days I received chemotherapy. On Day 1, I got all (3) of the chemo drugs, and the session lasted about 5 hours. Each of the next 9 days I was at the hospital for a couple of hours, for a 60 minute infusion each day. This chemo mixture is "lighter" then the 8 round dose that I took in Houston, TX at MD Anderson and I can certainly tell. My blood counts don't dip nearly as much, my fatigue level is alot less, and I really don't have many physical side effects. I think once I get the hang of this type of cycle, hopefully I will be able to create a more normal schedule again, returning to work, etc. The facilities and staff at Swedish are excellent, I have been very impressed. Also, the other services that they have available to patients have been a great help (social workers, counselors, chaplin, etc)

I am continuing to do great from a physical standpoint, I feel really lucky for that. I have seen many other patients struggle lately (people I have been following from MDA, and also locally here in Seattle) physically, but I really look up to them for how they are handling the mental part. I still am looking to create a better mindset on how I approach my daily life, and the choices that I make. My family and very close friends have really been trying to help me with that balance. Its by far the toughest part for me. I have always identified who I am with "what I am involved with" from my basketball days, to my working career. The cancer really put my whole mindset into a different place and I am still a little lost as to whats next for me, and what the next phase of my life looks like-personally, professionally, socially, and spiritually. The cancer can make you feel like you have limits as to what you can do, when in reality you don't, but its that daily fight to overcome those mental obstacles the creates the most challenge in my life. I remain so thankful for a loving family, and super set of friends. Thank you guys.

I will be going to Houston the 3rd week of October for a Scan, and meeting with Dr. Araujo on my continuing treatment plans. I start the second round of my 10 day dosage this coming Monday at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Talk to everyone soon-Enjoy the last few days of September and the sun!

Andrew

In Seattle

Hi Friends,

I thought I'd pop in here and give everyone a quick update on Andrew's status. Andrew is currently in Seattle and has already completed one week of chemo at Swedish Medical Center. Dr. Milder is overseeing his case, (Andrew's doctor who first diagnosed him back in January) and he and the staff at Swedish have been excellent and have made Andrew feel very comfortable! Andrews chemo schedule right now is Monday-Friday, with the weekend off, then goes Mon-Fri again. He then has 10 days to rest and then 10 days of chemo again. He will receive his chemo in Seattle until he goes back to Houston mid-late October for tests and his appointment with Dr. Arajuo. At that point we will decide where Andrew will continue his chemo - either in St. Louis or Seattle. Andrew enjoys being at home with his family and we enjoy giving him the extra support and love!

Andrew continues to feel well - with the exception of feeling tired, especially during his chemo weeks. But otherwise really no other physical side affects. What a blessing!

I haven't posted any pictures in a while - so thought I'd post some of our family trip to MO back in July.

4th of July fireworks - hoosier style in the MO countryside (hoosier is MO speak for "country folk"...)



Dinner with Kirk & his family at Duffy's


Andrew & Tyler take Riley & Henry to the butterfly house in St. Louis



Boat ride at the lake in Kirksville & picture with Grandma Missouri (yep, that's what we call her)



Family picture at our cousins wedding


Saying goodbye!


I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this transition into fall!

Results from today's scan

I just have brief details, but only good news came out of today's appointment. Andrew continues to respond well to his treatment and only very few spots in his abdomen "light up" on the scan. This is a huge improvement from the beginning of the year!

The next step is for Andrew to start an 8 week chemo regimen in St. Louis. Right now his counts are not where they should be to start chemo, so he will most likely start in a week or so. Dr. Araujo explains this is normal as his body is tired from the chemo and needs some extra time to bounce back. After the 8 week cycle is complete Andrew will fly back to MD Anderson and have more scans to track his progress. They will then re-evaluate and decide what the next step is at that point.

Thank you for the continued support. Have a lovely day!

Andrew arrived in Houston last night and is currently undergoing his PET scan & heart test today. He has a meeting scheduled with Dr. Araujo tomorrow morning to read the results of the tests. I will post the results once I receive them. Please keep Andrew in your prayers.

Thank you and have a wonderful day.