Thursday, July 29, 2010

Late July...

Hey Studs/Studettes,

I started another two week round of chemotherapy this week at Swedish in Seattle. Once I finish this round, I will be in Houston Aug 16/17 to meet with the MDAnderson crew. I'm going to see if I can start spreading these treatments further out, so I can lead a slightly more normal schedule, we will see.....Some thoughts from the land of chemo:

1. When you have been off for several weeks and are finally feeling like a normal human, that needle that is shoved into your body which attaches the port to the chemo infusion is really annoying! It lets you know quickly "you are back! welcome to the land of the fuzzy!"

2. Nurses are awesome, don't ever act like they are giving you a service of some kind, and not true care. I heard an elderly gentlemen say one time "Medic, I need service over here" I almost spit up laughing, but that dude nearly got kicked in the face and kicked out of chemo for that comment....

3. When you start getting the first infusion after being off for awhile, so much races through your head immediately. "am i going to die soon?" "am i going to live longer then anyone predicts?" "am I ever going to decide what I want to be when I grow up and get done with this insane cancer process that feels like a scene from the movie inception?" All these kind of thoughts flood your mind for like the first 20 minutes of treatment, then you resort to wondering what yummy food item a friend or family member can bring you! haha...

4. Many people will ask you what stage cancer you are in. Its always an odd question, I don't mind answering but its almost like the guy at the gym asking you how much you can bench press, or somebody asking you how much money you have.....The conversations between people about what stage they are in, and what level of treatments they have done is hilarious.....Not taking anything away from ANYBODY who has done ANY treatment of ANY kind for cancer, everyone is a winner, and a fighter, but you would think some people had fought on the front lines of a major war when they get treatments a couple times a year for a treatable cancer......(No I'm not jealous, well a little bit maybe...hahaha) Enough locker room talk.

5. Maybe my attitude or something has rubbed off on this one particular patient or something but he made a comment to me the other day that made me laugh, smile & take things into perspective (thinking about all my struggles over the last 1.5 years) and reply with a funny response.

Patient: "How's life at the top my man?"
Me: "Oh my friend if you only knew, if you only knew...." haha

Thanks everybody for following, I am truly amazed and blessed!

Andrew


A couple PS's:

-This Lance Armstrong deal was pretty cool, despite all his steroid troubles, he still reps the cancer crew hardcore. Click here

-Inception and Salt were both cool summer flicks

-Some pictures of my family below from the spring


Vegas in March for Tyler's 30th birthday


Woodland Park Zoo with Riley in March


Family Easter Dinner


Henry's 2nd Birthday in May


Elizabeth's 30 Birthday in May

7 comments:

Kristen Gough said...

Hey Andrew--so good to read your update this morning! It sounds like you are doing awesome. Keep up the good work! We continue to pray for you!

~Kristen (Gadbois) Gough

Elizabeth said...

Good post/thoughts Andrew. Sorry you have to start another round. You'll do great though.

Rachel M. said...

I have the coolest brother ever! :) Only you could thoughtfully reflect, fight this awful cancer, and still find the humor in life! You are an inspiration to more people than even imaginable... I love you buddy!!

GLADIATOR!!!

Laurie and Alan said...

I am always in awe of your attitude Andrew. I know you may have some really bad times but you are such an inspiration to me. What an amazing brother, son, friend and uncle you are, I/we feel so blessed to know you...
Laurie and Alan : )

Anonymous said...

Way to go Andrew...your attitude is inspiring! May joy & happiness always be with you.
Laura
Salem MO

Anonymous said...

Andrew,
I have been following your blog for some time now. Your courage and inspiration are awesome. I am very aware of the strenght it takes to fight cancer. You may remember my daughter, Stacy Trepp. She, too, felt that humor was a very important part of the battle against cancer.

Anonymous said...

Hey Andrew! Thanks for the update and all the great pictures. You're looking good! You continue to such an inspiration to me!

Stacey