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Connecting Updates |
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This where you share your diagnosis and treatment experiences. Your Guests will view this page to find out how things are going.
Click on "Create connecting entry" to add a journal entry for the day or week. When adding an entry, you have a few options:
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| Welcome to my MyLifeLine website! Come here for updates on my health, treatment, and recovery process. |
Sort by: Date
Update
10/17/09 10:27 AM

Hello friends & family! Sorry it has been so long since I've posted information on this site. I got rather frustrated with the mixed messages I was getting from my medical providers and wanted to wait until I had conclusive information to tell you. After the results of my PET scan were reviewed by my oncologist, he requested a CT scan of my throat. After that scan, my head surgeon called me and told me that an area of "possible" concern in my throat turned out to be OK. However, the scan included a partial scan of my lungs and two spots showed up on my lungs, but were inconclusive. So, another CT scan of my lungs was ordered and a follow-up appointment was scheduled with a pulmonologist.
I had the appointment with the pulmonologist (a very nice Italian man), and he told me that the spots on my lungs are most likely aspirated saliva or food. I am beginning to swallow thinned yougurt and applesauce. So, the conclusive news is that I am cancer free, for which I give God the glory and praise. God has provided me with a sense of peace and calm throughout this entire journey. I am not sure when I prayed for patience, but He is teaching me patience as we progress through this stage of my life.
My energy levels are good and I am beginning to be involved in some volunteer activities. I deliver Meals on Wheels once a week and I clowned (through a community impact day with my church) at a faciity that houses developmentally disabled children and the elderly. I am going to start visiting the developmentally developed children once or twice a week in a week or so. The facility has to complete a background check! Next Wednesday evening I will be attending an informational meeting on volunteer opportunities available through Broward County Volunteers.
I have been riding my bike and am looking forward to cooler Fall temperatures for the bike rides. Also, I am still walking. As I said earlier, I am beginning to eat thinned yogurt and applesauce. Most likely my feeding tube will be removed after the first of the year. I probably will not be eating solid foods at that time, but once I can drink my liquid nutrition, I'll be able to have the tube removed.
I know this is lengthy, but I had a lot to tell you. For some of my family this is old news and for that, I apologize. Gail and I wish to thank each of you for your prayers. They are working, so please don't stop! Each of you are very special to us and we appreciate you! May God continue to richly bless your lives. If any of you are facing challenges, please let us know how we might pray for you.
With my love, Andy



PET Scan Results
07/22/09 3:40 PM

Hello friends and family! Gail and I had an appointment with the chemotherapy oncologist today in Miami. He gave us the results of the PET Scan he had ordered last week. It's good news! There was no indication of a tumor anywhere in my body! Praise God for his blessings! My chemo oncologist is very aggressive and he has requested that my head and neck surgeon do a visual inspection with a nasoscope. That is scheduled for August 3rd. I am convinced that his procedure will confirm the absence of any cancer.
Gail and I have been very busy with her Mary Kay business. She opened a training center with three other Sales Directors as of the 1st of June. We have a weekly Unit Meeting every Tuesday and a special event every Saturday. As I am not working at a real job at this time, I am glad to be able to help her. Besides, where else can a guy hang around a bunch of good-looking women and not get in trouble with his wife?
Gail broke a bone in her foot about two weeks ago, so she is hobbling around with a walking boot on her right foot. It should be interesting, she is leaving for the annual Mary Kay Seminar in Dallas on Friday. She will be gone for five days. I'm not sure how the boot will look with her formal evening gown!
Please continue to pray for my swallowing and speech to improve. I really want to get rid of this feeding tube as soon as possible! My therapist says it will be three to four months. It will be good to swallow real food and be refreshed by a cold drink of water!
Not much else to tell you. Be blessed and know that we continue to appreciate your prayers and concern.
With love, Andy
P.S. Those of you with young children or grandchildren...Check out my cousin's husband's website www.doncoopermusic.com. He is a professional musician that has a couple of really great CD's for kids! I'm placing my order for my granddaughters!



Latest Results
06/08/09 7:21 PM

Hello friends and family! Today was a day of mixed information that I will try to relate to you in a concise manner. Our first appointment was with the oncologist who administered my chemotherapy. He was working off of the report that the radiologist who read my MRI had provided him. The oncologist said that the MRI showed a "subtle" area on the left side of my throat. He said that it wasn't identifiable and that we should just monitor it and he recommended a PET/CT scan in August. Needless to say, I was somewhat disappointed, expecting only positive news.
However, the visit with my head surgeon in the afternoon was much more encouraging and uplifting. After reviewing the actual MRI (not just the report of a radiologist that doesn't know my health history) my surgeon did a physical exam of my throat by placing a scope down my nasal passage and physically examined my throat. His assertion is that what the radiologist most likely saw was the tonsilar flap that remained after the removal of the tumor. He told Gail and I that I look great for what I have been through and that there is still a lot of healing that needs to take place. He scheduled me for a follow-up in two months and said we will do another MRI in six months. He would not contradict the oncologist on the need for the PET/CT scan, but said that it could confuse the issues.
All that being said, I am God's miracle and am so thankful for the quality of life that God gives me! I too, am thankful for your prayers, caring, and concern. May God continue to richly bless your lives! We'll talk soon!
In His love, Andy



Update
05/26/09 5:40 PM

Wow! I had no idea it had been so long since I had made an entry on this update. I was somewhat challenged after the last chemo treatment and I didn't figure anyone wanted to hear me whine, so I avoided the website. The good news is that I am feeling much better. My energy is returning and I don't feel the need for a mid-day nap amy longer. The photo is of me in my new St. Louis Cardinals hat that my brother and sister-in-law bought for me. I am missing the beard because the radiation stopped the hair growth. I am hoping it will eventually grow back.
I go on June 2nd to have two MRI's. I am claiming a healing and that they will show no presence of cancer. I then go on June 8th to my chemotherapy oncologist and my surgeon to get the results of the MRI. That's going to be a long six days.
Thanks, as always, for your continued prayers and concern. May God richly bless you and your families! We'll talk soon (No Fib).
Love, Andy


Saturday Update
05/02/09 11:29 AM

Hello my friends and family. Thank God, all treatments are over. What a relief to know that there are no more treatments to undergo. I am feeling better today than I did the last time I had finished my chemo treatment--I am, however, taking pain medication that I didn't take the last time. No matter, I feel better and that's what counts!
We go back to the chemotherapy physician on Tuesday, but probably won't know anything from the visit. It's now a matter of waiting to have the CT and/or PET scan in about 10 weeks. That's when I will know for sure that I am cancer-free.
Not much else to say today, so I will close for now. As always, thanks for your care, concern, and prayers. May God continue to richly bless your lives. We'll talk soon.
With love, Andy

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