Friday 14 October 2011

Things not going according to plan

Although I am getting the worlds best treatment for my condition and this treatment is clearly working on the tumors, recent events have made me realize that this may not be enough. My fatigue continues to increase while my appetite continues to diminish. Each day is a little harder than the day before. I am having increased contact with medical professionals and the very real prospect of the worst outcome is now in the foreground. While there is still lots of hope, I have been forced to face having to plan for a less than optimal outcome.
At this stage I can no longer type this blog but dictate it to my wife. I had blood tests taken yesterday at home and these may well indicate that I may need another blood transfusion (I would be surprised if I don't). There are at least two choices as to where I could get my blood transfusion and I will likely opt for Mercy Hospice if there is a bed available. Hospice staff have indicated that they could get my pain symptoms managed and I may well give them this chance, as I don't want to continue down the current path (it would be great to be pain free).
On a lighter note I enjoyed watching a movie with my son yesterday (although I had to lie down the entire time). He has just returned back from rowing camp and seems bigger and stronger than ever.

21 Comments:

At 14 October 2011 at 15:44 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Really sorry to hear that and I hope with further management of symptoms and treatments things will get better. Keep fighting! We are all here with you!

Lots love.

 
At 14 October 2011 at 16:58 , Blogger unknown said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Andrew. -Wendy Qiao

 
At 14 October 2011 at 21:07 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep fighting, Andrew.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Maria Ferrua.

 
At 15 October 2011 at 14:51 , Blogger Margot Gerritsen said...

Hang in there, Andrew. Keep fighting that beast.

 
At 15 October 2011 at 16:30 , Anonymous Rosalind Archer said...

To everyone in Engineering Science,

Like me you were probably hoping for better news when you caught up on Andrew's blog. As we go into the last teaching week of the year I hope everyone puts their energy into making the Department as strong and vibrant as it possibly can be. Andrew would want that regardless of what challenges the future holds for him.

Best wishes,

Rosalind

 
At 16 October 2011 at 13:15 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andrew,

Our prayers for your healing remain constant. We trust you to God's power. This life is not all there is.

Alan Bradshaw

 
At 16 October 2011 at 16:11 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andrew. Patti and kids, Our thoughts are with you, trust you find a place that helps you become pain free.
Brian & Joanne Lewis

 
At 16 October 2011 at 17:28 , Blogger Kids with a view said...

Hey you! - Patti and family

It's not easy to read through the posts on your blog without a saddened heart but thank you for sharing. I believe you have found a way that is truly an important, personal and perhaps necessary process for you to express and share your thoughts, emotions and pain. I admire your strength and determination. How incredibly brave you and your family are!

Kia kaha Andrew - I'm thinking of you.
Hugs
Lynne Laburn

 
At 17 October 2011 at 13:16 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thoughts and wishes are with you Andrew,
Edmund

 
At 17 October 2011 at 14:48 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi there. We say a prayer for you every day that you will get better soon.
Love Robyn, Jim and family

 
At 17 October 2011 at 16:24 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers,

Peter Bier

 
At 17 October 2011 at 22:27 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

sending our love to you and family, thankyou for sharing these personal moments, it has helped me focus on the important things in life, family.
went for a walk up to the shops today the sun was poking though the clouds a breeze blowing my shaggy uncut hair into my face which tickled my nose and the thought crossed my mind to get it cut, but its not important. i got home and the dishes were not done and tea was not being cooked and my daughter was sitting with her boyfriend on the couch, i didn't ask why she hadn't done any house work today, i just smiled and said hello and thought how lucky iam to have my kids, wife and a home.
i know you and your faimly will keep fighting we are all here for you.
love mark megan jake jessica and the dog, perth australia.

 
At 18 October 2011 at 06:02 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Andrew.

Phil Williams,
Christy Nichols and Staff
Surgical Research
Vanderbilt

 
At 18 October 2011 at 10:27 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that you and your family are having to go through this Andrew. My thoughts are with you all and I very much hope for a positive outcome.
Emma Luxton-Reilly
(Engineering Faculty Office staff 1998-2000)

 
At 18 October 2011 at 16:26 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Andrew,
We are thinking of you and your family and send our love.
Hoping you are able to get that pain sorted out.
on another note, I would rather the wallabies be in the final, but since they weren't good enough, go the AB's!!

Sharon, Richard,Gabrielle and James

 
At 18 October 2011 at 17:43 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Andrew

I got back from my trip a couple of days ago (we had an amazing time) and just read your last post. I have been thinking of you a lot and truly hope that you can keep fighting and that they can sort out the pain for you. I hate to think of you in any discomfort. My thoughts go out to you and to Patti and the kids.

Kia kaha my friend

Jill Segedin

 
At 19 October 2011 at 10:18 , Blogger marco said...

Just read your post and noticed your change in outlook. You have demonstrated a very strong spirit in the last few months, so don't give up and keep fighting.

Praying for a good outcome.

God bless

Marco Morgenstern

 
At 19 October 2011 at 15:45 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

We're thinking of you Andrew, & Patti and the kids, & hoping the pain is relieved & you get better.

Natalia & Eric

 
At 19 October 2011 at 16:10 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear this most recent update. Continuing to send thoughts and prayers your way, particularly that you can become pain-free. God bless,
Hayley Reynolds

 
At 20 October 2011 at 08:11 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andrew, Patti, Zeke and Xanthe,
We are thinking of you all and know that you are in our prayers.
Snow on the mountains Andrew you know what that means...powder and Alta!

Love you all,
Your Niuean family in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 
At 25 October 2011 at 09:21 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Andrew, Patti, Zeke and Xanthe,
we were very sorry to find those sad news from you, having come back from our wonderful holiday in Italy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day, and we feel very close to you, even though we are on the other side of the world.
Lots of love,
Conny & Ilko, Moritz, Paula & Jacob from Berlin, Germany

 

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