As a rule, most people's favorite day of the week is Friday. It's the last day of work for the week and the pre-show for the weekend and whatever is to come. Wednesday is traditionally just called 'hump day', the day you get through to get closer to Friday ... but in our house during 3-day inpatient treatments, Wednesday is the best Day of the week..... TGIW!!!!
Andrew is doing fairly well for the amount of chemo that he has received in such a short amount of time. He has been eating, at least something, 3 times a day, which is wonderful. Nutrition will help him to keep his strength up. It also shows us that he is not as nauseous as he was during his first 3 day treatment. He hopes to be done with his treatment around 1:30ish today and he will be able to leave shortly after that and go to our home and be in his own bed, resting.
He's been a real trooper this week and we hope it continues throughout the weekend. Thursday and Friday he will come back to the hospital, as an outpatient, to receive fluid injections that last about 2 hours a piece. This helps to keep him hydrated and just overall makes him feel better. Gwen and Steve are planning to stay until Saturday morning to help out. By then, hopefully, Andrew will be strong enough to start getting back to normal.
As for me, I'm still working from the hospital, doctors office, house, my office... etc, any where I can get interact access and any time I have a minute. Students lives, problems, med school applications, problems... oh did I say Problems, never stop and they don't care what's going on with you, because their problem is always bigger. But besides that, I'm good.
But for now, Andrew is taking a nap and just waiting for the last of the chemo to finish dripping so he can go home and see his 'Stinky' (our dog Winston) who is anxiously awaiting his arrival.
Thanks for all the emails, phone calls, notes, cards and overall thoughts and prayers. Andrew is benefiting tremendously from all of the positive energy.
Tootle Loo .......
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Life's a Beach ....
While most of you are spending your summer vacation somewhere warm like the Outer Banks, our family is enjoying the chilly arctic air pumped through the vents in Reston Hospital. Yes, that's right folks, Andrew has turned Room 573 into his own winter wonder land. The balmy 45 degree weather in his room, has forced everyone to dig out their favorite winter parkas, heavy wool socks and ear muffs, just to come in and visit him. He, on the other hand, is comfortable in shorts and a short sleeved button up, and still need to change his sopping wet clothes twice each day, just to stay dry himself. While the rest of DC smolders with the 100 degree days, we at the hospital shiver, wondering when this cold spell will end.
As you can imagine, the chemo mixed with the kidney recovery medicine, Mesna, makes Andrew very hot and uncomfortable but with the low temperature in his room, he seems to be staying at ease. In comparison to the last 3 day treatment, Andrew is not experiencing the extreme nausea that he had before. The Emend pill, that he continues to take for the overall nausea, seems to be working for him. The hospital still gives him his regular dose of Phernagan every 6 hours to keep his nausea under control, but he is eating well and able to stay awake (well sometimes) and have interacts with us. It's a great sign that this treatment will be bearable as well.
Gwen and Steve are here now and Lynn and Pete are heading to visit Adam for the remainder of the week. We can't thank everyone enough for all of the help, love and support. If all goes well, Andrew will be able to come back home tomorrow (wed) in the mid-afternoon. But for now he is resting comfortably counting down the hours until he is home in his own bed watching his own TV. Thanks for everything.
Godspeed......
As you can imagine, the chemo mixed with the kidney recovery medicine, Mesna, makes Andrew very hot and uncomfortable but with the low temperature in his room, he seems to be staying at ease. In comparison to the last 3 day treatment, Andrew is not experiencing the extreme nausea that he had before. The Emend pill, that he continues to take for the overall nausea, seems to be working for him. The hospital still gives him his regular dose of Phernagan every 6 hours to keep his nausea under control, but he is eating well and able to stay awake (well sometimes) and have interacts with us. It's a great sign that this treatment will be bearable as well.
Gwen and Steve are here now and Lynn and Pete are heading to visit Adam for the remainder of the week. We can't thank everyone enough for all of the help, love and support. If all goes well, Andrew will be able to come back home tomorrow (wed) in the mid-afternoon. But for now he is resting comfortably counting down the hours until he is home in his own bed watching his own TV. Thanks for everything.
Godspeed......
Monday, August 10, 2009
Family Fun Time
What a great weekend .... Pete, Linda, Adam and Nikki came to visit us and we put them to work. From Thursday evening to Sunday, Pete, Adam and Andrew worked hard in the sweltering heat and put in new doors to our townhouse. They are not much different in design from our original doors but, boy, can you tell a difference in how they close and actually seal. Thanks to everyone for the help this weekend. The door look great and it was wonderful to see you all.
We were also happy to be able to meet up with Lanhi and Gary who were visiting the area. Thanks for the visit and please come back and visit us again soon!!
But even good things have to come to an end. Andrew is back in the hospital today receiving his 3rd round of chemo. He will be in the hospital until Wednesday receiving his treatment continuously for the next 48 hours. This treatment is a real 'kick in the ass' but Andrew has a better attitude overall which is helping him get through. He had a minor set-back today with his port malfunctioning this morning, but all is well now and he is hooked up and on his way.
Andrew even felt well enough to eat family dinner with us tonight. Mom and I made chicken Parmesan, noodles, salad and bread for dinner and he had 2 helpings. (My good little eater.) We set up the reception area with a table and chairs just like at home. But besides that it has been a very usual day. Well, usual if you have cancer and are receiving chemo ... not normal to most.
Parent swap day is tomorrow. Lynn and Pete will be continuing on with their traveling show and heading to Adam's house to set up shop for a few days and Gwen and Steve will be taking their place. Winston is sad to see his Nana and Pap Pap Bozick go, but is happy to get a little sleep without Nana around forcing him to stay awake and play with her all day. It's exhausting being a cute bulldog 24/7.
We also want to thank everyone for all of the wonderful cards and emails we have received recently. We are happy to have Andrew in every one's thoughts and prayers each day.
Y'all come back now..... you hear!!
We were also happy to be able to meet up with Lanhi and Gary who were visiting the area. Thanks for the visit and please come back and visit us again soon!!
But even good things have to come to an end. Andrew is back in the hospital today receiving his 3rd round of chemo. He will be in the hospital until Wednesday receiving his treatment continuously for the next 48 hours. This treatment is a real 'kick in the ass' but Andrew has a better attitude overall which is helping him get through. He had a minor set-back today with his port malfunctioning this morning, but all is well now and he is hooked up and on his way.
Andrew even felt well enough to eat family dinner with us tonight. Mom and I made chicken Parmesan, noodles, salad and bread for dinner and he had 2 helpings. (My good little eater.) We set up the reception area with a table and chairs just like at home. But besides that it has been a very usual day. Well, usual if you have cancer and are receiving chemo ... not normal to most.
Parent swap day is tomorrow. Lynn and Pete will be continuing on with their traveling show and heading to Adam's house to set up shop for a few days and Gwen and Steve will be taking their place. Winston is sad to see his Nana and Pap Pap Bozick go, but is happy to get a little sleep without Nana around forcing him to stay awake and play with her all day. It's exhausting being a cute bulldog 24/7.
We also want to thank everyone for all of the wonderful cards and emails we have received recently. We are happy to have Andrew in every one's thoughts and prayers each day.
Y'all come back now..... you hear!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Recap of the week
It's strange to have a bit of normalcy and not have anything pressing to report. Andrew handled his last treatment with such ease and has continued to go to work each day and keep himself busy. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on July 29th .... 3 years of bliss is what Andrew calls it. I hear a bit of sarcasm in his voice when he says it, but I choose to ignore it!!!
He also had 2 good doctors appointments last week and will have a final one this Friday to make sure that his counts have rebounded enough to begin the next inpatient 3-day treatment next Monday. And the vicious cycle repeats itself.
Linda, Pete, Adam and Nikki (Adam's lady friend) are planning a visit this weekend to help Andrew and I put in a new front and back door to our house. As long as Andrew feels good, we are keeping the home improvement projects on schedule. As most of you know, Pete has to have some sort of home improvement project to accomplish every time he visits or who knows what he will get himself in to. I joke and say that Andrew will go into the hospital and come home a week later and ask ... where does that door go to? ... and my response will be .... well we left Pete in the house alone for a week, so he added a whole new wing onto our townhouse and that's the door that will get you there!! I joke, but you all know it's true!!
Gwen and Steve will also be making an appearance some time next week to relieve Lynn and Pete before they head to Adam's house for a few more days of home improvement madness.
Andrew and I will also be traveling to Johns Hopkins on Aug 19th to meet with Dr. Kristy Weber to discuss some, if any, of his surgical options. We look forward to hearing more about what comes next!!!
But besides that we are just gearing up for the weekend of the fam visiting and hope to meet up with Gary and Lanhi while they are in the area this weekend. We are also getting ready for their wedding in the next few weeks. So life goes on ... maybe not just as planned ... my clipboard of fun didn't have this detour on it! ... but we're taking each day as it comes and just putting one foot in front of the other.
See you later alligator .....
He also had 2 good doctors appointments last week and will have a final one this Friday to make sure that his counts have rebounded enough to begin the next inpatient 3-day treatment next Monday. And the vicious cycle repeats itself.
Linda, Pete, Adam and Nikki (Adam's lady friend) are planning a visit this weekend to help Andrew and I put in a new front and back door to our house. As long as Andrew feels good, we are keeping the home improvement projects on schedule. As most of you know, Pete has to have some sort of home improvement project to accomplish every time he visits or who knows what he will get himself in to. I joke and say that Andrew will go into the hospital and come home a week later and ask ... where does that door go to? ... and my response will be .... well we left Pete in the house alone for a week, so he added a whole new wing onto our townhouse and that's the door that will get you there!! I joke, but you all know it's true!!
Gwen and Steve will also be making an appearance some time next week to relieve Lynn and Pete before they head to Adam's house for a few more days of home improvement madness.
Andrew and I will also be traveling to Johns Hopkins on Aug 19th to meet with Dr. Kristy Weber to discuss some, if any, of his surgical options. We look forward to hearing more about what comes next!!!
But besides that we are just gearing up for the weekend of the fam visiting and hope to meet up with Gary and Lanhi while they are in the area this weekend. We are also getting ready for their wedding in the next few weeks. So life goes on ... maybe not just as planned ... my clipboard of fun didn't have this detour on it! ... but we're taking each day as it comes and just putting one foot in front of the other.
See you later alligator .....
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Andrew M. Waxman, Esquire
It's official, Andrew's law school diploma arrived in the mail on Saturday. It looks amazing in the frame and in his office at work. Yes that right, he was feeling so good today that we went out to lunch in Reston with Linda and Pete and then they came to his office with us so that we could hang up his new diploma and rearrange his office. And if you think that's amazing, he also went out to dinner with us on Saturday night and we went to Best Buy. It's been a great weekend for him.
What we have learned is that the 5-day treatment coupled with the Emend can be a manageable treatment for him. The 3-day intensive in patient treatment still remains a mystery as to how the Emend will react and how Andrew will feel but I guess we will know that soon enough. Only 2 more weeks and he starts the process all over again.
Thank you to everyone for the emails of encouragement, cards of hope and packages of sunshine. They have all made Andrew smile. And as you all know, his smile can light up a room and just for a minute make us forget his disease and live for the moment.
Cheerrio!!
What we have learned is that the 5-day treatment coupled with the Emend can be a manageable treatment for him. The 3-day intensive in patient treatment still remains a mystery as to how the Emend will react and how Andrew will feel but I guess we will know that soon enough. Only 2 more weeks and he starts the process all over again.
Thank you to everyone for the emails of encouragement, cards of hope and packages of sunshine. They have all made Andrew smile. And as you all know, his smile can light up a room and just for a minute make us forget his disease and live for the moment.
Cheerrio!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Calling all friends and family for help ....
Dear Friends and Family,
As a precaution, we had Andrew's blood typed while he was in the hospital. He is O negative ( O-). The surprising part of that to us is that neither of his parents are O-. (I thought he was the mail mans kid.) But we have learned that parents that are O+ and A+ can produce an O- child. But much to our luck no one in the immediate family seems to be a match for him. The problem with O- blood is that you can give to anyone but can only receive O- blood in return. In lays the problem. So I am putting out a search to everyone to help us out.
Right now Andrew doesn't need a transfusion, but may in the future and since you can only donate ever 2 months or so and O- blood is so rare, I would like to start my search early. If you match Andrew and you are willing to do direct donation for Andrew, please let me know so that I can work with Reston and Johns Hopkins Hopitals and your local Red Cross to get the ball rolling.
http://www.givelife2.org/links.asp
Please feel free to email us at amyandandrewwaxman@hotmail.com if you can help.
Hugs and love,
Amy and Andrew (and Winnie)
As a precaution, we had Andrew's blood typed while he was in the hospital. He is O negative ( O-). The surprising part of that to us is that neither of his parents are O-. (I thought he was the mail mans kid.) But we have learned that parents that are O+ and A+ can produce an O- child. But much to our luck no one in the immediate family seems to be a match for him. The problem with O- blood is that you can give to anyone but can only receive O- blood in return. In lays the problem. So I am putting out a search to everyone to help us out.
Right now Andrew doesn't need a transfusion, but may in the future and since you can only donate ever 2 months or so and O- blood is so rare, I would like to start my search early. If you match Andrew and you are willing to do direct donation for Andrew, please let me know so that I can work with Reston and Johns Hopkins Hopitals and your local Red Cross to get the ball rolling.
http://www.givelife2.org/links.asp
Please feel free to email us at amyandandrewwaxman@hotmail.com if you can help.
Hugs and love,
Amy and Andrew (and Winnie)
Prison Break
Free at last ... Free at last .... thank god all mighty .... Andrew's free at last!!! On Thursday, Dr. Felice allowed Andrew to receive his chemo treatment and hydration and come home!!! He was such a happy camper. On the way home he even felt well enough to stop at the Verizon store and look at a new phone for himself. I am also very happy that Andrew still has a healthy appetite ... well sort of. Last night he asked for Mac and Cheese.... not the homemade stuff but the box stuff. And since I don't keep it in the house, he drove he and his mother to the market to buy some. What a big step to feel well enough to drive and to be out in public.
A recent staple for Andrew has become his chapeau. His hair has become very patchy and spotty in places and he has almost entirely lost all of his facial hair. For those of you who know Andrew well know that this is such a shock to him since he is such a furry Murry. It has also required even more cleaning of the house lately since he has been leaving his fur behind all over our house. I'm not sure who is worse at this point with the fur, Andrew or the dog. I mean they have always been very similar, short appendages; stocky; furry; wrinkly; and now bald. No paternity test needed there .. they are definitely related.
And as for today, so far, it has been a good day too. Gwen, Andrew and I are sitting in the beautiful redesigned infusion lab in Reston Hospital for the next 5 hours for him to receive his last day of chemo treatment. He is doing well and looking and feeling good. Today is also parent swap day. Linda and Pete, of course, left at like 5 am to get down here and should be in VA soon... you know Pete.... As a family we plan to have dinner tonight, Linda's homemade Lasagna and Meatballs, and then Gwen and Steve will depart for NJ. Pete has a few projects to do with Andrew this weekend, namely hanging the new TV on the wall in our bedroom for Andrew .....Thanks Uncle Al and Aunt Janet again for the gift. He is also going to clean out the grill and help Andrew to reorganize the shed. Linda and I have more pressing issues, I have to find the perfect dress for Lanhi and Gary's wedding in a few weeks. We will of course put our bargin hats on and hit the trail.
But it will soon be time for life to get back to normal. Andrew has 2 doctors appointments next week, Wednesday and Friday. We hope that his courts stay high and he stays strong this week.
TGIF and have a great weekend .......
A recent staple for Andrew has become his chapeau. His hair has become very patchy and spotty in places and he has almost entirely lost all of his facial hair. For those of you who know Andrew well know that this is such a shock to him since he is such a furry Murry. It has also required even more cleaning of the house lately since he has been leaving his fur behind all over our house. I'm not sure who is worse at this point with the fur, Andrew or the dog. I mean they have always been very similar, short appendages; stocky; furry; wrinkly; and now bald. No paternity test needed there .. they are definitely related.
And as for today, so far, it has been a good day too. Gwen, Andrew and I are sitting in the beautiful redesigned infusion lab in Reston Hospital for the next 5 hours for him to receive his last day of chemo treatment. He is doing well and looking and feeling good. Today is also parent swap day. Linda and Pete, of course, left at like 5 am to get down here and should be in VA soon... you know Pete.... As a family we plan to have dinner tonight, Linda's homemade Lasagna and Meatballs, and then Gwen and Steve will depart for NJ. Pete has a few projects to do with Andrew this weekend, namely hanging the new TV on the wall in our bedroom for Andrew .....Thanks Uncle Al and Aunt Janet again for the gift. He is also going to clean out the grill and help Andrew to reorganize the shed. Linda and I have more pressing issues, I have to find the perfect dress for Lanhi and Gary's wedding in a few weeks. We will of course put our bargin hats on and hit the trail.
But it will soon be time for life to get back to normal. Andrew has 2 doctors appointments next week, Wednesday and Friday. We hope that his courts stay high and he stays strong this week.
TGIF and have a great weekend .......
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