wait. wait. wait.

SOTD: Michelle Featherstone "I'm There Too"

I've been putting off this update because I really didn't want to post more bad news, but due to the multiple emails and messages I've been getting for the last few days, I decided to share the information I have, regardless of how minuscule or not at all up-lifting.
So here it goes...
Andy is doing relatively well. Last week he returned to Chattanooga for another MRI; this one is to prepare for his next surgery, which will happen next Monday, May 2nd. The goal with the next surgery is to remove the cancer cells left behind during the previous surgery. Considering the amount of pain he was in after the first one, Andy was extremely reluctant to go back under the knife, but the doctor explained, if the second surgery isn't successful and they don't remove all the cancer cells, it will be terminal. I'm not sure I've ever hated a sentence more in my life.
The whole family was together for Easter and although he can now fully open his eye, I can't spend more than a minute or so with him without getting queasy and faint. It's not that his face is really hideous, I just have a heard time watching people I care for go through difficult things, especially painfully physical things like this!
So next will be the 2nd surgery on Monday, May 2nd. Please keep saying your prayers and hoping for the best. We are all just tip-toeing around until we see how things turn out after next week.
Sorry for what is probably the vaguest update I've ever written.

not at all what we were expecting

SOTD: Jo Dee Messina "Bring On The Rain"

In the few weeks that have passed since we heard about Andy's tumor, we've had time to absorb the shock and prepare ourselves for the probable diagnosis that would come after his surgery today. 

Or, at least I thought we had. 

Let me explain... 

His surgery began around nine o'clock this morning and when I hadn't heard anything at lunch, I called mom to check in. It was at this time I learned that it had been over an hour and a half since she had been given an update, but at that time, it was simply that he was asleep and the surgery was going well. I took this as a 'no news is good news' situation and continued to wait by the phone. 

Around 2:30pm I got a call from mom with the good news I had been waiting for, Andy was out of surgery! But there was bad news, and it was far worse than any of us were prepared for...

The tumor was larger than the doctors were expecting and despite their best efforts, they were unable to remove it all. It was discovered that the tumor was not Lymphoma as originally thought, but perhaps worse, it's a rare cancer that the doctors aren't familiar with. There were a few complications and a little more bleeding than normal which is expected to make for a longer and more painful recovery process. In the end, it took two screws and a plate to piece my little brother back together. 

Cells from the tumor are being sent to three of the best cancer research hospitals in the region and he his expected to return to Chattanooga next week for more definitive results. As for his current condition, I spoke with mom again around six o'clock tonight and she said he is in a lot of pain. He was able to see and recognize family members in his room about an hour earlier, but she said he did have some trouble completing sentences (which in all honesty could be a side effect of the sedatives or pain meds). Mom also mentioned that she didn't think Andy was aware of the outcome as of yet and she didn't know how or when they would try to explain it to him.

Assuming he doesn't have any set backs overnight, we anticipate he will be released tomorrow. He's got a tough road ahead, especially now that the worst case scenario just got even worse. None of us know what will happen next or how to prepare Andy for the difficult days that lie ahead, but we appreciate all the kind words and prayers you've sent our way more than you will ever know. 

Please continue to keep Andy in your prayers.