Hi Friend,
It’s been a traumatic week. We went into gamma knife on Tuesday expecting the procedure to be on four tumors. After waiting and waiting the doctor told us there were now twelve tumors. It was devastating news. The doctor went ahead and treated all twelve spots with gamma knife. The hardest part of the day was watching Andrew go through so much pain and torture. The metal halo they attached to his head by putting two titanium screws into the front of his scull and two into the back. When he first came out with the halo I wanted to cry because it looked so painful. Andrew laid in a tiny machine for over six hours with the halo on his head. At the end of the gamma knife, he tried to tell the nurses he was going to throw up and they didn’t get to him in time before he threw up laying down and almost chocked himself. Once he got out of the machine he kept throwing up. Then the nurses took the horrible halo off his head and he went back to the recovery room. Once he was there he got really sick again. He threw up so much that one of the holes in his head (from where the screw was) burst and blood was running down his face. It was a traumatizing scene. We were glad for the day to finally be over.
Throughout the day I thought to myself that no one should have to go through what Andrew is going through and no parent should have to watch their child go through this. Andrew’s parents were there with me all day and we had some extremely meaningful conversations about Andrew, how best to serve him, what life would look like without him and how to keep him hopeful and fighting. I love my in-laws. I’m so grateful for all the ways they have taken care of my family over the past year. I can’t imagine what life would have been like without their support.
Speaking of support. I don’t even know if I have the words to express how unbelievably grateful Andrew and I are for the financial support that you all have flooded into our bank accounts, fundraiser and mailbox. To say we have been blown away by the generosity would be an understatement. Andrew gets teary just talking about how you all have taken such amazing care of our family. I hope to write you each a thank you note some day, but for now I want you all to know how moved we are by your love and support. What you’ve personally done for me is open my eyes to the suffering and hardship around me and ask myself what can I do to help. Before this experience, I never really connected with suffering so I was unaware of how to connect with others that were suffering. Through your giving whether it be a message, letter, financial aid, gift cards, meals, child care, etc I’ve learned how to reach out and connect with other’s who are going through difficult times. Thank you for showing me how to impact others in a truly powerful way.
Next step for the Heard’s is on 3/20/13 we will go back to M.D. Anderson and get results to see how his chest is looking from the radiation treatment. Then on 4/10/13 Andrew will get an MRI and find out if the gamma knife surgery worked. My prayer is that the radiation killed all the cancer and that no more new tumors come up. I’m continuing to remain hopeful and prayerful for God to do a miracle, but if He doesn’t I know we will somehow make it through. Thank you for following our journey. Your love gets me through each day J Blessings.
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/andrew-bailey-s-journey/25851
Bailey, after reading your story of yesterday’s events, I don’t know how you got through it – except I do – God’s grace. How awful that must have been for you and Andrew’s parents, knowing you could do nothing to ease his suffering. Somehow something good is going to come from all this. I know it has touched me personally- whenever I want to feel sorry for myself because I’m dealing with several auto-immune issues that cause me pain and discomfort — I just stop and think about Andrew. Next to him, my pain is zero. So I give thanks , that I can still work and take care of my precious clients and my family. Extra prayers going up tonight for you both.God has a bigger plan for your family that no one can see right now, but it will all be clear someday and joy will come in the morning.
Oh Bailey, my heart goes out to you and the Heard family. Arlis and I have prayed and prayed and will continue to pray for a miracle in Andrew. Just remember Our God is an Awesome God and He will never forsake you. Thanks for keeping everyone updated. Grace, Peace and Love from God Our Father. Amen and Amen.
I think God is using you and Andrew to teach us all something.By you sharing with us The good the bad and the ugly of your journey It makes us stop and think about our own journey in this life.We have all learned different thing, God has given us all a different message through you guys.The message I got is this: Don’t dwell on the bad things(which causes me to get very depressed) It”s a waste of time. Take a look at what you do have , really look and think about it.Then you will see how really blessed you are. Enjoy it too the fullest. God put me whhere I am for a reason.That is the message I got, from reading the journals. I thank God every morning for another day. Thru the day I think and Pray for you guys.And I am becoming a better person for what Andreww wrote in his journey about doing something everyday to get to where you wanna be. I have been eating healthier, startted walking daily (which my little maltipoo Buddy loves)I am no longer over welhmed by the big picture .I feel so much better.I appreciate everyday i get so much I am now waking up at 4:am! That’s a miracle in itself. But I don’t want to sleep …I want to live! I praise God for you and your little family. May He continue meeting all your needs. And give Him the glory, For He is hearing our prayers. I believe in miracles, and pray in Jesus name ,God willing Andrew will get a miracle. Amen and Amen You are such a blessing to others, may God give you peace, healing, strenght, and understanding, and most of all i Pray God gives you a long life. God bless you .
Hi Bailey,
I have never met you, but we have some mutual friends who post your updates. My husband and I have been and will continue to pray for you and your family. Praying the Lord works a miracle and praying for strength during this very difficult time.
We love y’all.
I am praying. I went to school with Britney. God doesn’t put you thru anything he can’t help you thru. I live in Houston & have an extra room if anyone needs to stay. I know you don’t know me, but I will help anyway I can. Praying for y’all.
Bailey,
My heart aches for the pain you and Andrew are going through. It brings vivid memories of kevin’s brain surgery to repair this skull, brain, ear and scalp after his accident. The pain he encountered was so extreme medications were hardly enough to curb it the first few weeks. He could not have any light or noise because it hurt so much. I remember when he got the have the bandages removed from his head and we moved out of ICU to a different room. The “regular room” had a mirror and on a trip to the restroom, he caught a glimpse of his head of rthe first time after the accident/surgery.. He stopped abruptly and touched his head (where there were/are two horseshoes sized & shaped places on both sides of his head seeing and feeling the dozens of staples where they had reattaached his scalp) and ever so slowly and tenderly and with such deep sadness told me he looked like frankenstein-
I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to see the man you love endure such pain. I do know that by God’s grace, mercy, kindness, provision, endurance, and perserverence you, Andrew, and all who know you both will be drawn closer to the throne of God, for purposes we can not fathom. In my QT this morning God reminded me that the glory of His grace and things to come, are far greater that the trials we encounter. Some trials seem insurmountable, but encouraging to know that His grace, love, and mercy will not only help us through them but exceed them adundantly!
Much love and pryers for all of you-
Tina Bryant