First off, I am incredibly grateful for all of your prayers, words of encouragement and love. Yesterday was a tough day for me. I went into the doctor’s office hopeful that the spot on Andrew’s arm wasn’t cancer. Andrew and his parents went in expecting the cancer to be stage 4. I think I was the most let down when we found out the cancer had spread.
The news was not all bad though. Andrew and his parents left the appointment feeling pretty positive and hopeful. Andrew was excited about getting to be home in between treatments. He was also encouraged that the chemo shouldn’t be as rigorous as the chemo he had for his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Starting tomorrow I will take Andrew to Sugar Land for his first chemotherapy treatment. He should be sick for 3-5 days after the treatment. Then he will start the process over every three weeks. Andrew will go through 4-6 chemo cycles. He will then get a PET scan to see if the chemo has shrunk the tumor in his lungs or if the tumor has spread more. If the oncologist sees progress in the tumor he is going to blast his arm and leg with radiation in hopes of getting rid of the bone cancer. The final step is more chemo.
Andrew asked the doctor what his odds were and the doctor said that his typical patient is 65 years plus and has smoked most of their lives. Since Andrew doesn’t fit into that category the doctor seemed optimistic that if anyone could beat the odds it could be Andrew. The doctor told Andrew that his typical client has around 10% remission rate but that for Andrew it could be up to 20% remission rate. The doctor gave us hope and we know we are in the best possible hands we could be in.
Andrew is excited that he can pursue his goals in-between his chemo treatments. He has books he wants to write, talks he wants to give, work he wants to do for his company and so much more. I’m grateful that Andrew is in such good spirits going into his first chemo treatment.
Last night, I just needed some time alone. I felt emotionally exhausted. Of course I am going to be hopeful and help my husband fight, but I just needed some time to cope with the results. I am feeling a little better today. Mostly I am grateful that we have a treatment plan and can start the process of destroying the cancer. I can’t thank you all enough for rallying around our family and caring as much as you do. Your love continues to inspire me daily to be a more loving and caring person. Blessings.
Love you Bay! We are with you every step of the way! Y’all are covered.
Bailey,
You are such an inspiration and a wonderful woman of God. If anyone can beat this it is you and Andrew! I pray for you and Andrew to have strength, peace and comfort in knowing that we serve a mighty God! Only He can perform miracles! May God bless you both.
Bailey,
I love you for being able to share this difficult journey with all of us who love you and Andrew so much. You have both meant so much to me personally and you have made a huge difference in the life of my kids. You touched both Nolan and Megan in a big way by the example each of you set before them. I remember how much Andrew encouraged Nolan in his writing and to see my son pursue his dream is a true blessing. I am so eager to watch how God uses you and Andrew as you fight this battle. You have no idea how many of these young people you are going to impact. Praying for you and your families through this time. To God be all of the Glory. Love always, Mandy McNabb Winger
Thanks so much for explaining the treatment plan. I’m here cheering you on in the fight! Love you!
Bailey – I’m Rob Shiflet’s dad and he shared this with me. I agree…it sounds like Andrew is in great hands with his doctor – but we all know even more important is that he’s in the hands of “The Great Physician”.
Our prayers are with you, Andrew and the entire family – plus the medical team.
Praying for you all. Thank you for the updates! Love you!
Praying for you all, your hearts, your energy and your comfort. I am so sorry this is happening but I am so thankful there is a treatment plan. Also praying for full remission 🙂 Love you guys and admire your strength!
Bailey, I pray for y’all each time God brings your family to my mind. I’m praying for God to remove all the cancer cells and replace them with healthy ones. May the name of our God be glorified through this experience!
Prayers continuously going up!
Showering you all with prayers and love! God is good!
Bailey… I just wanted you to know how much y’all mean to me… I love y’all and I’m praying!!
Love you so much, Bailey. Daily covering you guys in prayer!
Dear Bailey – – We join you and your family in hopefullness for Andrew and faith in God for this long journey. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalms 105:4
Hi My name is Gloria , I found your blog thru your husband’s blog page. I just read your whole blog in one sitting, unaware of anything else going on around me. Thing that would have taken me yrs to learn , I just learned by reading your blog.I am energized! Thank you for writing your blog and sharing. I am praying right along with you guys. Jam 5.16 The Lord says pray for one another that you may be healed.