The good, bad and the ugly

Well I am writing his blog next to Andy's bedside as he is passed out from a Phenergan-induced slumber. Andy was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon; after playing a full round of golf of course, to begin his 2nd round of R-ICE chemo. Yesterday was a breeze but this morning Andy was already feeling the effects of the chemo, which is a lot earlier than the last time. This is because we are learning this particular chemo has a compounding effect. The nausea unfortunately is coming on sooner, stronger and more frequently than last time. The cognitive impairment that the Ifosfomide causes also came on sooner than last time. Unfortunately though I had already left for work when it hit so I didn't get to mess with the normally "very sharp" Andrew Priddy....something I like to do, but don't often get the chance.

The realityhas finally hit our warrior that this chemo is  is a "little" harder chemo regimen than the last R-CHOP but his spirits are still soaring. His "fuck cancer" attitude has become contagious in our household. In fact, Andy's positive energy has even become contagious to his nurses. We are fortunate to have the same day and night nurses we had last time. They have been fantastic. They have not only tolerated Andy as a patient but also me staying in his room with him every night. The oncology floor becomes your second home and the staff sort of like your family. I must say that those who experience the oncology side of healthcare truly get to experience the BEST side of healthcare. We have been nothing but impressed by his physicians with Texas Oncology and the nursing staff at Harris Downtown.

Before Andy dozed off tonight I yet again broke him out of the hospital for dinner...this time with his parents. You should have seen the look on his mother's face when I told her we were taking Andy out for dinner. Andy's mother, Kay, and his father, Bill, went a long with the rogue plan though to sneak Andy out of the hospital again. I must say this is a trait that I should probably not be proud of but it's becoming a kind of fun covert operation Andy and I enjoy when he is an inpatient. We loaded Andy up and headed to Yucatan where we enjoyed some amazing Cuban nachos and tacos. I must say this is probably the healthiest thing Andy has eaten all week. For whatever reason the normally health conscious Andy has been "eating like a fat man". From In-n-Out Burger, to pizza, to Braums and Bratwurst Andy's appetite has remained strong. Guess you have to be thankful for the small things!

Speaking of being thankful, Andy and I have been so blessed to have his parents with us the past 2 weeks helping around the house. They have both given selflessly to us to help with the house and the dogs. Having them here with Andy's unexpected early hospital admission has been a God send. They have allowed me to stay at the hospital and focus on work while they take care of the pups back home. While the fight against cancer is a hard, long road, we are reminded of our blessings. One must always remember that there ARE those who have it worse....a concept I often have to remind myself as I watch the man I love fight against a villain inside of his own body. We can all learn a lot from the way Andy lives, loves and fights!

Cheers,
Alex