Just wanted to drop by with an update, I'm getting better all the time!!

[Liberal_Andy]

Just got a PM from Maddy McCall asking how I'm doing, so I thought I'd go ahead and post another update, (my last was from May 24).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3718310

Since then, there were some pretty rough days from mid-June to mid July. I lost over 40 pounds, down to 155, and consumed absolutely no beer from mid-May until night before last. Radiation killed my beard, I really don't need to shave anymore. (Well maybe once a month!) I'll always think of this Summer as sort of an "ambush makeover".

My last treatment was July 11th, and beginning about a week and a half after that, things improved daily. My taste buds are returning somewhat. I'm eating more every day, and should get the feeding tube removed in the next couple weeks. (I'm almost human again!) I plan to return to work August 15th. I'll be getting a pet scan in another 3 weeks, and then I'll know just how good a job they did.

Of course I was saddened by Andy Stephenson's passing, but inspired by all the efforts here at DU in his behalf. It's a testament to the power we all have, to make changes for the better. I'm not sure if most people here realize just how powerful DU is, but I do. Thanks again to everyone at DU for all the kind words, good vibes, and advice I received over the Summer. DU truely Rocks!

:yourock:

Peace, Love and Music!

Liberal_Andy

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Glad to hear you are doing better

I do think of you often and hope you beat this. :hug:

[ogradda]

2. I'm so glad you're doing better.

Eating more is always a good sign. I hope you continue to progress well. :)

[Nite Owl]

3. Hope the worse is over

for you and you continue on the road to improvement. All good thoughts are with you and hope you will be able to be here more now too.

[UrbScotty]

4. That's good to hear!

:-)

[housewolf]

5. Congratulations!

So glad to hear that you are doing so well!

As someone who beat throat cancer (squamus cell at the base of my thongue, metasticized into the glands in my neck) way back in 1977, I'd say you're on a good course to a full recovery and lots of life ahead of you.

Cancer can be a huge wake-up call and a point at which one can choose a different path for life, one with more meaning and heart. It sounds as though your experience, while frightening and painful, is one of transformation.

Good for you! Many, many congratulations! Thanks for the good news today!

[Liberal_Andy]

6. congrats to you too, housewolf!

I imagine our treatments differed somewhat. 1977,...wow! Thanks for the encouragement!

[cry baby]

7. hope you keep getting better and better!!

:hug:

[benburch]

8. I'm glad you had a treatable cancer.

Andy Stephenson's was NOT treatable, which we only found out after the operation. Still he hung onto the hope that he would be one of the 3% who survive 18 months with it. He SO wanted to live!

I am SO happy that you are recovering! Do 100% of what the doctors tell you to do, and push the antioxidants!

:hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

9. Thanks, DUers!!

:toast: :beer: Man, that taste good!

[flyarm]

10. SO GALD TO HEAR..

you are feeling better every day..you are an inspiration...but may i please ask you to stay off the beer..nutrition will be your saviour...it is imperative that you read all you can about nutrition..and stick by it..its your lifeline!!

please get better every day..you will have my prayers dear...take care and keep up the good work!!

sending you hugs and lots of love!!

fly

[Liberal_Andy]

13. thanks, fly!

But I really need the calories! I promise I'll take it easy.

:beer:

[Maru Kitteh]

21. Some good sources of calories (not as much fun as beer, I admit)

Peanut butter
Nuts
Coconut oil (almost tasteless, you can add to veggies for a calorie boost)
Whole grain bread
Whole grain cereals and rice
Tofu fried in monosaturated oil with yummy seasonings like garlic and soy sauce with lots of cancer fighting veggies.

google vegetables, vegetarian and cancer and see what you come up with. There's much you can do nutritionally to benifit yourself.

Get well!

[flyarm]

24. GO FOR MILKSHAKES!!

and smoothies..i was reading all this stuff for andy..please..drink lots of milkshakes..and lots of fruit..make smoothies..its recomended by j.h.!!

stay well dear man!!

[flyarm]

25. ohhh liberal andy..i am not really

" gald " you are getting better..but i sure am "glad"..you are getting better..lol...giggling here..i just noticed my mis-spelling!
hugs to you dearest!!

fly

[Straight Shooter]

11. I'm glad I logged on and caught this thread.

Here's wishing the best for you in the times ahead. Courage is a strange thing, isn't it? A lot of us don't think we have it, but then something comes along and knocks us on our a** and whaddaya know, courage arises from within and carries us through, with a little help from our friends.

Here's to your future beer with your friends.

:toast:

[Zhade]

12. Good to hear, keep feeling better!

NT!

[merh]

14. So glad you are doing so well!

:toast:

Saying prayers & sending love :toast:

[SmokingJacket]

15. Great to hear!

Sounds like you have a wonderful, strong attitude, too.

Best wishes!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. Glad you are hanging in there. *hugs and prayers*

[meganmonkey]

17. Hug!

:hug:

Great to hear you are improving - Keep it up!

[myrna minx]

18. I am so happy that you are feeling better.

:hug:

[AlienGirl]

19. WOO HOO!

:bounce: Is the first taste you got back sweet? It was for me--I could taste sweet far earlier than sour or salty. Even now, three years later, sweet is more intense than other flavors.

Do you have any salivary function left?

Tucker

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. It's wonderful to know you're getting better!

:hug:

[mogster]

22. Hi Liberal_Andy

You rock too, and I'm sorry I missed your previous posts.

Glad to hear you're recovering, really am. And I hope your beard will come back ;-)

Peace to you, and a speedy recovery :-)

[roguevalley]

23. Lovely. A story with a happy ending! Hugs, honey. We love you back.