Andrew’s Story

Site created on September 7, 2019

Welcome to Andrew's CaringBridge website.  This site has been set up to keep friends and family informed about Andrew's progress.  All of the past email updates are included in the journal.   We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting!

September 7th, 2019: Message from Cheri:  “You wouldn't believe the effect that Andrew had on everybody in the hospital. He was so well loved. I saw his anesthesiologist in the cafeteria (which I am god awful thankful that I don't have to eat at anymore!) And he said "it is such a pleasure to take care of Andrew for you." The nurse who told Andrew he looks like Ben Affleck last time reminded him that she was the lady who told him that he looked Ben Affleck!  Also, when we came out of surgery and he was re-orienting and coming out of his grogginess they were asking him about opening his mouth and he said, "I can still flow with a microphone." I almost wet my pants.

So rest assured, everyone, Andrew and his sense of humor and personality and perseverance and fortitude and patience is all still fully intact. We love you all for helping us through this. We are so excited to find out and experience what lies before us having gone through all of this and with more to come. Certainly, we will be completely changed and better for all of it and for this we are truly grateful.” 

Newest Update

October 14, 2019

Journal entry by Cheri Flake —

Hey friends! 

I just wanted to send a quick update on Andrew...We were really enjoying the upside of things for a good long while. As soon as this past Friday Andrew was able to be at an all day hearing for work but this weekend came with some exacerbating side effects from radiation that is putting him a bit out of commission. Eating and talking are becoming really challenging so you might not see him around much for a while. 🙁

Andrew is a bit swollen and red around his cheek but this isn’t too bad. Sometimes Andrew uses a dry erase board because talking is extremely uncomfortable. But since Andrew cannot afford to lose any more weight, we are especially focused on making sure he eats. I know he is not keen (to say the least) on getting a feeding tube but we may not have a choice if he misses too many meals. 

The kids and I are loaded up with smoothie and soup recipes and off to the grocery store right now. ☺️ If you know me, then you know that I have always prided myself on my awesome smoothie skills, 😜but it’s getting really tough to be creative providing meals for Andrew here lately. So, if you have a recipe or ideas on high caloric, mushy or liquid food that aren’t spicy or too acidic, please feel free to send it my way!

We don’t know how this will go...that is, if the sores wax and wane or just get worse but for now we could use a few prayers to lift up Andrew’s spirits and healing powers. We have a ways to go with radiation (Andrew has 18 more treatments left) so as bummed as we are that these symptoms showed up sooner than expected, we are hopeful that there is a little light here and there. 

We love y’all so much!! Thanks for being there!! 

Love and light, 
Cheri






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