Reminder: ANDY STEPHENSON's Surgery Date is Tomorrow

[CitySky]

Let's all remember to send our prayers, thoughts, healing vibes, cash and prizes to DU's own Andy Stephenson, who will be braving surgery to remove his tumor tomorrow. To paraphrase the Bard, "OUT, OUT, DAMN BEV!"

And THAT'S the strongest language you've ever seen me use on this board. O8)

Maybe if we post our kind thoughts here, Termite will be able to print them and share them with Andy in his recovery.

[Maat]

1. I never heard the story.

Although I am familiar with his posts on another topic.

I wish Andy the best, and he is in my prayers.

What kind of tumor does he have?

[CitySky]

3. Andy (for the next few hours at least) has pancreatic cancer.

He has, for personal reasons of course, named his tumor "Bev."

My prayer is that the doctors sucessfully remove EVERY LAST SPECK AND CELL of that Bev tomorrow, and that Andy enjoys a full and speedy recovery.

[Maat]

13. Thanks.

Why did something like this happen to a nice guy? I wish him the best of luck and a speedy recovery.

[Lisa0825]

2. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Andy!!!!!

:bounce: :hi: :loveya: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :applause: :patriot:

[MissWaverly]

4. Best of luck from Miss Waverly in Baltimore

Hope everything goes well. He probably relieved that the surgery is finally here. The surgery is not as bad as the waiting.

[otohara]

5. Tumor Be Gone

and here's to a speedy recovery brave Andy, our thoughts are with you! :yourock:

[CitySky]

6. kick for Andy

:kick:

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Good luck!

I hope it goes well. :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

7. I've been thinking about you, Andy.

When it comes to something like this, I never feel "ready." How about you? Still, it will be nice to have that blasted Bev-ectomy over and done! I think about you every day, wondering how you're feeling, wondering if you're scared, hoping you don't feel like you're in too deep.

Hold my hand, Andy. :) You'll make it through.

-Laura

[alcuno]

9. I pray that God makes him strong and aids in his recovery.

My Polish grandmother used to love saying that God believes we can handle the good and the bad in our lives. We pray for strength.

[Andy_Stephenson]

10. Update Guys...

I was working on getting in a Johns Hopkins study...there is a vaccine that is being tested. Here is the information Miss Waverly seent me.


"A Glimmer of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Victims

...Now the duo Dr. Liz Jaffee and Daniel Laheru have reported that 3 of the 14 patients who took part in clinical trials are alive and cancer free seven years out. Adding to their progress, pathologists linked to the research team have identified the first pancreatic cancer-specific proteins, which will allow Jaffee and Laheru to better fine tune their vaccine to hit its target. All of the research team's data so far show that patients have no meaningfully adverse reactions to the vaccine. But even more promising, Laheru says that the patients who received the highest doses of the vaccine seem to do better. Armed with these findings, the research team has recently completed a follow-up of 60 patients who have received the highest doses and hope to report their findings in 06. As the vaccine continues to develop, Laheru and Jaffee believe it might well make possible a broader reversal of pancreatic cancer and improved long term survival. Call 410-955-8974 to learn more."

Unfortunately I did not qualify for this study as it is already closed to new patients. Downside is I had to reschedule my surgery. Part of the acceptance into the program is that Hopkins does the surgery. Since I cannot get into the study I have elected to have surgery here in Seattle followed by chemo and radiation. Up until I got this latest bad news I was thinking I could beat this...now I am not so sure. Only time will tell now. I will update yall as soon as I know the new date which should be this afternoon.

Andy

[MissWaverly]

14. Woo Hoo, I haven't felt this good

since I heard help is on the way, by John Edwards

[MissWaverly]

15. Andy, keep up the heat you know all about that

they have tweaked the vaccine, ask if they are going to have the clinical trial on the changed vaccine, get your doctor to do some lobbying after the surgery.

[NNadir]

17. Good luck Andy. I'm sure you know about www.clinicaltrials.gov.

I don't know your background, but there is quite a bit of scientific literature on line these days, and I would read through it, ask questions, and try to understand it. This will help you to make wise and informed choices. You are fortunate in that it is easier, because of the internet, to be better informed than ever.

I keep after the scientific literature, and if you have questions that I can answer, feel free to PM me. (Note though that I am not a physician, all I can do is to tell you how to phrase questions.)

[ninkasi]

18. My thoughts, and prayers

are with you, Andy. I can't even imagine how scared you must be. Just know that you have a lot of us here who are praying, wishing, hoping, and sending healing thoughts your way. You are a good man, and one we cannot afford to lose. So we won't. You'll beat Bev.

[elehhhhna]

21. Hey Dandy!

So Bev (Bev's babay?!) goes bye-bye tomorrow? We won't miss the bitch, and neither will you. Your full and complete recovery starts in less than one day! THANK GOD!

Best wishes from E.

[merh]

25. Hey Andy - keep us updated.

Plenty of prayers and postive, healthy energy going out to you!
:hug:

[Digit]

28. Get well soon Andy!

We are all behind you!
:hug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Andy, I'm sending all the positive vibes I can!

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. :hug:

[ohio_liberal]

12. Best of luck to you Andy

I'm hoping for your complete recovery :grouphug:

[lala_rawraw]

16. No, moved to next week... n/t

[EFerrari]

19. Hey you, I know it will be fine.

Keep us posted, Andy. We've got stuff to do!

:)

[Vadem]

20. Godspeed, Andy! We love you!!!!!.......

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

See, Keef isn't the only one to get floaty hearts!

[KoKo]

22. Good Luck, Andy...our prayers and spirits for great health after are with

you! :-)'s and :toast: to you!

[ultraist]

23. Love and good vibes for you Andy!

You WILL beat this!

Stay strong and please do keep us updated.

:grouphug:

[Maiden England]

24. Good luck and Get Well Soon, Andy

I hope they manage to eradicate 'Bev' entirely. I shall be praying for you to make a full recovery.

[enigmatic]

26. Good Luck, Andy n/m

[ReadTomPaine]

27. Holy cow - all the best Andy!

And to think he was just on TV stumping. What a guy.

RTP

[Lisa0825]

29. kick

:kick:

[cry baby]

30. Thoughts and good wishes for a speedy and full recovery

from me.

Andy, I think it's pretty clear how much you mean to us here. I know you must feel it, I certainly see it. All that good and positive energy just has to do some good in getting you better.

Much :loveya: ~cry baby

[wicket]

31. Good luck to Andy!

Give that cancer hell Andy!!!

[cry baby]

32. Any word on Andy yet?

[greatauntoftriplets]

34. The surgery has been delayed to May 2.

Please read Andy's post above.

[cry baby]

37. Oh shoot, I didn't see that - I've been thinking of him all day.

I bet Andy's disappointed.

[VOX]

33. Andy, all good thoughts to you...

Hang tough, and you'll come out on top of this thing.

Am sending you the best of healing vibes -- :hug:

[proud patriot]

35. thank you for the reminder

:-)

[Coexist]

36. good vibrations will be coming your way

all day tomorrow from me!