Andrew Casey's Cancer Battle
V6 Member
Joined: March 26, 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
KC, I think I finally figured out how to use our PayPal, so you can ignore my previous message. The happyhondas e-mail is my Honda nut of a wife's e-mail we use for PayPal.
Your family and especially Andrew are in our prayers.
Your family and especially Andrew are in our prayers.
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
Update
Last Friday was the Big Day in the start of the Bone Marrow Transplant process. I took the day off and we all got up at the crack of dawn for the drive from Visalia to Palo Alto for an 11:00 A.M Appointment at Stanford Medical.
We made decent time and got to our destination on time. It's 225 Miles one way and not a fun drive to put it mildly. We forgot the Cd's and the Radio reception was poor. That was just the start of all the fun.
Living in a small town we really don't care much for the crazy traffic of a very large college town. What a mess to get anywhere. Trying to find a parking spot is next to impossible and of course they are all designed for small cars and the old Gran Marquis just don't fit the slot. Oh and you have to pay to park at the Hospital as well. Car guys don't like Door Dings and how do you get Sick & weak people out of cars in that situation.
Ok,so we are on time and check in for our first appointment with the social worker. Btw this place is packed like the local unemployment office. Not getting a good vibe at all. So we are called in and she starts asking a lot of questions and I ask if they have all our medical records as they should. The answer WELL UH they are here somewhere but I don't have them. OK nice start. We go through a lot of Q&A and when we finish she tells us to go back & wait to be called in to see the Doctor. It's Close to 12:00 and That's when our Appointment is.
12:00 Sitting, 12:15 Waiting, 12:30 Wondering 12:45 Getting a Bit Agitated. 1:00 I walk up to the window very calm & Nice with my Appointment card & ask if there is a problem. Oh the Dr. is running Late she says. Ok I can believe that. I go sit back down and low and behold 2 min's Later we are called in. HMMMM seems interesting. A nurse comes in and blurts out oh sorry about the mix up. we did not know you were out there. I did not say a word.
Ok she dives into the computer and says oh you are not in the system. We wanted to try and do the Bone Marrow Test on Andrew and Sarah but you are not in the computer. What to do. I bite my tongue and think we drove 4 hours for a sight seeing trip. We will be getting some testing today. No excuses accepted.
So the Nurse leaves and the Doctor comes in. Still no records anywhere. So we get to tell Andrews Life Story yet again. She Also Apologizes for the Mix up and comments I wondered why what happened to you. Gee next time walk out to the waiting room & look. I still never said I caught the receptionist in a lie and stayed cordial as Andrews Greater Good was our goal.
They finally figured out how to get enough Info into the computer so they could both be tested & I went with Sarah & Mom went with Andrew & we finally got the Deed done. It will be 7 to 10 before we know if sarah is a match. If not it's off to the Bone Marrow Registry for a Match. We will Hope Sarah is match for an easier process.
Thanks to Hospital Error we got on the Road about two Hours late. This would not have been such an issue except it was friday and The Commuters were in full force trying to get out of town. It gets better. Going over Pacheco Pass a Semi JackKnifed and we drove for an hour Straight at 12 Mph. After a day of tension this was Icing on the cake.
Sorry to vent but I expected more from this place & I have a hard time being calm when it comes to my son's care. I waited a couple of days to post on this so I could be a bit more objective & calm about it. Trust me had I posted on Friday night when I hit the door it would have been a bit more pointed if you catch my meaning.
Andrew is off again getting Chemo this week it's a stonger protocall so he will be pretty worn out when he comes home this weekend. Lets just hope he can stay out of the Hospital without an infection this time.
This is going to be a critical time in Andrews Treatment & I certainly for one think a better first impression would have really eased my mind. Hopefully this was a fluke thing & my confidence will be restored soon.
Thanks Again to all our Supporters, Well Wishers & Prayer Warriors.
MGB,
KC 4 Andrew,Terri & Sarah
Last Friday was the Big Day in the start of the Bone Marrow Transplant process. I took the day off and we all got up at the crack of dawn for the drive from Visalia to Palo Alto for an 11:00 A.M Appointment at Stanford Medical.
We made decent time and got to our destination on time. It's 225 Miles one way and not a fun drive to put it mildly. We forgot the Cd's and the Radio reception was poor. That was just the start of all the fun.
Living in a small town we really don't care much for the crazy traffic of a very large college town. What a mess to get anywhere. Trying to find a parking spot is next to impossible and of course they are all designed for small cars and the old Gran Marquis just don't fit the slot. Oh and you have to pay to park at the Hospital as well. Car guys don't like Door Dings and how do you get Sick & weak people out of cars in that situation.
Ok,so we are on time and check in for our first appointment with the social worker. Btw this place is packed like the local unemployment office. Not getting a good vibe at all. So we are called in and she starts asking a lot of questions and I ask if they have all our medical records as they should. The answer WELL UH they are here somewhere but I don't have them. OK nice start. We go through a lot of Q&A and when we finish she tells us to go back & wait to be called in to see the Doctor. It's Close to 12:00 and That's when our Appointment is.
12:00 Sitting, 12:15 Waiting, 12:30 Wondering 12:45 Getting a Bit Agitated. 1:00 I walk up to the window very calm & Nice with my Appointment card & ask if there is a problem. Oh the Dr. is running Late she says. Ok I can believe that. I go sit back down and low and behold 2 min's Later we are called in. HMMMM seems interesting. A nurse comes in and blurts out oh sorry about the mix up. we did not know you were out there. I did not say a word.
Ok she dives into the computer and says oh you are not in the system. We wanted to try and do the Bone Marrow Test on Andrew and Sarah but you are not in the computer. What to do. I bite my tongue and think we drove 4 hours for a sight seeing trip. We will be getting some testing today. No excuses accepted.
So the Nurse leaves and the Doctor comes in. Still no records anywhere. So we get to tell Andrews Life Story yet again. She Also Apologizes for the Mix up and comments I wondered why what happened to you. Gee next time walk out to the waiting room & look. I still never said I caught the receptionist in a lie and stayed cordial as Andrews Greater Good was our goal.
They finally figured out how to get enough Info into the computer so they could both be tested & I went with Sarah & Mom went with Andrew & we finally got the Deed done. It will be 7 to 10 before we know if sarah is a match. If not it's off to the Bone Marrow Registry for a Match. We will Hope Sarah is match for an easier process.
Thanks to Hospital Error we got on the Road about two Hours late. This would not have been such an issue except it was friday and The Commuters were in full force trying to get out of town. It gets better. Going over Pacheco Pass a Semi JackKnifed and we drove for an hour Straight at 12 Mph. After a day of tension this was Icing on the cake.
Sorry to vent but I expected more from this place & I have a hard time being calm when it comes to my son's care. I waited a couple of days to post on this so I could be a bit more objective & calm about it. Trust me had I posted on Friday night when I hit the door it would have been a bit more pointed if you catch my meaning.
Andrew is off again getting Chemo this week it's a stonger protocall so he will be pretty worn out when he comes home this weekend. Lets just hope he can stay out of the Hospital without an infection this time.
This is going to be a critical time in Andrews Treatment & I certainly for one think a better first impression would have really eased my mind. Hopefully this was a fluke thing & my confidence will be restored soon.
Thanks Again to all our Supporters, Well Wishers & Prayer Warriors.
MGB,
KC 4 Andrew,Terri & Sarah
Last edited by 05stangkc; Jul 12, 2010 at 09:49 PM.
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: April 25, 2007
Posts: 2,959
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City, MO
I will say a prayer tonight not only for your son but you as well. Andrew will recover, I can feel it! I just dropped another Get Well Card in the mail, let me know you are getting these, thanks!
Last edited by ShowGT; Jul 12, 2010 at 10:14 PM.
Cobra Member
Joined: March 15, 2008
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 1
Sheesh what a huge hassle in an already stressful time of your lives!
It does boggle my mind at how poorly run some of our great medical institutions can be...had similar problems with University of Pennsylvania. Their surgical department is TOP NOTCH (did my husband's liver resection) but their oncology/chemo department is ridiculous, inept, and confused. I am certain had they performed a PET scan after his initial diagnosis, we could have had extra time to fight the spread. But I feel like we got lost in the shuffle. But I learned, and it changed the way I deal with medical professionals.
See how the testing goes, and give them a second chance. Also don't be afraid to ask for what you think your son needs. If you are still uncomfortable after the next visit and the doctor's treatment of your family, then you can always try another place. Not that it will be convenient or close to your home
I am always thinking of you and your family, wish there was something more I could do to help than just gab here and Paypal.
It does boggle my mind at how poorly run some of our great medical institutions can be...had similar problems with University of Pennsylvania. Their surgical department is TOP NOTCH (did my husband's liver resection) but their oncology/chemo department is ridiculous, inept, and confused. I am certain had they performed a PET scan after his initial diagnosis, we could have had extra time to fight the spread. But I feel like we got lost in the shuffle. But I learned, and it changed the way I deal with medical professionals.
See how the testing goes, and give them a second chance. Also don't be afraid to ask for what you think your son needs. If you are still uncomfortable after the next visit and the doctor's treatment of your family, then you can always try another place. Not that it will be convenient or close to your home
I am always thinking of you and your family, wish there was something more I could do to help than just gab here and Paypal.
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
Update
The Good & The Bad
The good news is I had contact with the Insurance Specialist at Stanford and was very impressed with his helpfulness, knowledge and customer service manner. He also commented on Andrews Doctor as being top Notch as far as Leukemia Treatment. It was nice to have a bit of turn Around on our Initial Experience.
The bad news is Andrews Current treatment Protocall is brutal and he has been very sick from the Chemo all week. He is up late throwing up every evening. So he and the wife are not getting much of the needed rest in between treatments. The whole ordeal is just as difficult for the wife as she is the 24 Hour a day caregiver and her having Fybro Myalga adds to an already Difficult Job. I commend her for her efforts dispite her own medical Issues.
Mgb,
KC
The Good & The Bad
The good news is I had contact with the Insurance Specialist at Stanford and was very impressed with his helpfulness, knowledge and customer service manner. He also commented on Andrews Doctor as being top Notch as far as Leukemia Treatment. It was nice to have a bit of turn Around on our Initial Experience.
The bad news is Andrews Current treatment Protocall is brutal and he has been very sick from the Chemo all week. He is up late throwing up every evening. So he and the wife are not getting much of the needed rest in between treatments. The whole ordeal is just as difficult for the wife as she is the 24 Hour a day caregiver and her having Fybro Myalga adds to an already Difficult Job. I commend her for her efforts dispite her own medical Issues.
Mgb,
KC
Last edited by 05stangkc; Jul 14, 2010 at 11:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MELLOWYELLOW06
Talked to the guys at TRUFIBER and this is what they came up with. For the next 20 hoods they sell, they will discount the hood by 20% for the customer/friend. TRUFIBER will then take another 20% off the remaining price and donate it to Andrew's Fund. This is the perfect opportunity to get the hood you have wanted, knowing a generous donation will go to Andrew in your name as well. Just mention Andrew Casey when you call TRUFIBER for your hood. This includes hoods from their Carbon Fiber line.
Wow!
Thanks to Joe for ramroding this deal and Phil & Crew at trufiber for stepping up to the plate for my son. The response to the forum is heartwarming and really makes the unbearable easier to deal with. It really helps knowing that others care.
This is one of those time when life stops you cold and your priorites change overnight. My thoughts are consumed by doing everything I can to make this situation as bearable as possible for my family. They say when one person in your family has cancer everybody has cancer and It feels more and more like that everyday.
To all those well wishers and supporters I can't thank you enough! Please visit this forum when you can to check up on andrew and please take advantage of the generous offers from our supporting vendors.
http://www.trufiber.com/
http://www.trucarbon.net/
MGB,
With an attitude of gratitude!
KC
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Offer Ended July1
A big Thanks to Phil & The Guys at Trufiber for their Promotion! It raised a very respectable & MUCH APPRECIATED $325.00 for the Fund!
We have been a Trufiber Dealer for a Few years & I would like to say Phil runs a very good business and always takes care of our mutual customers. If he did not have a product I believed in & would not stand behind it we would not be selling them. Thats how Clevenger Ford Does Business & How I do Business. I have sold quite a few VENOM & SUPER SNAKE Hoods with very little Issue and thats Hard to do with a Large Piece thats Shipped all over the country! You are to be commended!
Again,
Many Thanks!
KC
Originally Posted by MELLOWYELLOW06
Talked to the guys at TRUFIBER and this is what they came up with. For the next 20 hoods they sell, they will discount the hood by 20% for the customer/friend. TRUFIBER will then take another 20% off the remaining price and donate it to Andrew's Fund. This is the perfect opportunity to get the hood you have wanted, knowing a generous donation will go to Andrew in your name as well. Just mention Andrew Casey when you call TRUFIBER for your hood. This includes hoods from their Carbon Fiber line.
Wow!
Thanks to Joe for ramroding this deal and Phil & Crew at trufiber for stepping up to the plate for my son. The response to the forum is heartwarming and really makes the unbearable easier to deal with. It really helps knowing that others care.
This is one of those time when life stops you cold and your priorites change overnight. My thoughts are consumed by doing everything I can to make this situation as bearable as possible for my family. They say when one person in your family has cancer everybody has cancer and It feels more and more like that everyday.
To all those well wishers and supporters I can't thank you enough! Please visit this forum when you can to check up on andrew and please take advantage of the generous offers from our supporting vendors.
http://www.trufiber.com/
http://www.trucarbon.net/
MGB,
With an attitude of gratitude!
KC
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Offer Ended July1
A big Thanks to Phil & The Guys at Trufiber for their Promotion! It raised a very respectable & MUCH APPRECIATED $325.00 for the Fund!
We have been a Trufiber Dealer for a Few years & I would like to say Phil runs a very good business and always takes care of our mutual customers. If he did not have a product I believed in & would not stand behind it we would not be selling them. Thats how Clevenger Ford Does Business & How I do Business. I have sold quite a few VENOM & SUPER SNAKE Hoods with very little Issue and thats Hard to do with a Large Piece thats Shipped all over the country! You are to be commended!
Again,
Many Thanks!
KC
Last edited by 05stangkc; Jul 15, 2010 at 02:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
MORE GOOD & BAD
Update!
The Good News is Andrew Should be Able to Come Home Friday after Chemo. The All night NAUSEA has subsided & hopefully we can avoid another Hospital Stay due to INFECTION.
The BAD News is with all thats Going On I totally Forgot my Wedding Anniversary. I got a call at the crack of Dawn from Terri wishing me Happy Anniversary this Morning. I was half asleep so I got caught off guard & Admitted I forgot! DOH! First time in a Decade or So. Oh Well The Dog House for me! I just can't seem to win these Days!
MGB,
KC
Update!
The Good News is Andrew Should be Able to Come Home Friday after Chemo. The All night NAUSEA has subsided & hopefully we can avoid another Hospital Stay due to INFECTION.
The BAD News is with all thats Going On I totally Forgot my Wedding Anniversary. I got a call at the crack of Dawn from Terri wishing me Happy Anniversary this Morning. I was half asleep so I got caught off guard & Admitted I forgot! DOH! First time in a Decade or So. Oh Well The Dog House for me! I just can't seem to win these Days!
MGB,
KC
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
Today The Roller Coster is coming off the Tracks!
Called the wife this A.M. to ask her out for a dinner date this weekend and got some news that put a forgotton anniversary in proper perspective.
One of Andrews Tests Today Indicates the Chemo is not Doing it's Job. The Leukemia is getting worse, not better as it should. The Doctor is Hoping that Sarah is a bone marrow match so Andrew can immediately proceed with bone marrow transplant.
I tried to Contact The Transplant Doctor to see if there was any match news yet but the Doctor is out till Tuesday.
If Sarah is not a match they are going to have to come up with a diffferent protocol to use until a Donor can be located. Today I feel just like Day one all over again. The wife is equally distressed.
Mgb,
Kc 4 Andrew, Terri & Sarah
Called the wife this A.M. to ask her out for a dinner date this weekend and got some news that put a forgotton anniversary in proper perspective.
One of Andrews Tests Today Indicates the Chemo is not Doing it's Job. The Leukemia is getting worse, not better as it should. The Doctor is Hoping that Sarah is a bone marrow match so Andrew can immediately proceed with bone marrow transplant.
I tried to Contact The Transplant Doctor to see if there was any match news yet but the Doctor is out till Tuesday.
If Sarah is not a match they are going to have to come up with a diffferent protocol to use until a Donor can be located. Today I feel just like Day one all over again. The wife is equally distressed.
Mgb,
Kc 4 Andrew, Terri & Sarah
Cobra Member
Joined: March 15, 2008
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 1
Is he on the same cocktail he took as a younger boy? Our oncologist said often times the body is less responsive the second time around, especially if the first treatment regimen was lengthy.
I freakin' hate chemo. Forces the patient to get so much worse before they get better. I am hoping the transplant is going to be a go, and that is going to be SUCCESSFUL!
I freakin' hate chemo. Forces the patient to get so much worse before they get better. I am hoping the transplant is going to be a go, and that is going to be SUCCESSFUL!
FR500 Member
Joined: July 1, 2008
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, UK
Reposting this for those who have been following the thread.
....
Separately, in solidarity with Andrew may I suggest to the rest of us to consider getting added to a Bone Marrow Registry? The test is quite simple to do, and if you ever get 'the call', you could very likely be saving someone's life.
For information on what's involved and the steps to take, see:
In the US: the Be The Match Registry
In Canada: Canadian Blood Services, or Héma Quebec.
If you do choose to register, be sure to send Kevin a note.
Kevin, I truly hope that you won't need to make use of the registry, but if you do, I'm in the system.
Separately, in solidarity with Andrew may I suggest to the rest of us to consider getting added to a Bone Marrow Registry? The test is quite simple to do, and if you ever get 'the call', you could very likely be saving someone's life.
For information on what's involved and the steps to take, see:
In the US: the Be The Match Registry
In Canada: Canadian Blood Services, or Héma Quebec.
If you do choose to register, be sure to send Kevin a note.
Kevin, I truly hope that you won't need to make use of the registry, but if you do, I'm in the system.
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
Update
Andrew got to come home. I spoke with him briefly on the phone he is nauseaous and tired but home. He sounded very fragile & it was a bit unsettling. Still I am glad he gets some time away from the Clinic and or Hospital.
MGB,
KC
Andrew got to come home. I spoke with him briefly on the phone he is nauseaous and tired but home. He sounded very fragile & it was a bit unsettling. Still I am glad he gets some time away from the Clinic and or Hospital.
MGB,
KC
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Ack. I despise everything that has Stanford's name on it (except for my aunt who graduated from there) and this adds to it. KC since I'm unemployed, if I had my license back, I would be down there doing anything I could for you guys. However, I'm on my last interview of getting a spot at the Apple Store, so maybe the tides are turning. I'm still praying for you guys!
Thread Starter
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
Joined: November 27, 2004
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 4,278
From: Visalia Ca.
Originally Posted by PTRocks
....
Separately, in solidarity with Andrew may I suggest to the rest of us to consider getting added to a Bone Marrow Registry? The test is quite simple to do, and if you ever get 'the call', you could very likely be saving someone's life.
For information on what's involved and the steps to take, see:
In the US: the Be The Match Registry
In Canada: Canadian Blood Services, or Héma Quebec.
If you do choose to register, be sure to send Kevin a note.
Kevin, I truly hope that you won't need to make use of the registry, but if you do, I'm in the system.
Chris,
You are way ahead of the game on this!
I got the call yesterday Sarah was not a match. I was up till 3:30 A.M. thinking about it and I am pretty raw. I would ask that anybody willing to be tested please find the time to check out the site & decide if being a bone marow donor is a committment you are willing to make. It may not be the match that could save my son but it could save somebodies Son or Daughter.
Think hard if it were your son or daughter, what you would feel if a match was not available. I know this is a tough one & I know it's not for everyone & not everybody is even eligible to test as well, But I also know some of you will.
Mgb,
Kc, 4 My Son Andrew
Pics Andrew & Sarah Age 5 Round 1 Leukemia, Age 20 Round 2
....
Separately, in solidarity with Andrew may I suggest to the rest of us to consider getting added to a Bone Marrow Registry? The test is quite simple to do, and if you ever get 'the call', you could very likely be saving someone's life.
For information on what's involved and the steps to take, see:
In the US: the Be The Match Registry
In Canada: Canadian Blood Services, or Héma Quebec.
If you do choose to register, be sure to send Kevin a note.
Kevin, I truly hope that you won't need to make use of the registry, but if you do, I'm in the system.
Chris,
You are way ahead of the game on this!
I got the call yesterday Sarah was not a match. I was up till 3:30 A.M. thinking about it and I am pretty raw. I would ask that anybody willing to be tested please find the time to check out the site & decide if being a bone marow donor is a committment you are willing to make. It may not be the match that could save my son but it could save somebodies Son or Daughter.
Think hard if it were your son or daughter, what you would feel if a match was not available. I know this is a tough one & I know it's not for everyone & not everybody is even eligible to test as well, But I also know some of you will.
Mgb,
Kc, 4 My Son Andrew
Pics Andrew & Sarah Age 5 Round 1 Leukemia, Age 20 Round 2
Last edited by 05stangkc; Jul 20, 2010 at 10:34 AM.
Cobra Member
Joined: March 15, 2008
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 1
Ah, the dreaded port!
Mr. BlueSkyVert developed a clot from the port that completely blocked his subclavin (goes out to the arm) and partially blocked the jugular. Since he was still on treatment, he had to have twice daily shots of Lovenox for 3 months - and they had to be administered in the stomach by yours truly - bleh! It's very rare, but someone's gotta make up that 1% or so, lol
I just wish I could hug you guys! Can't imagine going through this TWICE, and with your son to boot. I am going to send more loot next week.
*hug* anyways!
Mr. BlueSkyVert developed a clot from the port that completely blocked his subclavin (goes out to the arm) and partially blocked the jugular. Since he was still on treatment, he had to have twice daily shots of Lovenox for 3 months - and they had to be administered in the stomach by yours truly - bleh! It's very rare, but someone's gotta make up that 1% or so, lol
I just wish I could hug you guys! Can't imagine going through this TWICE, and with your son to boot. I am going to send more loot next week.
*hug* anyways!
Last edited by BlueSkyVert; Jul 20, 2010 at 11:24 AM.
FR500 Member
Joined: July 1, 2008
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, UK
Oh KC, I'm SO SORRY to hear Sarah's not a match. My heart goes out to you and your family. My hope and prayer is that there is a match in the system for Andrew.
Results of genetic testing have shown that there is an increased probably of a match within populations of common ancestry and/or ethnicity. Where are the roots of your family tree planted?
Results of genetic testing have shown that there is an increased probably of a match within populations of common ancestry and/or ethnicity. Where are the roots of your family tree planted?
Last edited by PTRocks; Jul 20, 2010 at 11:37 AM.