Hi,
During the last year we have several ‘worst days of our lives’. The day we found out we had a tumour. The day of surgery. The day we found out it was the worst kind of tumour. The day in July when Andy had a seizure and was hospitalized. The day we found out his back was broken.
But this past Thursday, by far, was the worst worst day.
Andy hasn’t been doing extremely well the last couple of weeks. He has been getting weaker and weaker, he’s been dropping weight, the ‘regular’ symptoms we’ve had, like the difficulties speaking and word finding have been getting worse, and we’ve had a few other new symptoms crop up like a slight loss in hearing and blurry vision. We neglected to inform the masses because we wanted to wait for the MRI results. Our fears of the worst were realized when we met with oncology and they delivered the news.
Deep breath.
The tumour has grown again and our lab results are still not favourable. There is no possibility of surgery. Andy’s body cannot handle any more chemo. There is no other chemo to be tried. Any further treatment would do more harm than good, as odd is that is to say.
This is the end of our fight.
They have given Andy about two to three months to live. About half of that, there is a good chance he will be incoherent and asleep. We’ve been told this should be a painless and relatively quick death, for this we are thankful.
Believe it or not, we are in relatively good spirits. What else can we do? We have decided to make the most of our every day. We plan on spending every waking moment together, visiting with our family and friends, reminiscing and laughing. Creating some new and wonderful memories.
We have shared this information with our closest circle, and there are a few other people we would liked to have told this to in person, but the number is too great and we just wanted to get it out there. We apologize for delivering this news so callously and coldly in this format but this is the best vehicle to get the news to everyone.
As always, thank you so much for your love and support. We hope to hear from as many of you as possible and hopefully we will be able to see a lot of you as well.
With a tremendous amount of love,
Lisa+Andy
xoxo
Hey Lisa and Andy,
I know this is not at all easy news to deliver. I love you both and am thinking about you all the time. Let me know if you are up for a visit anytime soon.
Love you and thinking of you,
Katrina
Both mom and I send all our love and would have wanted something different but as usual there are no choices. Please believe how much we love you both and wish there would have been someway for us to have had a chance to see you. Please know that Ralph sr. and Ralph jr. will be waiting with open arms to make this final journey with you. Anything we can do please let us know. All our love and wishes to you both.
I’m so sorry to hear about the recent developments. I can’t imagine how difficult this must have been to type. It’s far from being callous and cold.
The strength and courage you have both shown over the last year, and continue to show, is incredible.
Andy is one lucky guy to have you by his side, Lisa. Enjoy your time together.
Thank you for your friendship, Andy.
Dear Andy and Lisa,
Grant and I were so sorry to read your latest post. The positive spirit, strength and courage in which the two of you have fought this battle has been an inspiration to us all. We love you both!
Rae Ann and Grant
We were sad to here the news, but so proud of you, and your strength. Both of you!! Proud that you will cherish every day, proud that you have fought so hard, and proud to call you family!! Please know that we are thinking of you, and sending our strength and love.
Melanie and Marc
Andy and Lisa,
Your blog has been so great! Your information has had so much warmth and strength.
I wish certainly that the outcome had been better. The way both of you have faced this illness has certainly changed my life. Enjoy the time you have together. Your love has taken you thru all of this the past year and will continue to do so the next months.
Love From Your Old Hockey Line Mate! God Bless Andy
David Haldimand. Xxxoooo Rockland ,Ontario
Cy met Andy through John MacNaughton and I am so sorry not to have
met both of you. Your story is a beautiful, unending love that I never imagined existed in this awful world. You and Andy inspire us and we will pray for both of you.
Andy my friend, I know this was a very difficult post for Lisa to make and replies are just as difficult. Your strength through this past year has been truly amazing and it obviously was drawn from the love you share with Lisa. And, as others have said, Lisa’s strength is also incredible and she undoubtedly gets that from your love too.
I know that everyone wants to say something but no one really knows what to say when feeling such profound sadness. Like you, I will try my best to draw on the happier times and not dwell on the coming weeks for now. Instead I will concentrate on the memories of everything from Guinness to guitars, the trips, sharing a fine single malt scotch, the laughter…. and most of all the privilege of knowing you as a friend. We are not finished making memories yet Andy. When you are ready I’m coming over and we will add to the memories.
Jim
We can only imagine what it has been like to deal with the tribulation of the last while and yet maintain the information flow which you have so meticulously completed. Your writing skills are bested only by your willingness to fight on together. A lesson for all of us. Wishing for you only the best in the coming weeks and months, we continue;
Thinking of you:
Doug and Sheryl
Dear Andy & Lisa,
I was really disheartened to read your latest post.
The courage and love that you have shared towards each other in the past year has been truly admirable.
I wish that I lived in the Calgary area (instead of Ontario) so that I could have the honour of meeting you both in person. My thoughts are with you,
Karen
Eric (Daniel’s oncle in Quebec) and I are following your story for a few months. We were so sad to hear about all that. We wish you all the best for your last moments togheter. I’ll pray my father to make those days painless.
Lisa your are incredible for keeping this blogue all this time.
Good bye Andy (don’t forget to take care of Dan from the other side)
love
Eric & Chantale
Xx
Dear Andy and Lisa,
Thank you both so much for your courage in sharing your story with us. Your courage, strength, faith and hope is apparent in each of your postings and has touched me deeply. My thoughts are with you both.
Karen
I am very sorry to hear the news Andy, but I believe that there is a reason and a season for everything in our lives. I know how tired you are, and how hard you have fought. I would like to pop by for a visit, if you are up to it. We have much to talk about if your able to and can handle a visit.
Yours was one of the first faces I looked for when I came back to work at Harris and remembered you were not there. I walk by your office often and I am startled each time that you are not there. Even though I know I should not expect to find you, your presence is still there.
You both remain in my prayers, I have prayed for a better outcome but I must yield to what God thinks is best. You have touched my life and I remain your friend always. I hope in some small way I may have touched you.
God bless you,
Dave Graham
Not what I wanted to read, and I have been following your story with each installment, hoping as you for the best results.
You are both brave and still so very positive for each other, I would like nothing better than to shoulder some of the hard times for you. I want you to know how very often you are in my thoughts and prayers even though I have not expressed to you that you have been.
I wish you comfort, love, and enjoyment in your time together.
Heather.
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry to to read about Andy’s deteriorating health, as you plan to spend every waking moment together and create some new memories, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Andy and wish you get strength, encouragement and company of loved ones to make the most of your every day.
“On life’s journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.” -Budha
Regards,
Amar
Andy and Lisa,
Thanks for your courage in sharing this terrible news with all of us. I am so saddened that two such wonderful people have to endure this. Yet I am lifted up by hearing your plans for these last moments. Your attitude is awe-inspiring and heartening..may we all be so blessed as to share a love like yours when the time comes for each of us.
You are both in my prayers always. Here’s hoping that you make many more happy memories together!
Best Regards,
Bob
Hi Lisa and Andy-
I just want you both to know that you are in my thoughts. I have not met you Andy, but Lisa has been a wonderful addition to my life in the past couple of years. Although I’ve just been her hairstylist…she has made a big impression on me with her beautiful, bubbly personality and has spoken so lovingly of you, Andy, that I feel like I know you as well! Wishing you both so much love, strength and light during this difficult time. I hope the amazing love you share keeps a smile on both of your faces.
Thinking of you and wishing you many great moments…
xo Tonya
Dear Andy and Lisa,
I am sorry to hear the most recent news. You both have shown such strength and courage. Andy is very lucky to have such a wonderful person as you Lisa in his life as he has travelled this journey. The next few months will not be easy I am sure. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Hi Lisa & Andy,
I can not tell you how sorry I am to here of your recent news! I sit here thinking… “what should I say” or “what can I do” to make this all go away for my dear friends. I come up with nothing….just a tear rolls down my cheek!
Andy: I love you for who you are and what you have given Lisa. Her smile became much more beautiful when she met you! Be strong together and keep on loving one another.
Always here for you,
Brenda & Jay
My heart aches for you both and I wish I could buy you more time together. It was your destiny to find and love each other, so hold onto that forever.
“Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.”
A
Andy/Lisa,
It breaks my heart to hear that your time together will end sooner than is fair, i have been avoiding looking at this blog since it was mentioned to me. Just watching you two and the love you have for each other is amazing to watch. I cry when i think about it.
Andy all my thought and hopes are with you and I remember all the good times and laughs/jokes we had working across from each other and our trip to San Diego, drinking Wawa wine with Mawa Fish:)
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Peace be with you
Laura
Hi Andy/Lisa,
Our appoligies for taking so long to reply to this news, but it took a bit to come to accept this news. Its been a bit tough to take, and we really didnt have words to put down and didnt know what to say until now (sorry).
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We are sending all our love and strength to you both. If you need anything or if we can help in any way we are there, just say the word. I posted an invite to our house warming on facebook, for June 02 2012 for you both to attend, if you can. If you can but are hindered by too many people, we would defintely accomidate and have you over earlier for sure. Like I said its if you can and want to.
We are so blessed to have both of you in our lives. You both are amazing people! Thank you so much for your positiveness, it reminds us to make sure we appreciate what we have, the people we come accross in our lives, and of course appreciate eachother! Take care and hope to maybe see you if you can. <3
May your days be filled with much love, laughter, and joy! Peace be with you both.
I am glad that you continue to cross things off your bucket list and enjoying the company of family and friends. I admire your strenth and grace.
Love to you both.
Sharon