How is Andy doing?

[Must_B_Free]

I assume we are allowed to ask that again. How is he feeling?

[Andy_Stephenson]

1. Well lets see...

The incision is still tender...but my appetite is coming back and I am regaining more of my strength every day. I got back home late last night and it was awesome to sleep in my own bed again. Thanks for asking and for the concern! It has meant so much to me what DU has done for me. You all rock.

Edit: I still have another pahse of treatment but the doctor is confident I will make a full recovery. Mentally I am in that space and truly, I am feeling better everyday.

[bettyellen]

2. hi sweetie pie!

is it still weeping?

[Andy_Stephenson]

3. Betty!!!!!

No...they gave me an antibiotic on tuesday and it has cleard it up.

[bettyellen]

7. you're lucky i'm not squeamish......

tim says hello and sends his good wishes.

[Andy_Stephenson]

8. Hi Tim

[juajen]

19. Hey, man, you oughta be in bed asleep, regaining your strength

It's great to hear from you, and I'm thrilled you're posting. Keep up with vitamins and good fruits and veggies, and drink only distilled water. I am so serious about this. We all love ya, dear. Keep posting, you make us all feel so good inside.

[Andy_Stephenson]

21. I have slept alot over the last 2 weeks.

today I felt the best I have since surgery. Like I say my strength is coming back more and more each day.

[wovenpaint]

31. This is wonderful news!

I'm glad to hear that you're up and about! Sending you further healing thoughts and best wishes....
p.s. are you allowed to be up so late?,lol

[Andy_Stephenson]

38. Hey it is only 9:30 on the

Left Coast.

[spooky3]

63. Andy, very glad to hear you're doing better!

[Hissyspit]

4. Hey, fellow-late nighter!

Great news. Glad to hear it.

[johnaries]

5. HI, Andy!

Glad to hear you're back home and getting better! Appetite is a good sign...

[Andy_Stephenson]

6. Yes it is...although I have found my tastes have changed...

for example. I used to love tomatoes...now they taste like straw and celery is peach sweet to me. Apparently that is one of the side effects of pancreatic surgery...changed taste buds.

[bettyellen]

9. pineapple and papaya are the best for you

and not cooked, either. you gotta keep your weight up, my dear.

[LittleClarkie]

10. Somebody used to tell me that carrot juice was really really good for you

Good to hear you're doing well, Andy! Keep it up!

[Andy_Stephenson]

15. I am eating like a madman the last couple of days

in fact I ate dinner and I am hungry again.

[bettyellen]

28. great! but nothing processed, right?

[Andy_Stephenson]

36. No....

for example tonight I had real turkey breast sliced on a tortilla with roasted red peppers lettuce and dijon mustard. It was yummmmmmy. For breakfast I had 9 grain bread with grits and 2 eggs.

Lunch was a fresh fruit cup PBnJ and 2% milk.

[bettyellen]

37. good! now break out that blender and those papayas!

and please no skippy- it has that hydrogenated stuff in it. that's the worst.

[johnaries]

11. Probably temporary. Can't imagine celery tasting that sweet!

Hey, that could be a good thing!

[johnaries]

14. Guess you've already heard the news about you know who...

the Wicked Witch of the West's uglier and meaner sister.

[Andy_Stephenson]

17. No what is the word?

Is she going in for plastic surgery or something?

[johnaries]

27. Thread is locked now

but go here:
http://blackboxwatchdog.com/node/4
it ought to really cheer you up!

[Andy_Stephenson]

29. Well Joan Krawitz is honorable

and I think Ms Harris' troubles are just beginning. But I am not going to focus on her. My job right now is to get well...that is where my focus must and will be.

[johnaries]

Atta boy! that's the best thing for you. n/t

[fooj]

54. Music to my ears!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo's!

[cap]

65. dont go there andy... there's some nasty stuff

that you dont need to read right now. Later on, perhaps.

[hiley]

69. The taste bud changes

are very interesting aren't they ?!
Glad you are feeling more like yourself !
hugs
hiley

[Horse with no Name]

12. So good to hear

Welcome home.

[Must_B_Free]

13. Is it very nice to hear the good news!

And I am glad it all worked out in terms of getting great treatment. You gave of yourself and that inspired others to take care of your best interest.

[Liberty Belle]

16. Hint from a recent surgery patient:

Get a neosporin scar patch at the pharmacy. I had a hysterectomy last year and my scar is 100% gone! This is an amazing product.

Glad to hear you're on the mend.

[Andy_Stephenson]

20. They did not suture me closed...

they used these white strips along the 18" scar. Those have fallen off and the scar I think is going to be very light once the rest of the swelling goes down.

[TrogL]

32. We want pictures

Scars! Scabs! Blood! Gore!

[bettyellen]

44. i should have taken some, dammit!

[Andy_Stephenson]

45. Hey I have ICU and scar pics...

I just don't want them posted on that website.

you know the one I mean.

Anyway it looks terrible...I am still real swollen in the scar picture.

[bettyellen]

47. i know honey, i saw them, the scar, the angelic look on your face

sleeping on the couch. i saw plenty. and that's all i'm saying.
privacy is a good thing.

[Stephanie]

53. I wish I could have gone on the roadtrip!

Sorry I didn't see you all! Miss you, Andy! But very glad you're home & getting some sleep!

xx
S

[Liberty Belle]

48. I had those, plus dissolvable sutures.

They do get kinda itchy after a while, though...I was bad and pulled some off early!

[juajen]

25. How is it on old scars, do you know?

I have a daughter who feel through a glass door and still has scars.

[bettyellen]

35. I've heard that they do help it fade more than it would naturally

look in your local pharmacy, there's a few brands out there.

[Liberty Belle]

49. It works on old scars, too!

I had a bad scar on my neck from neurosurgery a few years back. It didn't get rid of it completely, but the patch made it a lot less noticeable. They're cheap, too; around $7 a box--and you can wash and reuse the same patch for 3 or 4 days.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mzmolly]

22. Wonderful!

Continued healing Andy.

[AmBlue]

24. Wow, Andy, it is TOO good to hear from you....

And sounding so chipper, too!! Glad you are coming out of this. I knew you'd beat this thing. Keep it up! This just makes my evening...

[housewolf]

30. So glad to hear that you're back home and doing well...

You'll heal up lots faster at home. Glad to hear your good news!

[tavalon]

33. You're back

Wonderful. I'm going to PM you.

[Triana]

34. Woooo!

"Edit: I still have another pahse of treatment but the doctor is confident I will make a full recovery. Mentally I am in that space and truly, I am feeling better everyday."

This is truely one of the best pieces of news I've seen all week so far.

[Syrinx]

57. Hi Andy!

Best wishes from Alabama!

[expatriate]

59. Andy, this is wonderful to hear!

Nothing like being back at home too. Lots of rest now, heal up, and yep, be in the place where you'll be after the next phase of treatment.

So great to hear the doc thinks it'll be a home run!

[LWolf]

64. Glad to hear it!

I spent the last 3 months doing after serious surgery care for two different family members. I can say that recovery is a marvelous thing, and it sounds like you are well on your way.

[bleever]

67. Hey Andy! Really happy to see you, and hear you're feeling

better and better.

Next, better and better and better!

[Spiffarino]

23. He's back!

We've been wondering about you. I hope your recovery is swift cuz we need you back in the ring, bud.

You sure do have a lot of good friends, Andy. I guess fighting the good fight will do that for a person.

Now relax and get well!

[Andy_Stephenson]

26. I have a couple of rounds of chemo and radiation

to go through...but the doctor said I should be fine.

Mentally...that is where my head is.

[Gloria]

39. Good to see you back!! Now, close your eyes and visualize

a complete recovery and perfect health! I'm serious, it works!

[Andy_Stephenson]

40. I have been doing that

I am using a screen nightly to screen all the bad stuff from my body.

I know visualizations work...

[merh]

41. That's the attitude Andy!

So good to know you are feeling better.
I hope you get your taste buds back, can't imagine a tomatoe tasting like straw.

You just focus on you and healing and getting strong. The only important thing is your health.

All my love to you and termite!

[Andy_Stephenson]

42. thanks merh!

[merh]

46. I'm just so happy to see you.

All good loving and healing energies your way!

[alfredo]

43. Sometimes the good people come out on top.

Glad you are getting along so well.

[Andy_Stephenson]

50. OK good night everyone...

I am going to lay down and rest.

Cyall later

[merh]

51. Sweet dreams Andy!

[lady lib]

52. Yes, sweet dreams and another hug.

[EFerrari]

55. Great sig line. So true.

[lady lib]

56. Back at ya.

[Historic NY]

58. Glad to hear your improving...........get some rest.

DU has your back.

[roguevalley]

60. Good news is always welcome. After a bad thing, the world is all

the more sweet and bright. Best wishes, Andy.

RV, who has named her dogs Andy for fifty two years.

[Bunny]

61. Good news Andy!

Glad to hear you're home and mending!

[elehhhhna]

62. ANDY: A little pick-me-up for you :

In case you missed it...looks like messing with voodoopancreaticBev DID have an effect on the live subject...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[catmandu57]

66. Scars are a badge of honor

Especially in this case, every time you see them you'll be reminded of how much people love and care, and all the possibilities for good in this fucked up world.
A new day is coming, and you'll be here to see it in.

[arikara]

68. Greetings from Canada, Andy

So very glad to hear that you are home and on the mend.

Pick up some emu oil for the scar, any health food store should carry it. It will speed healing too.