Past updates

Hello all! I talked to Codi this morning and thought it would be a good idea to open a blog that people can check at their convenience for updates on what is going on with Andrew.

This first post will include any email correspondence I have sent/received since Friday. . .


Friday afternoon: Wes & Codi and the kids have gone to Missouri for Wes’ graduation. They got a call just an hour or so ago from Texas Children’s saying that Andrew has a tumor on his pancreas. Told them not to drive but to get on a plane and get to the hospital as soon as possible. Tim is going to pick them up about 7 tonight and get them to the hospital. Some of Wes’ family is driving their truck back with Rachel so Wes can come back with Codi & Andrew. Please be in prayer for them.

late Friday night(actually early Saturday morning): We just got back from the hospital, and he has been admitted to a regular room (he's been in the ER since 8 p.m.). When we left they had just started a fasting blood test where his blood sugar will need to drop down to 40 for them to get some critical lab values. Pray for this, as he usually feels like passing out when his sugar drops to about 60. After these labs (which could take a few hours to a few days), they will do an MRI to determine the size/location of the tumor and then schedule surgery in the near future. Some of Wes and Codi's family will be driving down with Rachel today. Wes and Codi are very appreciative of everyone's prayers and offers of help.

late Saturday morning: Just talked to Codi. They were able to talk to the Endocrinologist this morning, so they have a much better understanding of what is going on. Though not confirmed by MRI, they have diagnosed Andrew with and Insulinoma, which pretty much means he has a tumor on or near his pancreas that excretes excessive amounts of insulin. The reasoning for them needing to come home immediately was that, according to the tests they had done, his insulin levels were 7 times higher than a grown man. So, he runs the risk of his blood sugar dropping to dangerous levels at any moment and needs to be in the hospital under close observation. At this point, his blood sugar has only reached 90 during the fasting test they are doing. He'll have to fast until it reaches below 40. They had scheduled an MRI this morning at 7:30, but they don't want to do it until the fasting test is over, because if the insulinoma reacts while in the MRI, it would be hard to get to him. The MRI should show them where the tumor is and how big it is. Sometimes, they can't visualize these by MRI, and if they can't, he'll have to have a PET scan. After all of these tests are back, and they have a better picture of what's going on, they will make a plan for surgery. Again, Codi says to thank everyone for their prayers, and she will keep us updated

Sunday 8:00 a.m.: Just talked to Codi and Andrew's blood sugar is only down to 74. He is understandably frustrated! So, the plan is to keep fasting until the blood sugar is down to 40, get the lab values, do the MRI, then talk about surgery. Just wanted to do a quick update.

Sunday night: Just wanted to update everyone who doesn't know that Andrew's blood sugar was only down to 76 last time they checked at 8 p.m. Understandably, they are beyond frustrated, as he has been fasting for over 48 hours now. Andrew feels terrible and this is taking much longer than they had hoped. They are hoping to do a scan tomorrow, whether they have gotten the labs done or not.

Right now, please pray for Andrew, Wes & Codi as they are very frustrated and ready for some more definitive answers!

update from Codi, Andrew's mom (this morning): Not much has changed...Andrew still wants to eat; we still want to let him :) One doctor visited early this morning and we are plotting to keep Andrew fasting as he wants a milkshake, pepperoni pizza, KFC, thin mint cookies, dinner rolls with honey butter (Philip and Andrew would have a hay day at this meal!); he moans when food commericals come on the TV. However, he has been a trooper after 62 hours, 15 minutes, and he is couting the seconds. His blood sugar is checked every two hours; he just holds up a new finger each time they stop in. He is however protecting his Wii fingers to play Guitar Hero.

So today we will attempt to maintain the fast (until midnight tonight) and wait for the CT scan. The doctor said this morning when I asked why the blood sugars had not dropped as expected she said that either the tumor is hiding and not "spewing" insulin or it's just not there. I told her that was the prayer for us...it's just gone!

My mother has Rachel in Highlands, attempting to keep her world as normal as possible. My sister, brother in law and their three girls are here as well staying with his mother in Manvel.

A heartfelt thanks: From our families (both kin and kindred) putting us on a plane in Kansas City to picking us up at the airport to just being here when we thought we would be alone; to driving me when my tears blocked the road to unloading trucks and trailers to babysitting our dog to calling, texting, emailing, visiting, bringing magazines, movies, snacks (which we are hiding under lock and key!) texting more and most importantly praying for our family, we want to say THANK YOU!! Never in a million years could we repay what you have all done for us. We will express our gratitude to our Father as we are all in one blood, praying His richest blessing upon each of you and yours. We'll keep you posted!


today at 12:00 noon: andrew's blood sugar was back up to 63 when they checked at noon. will check again in a couple of hours