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Andrew's Journey 
Andrew is a 20 y.o. man who has been through treatment for Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since March 1996. His journy has been long and arduous, but his strength an inspiration to all whom he has touched along the way.
Journal
Thursday, December 7, 2006 11:35 PM CST Well, it has been over a year since Andrew went off chemothereapy, and no signs of relapse. Although this is encouraging news, he has a few more years to go 'til he is considered 'cured' in their books.
I don't know a lot about his blood tests anymore, since I can't really participate since losing my ID and ability to enter Fort Lewis freely, so I can't tell you how those are going, but he says he's doing good.
He has lost a LOT of weight. He's down to 72 lbs, which is worrysome for all of us; his doctors included. No matter what he tries, he just can't gain weight. He's tried the pill version of marajuana (Dr. joke) to make him hungry, and it worked, but nothing he ate pleased him.
Not being around him enough, my advice doesn't sink in. I've suggested trying to exercise more, pick up weight training with his Dad, and try to induce hunger that way, but he always has some excuse. And he's more interested in the gaming he's doing on line. Its fun, and he gets attention from people around the world, so he's more inclined to play on the computer. Dad's too busy to work out with him in the home gym, or really notice that Andrew needs his help with this. Andrew is too shy to ask for his Dad to make time for him with all that his Dad has on his plate.
Jennifer is in her second year of College for a Business degree with a minor in Japanese language. Her project for last year's Japanese class can be found on You Tube. It is unsubtitled, so unless you know Japanese, its hard to understand... I don't, so I had to get help from her.
Their Dad is in college too, but for Pre Med. He's been promoted at the SeaTac Airport to a Supervisor position, after being there four years... finally! He's been to Washington, D.C. to interview for a job fixing things for the government all over the world. He doesn't know if he has the job yet, but it looks promising.
I've struggled to find a rewarding position in a company that cares... still looking for that job, but currently working in Real Estate Investment as an Office Assistant. I also work in the Commissaries on McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis doing several jobs. I know, I just can't get away from that place! I've been working there in different positions since 1998. I love working with the people, even if the money isn't all that great due to not getting enough hours.
Read Journal History
Links: http://www.fhcrc.org/ Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
http://www.candlelighters.org/ Candlelighter's Children's Cancer Foundation
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