Counting Down . . .

From now and for a few days, you'll probably be hearing mostly from me, the Mrs. Dut. I have promised Andy that I would keep everyone up to date as to how he's holding up, so here I go. . . I'm feeling very high tech with this blog entry stuff!

It is Monday night before Tuesday noon surgery, and Ando and I just had another pep talk in bed before he goes to sleep for the night. Unfortunately, I have to wake him up in 45 minutes to take his last antibiotic dose, and I pray he'll just fall out hard after that. We wake in the AM to just get up and go, and just get this show on the road. I think we are all glad that we are going to bed for the last time before this surgery. The waiting has been hard, and I swear, noone has handled any of this better than Andy himself. He is UNBELIEVABLE! We all know he will make it through this (no doubt there), but soon after, there is fear and anxiety involved in the physical pain he will endure . . . i just keep promising him I will force those docs and nurses to keep drugging him up as much as they allow so he's feeling groovy, all things considered. I know the boy well enough that I can look him in the eye and know if he needs more, and I will take care of business. Can't I just push that red button for him? I will make sure he is as comfortable as he can possibly be, for I'm a pushy little thing when I want my way!

We were discussing tonight, what lies ahead? Many unknowns . . . one day at a time, one step at a time, but we will get through this. Thursday will be a tough day, when we get results from the tumor which will tell us what stage his cancer is in, and what level (if any) chemotherapy he will need. Chris and I have already decided, we're both shaving our head if Andy has to do chemo. (Haven't you all wondered what it would be like? This could be an opportunity for experience!)

I made a "BOX OF LOVE" for Andy that we are going to keep under his hospital bed. .. it is filled with a variety of religious, spiritual, healing, good luck, loving things like: rosary beads from his grandma, three herciumer diamonds (one from me, one from Will, and one from Joe Pyzyk), a puddin' stone from Canada, a wrench that GOD sent my mom (you should hear this story and I will tell it well, if you are ever interested), a pocket angel that andy found on a golf course three weeks ago while playing with his dad and brother (andy wanted to call the course and turn it in to lost and found, because he knew the value of such a thing, but i'm convinced he found it for a reason so i put it in his box), his St. Christopher medal that he always keeps in his car from his mom, a palm cross from his stepfather Mike, a lucky dime from his dad, a rock that i found on the west coast that i gave to him at least 8 years ago, and last but not least, his georgia bulldawg keychain to represent all the love from georgia that we are receiving (and football, of course). If anyone has anything to add to this box, send it to 2322 Ogden Street Denver, CO 80205. Certainly no pressure to send anything, but if you would have fun with it, then go for it. I wish I had thought of this earlier, but needless to say, I've been distracted by the moment. These moments. . . you just learn. . . love every one!

Another thing I've put in his box of love is clips and pieces from all of the emails i've received to my account. you are all such an amazing support system for the both of us. thank you thank you thank you.

Love you people! Stay tuned as we dominate this. . .