From the Fringe: Waiting for Andy

December 28, 2008: Having been fine for 6 years, the symptoms returned, minus the numbness and tingling. Andrew called me early that Saturday morning, drove to my house, and I drove him to Dr. P. Phillips hospital. A CT scan showed his ventricles were again filled with fluid, and emergency surgery was performed. This time a shunt was inserted (which runs from his head to his belly, just under his skin) in the backside of his head (on the right side) to drain the fluid. He took a couple weeks off to recuperate, then returned to work. He would have occasional cramping in his stomach area, but the doctor told him that was normal.

March 28, 2009: The headaches returned, and we rushed to the hospital for another surgery, to "unclog" the shunt. He recuperated for a week and went back to work. Stomach still bothering him occasionally.

April 19, 2009: Andrew didn't show up for work at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where he does technical support in entertainment. His boss asked one of Andrew's roommates where he might be (he has two roommates and one of them works with him at DAK) – Mario called Travis to check on him, and he was found unconscious on their bathroom floor. He had not been having headaches, and the last thing he remembers was going into the bathroom to throw up. He was taken by ambulance to ORMC, where another shunt was put in on the other side of his head. He took a couple of weeks off to recoup, then when back to work.

May 6, 2009: Stomach cramps became severe, and we went to the hospital at 2:45am. CT scans were normal and he was given antibiotics (just in case) and pain meds, and sent home. We were told it was not due to the shunts.

May 7, 2009: Took him to see a gastroenterologist, to see if maybe he had an ulcer or hernia or something, since we were told the shunts were not a factor. A scope was scheduled for the next day. Never made that appointment though, as the vomiting started, and soon thereafter a high temp (spiked at 104) so back to the hospital we went. He was then finally diagnosed with an infection in his stomach area, with the new shunt the assumed culprit. He was admitted to hospital and started on heavy duty antibiotics.

May 8: Still in hospital.

May 9: Shunt #2 was removed to give his stomach a chance to further heal. Still in hospital.

May 10: Got word that shut #1 will be removed tomorrow, and that he will be moved to ICU to be closely observed (because obviously, the ventricles will begin to fill up again). The plan is to keep the shunts out as long as possible to let the infection totally clear up. Probably a couple of more days. Then a new shunt will be put in, which will probably be inserted through the front part of his head, and will be positioned to absorb fluid in both ventricles (making it necessary to only have one shunt). Stomach still bothering him, but not as much. Fever basically normal, but spikes to 100 on occasion. No more vomiting, and is able to eat normally (including junk food).

Of course I'm going to be freaking out while he lies there "peculating" in ICU, sans shunts, over the next couple of days, but understand that all this is necessary to return Andrew to good health. I will be talking with our primary doctor (if he is back from vacation) tomorrow about the situation, and will follow his recommendations on how to proceed (his current doctor is perfectly amiable to a second opinion, which I discussed with him today).

So there you have it. It has been CRAZY few months trying to produce our Fringe show, Waiting for Maupin, while dealing with all this, but each step of the way we think we've "got it licked" so we proceed. Of course had we KNOWN, we'd have waited till next year to mount the show, but hindsight is always 20/20. We've got an excellent cast and crew, so I know the show will go off with out a hitch. It's just sad Andrew won't be a able to be a part of it as it comes to fruition. But the doctor hopes to have him well enough to at least catch one of the performance during the run.

Thanks for all your prayers, concerns, good energy, happy thoughts, and warm wishes. It's all appreciated, and please keep it up. I have a very strong faith, and it's amazing to watch God at work in this situation. As emotional as I am, I can still feel God's love and peace enveloping us and lifting us up and moving us through this difficult time. Each time Andrew has been at the hospital, he has ALWAYS been surrounded by very caring medical personnel. Our friends have all stepped up to help out in so many ways, which is also such a blessing. And as miserable as this whole experience has been, at least it is a treatable condition. Just have to unfortunately go through a lot of trial and error and process of elimination before it is all resolved.

I hope this note has answered some of the questions you may have concerning Andrew's health. Thanks again for all of your support. We count it as one of our greatest blessings!

Fast Forward to 2008. He is working at Disney and following in his Mom's footsteps as far as creative writing, especially for plays. He writes Waiting for Maupin. His Mom reads the first pages and is laughing hysterically. She says she will write the music for it:) They work together. 

In late December of 2008 … the horrible headaches return. The nightmare of diagnosis and procedures and surgeries envelope the next 4 months. His parents and grandparents pray and wait. His friends call him "the brain child." He forms a production company called "Water on the Brain
Productions." What a gift!!! What a sense of humor!!!! The doctors put in shunts to relieve the swelling. A couple of shunts come and go along with some infection. They all adopt the phrase…."shunt happens." 

Mom helped with the play, did the music and directed it, her husband helped edit it, and Andrew's girlfriend did the art work. Definitely a family effort!!!!!

As of today, 5/19/09 Andrew is home in recuperation and hoping to see at least one show live!!!  Everyone is calling it a "Mockumentory."