Miracles Do Happen!

I just wanted to share a beautiful survivor story of my husband. He was dx Sept 5, 2008 w/ Stage IV (large cell) non small cell lung cancer.

My husband, Justin Andrews was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer on the same day as the Stand Up to Cancer telethon. 28 year-old Justin found a strong message in what he determined as no coincidence. Everyday, he proves to us all that he is ‘standing up to cancer’ when he fights with heart, faith and determination. He knows and believes that there is only one possible outcome – survival. Justin’s miracle was already working on his behalf four days following his diagnosis when he received the opportunity to brainstorm treatment options with Dr. Jeffrey Crawford, Chief of Medical Oncology at Duke Medical Center. Dr. Crawford and Justin are a team, exploring every avenue for Justin to achieve his victory. After two treatment attempts failed to stop the rapid tumor growth (four cycles of the chemotherapy combination, Alimta/Cisplatin, and two months of the targeted treatment, Tarceva), Justin was introduced to the potent chemotherapy and targeted treatment combination of Taxol/Carboplatin/Avastin. The tri-combination is intravenous-fed and administered every three weeks along with zoledronic acid (Zometa) which aids in strengthening Justin’s bones from metastasis disease. Six weeks and two treatment sessions after starting the new regiment, Justin’s chest CT scan on May 12, 2009 showed phenomenal results. The primary lung mass has shrunk by 90%, all other lung nodules and tumors have vanished with the remaining one showing only signs of necrosis (dead cells), plus the liver tumor has shrunk 75%. Dr. Crawford described the extraordinary scan results as, “beyond unusual and simply miraculous”. In addition to chemotherapy, Justin has endured a total of 25 radiation treatments (10 on his neck and shoulder, and 15 on his spine). The radiation sessions produced grueling side effects that affected Justin’s ability to eat solid food for a large number of days, although in the end the radiation has succeeded in destroying the bone metastasis. His future is looking brighter and brighter with each sunrise and sunset, and everyday he strives towards perfect health and remission. We have a vibrant two-year old little boy, Jeffrey. Justin’s ‘little buddy’ keeps him active and focused on the health and happiness that he knows the future holds. In our house we do not call this monster by the same name as the doctors; we call it ‘can-survive’. We speak of health and we trust that we will succeed by taking positive thought and prayer to a deeper level through profound faith and colossal belief.

I hope that some of you fellow fighters and caregivers find his story encouraging and inspiring. We trust so much that this is God's work! I write in our journal entries on caringbridge (www.caringbridge.org/visit/justinandrews) almost daily... we have found that our story has changed the lives of so many. You can read more about Justin at the CB site or at wwww.justinsfightclub.com

Stay strong and remember - everyday holds the possibility of a miracle! CLAIM IT! Think it... speak it... believe it!

Kristy Andrews

By Reads_Too_Much
Posted July 3, 2009 at 6:41 pm
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Dear Kristy and Justin-

Thank you for this uplifting and encouraging story! You've recharged my supply of hope. What a gift you have supplied!

My 30-something husband has a similar prognosis (NSCLC IV). We have a baby and a 3-year old. I just introduced our 3-year old to the word cancer yesterday when I tried to gently explain the profound changes in our life.

I hope and pray that our story may have resemble the miraculous story of your family.

May your husband's can-survive fight continue to be blessed!

Best,
Vicki

By cuddles53
Posted July 3, 2009 at 9:52 pm
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thanks for sharing, what an inspiration to all of us. I also am a survivor for over 3 years now, I also attribute it to my faith in God, my best friend in the whole world is my God without him this would have been unbearable to get through. also on my cup of ovaltine everyday! I also eat the antioxidant foods, and green tea, gotta start drinking more of that tea! god bless.
Sandy

By shasha712
Posted July 3, 2009 at 10:42 pm
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Boy, I was having a bad day because of my brother's diagnosis and after hearing your story I feel better. My brother did not start Chemo yet, but he will probably be taking the same combination as your husband. Thanks for the encouragement. God Bless.

By canbeatthis
Posted July 4, 2009 at 12:17 am
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Kristy,
My husband also goes to Duke Cancer Center. His Onc Dr. is Frank Dunphy and radiation Dr. Kelsey. My husband really likes the Drs and everyone has been great. His results after 1st round of 33 radiation treatment and 7 Chemo/Carboplatin/Navelbin treatments showed shrinkage in lt lung tumor, lymph nodes, chest lining but showed increase in Adrenal and Brain Mets. Started 14 treatments of Brain Radiation last week. Not sure what Chemo will be next. But still trying to stay positive and never giving up hope that next scans will be even better. So keep the good news coming and thanks for the encouragement. I pray everyday that we can beat this.
SD

By marycos
Posted July 4, 2009 at 3:53 pm
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Aw thanks so much for that inspirational message. My husband is watching TV as I check this American and brilliant supportive site. I wish he would join me but how do I know what goes through his mind and what helps him to cope? As a loving wife, mother and carer however, messages like yours can only help to maintain hope and support Kevin's lovely non-complaining and positive attitude and bravery, thanks to you both and to everybody who takes the time to share their sometimes so sad circumstances. You know you are not alone but you feel that you are and you all help to remind us that we are not alone and that others recognise and understand our thoughts. Thank youxxxxx

By kimb
Posted July 5, 2009 at 10:16 am
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Thank you for this positive and inspiring message! I believe with active participation with a great medical team and your great attitude you can get a handle on this can-survive!

By justinsfightclubwife
Posted July 6, 2009 at 8:52 am
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Know too that after I posted the above we had another scan and the miracle is continuing... the liver mass shrunk another 50% (so that's about 90% total since the start of this new treatment), and they think that anything left in his lungs is only scar tissue. We are well on our way to remission and perfect health... anything is possible if you just BELIEVE! Be sure to continue on this journey towards perfect health with us at www.caringbridge.org/visit/justinandrews

By justinsfightclubwife
Posted July 6, 2009 at 8:57 am
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canbeatthis,

Isn't Dr. Kelsey the best? That's Justin's Radiation Oncologist too! Justin has accepted an invitation to be a guest speaker at the Duke sponsored 5k Free to Breathe to benefit the NC National Lung Cancer Partnership... it will be on North Carolina State University Centennial Campus in Raleigh on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Please stop by and say hello if you're able to make it. Just remember, things didn't go our way for a long time and we were starting to get at critical mass with Justin's liver after the 2nd treatment attempt failed... our faith grew each time and we continued to thank the Lord of Justin's perfect health... we claimed it and now it's here. Just believe with all your heart and never ever doubt your God - trust Him! Best of luck you both!

By justinsfightclubwife
Posted July 6, 2009 at 9:03 am
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Vicki,

Trust me when I say that I know how you feel... and you guys have a new baby too? Wow... bless your heart! This has been by far the worst time in our lives, but also the most rewarding in more ways then we can count... the rewards that have come with the diagnosis have far out weighed the bad. My personal email is kristyaandrews@gmail.com - if it ever helps to talk to someone who knows exactly what you're going through, please don't hesitate to contact me. Like I tell everyone, BELIEVE with all your heart that your husband will be just fine... close your eyes and see a life with him, see him being there for your kids to grow up, but you have to TRUST it! And, more then anything... start praying as a family... wonderful things didn't start happening for us until we did just that. I am a firm believer in "the family who prays together stays together". Best of luck, contact me anytime... lots of positive thoughts coming your way!

Kristy

By justinsfightclubwife
Posted August 12, 2009 at 1:51 pm
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The miracle has arrived and showed it's beautiful face! On Aug 11th Justin was declared to be in remission and his scans were clean. HE WON!!

Welcome to Inspire!

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