This afternoon, I was in Boston visiting my cousin, Andy, who is in the hospital, in the intensive care unit, battling for his life. Andy was diagnosed with leukemia last year and after undergoing massive chemo treatments it looked as though the bad cells were gone. But, the cancer came back.

After a week in the hospital, he was released last Thursday, and although he still had a long road ahead with more chemo treatments, things were looking up. But, our high hopes were met with yet another stumbling block, when Andy’s weakened immune system sent him back to the hospital with a severe infection. Two days ago, doctors in the ICU intubated & sedated Andy to help take some stress off his body as it struggles to fight the infection.

It has been an incredibly stressful time for his family. His wife Lorelee has been a beacon of strength and hope. I marvel at her, for I’m not sure I could be as strong if it was my Andy lying in that hospital bed hooked up to machines and fighting for his life. But, there she is….at his side every day, loving him, and encouraging him to fight, ever hopeful that her love will help him win this battle, so that together they may continue the long fight ahead.

Lorelee was there today, with my cousin, Marylee (Andy’s sister), who like Lorelee (and my Auntie Lee, Andy’s mom), has held vigil at her brother’s side. I brought fixings for hot fudge sundaes, in the lame attempt to lift spirits. Food…it’s all we Italians know how to do when there simply isn’t anything we can do.

Sitting in the family room in the ICU with strangers, who like us, were there waiting and hoping their loved ones would pull through, I couldn’t help but take notice of how fragile our lives are and how much we all need each other…family, friends, strangers…and how very, very important it is to be grateful for every moment we have together.

I’m a great believer in the power of positive thought, so tonight, as I lay in bed beside my Andy, I will think about the day, hopefully one day soon, when Lorelee will once again lay beside her Andy. And, if you believe in prayer and positive thoughts too, please spread the love and send some their way.

Love & hugs, Chris

Here’s a photo of Andy, Lorelee and their too-cute-for-words son, Andrew, at a family picnic a few years ago. We love you Andy….

UPDATE (June 5):

Thank you very much to all of you who have been sending positive thoughts and prayers to my cousin Andy. I think they’re working…so please keep ’em coming!!

Andy is still heavily sedated and intubated, but things are looking up. This week his liver enzyme count was down and his body has started producing some low counts of white blood cells…both good signs. He’s still got a long road ahead and his family continues to take it one day at a time. But, we just wanted to thank you for caring!!! Please keep the love coming!!! xo