Andrew's Last Months on Earth
During the last months of Andrew's life, reluctantly he had to leave the security of his home and, once again, enter the "dreaded" hospital for a week. Sometimes, during the middle of the night while the darkness enveloped Andrew, he would begin to chat with his mom and dad about his love for life and the days ahead. One evening, Andrew thanked his mother, Lee Ann, for igniting his passion for literature. Andrew spoke of the magical evenings as a child when his mother would read to him and his sister. Snuggled on the couch, getting lost in a book was common practice in the Cherpak house. Andrew chuckled and shared that it was quite a strategic move--enthralling him and his sister with a book--by Lee Ann to avoid watching television. He laughed, remembering how he and Christine were oblivious to weekly television shows that they might otherwise have viewed on the household’s one small black and white television. Andrew reflected on how so many dinner discussions revolved around literary works. Andrew believed his mother’s natural love for reading was a priceless gift she shared with him and his sister. After Andrew shared these thoughts, the room became silent for a few minutes--so typical of Andrew’s “less is more” approach to life. Then, Andrew asked his mother to promise him to never stop spreading her love for reading to children. A promise was created to help as many children as possible become literate.
Every story has a hero or heroine. Andrew’s is not any different. When he embarked on this horrific journey of illness, he faced the reality of uncertainty. It soon became apparent to Andrew that the doctors in world-renown institutions were frightened and uncertain of what was happening to him. Sadly, Andrew unearthed that medicine was not only a science, but an art: a disturbing discovery for such a methodical, analytical individual. Andrew’s world was shaken as this unknown disease overtook his ability to see and walk and intermittently infringed upon his cognition without any warning. Doctors’ inability to give this illness a name and treat it led Andrew to become more determined to fight it. Andrew often shared how incredible his physicians were while trying to solve this puzzle. He believed the doctors were his allies through "thick and thin." However, there was one doctor who captured Andrew’s heart and brought him the security that she would NEVER give up on him. Andrew knew when all others felt that he had reached the finish line, this dear doctor was just at the starting line. Her fortitude and dedication truly echoed Andrew’s determination to give this undiagnosed illness the fight of his life. Together they were a team with undeniable bonds. A few nights before Andrew left us, he stated that he knew “Dr. D” would never stop trying to fight for his life. She was clearly the heroine in Andrew’s story--forever his and our family's angel.
Every story has a hero or heroine. Andrew’s is not any different. When he embarked on this horrific journey of illness, he faced the reality of uncertainty. It soon became apparent to Andrew that the doctors in world-renown institutions were frightened and uncertain of what was happening to him. Sadly, Andrew unearthed that medicine was not only a science, but an art: a disturbing discovery for such a methodical, analytical individual. Andrew’s world was shaken as this unknown disease overtook his ability to see and walk and intermittently infringed upon his cognition without any warning. Doctors’ inability to give this illness a name and treat it led Andrew to become more determined to fight it. Andrew often shared how incredible his physicians were while trying to solve this puzzle. He believed the doctors were his allies through "thick and thin." However, there was one doctor who captured Andrew’s heart and brought him the security that she would NEVER give up on him. Andrew knew when all others felt that he had reached the finish line, this dear doctor was just at the starting line. Her fortitude and dedication truly echoed Andrew’s determination to give this undiagnosed illness the fight of his life. Together they were a team with undeniable bonds. A few nights before Andrew left us, he stated that he knew “Dr. D” would never stop trying to fight for his life. She was clearly the heroine in Andrew’s story--forever his and our family's angel.