Thoughts and prayers for the Keeleys

I just wanted to take this opportunity to honor another lost comrade to this ugly disease. My prayers go out to Kimberly, who lost her husband Andy after six years of fighting Hodgkins. I remember reading about Andy when I first joined the Hodgkins forum and feeling so bad that he had refractory cancer and how he did it. Well, I'm in the same boat now and I know how he did it, the best that he could. Judging by what's written below, Andy was one great guy who lived a very rich life. Makes me want to make more of an impact, very inspiring and I know my fellow Hodgkins friends hearts' go out to Kimberly and will miss updates about Andy. He never really posted but you got a sense of how he was struggling with Kimberly's posts. I know he's comfortable now though. Rest in peace Andy, and peace be with you Kimberly.

Here is the obituary for Andy:

Stephen Andrew "Andy" Keeley of Alpharetta, Georgia died on August 3, 2011 after more than six years battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which is a rare cancer of the lymphatic system. Andy grew up in Brevard, NC. He married his wife Kimberly on top of Stone Mountain in Georgia in 1998. They had two children together, Olivia and Calvin, ages nine and seven.

Andy was a 1988 graduate of Brevard High and attended NC State where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an environmental engineer with Mactec, Inc. Andy was very environmentally conscious. He loved what he did and the people with whom he worked.

Andy was adventurous - cycling across America after high school, traveling through Europe and Costa Rica, running with the bulls in Pamplona, working in Amsterdam, and backpacking through the western and eastern United States. He was relaxed, calm, and comfortable in all situations. Andy enjoyed playing pool, woodworking and was an avid movie enthusiast. His favorite movie was Harold and Maude. Andy loved music, especially Jeff Buckley, Cake, Rusted Root, and Sara McLachlan. He loved taking walks and good food.

Andy did not let cancer stop him from having as normal a life as he could. He was a wonderful husband and father. Even as cancer eroded his physical abilities, he was going on Cub Scout camping trips, to rocket launches and hockey games, to the children's gifted classes at Georgia State and to Girl Scout activities. He loved to take his children to the Greenway, the pool and the movies. He taught both his children to ride their bikes a few days before being hospitalized with lung problems in May.

Andy was a proud member of the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North congregation in Roswell, Georgia.

Andy is survived by his wife, Kimberly Keeley, his children, Olivia and Calvin, his parents, Dr. James and Jo Anne Keeley of Brevard, NC , Dr. Mike and Rhonda Keeley of Shelby, NC, Scott and Kim Keeley of Charlotte, NC and Matt Keeley of Istanbul, Turkey.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made toward a fund for his children's college education, which may be sent to P.O. Box 4876 Alpharetta, GA 30023. Additional contributions may also be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society or to Hospice of Cleveland County.

Here is their Caring Bridge site if you would like to check in:

http://m.caringbridge.org/visit/andykeeley/journal/entry/id/9324234/page/1