Big Changes Ahead ... and Big Prayers Needed

New prayer request!

Patrick and Emily have requested prayer for another important area in their lives.  A few months ago, Patrick was unable to keep his position as youth minister with his church.  He is now actively seeking employment.  Patrick and Emily are earnestly seeking the Lord's direction as this was an unexpected change.  They are both certain that He is always good and will lead them where He intends to use them for His glory!  (oh, how the Shaws continuously inspire me!)

Please be in prayer for the Shaws as Patrick applies for positions, seeks God's will, and as they prepare for  possible career changes and a possible move (or not).

Emily and Patrick continue to thank you for your love, support, and tireless prayers!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed New Year from the Shaws!

Jeremiah 29:11

PICC Line

Hello followers!

Patrick wanted me to update everyone that his chemotherapy infusion schedule has changed a little due to unexpected circumstances.  As many of you know, a few weeks ago, there was an unfortunate occurrence in which the needle slipped from Patrick's vein during an infusion.  This caused his chemo to leak into his arm tissue.  This leakage led to severe lymphedema which has been somewhat "risky" for infection, painful, and mobility limiting for Patrick (the swelling makes it difficult for P to bend/use his right arm).  He is also having to attend therapy sessions in order to move the fluid out of the tissues.

Due to this, Patrick's care team thought it would be best to "install" a PICC line (central line) in Patrick's arm.  This will allow Patrick's chemo and premeds to infuse through a port instead of Patrick having to be stuck each time with a new needed for infusion.  This is both good and bad.  It's good because it will mean less chance for error or slippage ... and fewer pokes for Patrick.  It's "bad" because it can be another source for infection and/or complications.  And, simply because it was something Patrick really hoped to avoid.  The silver lining is that PICC lines are often shorter-term central catheters ... and Patrick will hopefully have this removed before long.

He got his PICC line this Monday (before Christmas), and therefore did not receive chemo that day as planned.  His 5th (of 6) chemotherapy infusion will take place on Monday, December 30th ... and the schedule will resume from there as planned.

Mishap

Call to Prayer:

Hello family, friends, and followers of Patrick's journey!  This past Monday, Patrick underwent his 4th round of IV chemotherapy at the Hope Center.  This means he has made it over the midway "hump" of treatment ... and only has two remaining infusions!  :)  Overall, Patrick's side effects from the chemotherapy have been well-managed after his initial infusion.  His nausea and vomiting have been under control, although he is still very tired.

*   *   *

Unfortunately, Patrick experienced an unusual mishap this Monday for which he has requested prayer.  The needle that was infusing the chemotherapy into his body became accidentally dislodged.  This means that the needle slipped out of Patrick's vein (where it was supposed to be) but not completely out of his arm. Before he realized it, a substantial amount of the IV chemo had "run" into the subcutaneous tissue of his arm.  Emily said that his arm was nearly twice its proper size.  Patrick was discharged with instructions to apply compresses to the arm to encourage the fluid to either absorb into the body or come out of his arm.  Although not a "life-or-death" issue, this has not been a pleasant experience for Emily and Patrick.  He is on high-alert to watch for signs of infection or tissue damage to that arm, and he is in significant pain.  Please pray for the chemo to quickly travel where it needs to go and for comfort for Patrick.  Pray God's protection against infection and cell damage as well!

And, as always, please continue to lift up BOTH Patrick and Emily in spirit as they face the many expected ...... and very unexpected ...... challenges of fighting cancer.