Cover Them

Please join me in covering Patrick & Emily with prayer this weekend as Patrick prepares to begin his IV chemotherapy infusions this Monday.

This Monday (10/30/13) Patrick will have his first of several (4 to 6, if memory serves) rounds of IV chemotherapy.  Each infusion will take place locally, at the "Hope Center" in Waynesboro, VA and will last 2-3 hours (outpatient).  During the weeks between IV chemo, Patrick will take oral chemotherapy as well.

Please lift the Shaws up this weekend as they prepare to embark on this chapter of their story next week.  Pray for strength and sound body for Patrick.  Pray for minimal and manageable side effects from this new type of chemotherapy as well.  Additionally, please lift up Emily as his "care giver" and closest support person.  Pray for her endurance, spirit, and sound mind.

Pray for them.
Hug them.
Love on them!

Patrick Is Home

Thank you to everyone who has faithfully lifted Patrick and Emily up in prayer.  Yesterday, around 3pm, Patrick was discharged home from UVA hospital (two days earlier than expected).  Turns out ... he had been virtually nausea free and his ostomy output was good ... so his doctors thought he was prepared to go home.  Both Emily and Patrick were glad to be back in the comfort of their own home where they could get uninterrupted sleep and a sense of normalcy again.

I spoke with Emily today, and she said Patrick is doing well.  His pain is under control, but he is still very tired and weak (understandably).  Although he is hungry, Emily said Patrick is having a difficult time eating.  She thinks this is partially physiological (body) ... but also partially psychological (mind).  As in:  Patrick is a bit afraid to eat again after his unexpected bowel obstruction.  He is "taking it a day at a time," eating the foods that appeal the most to him, and trying to rest and regain his strength.

This recent hospital stay was unexpected and tiresome for the Shaws.  Please pray God's protection over Patrick's body and over both of their spirits.  Additionally, prayers are needed for Patrick to regain his desire to eat so that he may increase his strength and stamina.

Pray on, Prayer Warriors!

Bowel Obstruction

I would like to ask everyone reading this blog to stop what they are doing and lift Patrick and Emily up in prayer. 

Last night, Patrick awoke in the middle of the night with severe stomach/intestinal cramping and nausea and vomiting.  After awhile, Emily drove him to the ER.  There, it was determined that Patrick had a bowel obstruction.  A nasogastric tube (NG tube) was placed in Patrick's nose and run down into his stomach. This is used to remove stomach acid (among other things) and help relieve nausea and vomiting.  Patrick was then sent to UVA and admitted to the hospital as an in-patient around 5:45am. 

I have texted with Emily a little today.  Both of them are very tired. Patrick is still feeling poorly as well.  He is awaiting an X-ray to examine the placement of his NG tube.  At this time, the Shaws were told that "watching and waiting" is the plan for Patrick's bowel obstruction.  

Please remember them in your prayers.  

Post-Surgery Updates!!!

I spoke with Emily today about Patrick's first post-surgery update. 

GOD HAS DONE SOME MIGHTY THINGS WITHIN PATRICK'S PHYSICAL BODY!!!

First, the original tumor size was 7cm. The tumor that was removed during the surgery (post chemo and radiation) was, at most, 3.7cm. Way to go prayer warriors!  Patrick's tumor shrunk nearly half its size. 

Even more exciting: Patrick's CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) level ... a measurement used to determine how widespread cancer is within the body AND how well it is responding to medical intervention) was dramatically reduced!

Prior to treatment:  CEA was 35.3 (less than 5 is normal)

This week:  CEA was 0.9

How incredible is that?!?  Tonight is a night of praise!

***

Now what?  Here is the current treatment plan for Patrick:

Patrick will begin IV chemo two weeks from today (9/6/13). These treatments will be done in an outpatient infusion center every 3 weeks ... And will last 2-3 hours each time. 

Between IV chemo infusions, the first two weeks Patrick will take daily oral chemo.  He will then have one week off before the next IV chemo infusion. 

Patrick will complete 4-6 of these 3-week cycles. 

*** continue following for more updates ***

Patrick's Sermon

This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending some one-on-two time with Patrick and Emily.  Even amongst the adjustments, challenges, and celebrations of Patrick's journey ... They still prove to be unconditional friends. 

Patrick asked me to share a very special link (and message) with those of you who are following this blog.  Below is a link to Patrick's church's web page, specifically to the sermon Patrick gave right BEFORE his tumor removal surgery. 

If you click the link, this page will redirect you to the podcast page.  For that page, you can click on the PLAY button (traditional arrow button) and listen to Patrick's words. The complete sermon is approximately 1 hour long. Enjoy!!!

*** if the direct link does not work, please copy and paste it into your web browser ***

Here is the link:

http://whbc.net/sermons/where-is-god-in-the-midst-of-trials-a-personal-testimony-by-patrick-shaw/

Patrick is Home!

Patrick is home!

Ring the bells and cheer aloud ... Patrick is home from the hospital!

I talked last evening to Emily, and she told me that Patrick had been discharged from UVA hospital yesterday about 2pm.  Before he left, both of his drains and his incision staples were removed.  He still has sutures in place, and these will be removed in one week. 

Thus far, Patrick had been feeling really good since leaving to hospital for the comfort of home. Emily said his appetite had returned and, although he was "taking it easy," he was enjoying the opportunity to eat real food again.  His nausea and vomiting have lessened a huge deal.  Also, Patrick's pain is well managed, and he has even taken a "real" shower.  Emily sounded quite proud of him!

The Shaws are finally taking the next few days to recoup energy at home (and relishing the ability to sleep without interruption).  They continue to ask for and immensely appreciate your support and heartfelt prayers for Patrick's continued healing. 

Nausea and Vomiting

Today has been a difficult day for Emily and Patrick Shaw.  Unfortunately, Patrick was unable to be discharged to come home due to continued nausea and vomiting.  His ostomy has begun to work well; however, doctors have been puzzled by his continuing malaise.

After drawing some labs, doctors ordered Patrick to have a CT scan today to view his internal organs.  The good news is:  no "obvious issues" were discovered.  However, this means that the current reason for his nausea and vomiting is an "ileus" (sleeping bowel).  In other words, Patricks' digestive tract is taking a very long time to recover from the trauma of surgery.  While this will eventually resolve, doctors are unable to give Emily and Patrick an exact timeline as to when it will.  That means that Patrick's nausea and vomiting may continue awhile longer.

Because Dr. Friel was not in the hospital tonight, Patrick was asked to stay another night.  Tomorrow he will meet with Dr. Friel to discuss how to proceed.  At this time, the Shaws do not yet know when Patrick will be discharged to home.

Please pray for Patrick's GI tract to awaken and begin working properly.  Also pray diligently for Patrick's comfort ... as NO ONE enjoys feeling nauseous and vomiting!

Update from Patrick

Here's an update directly from Patrick today!

The plans have been set for Patrick to come home from this hospital tomorrow!  All of his IV pain medications have been discontinued to move him forward with recovery; therefore, he is experiencing more pain today (even a few new pains).  Prayer in this area would be greatly appreciated. 

Within the last 24 hours, he has begun eating "regular" foods again. His nausea has somewhat subsided, but his digestive functions are still mending. Please continue praying for normal function to return and his ostomy to become active. 

Patrick will go home tomorrow will several drains (around his surgical wounds).  Over the next several weeks, he will have appointments to remove those drains as well as the staples that close his surgical incisions.  

Please continue to lift the Shaws up in prayer ... Both for healing and peace from stress. 

Specific Prayer Request

Hello again prayer warriors. 

I just wanted to drop in with a quick update about Patrick's progress. I have spoken with Emily on and off for the last few days as Patrick adjusts post-op.  He has been walking like a champ!  His doctors and nurses have been so proud of his stamina and determination to not only meet but exceed the care "goals" in place for him. 

He has, however, been suffering from a great deal of nausea and vomiting.  This is partially due to the nature of the surgical procedure he had done ... And also due to a slow-moving ostomy (which is normal soon after creation).  Emily has asked for very targeted prayer over the next few days that PATRICK'S DIGESTIVE SYSTEM BEGINS TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AGAIN.  It is "normal" for it to take some time for digestive functions to regulate ... But that does NOT mean it is easy!  Please lift Patrick up in this way. 

Your continued and additional prayers are always appreciated. 

A New Day

I have spoken via text message with Emily throughout the day today. She has given me a few updates on Patrick and how he's been recovering on his first day post-op. 

Naturally, Patrick was very disappointed (to say the least) that the end result was, in fact, a permanent colostomy. Emily said he was "bummed" but very "matter of fact."  She also shared with me that he was just very thankful that his bladder and prostate were able to be left intact.  In the end, I think Patrick and Emily both understand that the colostomy is Patrick's best chance at beating the big C. 

This evening, Emily told me that Patrick had been up and walking several times today. By the end of the day, she said he had "exceeded his goal" and been up walking in the hallway.  She says that he is "sore" (especially from the activity) but that his pain meds are working well.  

When Emily left the hospital this evening, she said Patrick was resting.  As pain meds oftentimes do, they were making Patrick very itchy (side effect).  So, he had been given some IV Benadryl and was turning in for the night. 

There is not yet an exact timeline as to the various consults Patrick will have while at UVA or exactly how long he will remain in the hospital.  However, let's all remain faithful in our prayers for the Shaws as they move forward on this journey. 

Pray on!