Post-Therapy Update

Hello prayer warriors!

Please keep up your earnest efforts in lifting Patrick & Emily up to the Lord.

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On June 13th, Patrick had a repeat PET scan to view his tumor's "activity" after completing oral chemotherapy and radiation.  Once the scan was reviewed, Patrick's medical oncologist. Dr. Wolf, gave him the good news that the tumor has certainly shrunk.  He said that based upon Patrick's symptoms and the measurements obtained by the PET scan, things were "looking good."  This is a rather 'crude' quantitative marker ... but the tumor's original "number" on the PET scan was 14.2.  It's current "number" is 8.1.  Although Patrick & Emily do not know what these numbers represent, no one can argue that they show the tumor's response to therapy!  Additionally, the "questionable spots" on Patrick's liver and lungs did NOT respond to the cancer treatment.  That is wonderful and critical news as it means that they are most likely NOT related.  This means that Patrick's cancer is more definitively Stage 3 instead of Stage 4.  Praise God!

Patrick & Emily left Dr. Wolf's office feeling positive and had a great time celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary together.

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On June 24th, the Shaws traveled down to UVA to meet with Dr. Friel, Patrick's surgical oncologist who will perform the upcoming tumor removal surgery.  Unfortunately, his view was not as optimistic.  Although he agrees that Patrick's tumor has significantly shrunk in size, its location is still of utmost concern.  Patrick's rectal tumor is still very, very low in the rectum.  Therefore, Dr. Friel fears that once he removes the tumor, he will not have any healthy rectal tissue to "reconnect the pipes" so to speak.  Therefore, barring a miracle, Dr. Friel feels certain that Patrick will require a permanent colostomy.  Furthermore, due to the invasiveness of the tumor through the rectal wall, Dr. Friel discussed with Patrick & Emily that removing Patrick's bladder and prostate may still be necessary to ensure all cancerous tissue is removed from the body.  The necessity of this will not truly be known until Patrick is physically undergoing surgery.  Dr. Friel wants to prepare the Shaws for the worst case scenario, but remain hopeful for the best.

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Patrick's operation is scheduled for August 16th, 2013.  

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Want to pray specifically?

1.  Pray for a miracle within Patrick's body.

2.  Pray for both Patrick & Emily's acceptance and peace about the possible changes ahead.

3.  Pray that Dr. Friel is able to rid Patrick's body of cancer without removing the bladder or prostate.

~  Remember, God is good, ALL the time!

Keep praying!

Updated Instructions for Monetary Gifts

Today I was contacted by a member of Patrick and Emily's church with some updated instructions on how to BEST give monetarily to The Shaws.

These are important instructions to follow because Patrick is on staff at his church.  These will ensure all giving is done legally and stress-free!

From now on:

1.  Continue to mail any monetary donations to:

Wayne Hills Baptist Church 
877 Ladd Road
Waynesboro, VA 22980

2.  Write ONLY "benevolence" on the check memo line.

3.  Enclose a small note with your gift that "you would like this monetary gift to be given to Patrick and Emily Shaw."

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The monetary gifts given to this fund will be used to directly assist The Shaws with medical expenses.  If you would like to send Patrick and Emily "spending money" (which is nice, too) for things like groceries, dining out, household items, date nights ... please mail that to them directly.

Thank you for your cooperation and your continued support of this wonderful couple!

Patrick's Celebration Weekend

"My favorite part of the weekend was the first moment I saw each person; the moment it hit me that they were there ... and there because they cared about me."

-- Patrick

Never before in my life have I seen a group of friends like Patrick Shaw's.

On the long weekend of May 30th - June 2nd, my husband and I had the pleasure of attending a "celebration weekend" for Patrick & Emily hosted by their dear friends, Jack and Jacqueline St. Clair.

This event was more incredible that I can express in words.  A large group of Patrick's friends from high school dropped what they were doing ... put their lives (spouses, kids, jobs) on hold ... many traveled from across the country ... just to be together in the spirit of love.

For that weekend, everyone shared a unity of purpose ... lifting Patrick up in prayer and likewise in spirit.

Their example of authentic friendship reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 ...

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

I watched as old friends settled into comfortable conversation.

And, although Patrick's journey with cancer was the catalyst of the weekend ... he said himself:  

"The weekend was like stepping out of the routine of my 'life with cancer.'  I got to leave that behind in Waynesboro just to be surrounded by goodness."

Goodness was everywhere!

Good Food

Good Friendship

Good Fun

Good Fellowship (and a special time of prayer)

And Great Adventures!

On Saturday night, Jack arranged for special transportation to take everyone into Washington DC to visit the monuments.  Patrick says "I'm geeky, so Jack knew that's what I'd like to do!"

We arrived in style ...

And took it all in.

... And we finished the night with a special meal ...

Reflecting back on the weekend when we spoke tonight, Patrick didn't think he was expressing himself well.  I beg to differ.  I cannot summarize him better that to directly quote:

"For the most part, I don't like to be showy.  I'm a guy.  Sometimes, though, when I'm expressing gratitude so great ... I almost wish the tears would come, because there's enough emotion behind them.  At the beginning of the weekend, I had a "moment" of brokenness that a few people saw.  I almost wish everyone could have seen it, because that's how I felt.  I am so humbled.  It meant a lot."

* special thanks to Mr. Holmes for the photographs *

Share the Love

Patrick is one LOVED guy!

This weekend was spent fellowshipping and celebrating with Patrick and Emily and their EXTENDED network of friends.  We had a wonderful time together, and I look forward to documenting the fun on this blog once I have some photographs to complement the entry!

Stay tuned ...

***  Those of you who attended the Celebration Weekend please contact Patrick or Emily for my direct email address and send your photos to me ASAP  ***

Thanks!

Ring the Bell

Today Patrick got to ring the bell indicating the end of his radiation therapy as he left the doctor's office.    What a time of celebration as well as a time to "call all prayer warriors" to their knees.

The first "phase" of Patrick's treatment for rectal cancer is now complete.  He took his last dose of oral chemotherapy today and completed his last radiation treatment this afternoon.  Overall, both Emily and Patrick have tolerated these combined therapies well.

At this time, Patrick's most profound "side effect" has been fatigue.  He says that simple tasks require much more energy than they used to.  Additionally, over the past few weeks (the second half of this treatment phase) Patrick has been experiencing more "radiation symptoms" that have been uncomfortable.  Basically, imagine having a severe sunburn in one of the most inconvenient places possible.  Patrick has also lost a bit of his hair, but is not "bald" by any means at this time.  He has NOT experienced any nausea or vomiting, and he tells me that the "side effects" have not been nearly as severe as he expected or feared.  Praise God!

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Patrick now enters the "watch and wait" phase of this journey.  There is no exact timeline as to what is expected over the next few weeks.  Essentially, Patrick will have several weeks of "rest" to allow for his tumor to respond to the radiation and chemotherapy by shrinking.  Patrick has a PET scan scheduled for June 13th, 2013 that will allow doctors to again view his tumor and the surrounding structures.  They will be looking for tumor shrinkage activity with that scan.  This rest period may last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, and Patrick may have additional tests performed or repeated as determined by his team of physicians.  All of the information gathered during this time will be used to schedule and detail Patrick's surgery to remove the tumor in the future.

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Patrick and Emily have made several very specific prayers requests at this time.  Please pray specifically for:

1.  The tumor's continued response to chemo and radiation.  Pray that the tumor shrinks.

2.  Wisdom imparted upon the doctors as they make decisions about the proper timing and type of surgery Patrick will need.

3.  That when the time for surgery comes, the tumor will have shrunk enough for Patrick to avoid a colostomy or ANY other sort of "devastating" surgical outcome.

4.  Pray that Patrick's surgery will be as simple as possible and require the least amount of stress/intervention on his body.

Don't forget to PRAISE the Lord for Patrick's protection from severe "side effects" and for the evidence that Patrick's body is responding favorably to treatment thus far!

3 Weeks In

Hello everyone!

Patrick wanted me to share a bit of good news with you.  This week, Patrick passed the 3-week mark with his chemotherapy and radiation (about half way for this initial course).  God has been doing some BIG things too!  For starters, other than fatigue, Patrick has not had any major side effects from these combined therapies.  How incredible is that?  Also, although his doctor was vague ... Patrick was told that some of the changes his body is experiencing indicate ... TUMOR SHRINKAGE!!!

How is that for some good news to kick start your weekend?

Right!

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Additionally, both Patrick & Emily have expressed that although they may not be responding to each of you individually ... they are reading your comments and feeling your love.  I know that both of them have been astounded by the outpouring of prayers, love, and support thusfar in their journey.

Want to pray specifically?

Please continue to pray for tumor shrinkage and continued tolerance of therapy!

Monetary Gifts

I have been approached recently by many, many caring and generous friends of Patrick & Emily.  Most of them have been inquiring about ways to extend financial gifts in this time of need.

At this time, Patrick & Emily's home church, Wayne Hills Baptist, has created a benevolence fund to support Patrick & Emily financially.  However, those touched by Patrick & Emily span far further than Waynesboro, Va ... which is a blessing!  Church members and friends from across Virginia and Florida have expressed interest in helping.

In effort to keep things simple, at this time, it is requested that monetary gifts be sent to:

Wayne Hills Baptist Church 
877 Ladd Road
Waynesboro, VA 22980

With:  "Patrick and Emily Benevolence" written on the MEMO LINE of checks!

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Don't have the means to give monetary gifts but still want to help?

Heaven is always accepting donations ... and prayers are the only currency!

Short Update ... Positive, too!

This is just a short update for everyone!  I spoke on the telephone last night to Emily and she sounded pretty good.  Patrick began chemotherapy and radiation on Thursday and Friday of last week.  He took a "break" over the weekend, and his treatments will resume tomorrow (Monday).  Currently, he is tired but is not experiencing any other side effects from the treatments.  Praise the Lord!

Emily was excited to tell me that she and Patrick has successfully assembled a new kitchen island ... so life was feeling a bit more "normal" again.  For the most part, the constant appointments and procedures are over for the time being.  Patrick will still meet with his radiation oncologist once weekly and his medical oncologist biweekly ... as well as go daily for radiation treatments.  However, there is a small amount of calm at their house.

Nevertheless, prayers are still appreciated! 

What to pray specifically?

Please pray for Emily as she "manages" the phone calls, faxes, paperwork, and scheduling that coincides with caring for a loved one with cancer.  Pray that the Lord will give her clarity of mind, ample time, and a sense of calm/accomplishment.  Please also continue to pray that Patrick remains free of treatment side effects ... and that his tumor SHRINKS!

Medical Oncology and Family Planning

Yesterday, Patrick & Emily met with Dr. Wolf, Patrick's medical oncologist to develop a plan for beginning chemotherapy and radiation.  Patrick expressed a desire for the doctors to be "as aggressive as possible" in treating his tumor.  Dr. Wolf assured him that the oral chemotherapy, coupled with radiation 5 days/week, is as aggressive as possible.  Dr. Wolf has confidence that these combined therapies with shrink Patrick's tumor ... and he is cautiously optimistic that this could mean avoiding the urostomy and colostomy if treatment is highly successful.  Still, Patrick & Emily need your heartfelt prayers as nothing is a guarantee.

Prior to this appointment, Patrick & Emily made the decision to visit a fertility center.  The specialists there felt that due to the therapies Patrick is expected to undergo, their best option for future conception would be sperm banking.  After seeking the Lord's will for this decision, Patrick & Emily decided to proceed with the sperm banking and are looking toward IVF for future family planning.  They truly appreciate the prayers and support of others regarding this decision.

Today, Patrick & Emily are traveling to UVA for Patrick's pelvic MRI.  This diagnostic test is just another "piece in the puzzle" for helping the doctors best target Patrick's treatment.  They do not expect any "major updates" to come from today's appointment.

Patrick will begin both chemotherapy and radiation this Thursday.  These treatments will continue for 5-6 weeks in effort to drastically shrink the tumor.

Want to pray specifically?

Please pray for SHRINKAGE of the tumor through chemo and radiation.  Also, please pray for Patrick's body as he undergoes these aggressive treatments.  Pray that his side effects are both minimal and well-mangaed.

Radiation Oncology

This weeks in one filled with specialist appointments for Patrick & Emily.  Yesterday (4/10/13) they met with Patrick's Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Morgan.  Today, (4/11/13) Patrick has a PET scan.

Yesterday's meeting with Dr. Morgan was to create a plan to appropriately begin Patrick's radiation treatments.  Once they begin, Patrick will have radiation to the tumor site 5 days/week for 5-6 weeks in conjunction with oral chemotherapy.  At this time, Dr. Morgan anticipates these treatments beginning mid to late next week, after he creates a detailed treatment plan.

Yesterday, Patrick underwent another pelvic CT to better visualize the tumor and surrounding anatomy.  He was also "positioned" in order to choose the BEST position for him to lie in during treatments.  Once that position was found, Patrick was given two permanent tattoos to mark the best areas for radiation.  Again, due to the location and position of Patrick's tumor, concerns arose regarding future fertility after radiation treatments.  Tomorrow's PET scan will shed more light on this and solidify these choices to help Dr. Morgan develop a detailed treatment plan to best target the radiation.   

Want to pray specifically?

Pray that Patrick & Emily make wise, God-inspired decisions regarding future fertility plans.  Pray that the radiation is well-targeted and HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL in shrinking Patrick's tumor.  Pray that the side-effects of radiation are well managed for Patrick.