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.

Cycle Three

This coming Monday (11/11/13), Patrick will undergo his third chemotherapy infusion at the Hope Center in his hometown.  This will mark the HALF WAY point in his IV therapy!!!

I spoke to Patrick this morning, and he sounded great.  Currently, he is enjoying his "detox" week.  What does that mean?  Every third Monday, Patrick goes to the Hope Center for IV chemo.  That same Monday, he begins taking his oral chemotherapy at home.  Patrick takes this oral chemotherapy daily for 14 days.  Then, days 15-21 (or, the third week), of his three-week cycle ... Patrick gets to "detox."  That means, he does not take IV or oral chemotherapy.  This gives his body an opportunity to relax from insult ... and gives Patrick a much needed break from the more severe side effects he has experienced.

Patrick wanted me to let everyone know that:  "Chemotherapy makes you feel like junk!  But my second cycle was MUCH better than my first!"  Praise the Lord!  While Patrick did experience some nausea and fatigue from his second round of chemotherapy, his doctors have calibrated his medications more appropriately now.  This meant much fewer unwanted side effects.

Please continue to pray for Patrick.  Specifically, pray that the chemotherapy continues to target ANY remaining cancer cells in his body and keeps them away FOREVER.  Please pray for healing over his body.  Lift up Emily too!  Miss Em has had a series of rough weeks herself, and she greatly appreciates your prayers and support (and hugs if you are close by).

*** A few readers have written me regarding less-frequent posting to this blog.  Please remember that I post as requested by Patrick and Emily.  Thankfully, the last few weeks have been less eventful; therefore, there has been less to report.  I will continue to update the blog as necessary!  Thanks for understanding. ***

Side Effects Weighing Heavily

Hello prayer warriors!  Please continue to lift Emily and Patrick up in prayer. This has been a trying week for both of them. Patrick received his first IV chemo infusion on Monday.  The Shaws were very impressed with the staff and hospitality of the "Hope Center" in their hometown. That was a blessing!  However, by the evening of the inflation Patrick was violently ill.  After an evening of continuous nausea and vomiting, Patrick and Emily returned to the Hope Center the next day where Patrick received IV fluids and anti-nausea medication. 

The following day (Wednesday) Patrick was told to return to the hospital for abdominal X-rays due to persistent vomiting after the recovery treatment on Tuesday at the infusion center did not remedy the problem.  Doctors wished to rule out another bowel obstruction.  Thankfully, there was no true bowel obstruction but instead a slow moving ostomy due to the pain and anti-nausea medications Patrick had been taking.  Prioritizing his comfort, the team instructed Patrick to return to the Hope Center for more efforts to control his nausea and vomiting before addressing the slow moving ostomy. 

At this time, Patrick and Emily are home again.  Patrick's side effects are controlled, but he's feeling very puny.  Please continue to pray for God to champion over these nasty side effects of chemotherapy and adjusting to a new colostomy.  Don't forget Emily in your prayers either!  She needs strength and mental stability ... And a lot of peace and understanding.  

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/