Thursday, December 29, 2011

Moved To Hospice

We moved Patrick yesterday across the hall at NIH to his old Medical Oncology Inpatient wing. The ICU staff has been so generous and kind, and offered Patrick to enter hospice-like care there, but we felt it might be more comfortable for him and us to spend his last days in a more relaxed environment. I can't remember his room number, but he's directly across from the nurses station on the 3rd floor SE-N Med Oncology wing at NIH, should you want to visit. (Look for the colorful Christmas lights in his room, and you'll find him!) Several of his favorite nurses from when he was receiving chemo are taking care of him now, and it's been really wonderful to work with them again, weep with them as we watch his labored breathing, and together help make him comfortable. When our days at NIH draw to a close, it will be a tad bittersweet to say goodbye to all of these caring nurses who have become like family over the past few months.

His steroids have worn off, so he's not nearly as coherent or lucid as he was this past weekend. He slept most of the day yesterday, and only awoke when we moved him into his new room and then dressed him in his normal pajamas. (So long silly hospital gown!)  Our hope is to make him as comfortable as possible, remind him how much we love him, and help usher him into the next life as gently and lovingly as possible. We have no idea how long this stage will take. He's in excellent shape, aside from his cancer-prone brain, so it may be quite awhile until he draws his last breath.

38 comments:

  1. Thank you for the updates.We continue to uphold you in prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I echo that sentiment: thank you for taking some of this precious time to keep us updated. It's good to know how to pray for you. Your deep love for Patrick is evident, even to a complete stranger.
    "Father, I pray that as Julie holds Patrick's hand, that she would feel You holding her. Give her strength when she feels emotionally and physically exhausted, give her endurance when she feels like she can bear no more, give her peace when her heart feels troubled. Please bless her and her entire family this day, and in those to come. Amen."
    Trish Stevens
    Waynesboro, PA

    ReplyDelete
  3. May God grant you all peace and strength as you now patiently wait for Patrick's Homegoing! Prayers continue.
    Jeff and Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  4. sending you love and peace.

    ReplyDelete
  5. May our Lord continue to sustain you, Julie, along with the nurses and family and Patrick as his body continues to battle this terrible disease. I pray that the time remaining for Patrick is quality time that you both can share. May we never lose that hope for the life that is to come in Christ's kingdom, here and now and in the new heaven and earth that is to come!
    In the words of our Lord, Jesus, I pray:
    "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen."

    ReplyDelete
  6. so sorry that this is happening- Patrick is a wonderful, caring husband, friend, father ,son, brother, and servant of the Lord. Prayers are with all of you during this sad and trying time. love to all, Margaret St. Clair (Kirsten's mother)

    ReplyDelete
  7. you are loved, you are being prayed for, you are not forgotten

    ReplyDelete
  8. Remembering you in prayer today. Praising God for the home He prepares for us to share with Him. Thank you for sharing your love for Patrick and your faith with all of us. Peace to you.

    Melissa (Tim's former student)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Julie,

    You have all remained in our prayers throughout the past several days and will continue to.

    Anthony & Nicci Kirlew

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thinking of you during this unimaginably challenging time. Wishing you continued grace, strength and peace.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We are PRAYING for Patrick, You and Little One!!!! THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE VALLEY FOR YOU!!!O LORD I PRAY!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am holding you in my prayers. May His strength and calm be yours.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Julie,
    We know Patrick from JMU, and are good friends with the Osters, so we have followed his plight through them, and now here. You all have been, and continue to remain in our prayers.

    This morning when the song "Blessed be Your Name" played on the radio, all I could think of was your family, and have prayed and sung that song in honor of you all all day. "Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be Your name."

    May God's grace and love surround you all during this unbelievably painful time. Praying that He lifts you up and sustains you, and comforts Patrick.

    ReplyDelete
  14. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit...Christ Jesus, physician of our souls and our bodies, grant rest to your faithful servant, Patrick and comfort his sweet and devoted wife and precious daughter...we love you Lord and we trust in You...You have been with us from the beginning and your gentle hand will guide each of us as we take our last breath...lead us all, Lord, to Paradise, where there is no pain or sorrow...only the ecstasy and joy of being in your holy presence...For you are holy unitl the ages of ages...Amen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Julie thank you so much for continuing to keep us all updated...it helps to know how to pray....the Lord is in all the details...the wonderful, caring nurse; the comfy pajamas and the availability of a familiar room. While my heart breaks to call these 'praises' I know that Jesus is there in that Christmas-light-ridden room....and that He is calling upon his angels to minister to you. We pray: May the Lord bless you and keep you, Patrick and Cecilia. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
    and be gracious to you, Patrick and Cecilia. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, Patrick and Cecilia, and give you peace. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
  16. May the love of Jesus be very real to you in this time. [Almost sounds so trite, but at times like these is when we choose between "moralistic therapeutic deism" and that un-contemporary-American Christian view, at Kairos, David Glade+ on Acts 2 Titled "the problem no one talks about," [my dyslexia means compensation is method is memory] ... Do not get me wrong, I am still praying for a meriful miracle, if for no other than Cecilia, but as one who lost so many (a cousin in '83, sister in '07, father in '10 & Last Tuesday an aunt to lung cancer), Easter has become a favorite Holy Day -- If He wills, may everyone enjoy a cancer free rest long life, though if Jesus chooses not to intervien, or as with my dad, give us three extra years, may His peace surround you and your family in this time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray to You for Your servant Patrick. You are the God whose only-begotten Son taught us that not even the smallest sparrow can fall without Your knowledge, and that You hold all creation in Your merciful arms. Look upon Your servant Patrick. Let his thoughts be quieted with the peace and confidence of his final deliverance into the fullness of Your love. Keep his soul and body pure, and sanctify them during the time he remains among us, that on the last day he may be raised up with all Your saints to live with You in never-ending glory. For to You belong praise and worship, to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

    ReplyDelete
  18. I heard about your story through my friend Carter right before Christmas weekend, and I have been checking back often. My heart broke as i read this blog for the first time, and my heart continues to break for the family and for Patrick, but your strength in this is so inspiring. It is clear that you are touching so many lives, and I am sure Patrick is one lucky guy to have a wonderful family supporting him in such a difficult time. Sending you peace and love---<3

    ReplyDelete
  19. Julie... I ache for you and your daughter. I have such fond memories of Patrick from the summer I worked at Cornerstone Intern House with him. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, I beg of you, come near. Come near. Hold us.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Words cannot express how i wish there was another way for your Patrick to recover but we do not know His ways. Praying for strength for you, your daughter and your family as you go through this very difficult time. Much love.
    "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not, they are new every morning, Great is Thy faithfulness."
    Lamentations 3:22-23

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for updating us. It sounds like you are making all the right decisions for your dear Patrick. So thankful that he is surrounded by people who love and care for him so well... Praying for y'all... for Christ to uphold you and be the lifter of your head.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Weeping with you and praying for His grace to hold each of you, as only He can.
    I am a sister of a friend of Patrick's, but also had the pleasure of knowing Patrick and calling him friend when we were in college and overlapped a year.
    My prayers will continue to be frequent for you and all who love and know you and your precious Patrick.
    Kim Copeland Mislock

    ReplyDelete
  23. I don't know you, but a couple of my friends know your family and have asked for prayer far and wide. My heart simultaneously breaks for your pain but is also amazed by your grace, faith and courage, Julie. The Lord cries with you but I know is also pleased with the way You are living out the truth in Scripture that although "He gives and takes away," STILL blessed be the name of the Lord." I am confident Patrick's struggle has purpose and that the Lord is glorified in his life and will be in remembering him. I pray that the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will be yours and if it's His will, that the Lord will grant the miracle He's capable of.

    Arlington, VA

    ReplyDelete
  24. God bless you and Patrick and your whole family through this tough time. My heart goes out to you and I don't know you personally but several old friends of mine do. I went to Godwin with them and graduated a few years after. I am moved by your courage and positiveness and just praying and praying for your family.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thinking about you today, Julie. Love you and thinking about you, Patrick, and Cecilia.

    Love,
    Mary Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  26. I saw your story through a link from a friend's page on Facebook. I do not know you or Patrick personally, however, my heart is breaking for you. Your blog posts are inspiring, courageous, heart-wrenching, and so very touching. I am praying for peace for you and your families as you deal with each day as it comes. May God Bless you and Cecelia and Patrick.
    Amy L. Findore
    Binghamton NY

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thinking and praying for you constantly! May God continue to give you strength!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Julie, I had the pleasure of just meeting your sister, Jennifer this past week while she was here in California for Christmas vacation. Her boyfriend, Scott (who I believe you've met) is my son. We are so impressed with Jennifer and she's gotten a space in my heart already. She told my husband, Gary, and I of Patrick's struggle. I read your blog and my heart goes out to him, to you, and to all of your family. Having suffered the loss of loved ones, I know it's hard.... the most difficult thing on earth to do. But, I know you are "loving him through it". Keep your faith, and surround yourself with those who love you and Patrick. You are now in our thoughts and prayers too. Nancy and Gary Davis

    ReplyDelete
  29. I also do not know you, just saw this link through a friends facebook page and was very touched by what you wrote. I pray for you guys from afar, greetings from Bern, Switzerland. Not sure if you know this poem by Bonhoeffer who was facing death almost 70 years ago...

    "With every power for good to stay and guide me, comforted and inspired beyond all fear,
    I'll live these days with you in thought beside me, and pass, with you, into the coming year.

    The old year still torments our hearts, unhastening; the long days of our sorrow still endure; Father, grant to the souls thou hast been chastening that thou hast promised, the healing and the cure.

    Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving
    even to the dregs of pain, at thy command,
    we will not falter, thankfully receiving
    all that is given by thy loving hand.

    While all the powers of good aid and attend us,
    boldly we'll face the future, come what may.
    At even and at morn God will befriend us,
    and oh, most surely on each newborn day!"

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your family's love and courage are so beautiful and inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing amidst your heartbreak. Your witness will long outlast this suffering. I join my prayers with yours.

    God is good, all the time.
    Love, Bronwyn (a friend of Ali and Preston's)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Julie,
    I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you all, and asking God to give you peace and strength. At this time, God has so chosen that things be as they are, but He continues to be there for you to draw strength from the well that will never, ever run dry. We stand with you, knowing that apart from his will, none of us could draw one single breathe.
    We love you all very much, and do not hesitate to confide with us about anything you may need.
    Grace (St Paul's Charlotte).

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am a stranger, sending you love today. I just wanted to share that I am learning, since the death of my child, that heaven isn't as far away as I used to think it was. It is really quite near. Love to your whole sweet family.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am a friend of Megan's and I've read your blog. I'm praying for your family! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I just got back from seeing Julie and Patrick at NIH in Bethesda, MD. I'd encourage those of you who know them to drop in and give your encouragement...once you get past all the (VERY) extensive NIH security it's very easy, and everyone at NIH was very helpful (including the security guards). Julie really is the picture of a faithful wife--snuggling Patrick and holding his hand when Patrick's mother allowed me in the room. I'm amazed at the thick, intensive cloud of God's kind grace in that room...in spite of Patrick's condition...I was very encouraged by the graceful trust I found there. St. Paul's of Charlotte sends all of our heartfelt love to you Julie, and Patrick too--as God prepares for Patrick's homecoming.

    Deep blessings to everyone...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Julie - I hope this message finds you comforted by all the kind words and loving prayers. I just received news of the struggle your family has been dealing with and have sat at my desk praying for you, Patrick, Cecilia, and your families. I can tell by the posts that you are surrounded by loving people who are grounded in God's grace. In the short time I worked with Patrick, I could tell that you and he were too. Peace be with all of you - Kurt

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Julie and Patrick,

    I have been following your news and praying for all of you. So many people are doing the same. I pray for your comfort; God alone provides the future. Your hearts are perfectly pure although broken beyond understanding in this world. Please know we care. God bless you and keep you.
    Dan and Maria Moore

    ReplyDelete
  38. i just keep praying, that God's mighty hand be upon all of you. just wanted you to know that not an hour goes by when i dont think and pray for you.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your prayers!