Monday, December 5, 2011

Not much news to report

Thanks for all of your emails, phone calls, fb messages, blog messages, etc. I tear up every time I read or receive one, as it's a poignant reminder that we are not alone in this fight for Patrick's life! Your prayers from near and far not only lift my spirit and encourage me when I'm down, but also, I believe, move heaven and earth, when all I can do is hold onto my Patrick's stiff hand.

The short of it is that he did not wake up today. He started running a fever last evening, and they've discovered that he's developed some sort of pneumonia, from aspirating vomit into his lungs during Sunday's seizure. So, they have him on antibiotics, continuous anti-seizure drugs, sedatives (to make him comfortable), and of course a breathing tube (and all that goes with it). His levels are still pretty healthy/normal, so that is good. Perhaps, because of his brain trauma (from receiving mounds of chemo and from fighting two gnarly tumors), his pneumonia, and all that he's been through neurologically over the past few months, he's not responding as quickly to the reduction of the sedative as the drs would like to see. In other words, he's not waking up as quickly as expected (if at all), not responding appropriately to commands to lift certain limbs, squeeze certain hands, or open his eyes. The medical team is changing his sedative to something different, which may not cause him to be in as deep a sleep, nor demonstrate as much agitation when he awakes.

So, if he's feeling better tomorrow, if his vitals are good, and if his temperature is down and stable, they will try to bring him back to consciousness.

I suppose my requests for prayer remain the same. Each day without him beside me feels like a hellish eternity. I peel open his eyes, and peer directly into them, hoping he sees me, begging him to come back to me, praying that he hears me. Tomorrow could be the day; let's pray that it is!

28 comments:

  1. We are standing with you day by day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie, we're praying for the three of you often. Much love, Margaret & Nathan Thielman

    ReplyDelete
  3. Praying for God's hand to work a miracle tonight. love you both

    ReplyDelete
  4. Much love from me to you, my friend. I am praying desperately with you, and have asked my friends to join us..... Jennifer Taussig

    ReplyDelete
  5. Julie this is Kelly Harris Baxter (from high school). I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles. I have been an oncology nurse for 7 years now and I know the road u are on is difficult! My thoughts are with u. I have seen miracles and amazing recoveries. My prayers are with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Julie-praying for you and Patrick and Cecilia...may the God's strength, peace, comfort, and healing wash upon you, and especially Patrick. Love to you all. Jeremy and Laura Gray

    ReplyDelete
  7. We are praying with and for you, Patrick, Cecilia, and your families. We stand with and for you in hope, clinging to Jesus and putting our trust in God. May peace that passes understanding fill and surround you all and may Christ be above, below, beside, before, and behind you. Love to you from the Bantas.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please know that our prayers are with you all. In this dark, Advent time of waiting, we long with you for restoration. Rusty, Ann and Michael

    ReplyDelete
  9. Standing by you with much love and many prayers! Josh and Cristen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awake, Patrick! You are missed and loved!

    We're praying everyday, Julie. You are all loved and cherished. May God give you incredible peace and strength today. May He heal your sweet husband.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Julie, my heart aches for you and this yoke you all are carrying. I'm praying unceasingly even as we wait for Andrew's (lymphoma??) diagnosis.
    In Christ, Christine Jones

    ReplyDelete
  12. We're praying and St Paul's here is too. Come Lord Jesus in this Advent season to heal! Tim and Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  13. Julie, So sorry for all of this. Wish we could make it all go away. Love you much,
    Aunt Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  14. Praying and aching with you. - Jen & Dave Bowers

    ReplyDelete
  15. Julie: We are praying for you & Patrick. I've shared your situation with a friend of mine in London who has battled brain cancer and has a special heart for those who suffer with this.

    We are lifting you before the Throne.

    John & Dorothy Bedor (All Saints, Chapel Hill)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Julie and Patrick, please know that you both are in my prayers and thoughts. Jeremy Stokes

    ReplyDelete
  17. Praying, praying, praying. Looking for miracles from the God of miracles.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Believing today for a miracle. God is powerful and he has healed Patrick before. Please, Lord!

    "LORD, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.
    Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known" (Hab. 3)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Julie, this is Jess green (from high school) I live in MD and if there is anything we can do, please dont hesitate to ask. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are battling cancer with my mom right now for the 3rd time I totally understand the helplessness that goes along with this. Please know we are here and thinking about you all!

    ReplyDelete
  20. All whom you know and many whom you do not are praying for healing and that God in His mercy will hear and grant the cries of your heart.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear Julie, How my heart hurts for you! Know that the St. Paul's community in Charlotte has you and Patrick in their prayers. May He give you strength and restore Patrick to complete health. With Love & Hugs, Catherine Vercaemert

    ReplyDelete
  22. Julie,
    Sam and I are praying for all three of you, Christine, and Patrick's parents. May you feel the comforting and strength-giving Holy Spirit with you every moment as you endure this period of waiting for recovery and healing.
    In Him,
    Rebecca (Horner) Meyer

    ReplyDelete
  23. We continue to pray with you and for you, Julie.

    Always,
    Will and Emily

    ReplyDelete
  24. Julie,
    What is there to say or pray, but may God's Peace be with you! Not a frilly, airy peace, but a steady, firm, tangible peace that stands as the sentinel of your heart, mind and spirit. Prince of Peace shower this precious family with your peace.
    praying for you from London and believing with you that nothing is impossible for God.
    love,
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  25. Right there with you, Julie. Keep talking to Patrick and holding his hand... he knows you're there.
    Love,
    Monique

    ReplyDelete
  26. praying for you....

    the Cassada's

    ReplyDelete
  27. you are the strongest wife i know. hands down. god bless you, julie a ga-million fold and return to you all that has been taken in this time of intense longing and pain.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your prayers!