Update on Patrick-Sunday, April 18th

Sorry we haven't posted since Patrick came home from the hospital....Ralph and I took several days off a week and a half ago when Patrick first came home, so we had to go back to work this past week. Needless to say, it's been a busy week. Patrick had his surgery on Mon. the 12th-see Emily's post. By Wed. eve. he was ready to come home. Ralph got off work early(he works at Akron Children's in the pharmacy), so he was able to come and help get Patrick into the car and then help him into the house...it wasn't easy, but Patrick is a real trooper! Patrick has had a lot of pain, but is slowly getting stronger. He was able to walk from his room to the living room by himself this eve.- and sat at the table for dinner. We have to keep reminding ourselves that if Patrick had had this surgery 10-15 years ago, he would still be in the hospital being taken care of 24/7...so we still make sure someone is with him all the time. Thank-you to Uncle Elson and Aunt Michelle for staying with Patrick Fri. afternoon and to Lauren for staying with Patrick on Thurs. after he got home from the hospital. Dad is coming tomorrow afternoon so I can run some errands and get my hair done for the wedding!
So, phase1 is completed. Now we start phase 2 with numerous doctor visits...Patrick sees the radiation oncologist on Tues.,Dr.Hudgins on Wed. to get the staples out(he has 22 staples in his back- we counted!!) and Dr. Hord on Thursday (the oncologist at Akron Children's). We're trying to get Dr. Hudgins appt. changed to Thursday, otherwise we'll(Ralph) will be going to Akron 3 days in a row!! Thankfully, Ralph is off all three days!!-can we say "DIVINE PROVIDENCE"!!! So, I will be able to go to work uninterrupted.
Patrick will be getting radiation treatments 5 days a week for 6 weeks- to try and shrink the second tumor that is below the spinal cord and continues to cause discomfort. Removing that tumor surgically would have been too complicated and risky.
Because ACH does not do oncology radiation, Patrick will have his treatments at Akron General Hospital- just a block away from ACH. I am familiar with the doctors and techs at Akron General from when I did sedations at ACH, so am comfortable with Patrick going there. They are a very skilled group of professionals. Dr. Hord at ACH will be coordinating Patrick's overall care-follow-up blood work, etc. Dr. Hord is the head of the Hematology/Oncology dept at ACH and has been very helpful thus far. Ralph and I are very happy to have him taking care of Patrick...again," DIVINE PROVIDENCE"!
Thank-you, Thank-you, to everyone for your continued prayers and support. We continue to feel the Lord's presence in a very real way.