Update....

So,we are still in a "holding" pattern. We are still waiting for the slooooow-growing tumor to slooooowly shrink-"maybe". In the meantime, symptoms persist from radiation syndrome. Patrick is able to work a few hours at the coffee cart- mostly supervision, and is keeping up with his one seminary class as well as his duties at the Chapel for his internship. He is gaining weight-yeah for Thanksgiving!! He is living in a house in Cuyahoga Falls with 4 other post-college age "kids". It's nice because now he is closer to work. When he needs to rest, he drives less than 10 minutes to the house and can take a quick nap. He's enjoying his independence also.
Patrick will have another MRI in 2 weeks, then see Dr. Hudgins again. In the meantime,I made an appt. for him with a Dr. Schlenk at the Cleveland Clinic- for a second opinion. The appointment is in January- after he goes on the Campus Focus trip to Florida.
I will post again after our appt. at the Cleveland Clinic.
Thank-you to everyone for your continued prayers....

Update on Patrick

So, Patrick continues to have good days and bad days, but the good days outnumber the bad. He is back to working at the Coffee cart at Akron Children's. He continues to take medications for nausea, bladder issues, nerve degeneration(tingling,etc. which is a side-effect of radiation but will go away eventually) and for shakiness(his hands tremble like someone with Parkinson's disease, so the medicine is what they use for that). I didn't realize that I haven't updated this blog since Patrick had his appendix out-Sept...luckily, a couple of weeks after Emily's wedding. He had a major setback after having the surgery-severe nausea and lack of appetite. The good thing that came about as a result of all his problems was that Dr. Hord-the Oncologist- got more involved in Patrick's care. He sees Patrick once a month now and is following his weight and general health very closely.
But, now it's time to move forward with a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic. Patrick is having increased problems with his bowels and continues to have pain and lack of mobility due to the tumor that remains low on his spine. We will see Dr. Hord this Tues...he has offered to expedite a referral for us at the Cleve. Clinic. Patrick has the names of 2 doctors which friends gave to him. We will also talk to Joe and Gayle to see if the Dr. they go to at the clinic can recommend a good neurosurgeon...unfortunately, we can't see the Dr. they use because he is brain only. Everything is very specialized- brain, spine, etc. There seems to be a specialist for every body part!
So, I will post more info after we see Dr. Hord on Tues. Thank-you to everyone for your continued prayers.
Ralph, Priscilla and Patrick
PS Thank-you's go out this week for graduation gifts...type-written because Patrick's hands are too shaky to write.