New TEAM STP Shirts!

We are still at the Plaza. Pat had a good day. Pain is managed and his color looks good. The draining process is going well and the Dr plans on removing the tube in the morning. A CT is scheduled tomorrow for Pat's abdomen to compare to scans that were done in September to see where we are now. 

This morning Garrett had scrimmages against three other teams. They were about eight minute halves. The first game the score was 16 to 16 and G scored the 16. That was fun! I was able to video the plays so Pat could watch. Today when I left the hospital my heart was so sad because Pat wanted to go. All I could say to myself is "this is not fair". Nobody loves basketball more than Pat.

I got to see the TEAM STP t-shirts today. A big thank you to Alison for taking care of the orders. I have attached a picture of Matt sporting his. I love them! If you have not paid for yours, please send your payment now to Alison. Also, I have heard from a few that still want shirts. If you do, we can place another order. You are going to want one when you see it! One more week until PurpleStride!! 

Enjoy your evening and don't forget to set your clocks back tonight.

Hugs!
Xoxo

Friday Nights With You!

Pat and I are hanging out on the couch and watching some TV at the Plaza this Friday night.  It is the last night for season football so I know that many of you are enjoying the games, BHS and CHS.  I also know of a few senior mom and dads who will be sad after tonight. 

Pat has had a good day.  It definitely got better after they put him on a pain pump so that he could stay on top of his pain.  The tube that was inserted into his chest is the culprit.  He has eaten really good today and has been in good spirits.  He just said that he doesn't like being here this weekend as he has a lot of things on his to-do list.

I am thankful this morning that Matt felt better.  He called me at 10:00 last night and had a headache and the stomach virus.  He will be home tomorrow.  I do not like it when my kids are sick and I can't help. 

Tomorrow morning Garrett has a scrimmage, so I hope to go over to Poly High to watch him.  I will be sure and video what I can so that Pat can see the highlights. 

Enjoy your evening!  Love on your family!

xoxo

Leaning

I finally got Pat to sleep.  It has been a rough day and he is exhausted, irritable, and uncomfortable and his chest is hurting from the tube.  He wanted to get up and come sit on the couch with me, but the doctor put him on bed rest tonight.

Pat had a Pleurodesis, which is often performed to control malignant pleural effusion and is occasionally used to control nonmalignant pleural effusion. Pleurodesis employs a sclerosing agent (talc) that causes inflammation and scarring on the pleural surfaces so the parietal and visceral pleura adhere. This closes the space, so fluid cannot accumulate.went well and it took about an hour.  They drained over 2.3 liters out of the right lung.  They will keep his temporary tube in for a couple of days to continue to the drain and then it will be removed.

Pat was cracking up the nurses in recovery.  We met a sweet nurse Deanna, and she said that Pat whispered to her that he had a date at 12:15 with a Tootsie Roll!  We laughed and laughed.  After he was brought back to the room, she surprised him with several. I guess those where left from Halloween.  Pat wins the hearts of all of his nurses as he is sweet, funny and kind.  The nurses here on the 6th floor were popping in the room and give him a warm welcome back.

This morning I opened up my Bible and devotionals and this is what the Lord gave me:  Our capacity for knowing God is enlarged when we are brought by Him into circumstances that cause us to exercise our faith. So when difficulties block our path, may we thank God that He is taking time to deal with us, and then may we lean heavily on Him.
 

I am leaning heavily right now on God and in fact, He is just carrying me.

Sweet dreams,  

xoxo

Plaza Points

We must have racked up the Plaza points as we earned the suite this stay!  The regular hospital room with a room attached with two couches and two big screens! Wow!  Pat and I have been able to sit in here on the couch and watch our favorite show, Modern Family.  It was funny tonight....love Cam!

We met with Dr. Yurvati tonight.  He will be doing the surgery tomorrow on Pat's lungs.  He will insert a video camera within the right lung and take a good look around as well as put in a temporary drain tube that will be there for a couple of days for drainage.  He said they will probably not start until after lunch and it will last about hour and a half. 
Pat is not happy about being in here again, but he is certainly ready for some relief from the pain that the fluid is causing. 

A couple of friends told me Garrett's picture was in the paper today, so I was able to find it online and I have attached it here.  The team is getting ready to start the season and their first scrimmage is this Saturday.

I will keep you updated tomorrow.  Thank you for all of your sweet messages and prayers.

Hugs!
xoxo

Trick or Treat!

Did you see one of my trick or treaters that was at our door tonight?  Matt surprised us by ringing the doorbell and Missy and Loco were with him.  I love surprises!  I wasn't expecting him home tonight.

Today we met with the oncologist first thing this morning.  Pat had a rash show up on his stomach on Saturday and the doctor said it is shingles.  We caught it early and started medication right away.  He also said that he didn't hear much liquid on his lung, so they will check it again on Wednesday as well as get an x-ray of his chest.  Pat is frustrated and disappointed because his chemo treatment will be delayed. 

What I have prayed for the most these past days is peace and joy.  I have been given the gift of peace because of God's love and all of the prayers that have been lifted on our behalf.   I was reading about joy in my book, "Don't Waste The Pain."

What does it mean to "consider it all joy" (James 1:2) I'm sure it's not pretending there is no agony or weariness.  I'm sure it's not putting on a smiley face. It seems to be thoughtfully, by faith, entering into the way God see things--the way they really are--rather than limiting ourselves to what we can see. It seems to be found in deliberately allowing God to wean me away from letting my feelings be controlled by circumstances. It seems to be found i consciously embracing the mysterious joy in God's heart (the joy of the Holy Spirit) even when I don't understand. Joy can peek through the curtain of sorrow".

I experience this joy and usually in the smallest of things.  While I am filled with this peace and joy, I feel God is asking me to wait, trust and be still each day.  My mind is a whirlwind of emotions and many days are so surreal. I now have to take each day one at a time. 

Your prayers are felt and we ask you to not stop.  We have to remind ourselves that God Is Big Enough! 

Tomorrow, November 1st, is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month! Wear your purple!  Donate now to TEAM STP so that we can raise money for research.                                                                                                               
Hugs!
xoxo