Bring It Home Rangers!

Watching those Rangers again and this is it guys!  Bring home the Championship!

I am excited as my sister, Kelly and my niece, Brianna, are on their way here and we get to hang out this weekend.  Since Pat and I have not been taking the train to Oklahoma City lately, I have not seen her as much.  There is nothing like sister time!

Pat went to work for just an hour or so this morning and had to come home as he was just not feeling good.  I am afraid that the fluid is building again in his lung.  We will address this Monday morning with the oncologist.

Basketball season started Wednesday for Garrett and after school practices have begun.  He has his first scrimmage Nov. 5th and the first game on Nov. 15th.  I am ready!  There will be some travel this year as the district 3A will include Mineral Wells, Decatur, Lake Worth, Bridgeport, and Castleberry. 

Hope you have a great night. Pat, Elizabeth and I enjoyed some Fuzzy Taco enchiladas tonight and were quite tasty.  The boys are with friends watching the game. So, come on Rangers!

Hugs!
xoxo

Are We Going To Win Rangers?

Here we sit again watching the Rangers again and hoping they win this thing.  Have you heard of Pinterest?  It is great fun while watching baseball. Pinterest is like opening a new magazine each day. 

I have been very impatient these past two days because of the time I have had to wait to get results and/or phone calls from doctor offices here in Fort Worth.  Pat and I are so spoiled because when you are in Tulsa, all the doctors are under one roof and you get your lab results within two hours.  I have been waiting on the results from Pat's blood work from Tuesday just prior to having the fluid drained from his lung.  Those results came in today and his blood work looked good.  His magnesium was low, so he will add a supplement to increase it.

I also had a nice chat this afternoon on the phone with Dr. Shrestha in Tulsa as she went  over all of Pat's medical records from his stay in the hospital. It was nice to know that her recommendations are aligned with Dr. Fredric, our oncologist here in Fort Worth.   We will meet with Dr. Fredric Monday morning to discuss the next treatment plan.

There is one thing that I am concerned about and that is the fluid that keeps returning in Pat's lung.  Tonight he is complaining that it feels as if the fluid may be building.  Dr. Shrestha recommended that we discuss with our doctors here in Fort Worth about putting in a drain tube. 

Overall Pat has felt a little better, but at times he can experience pain or extreme fatigue in a moment's notice.  Some days are better than others of course, but his attitude amazes me. He is ready to begin his treatment again and keep up this fight. 

What I do know is that he is everything to me and my love for him continues to grow more and more each day.  He is my hero and after 30 years he still causes those butterflies in my stomach.  Oh, how I pray that my children find their soul mates and know what it is to love and be loved as I have.  I love you, Patrick!

Hoping for a big win tonight, Rangers!

Hugs!
xoxo

Face Down

I bet there are a lot of baseball fans about to go in withdrawal after the World Series!   I am not a huge baseball fan, but I enjoy a game if my son is playing, it is at the Ball Park or the World Series.  Pat says I just people watch.   Hoping tomorrow is a victory for our Rangers!

I have major news!  As of tonight, donations for TEAM STP are now $6,710.00.  Our t-shirt sales are over 85 as of tonight.  Thanks so much!

This morning I had Pat at Medical Plaza for a thoracocentesis which is s  procedure that removes fluid or air from the chest through a needle or tube.  Pat said the procedure was painful but the pain at the incision site is really hurting tonight.  This is the second time he has had the fluid drained in a week and the amount of fluid collected is the same (a liter).  We have questions now as to what is next?  What is causing this fluid and will it return?  They also did labs this morning and we will probably get those results tomorrow.  Last week I sent all of the medical records from his stay here in the hospital to Tulsa and I am waiting to hear from Dr. Shresta.  We want her input as we move forward from here. 

What a whirlwind it has been since October 6th.  Pat's health has declined and our emotions have been high as we continue this journey.  It is ironic that exactly one year ago in October this journey began and now it is so unpredictable.

Music just ministers to my heart and Casting Crowns has their new CD out and already one of the songs is soothing my soul.  It is called Face Down.  The lyrics are below:

 

I try to find a new way to tell You
Some way to show You what You mean to me
There's nothing new
I exhaust myself searching
The world just keeps turning
What else can I do
"Cause I find myself empty and

(Chorus)
Face down
Having nothing else to cling to
But need of love that only You can give
Face down
Where I know that I belong
And I pray with grace that this world sees in me
Someone humbled and broken at Your feet

I stand amazed
See the work of Your hands
Still I don't understand why you would rescue me
An empty cross, where You suffered and bled
Overcoming my death, recreating me
With this freedom I will be

(Chorus)

So I'm asking for Your help
Just can't do this by myself
After all, this life's for You and not for me
Through Your mercy now I see
Brokenness is what I need
So I'll stay right here at Your feet
Right here at Your feet and

(Chorous)

Face down is where I find myself a lot this past year and if not on my face, I am on my knees.  The only source I have is God and each morning I am searching for a word or encouragement from him.  The verse that leaped from the page this morning was Exodus 6:1, "Now you will see what I will do."  I don't know what that means right now, but I will wait and watch with expectation. 

Please continue to pray for Pat's strength, stamina, improved sleep at night, and weight gain.  I ask that you pray for the doctor's wisdom, discernment and guidance in the days to come.  One of my concerns is that the doctors are all in agreement. 

In His Grip,
Paige
xoxo

Go Rangers!

Now as I type the Ranges are wining 4 to zip at the top of the 9th!  Wow what a game!  The picture you see if of our friends the Thompsons and the Rosses holding up their signs for Stand Up For Cancer which has Pat's name on them.    Shelly Allen sent me a picture of her sign that she is also holding up for Pat.  Pat is so loved.

He has not had a good day.  He has had extreme fatigue, pain in his shoulder, which is new, and he says his whole body hurts.  I just feel so helpless and just want him to feel good.  Please pray for relief from the pain.

The first round of t-shirt orders will be sent in on Wednesday.  If you want a t-shirt, please email Alison at AlisonHaralson@sbcglobal.net.   We are at about $6000.00 for TEAM STP.  Help me reach my goal of $8,000.00 now.  I am really dreaming of $10,000.00!  It doesn't hurt a thing for this girl to dream!

Have a blessed week!  Go Rangers!
xoxo

Storm

Hello from home!  We were only home one night in two weeks, so it feels like we have been gone for so long. Pat feels a little better, but he needs to build his strength and stamina.  Right now he is watching the Ranger game and getting frustrated! 

After I finished my jog tonight, I sat outside and listened to this song by Shawn McDonald. 
 
The lyrics from "Storm".

I feel like I'm caught in the middle of a hurricane

Standing in the eye of the storm

The water's deepening and the waves are crashing in

And I, I'm losing, I'm losing my way home

[Chorus]

But I will not fear

When the storms of life appear

Cause You're holding me holding me tight

Your keeping me alive

When the storms of life arise

And You're helping me helping me to fight through the night

When life is not what I thought that it would be

The pain is sometimes more than I can stand

And I have had to learn a lot the hard way

But I'm trusting that my life is in Your hands

[Chorus]

But I will not fear

When the storms of life appear

Cause You're holding me holding me tight

Your keeping me alive

When the storms of life arise

And You're helping me helping me to fight through the night

And You're holding me holding me

And You're finding me finding me

And You're guiding me guiding me

Through the night

This journey feels like a storm, but I am so thankful for the peace the Lord has given me.  It is an amazing gift.

Sweet dreams,
Paige
xoxo



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