Here's the Word!

***Remember, laughter is the best medicine!***

I know there are a lot of you who want to know what is happening with Patrick, and while we appreciate all your kind words, we're having a hard time keeping everybody caught up and keeping our attention where it needs to be, which is on Patrick and his recovery. Hopefully this will answer all of your questions and give you a place to voice your support directly to Patrick. Here we go...

Around three weeks ago, Patrick started developing periodic nosebleeds with no apparent cause. While it was strange, it wasn't a huge concern to him, but then about a week after that, he started finding large bruises, also with no cause. He decided it was time to check into what was going on, so he went to the doctor on Tuesday, September 8th to get some bloodwork done and find answers. He went to work that night and when he got off in the early morning, he had a message from his doctor to call him right away. When he called, the doctor let him know that the preliminary results were back and his platelet levels were critically low (Normal is 150,000 to 450,000 and his were at 7000) and he needed to head to the hospital immediately. Ben took Patrick in and he had some testing done in the emergency room. After several hours (maybe more), the doctors let Patrick know he was being transferred to the James Cancer Center at OSU. Around midnight last night, September 9th, there were still no answers, but nothing more that could be done for him that night. They would pick it up in the morning.

When today came, we were all hoping for answers, but have yet to receive any. Patrick received two blood transfusions throughout the day which brought his platelet count up to 42,000, out of the danger zone, and had a bone marrow biopsy done. The preliminary tests all point to leukemia, and the doctors are reving up to treat him for that as well. When the bone marrow results are back tomorrow, we'll know more, and will update you as soon as we find out.

In the meantime, here is the important stuff. Patrick is doing great. He's feeling good and has the doctors and nurses loving him already. We went out to get some dinner (just across the street from the hospital) and he walked with us. He's bummed out about the prospect of losing his hair and spending so much time cooped up in the hospital (at least a month if it is leukemia), but is taking everything in stride. He said today he was going to "kick leukemia in the face!" I think he's right!

For those of you who would like to contact Patrick, he has his cell phone with him, has computer access, and is spending tons of time on MySpace. If you would like to send him a card, the address for the James Center is 300 W. 10th Street Columbus, OH 43210. If you'd like to visit, the directions can be found at http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/pdfs/maps/James.pdf. Patrick is on the 10th floor, Room 1042. Chances are good he'll be moved tomorrow, so check back before you take off to see him for a new room number.

That's it for now, but more to come soon. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. We certainly need them!