Thursday, August 23, 2007

Hanging In There

Well another day and Pat continues to battle on. He seems to be feeling a little better everyday. The nausea is not as often or severe and he is able to eat a little bit here and there. The plan as of right now is to do a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow to see if there has been any response. We should know by Monday or Tuesday. Our ultimate prayer is for full remission, but any response would be welcome. As I have been putting it, "throw us a frickin' bone!" Pat would love some good news to keep his spirits up and his fight strong. All your comments are so fun and uplifting to read. Mason you are so right, Brady does deserve a big kiss, I'll give hm one when he gets home!!!! All our children are inspired by Pat's courage and positive attitude....and I by theirs. A shout out to my sisters for doing what sisters do...listening to me when I need to vent and when I need to cry. I have made a friend here at the hospital. Her son is 19 and waiting for his 2nd transplant. She is such a gift to me because no one, no matter how much they want to, can understand this journey unless they've been in the center of it. I know I need not ask for your prayers and well wishes but I will. Please pray for remission and brighter days ahead for my best friend and husband,your dad, your uncle, your brother, your son, your son-in-law, your brother in-law, your friend and last but not least the father of my children. We are so blessed to have such a strong circle of support around us....love to you all.
Love,
Julie

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

great news on the marrow test and we will be praying for big results of remission take care and god bless==the sievers

Anonymous said...

It will be REMISSION!! It will be REMISSION!! It has to be REMISSION!! Everyone scream it and scream it.... Make the bad leukemia cells Go AWAY!! Hang in there my brother... You are amazing... Julie, thanks again for the wonderful update and I am so thankful for your new friend.. Does that mean I am second now?
Love to you both, Sista Sandy

P.S. Tell Brady I am sure Uncle Dave would love to give him a big KISS!!

Anonymous said...

It will be remission and I AM READY to give Pat my bone marrow. Pat...get ready to get matching tattoos!

Love you...Maribeth

Anonymous said...

Hey Pat! So happy to hear that you are feeling a little better.I have absoulutely no doubt that we will get the news we have all been praying for next week and then we can move on to the transplant. We can't wait till we can all crack open an ice cold coors light in celebration of your victory against this beast...but it is no match for you and your family. You guys could beat anything! Take care and love you! Kimble's

Anonymous said...

Pat & Julie,

You two make some team!!! I always knew you were meant for each other. What a fight you are waging against a huge competitor and I know you will be victorious. As I said earlier this week, REMISSION is just around the corner! It's so great to hear that each day you are feeling better and getting stronger. We are so proud of you and your family - now let's keep attacking this monster because we all know you and all your supporters are ready to get you back home where you belong!!!

With so much love and respect,
Mom

Anonymous said...

Pat, I wish you the best of luck, we are praying for your healthy recovery! I told Travis and April that you are a tough guy, and if anyone can beat this, you can!
Looking forward to seeing you at a Nascar race, somewhere down the road! I still laugh at how Travis and April's dog got named "Jack"

God Bess you!

Tom Kimble

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Pat...

Just wanted to say Hi and let you know that I am thinking about you.

Love,
Maribeth :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Pat, Like Maribeth just said always thinking about you!! I would love to come and hang out with you this weekend... Just let me know.. Anyway, hang in there we are all so proud of you... Love ya Lot's, Sista Sandy

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,
I am glad to hear you are doing better and feeling stronger daily. I pray for you everyday and a big one goes out today for your biopsy to be successful. It's hard to read Julie's updates and not cry for her pain. She is a wonderful woman. After I read Brady's blog I had a really good cry. It's a reflection of how you have raised your children. You have a lot to live for and everyone is so proud of how you are fighting the good fight. Very soon you will be out of the hospital watching Brock and Chloe on the soccer fields and enjoying Julie's gourmet meals. We at the Marycz family talk about you and think of you often. Scott is running out the door but says,'hey' and he'll send you a note soon. Man of few words. Know anyone like that??
Take care, dear Pat. We love you and know God is taking care of you.
Love, Marcia

Anonymous said...

YAYYY! THE WEEK-END! TALKED TO BRADY AND HE SAID THAT PAT IS FEELING BETTER! CANT TELL YOU HOW GREAT THAT MAKES US ALL FEEL.LOVE PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES FROM ALL OF US HERE AT AHAB. HAVE A SPLENDID WEEK-END AND MAY IT BE FILLED WITH SMILES,RELIEF,AND NO FREAKIN NAUSEA!!!!!XOXOXOXOX,MASON AND THE GANG

Anonymous said...

Patrick,

Indeed, we are all screaming REMISSION, REMISSION, REMISSION! I just know our prayers will be answered. Our love to all of you. We gotta get you up and runnin for Del Mar. How about Santa Anita, as Del Mar can wait til next year.

Love and Prayers,
Margie and Pat Barnard

Anonymous said...

Hey Pat and Julie!

It was so nice to visit with you both yesterday. Great to see you feeling better and waiting for good news on your next test! Never made it to Dan Tana's - LA is so congested and time didn't allow for it...maybe next time. Had a "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" taxi drive to the Greek! The driver honked and yelled at everyone... thought I was in NY for a minute! The Michael Buble concert was very entertaining....only thing missing was you two! Plan on it next time around! Talk to you soon and positive, positive, positive (guess where I learned that?!) See ya soon. Love, Jo Ann

Anonymous said...

Pat, Just thinking about how your doing. Talk to you soon
Dave

Anonymous said...

Hi... Pat, Julie, Brady, Brock and Chloe.... You are ALL constantly on our minds and in our prayers. We Love You!!! The Sigler Family :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Pat and Julie,

We are Jo Ann's parents, Paula and Eric. Jo Ann and Henry have been keeping us updated on your progress. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Pat, we hope you will soon regain your health and we wish you all the very best.

Sincerely,

Paula and Eric

Anonymous said...

Dear Pat and Julie,
I pray for you and your family daily. I know I can't even imagine how hard this is for all of you, but being an RN in a totally different field doesn't leave me totally in the dark either. I have looked all through Pat's blogs and I see some much love and committment. My hope is that all of these friends and family carry your family through these tuff spots. Julie, I wish the bone I could throw you would be to throw Pat into remission!! Pat, Take it day by day. Dig deep you are so strong! Brady, You are so amazing. You are working so hard with so many irons in the fire. May each of you draw strenght and peace from each other.
Our whole family is keeping all of you in our daily thoughts and prayers. If any of you need anything we are here.

Love
Carrie, Bob, Becky, Sarah and Hillary

Anonymous said...

Hey Pat and Julie,
Well your dumb ass friend finally figured out how to post on this blog! Please don't tell anyone that I am the "computer nurse" at Mission, it would totally screw up my image! We haven't heard anything but are praying harder than you can imagine that the biopsy brought great news. As we read the blog we are absolutely blown away by what an amazing, loving, strong family you have created. We know this will be the strength that will bring you through this challenging time. On to the transplant...and Bob just wants you to know that we are planning on two very important activities in the next few months....poker games in your garage and tail gate parties at Cal State Fullerton! We love you Smiths!
Bob and Deb and of course the gang!

Anonymous said...

HI PAT,JUST WANTED TO SAY HI AND LET YOU KNOW WE ARE ALL THINKING OF YOU WITH LOVE AND PRAYERS.YOU HAVE HAD MORE THAN YOUR SHARE.THANK GOD FOR JULIE AND YOUR FAMILY YOU ARE TRUELY BLESSED.YOU ARE PRAYED FOR IN MY CHURCH ALONG WITH A candle that i light.always remember how much you mean to all of us.love hugs and kisses.auntie alyce carol and bernie.

Anonymous said...

HEY THERE SMITH FAMILY,
IT'S THE LEPPERS FROM MICHIGAN!!
I JUST WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN FEEL THE LOVE AND PRAYERS FROM THE MIDWEST?!
I SURE HOPE SO BECAUSE YOU ARE OFTEN LOVED AND PRAYED FOR!?!
LOVE YOU, AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, ALL OF YOU.
LOVE, DENNIS, DEBBIE, MACY AND KELLY

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,

You know you are constantly in my thoughts and I admire your strength. I will always be here for you.

Love, Dad

Anonymous said...

Pat & Jules....I'm sitting out back on this gloomy Sunday, thinking about you guys...sending out tons of prayers and love. I just know you are going to get good news this week- I can feel it....I believe it deep in my heart. Stay positive and remember how much we all love you.

PS: Pat...I'm planning an amazing menu for our annual Christmas Dinner....we're going to have lots to celebrate....

Love, Terri & family

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,

I know this has been quite a fight, but I also know that you have the strength, fortitude, and persistence to beat this thing.

I can't wait to see you again every day and talk about business like we have for 16 years straight! You're gonna do it - remission, transplant, and then back into our lives every day.

See you soon,

Steve

Anonymous said...

Pat & family,
You are in our prayers daily. Hang in there. You must be one heck of a fighter. Don't quit. You can win this battle. Trust in our Lord. The battle belongs to Him.
Blessings,
Mary & Bill Williams

Mark Bennett said...

Hey Pat, i was shocked to hear you were back in their after talking to you just a month ago. i also heard that Marybeth is a match for you and that is great news!! your brother and dad gave me this blog so i can stay in touch with you. you are a very strong person and will come out of this!! when you do get home, lets go for a ride in my bus. take care and my prayers are with you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gang,
Gayle called and asked me to send you a note because she is email illiterate and computer fearful after she she blew out the data base at Michigan hospital 25 years ago.
"hey Pat, Skip and I have been thinking about you and praying for your speedy recovery. Be strong and think only positive thoughts. See you real soon! Best Wishes and lots of love.
Gayle and Skip Gray"

Hope you had a better weekend and felt a little stronger. Looking forward to seeing you at home.
Love,
Marcia, Rob, Robby and Scott.
P.S.
Scott says "hey" again.

Anonymous said...

Dear Pat & Julie, I'm a life long friend of Bob and Nancy and was in thier wedding. We have been keeping up with them on your progress. My wife and I are Pastors and have a team of Intercessors praying for you besides ourselves. We are believing with you for your "good report"! They gave my wife 3 weeks to live 28 years ago, so we not only understand what you're going through, but also know that miracles do happen. Know that we are standing with you both!!!
Sincerely,
Chuck Giacinto

Anonymous said...

Hey Pat! Just thinking about you and all the fun times we have to look forward to once you are better! I just know tomorrow is the day we hear the word "remission"! You are so strong and we can't wait to see you! We took the kids to Wild Rivers today and it reminded me of going to the waterpark in Palm Springs with you when I was little!
Love you, April

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat!

Can't wait to see you! Everyone at work says Hi!!!

Love ya, Maribeth