Press On

I am not sure there is a truer statement than “everything is relative.” Patrick may not consider the pain he went through today to have been “easy,” but compared to the last two days, today’s treatment was just that. Really, there was just no other option.
After I updated yesterday afternoon, Patrick’s blood pressure spiked and we ended up waiting around for it to decrease until after 4. Alev met us at the hospital and walked us back to the Ronald. Patrick slept like a teenager until close to 7 and then woke up ready to go. I knew it was a good sign when we were not only blessed with Alev but also with the news that our favorite noodle house reopened with the same menu and a new name! So, we promptly ordered take-out of his favorite dishes. In a few short hours, he managed to pack in making his own version of an Atlanta Braves hat, racing with his buddy Rich, and playing with Alev. It was the first time I had seen the normal Patrick since we arrived. He woke me up this morning with a request to find a coin store here in New York. We had brunch at EJ’s and then slid north several blocks to a little coin store on Lexington. Patrick picked out an ancient Roman coin from the 300s. I was happy to buy that instead of something plastic from Toys R Us. He also picked up a copy of the “Numismatic News” to read. Between that and his crazy hat, he got a lot of looks from the natives on the streets.
We got to the hospital in time for him to make some pizza, do some puzzles, and beat me at Go Fish. When we got to the room, we were pleasantly surprised with a visit from Jocelyn. His pain today was relatively mild. Enough for a few doses of dilaudid and a healthy case of hives, but not over the top. I was so relieved. This has been a really hard week for all the kids here. I don’t know if it is something in this batch of 3F8, but we collectively agreed that today HAD TO BE BETTER and it was. Nice how that worked out.
Please pray for our little friend, Jack Huffman, as he prepares for surgery tomorrow. I have been in contact with his family for about a year now. Jack recently relapsed with a large tumor that is wrapped around his heart and the nerves surrounding it. The very talented Dr. LaQuaglia here is operating on it tomorrow, and the surgery is very risky. Jack is 4 and has an older sister, Elizabeth, who is in third grade. They are from Greenville, SC and did their stem cell transplant at Egleston. They are a very sweet family and Jack is precious. Life is hard on 73rd street, without a doubt, so while you are at it, please pray for all the families who are currently in treatment for cancer of any kind.
Thank you for checking in… I hope to report only good news from here on out.
With hope!
Erin

For golf fans, those two words conjure up images of prayer, heroics, and heartbreak. Today Phil put a fateful shot into Rae’s Creek on 12 to stifle an Easter Sunday charge for the ages. Yesterday, from the other side of Rae’s Creek, Patrick dunked two of the most beautiful shots ever hit into that same creek. Never mind that when he walked to the edge of the creek the swiftly moving water that had flowed through Augusta National moments earlier had already taken the balls forever. He looked at me with disappointment. I looked back with pride and complete understanding of the rite of passage that had just occurred. The roars from the neighboring tournament did not coincide with excellence on our side of the creek, but Patrick found them fascinating and exciting. Could they really be cheering for him? He responded to the roars with his trademark wide smile and deep dimples. Until we reached number nine, I had allowed Patrick to tee up his ball at the 100 yard markers and play the holes. When we came to nine I let him play the entire hole. I road along the cart path watching him hit his ball and chase it so that he could hit it again with the backdrop of 13 fairway lined with its famous azaleas and background music of the best kind. My eyes welled with tears of thanks to God for the opportunity to literally watch my healthy son play golf along with the world’s best in the world’s most beautiful setting separated only by that creek. When he hopped back in the cart I said, “Patch, this is the most fun I have ever had.” I heard a very genuine “Me, too, Daddy” in reply.

Today Erin and I took Patrick and Madison to the Masters for the first time. We immediately went to Amen Corner where I showed Patrick Rae’s Creek and number nine of Augusta Country Club from a different perspective. Later in the morning we made our way to the practice tee. As our path was interrupted by a familiar white rope, a gentleman walked straight up to Patrick, who was standing quietly at the rope while other children waived hats and other items and begged for autographs. The gentleman handed Patrick his glove and Madison his ball. Both bear the autograph of Jose Maria Olazabal, a multiple Masters Champion who today became one of my favorites.

This Easter marks two years of remission. It could not have been more perfect. Phil’s charge didn’t hold, but his ball is lying next to Patrick’s somewhere in that creek. I will never forget the excitement of the patrons as Tiger and Phil dueled. I will never forget the mettle of Angel Cabrera or the kindness of Olazabal. And I will certainly never forget Patrick’s smiles. SRC

We had a really nice week punctuated by a visit on Tuesday from Patrick’s brother fireman, Greg Tobin. Greg is truly one of the nicest people ever to grace this good Earth. He stopped by the house on his way to Columbus to see his son who just graduated from Ranger school. Patrick was so excited to show Greg our house and then show off during his golf lesson. it was extra special to share the beginning of our off-treatment life with Greg. Greg and his fellow fireman have brought more joy to Patrick than they will ever truly know.