Gracie's Gowns Meets: Patrick

Get prepared to meet Patrick ~ and better have a couple tissues in hand because I am going to be quoting a few of his mother's responses word for word because it is just the powerful!


I am beyond THRILLED to write that Patrick is a 3 year old boy who is currently in REMISSION from Stage 4 Medulloblastoma ~ which is a form of brain cancer. This has not only been a journey, but an incredible journey for Patrick and while it is one that isn't over 100%, it at least has a happy place to be at.


Here is a bit about his treatments and procedures from his mother:

Patrick faced many procedures and treatments. Patrick first had steroids when he was in the hospital to help with the pressure that was being put on his brain before the tumor was removed. It was an emotional roller coaster for him and us as parents. Than he under went a six hour surgery to have the tumor removed.During this time Patrick also had a surgery to have his broviac put in. After the tumor was removed the doctors explained that Patrick would have to endure six months of chemotherapy. During the first three months Patrick received three low dose chemotherapy treatments. With this came many pokes, medications, nights in the hospital and nights of being sick. Along with the chemo treatments Patrick also had other MRI's to make sure the tumor was not growing back or any other tumors forming. He also had several Lumbar Punctures to make sure the cancer had not spread into the spin. After low dose the next three months brought high dose chemotherapy. Along with more pokes, medication, hospital stays and more test. Such as hearing tests, ultrasounds, and heart tests. Than as Patrick came to the end of his treatments he received another MRI, LP and the removal of his Broviac.


Now that Patrick is in remission. He will have to continue to be seen by the doctors for MRI's and further hearing tests. His MRI's are now every three months for the first year. Every six months for two years followed by every year for ten years. The hearing tests will be scheduled around every year. Since the type of chemo that Patrick received can cause hearing lose up to a year after treatment.

Isn't it amazing what these little ones can endure? I had the stomach flu last weekend and was a total baby about it at times because I just didn't feel well to do anything, and it wasn't even a full 24 hours of being sick and yet look at what Patrick has been through and well...the stomach bug seems like nothing at all, and I feel silly for being the way I was.

I ask the parents when they fill out the questionnaire for the blog what their most frightening moment and what their most exciting moment has been so far...this is where you might want those tissues.

The most frightening moment was when I (mom) was on the phone with the local doctor listening to him telling me that my two year old had a brain tumor. It is not something that the human mind really understands. The rest of Patrick's Journey was a fight for my sons life. To be honest we were frightened the entire journey. Not know what lurking around the next corner. The most exciting moment was when we where able to move back to Cheyenne to our home, after living in Denver for the past six months. We still have many frightening moments to come. Every time we have to go get a follow up MRI it is the fear of something being in the MRI and there being nothing else we can do for our son.

Okay maybe it is just me and my hormones...or being a mother with young children still, I get all worked up at the courage of the parents to do whatever it takes to care for their children, no matter what the outcome ultimately is...they are right there by their child's side through everything!

Patrick does have a Facebook page where he can be followed. Even though he is in remission we hope his page can be a place where others can find information on what their child may be experiencing or a place where people can see what these children really go through to help understand how life's are turned upside down in a blink of an eye.  (Words from Patrick's Mom)
https://www.facebook.com/PatricksJourney


To Learn More About Medulloblastoma You can Visit:
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1286/mainpageS1286P0.html