Patrick McSweeney, Age 10

(This picture was taken when I first met Patrick)

Patrick McSweeney was the first kid I ever met in Louisville that had cancer. Patrick was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) on July 21, 2004 and completed treatment on September 15, 2007. This week Patrick and his family found out that he has relapsed and his cancer his back. He is at Kosair Hospital and will begin chemotherapy right away.

Dad and I visited Patrick and his mom Debbie today, and although Patrick seemed a little scared, we were able to joke around and laugh with each other. I know Patrick has what it takes to get him to the top of his mountain and beat cancer once and for all! I would go in detail about what Patrick and his family are going through, but nobody could explain how they are feeling more than his own mother. Here is her message from their Caring Bridge website:

Thursday, April 22, 2010 9:26 PM CDT

Patrick has relapsed. It's official.

The 4 worst words are "The cancer is back."

To write those words seems surreal. To see my son's face full of shock as he looked at me with his big brown eyes and questioned if his leukemia could really be back. But by far the toughest thing happened first thing this morning. I could tell by his face that he was deep thinking. I told him he could ask me anything. He paused for a minute and said " Am I going to die?" A question no 10 year old should be thinking and no mom should be answering. I assurred him that he is going to kick cancer's tail once again big time.

He has had a very tough day both physically and emotionally. He was NPO for his bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. That was rough because he vomited before the procedure (anxiety) and wanted to rinse his mouth and have some water and he wasn't allowed. The look on his face just continued to break my heart. I held him and rocked him and questioned in my mind why it couldn't be me instead of him.

Mike and I remained in the room for the procedure. We have witnessed many spinal taps but never a bone marrow aspiration/biopsy. Again, something no child should ever have to experience and no parent should ever watch. They kept Patrick sedated and he tolerated it well.

We were informed that Patrick has the same type of cancer that he had before Pre-B ALL. We won't know the cytogenetics for at least 10 days. They started chemo during his spinal tap. The next thing was a bone scan to rule out additional bone involvement. He has an elevated calcium level and with his hip pain episode a month ago they want to cover their bases. He also had an echo of his heart. The surgeon was just in to talk about his port placement surgey tomorrow. Patrick asked if he had to have a port again. All of this is making it real again as he tries to process everything. Like I said, he has had a day that should never happen in the life of a child. He is finally sleeping right now and I pray God comforts him and he has a peaceful sleep. Pleae pray that his Zofran continues to work and keeps his anxious belly settled.

The big brothers are doing as well as expected. Alex's first words when I came home from our ped on Monday was " If his cancer is back, I am going to stay positive." Joey said he didn't think that if the cancer had returned that it would affect him as much this time. Since then and with confirmation the reality is setting in for them as well. Mike brought both of them to the hospital last night and it was good for everyone to be together. Joey came back tonight and played chess and checkers with Patrick. Alex had a soccer game but talked to Patrick before he went to bed. They are both AWESOME big brothers and i hate that they continue to have their childhoods taken away too.

I am out of energy and am going to end this now. I will update tomorrow as we know more. Please pray that his spinal fluid is clear, his bone scan is clear, his calcium level goes down and that he tolerates surgery without any complications.

Thanks for all your support. You will never know much it means to us. Thanks for the calls, posts and visits.

I ask each of you to please continue to keep Patrick and his family in your prayers. I will keep you informed as he progresses. If you would like to leave a message of encouragement to Patrick and his family, you can do so by visiting his caringbridge website by clicking on the link below:

http://www.caringbridge.org/ky/patrick/

Patrick, you will reach the top of your mountain! Never give up and always BELIEVE!

Believe,

                            Meghan

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