It is a very bitter sweet update...First I want to let everyone know thank you for the prayers and love, support for Eric. We received a phone call last night from Eric's doctors that the liver tests results came back and his levels/ enzymes on one part had dropped back down to almost normal range but the other part of the tests they were a little elevated but not bad - they had went down from the last weeks results which is good they said. They do not feel he has Graft Vs Host in his liver...what a blessing!!! We are thankful to the Lord for yet another blessing, they said however they think the reason his liver levels went up like that is due to all the 100's of blood transfusions Eric had to have to stay alive he has now 3 times the toxic amount of Iron in his body/blood. This is a common problem that if left untreated can cause long term damage to your major organs and cause heart failure or liver failure. So that being said we are meeting next week to talk to his doctors on what we need to start to do to prevent this and not have on going problems.
It's very hard today cause just as you feel a brief sigh of relief and thankful we got some very sad and devastating news this morning. Eric's friend whom has the same cancer as Eric that I have mentioned before on the blog, Patrick Chong sadly has lost his 3 year battle with his cancer and passed away with his mother and family by his side. This has been very hard news on Eric and he hasn't stopped crying today since he found out. Our hearts are broken and we miss him already but we know he is not suffering anymore and in a better place. His Mom Janice was talking to us on the phone today and she mentioned how much Patrick and Eric bonded in the hospital while they were going through their transplants together, how much they loved and cared for each other and how much Patrick thought of their friendship. He told his mom Last week right before he went into his coma that he didn't want his mom to call and tell Eric he was not doing good again cause he was worried how Eric would take it and didn't want to make Eric upset and stress, he didn't want any bad news to affect Eric and his recovery. That was how Patrick was always caring about Eric and what an amazing bond and friendship they shared.
Patrick and Eric shared the some wonderful sense of humor which is one of the many reasons why I think they bonded so well. Eric and him always said who would have thought that we would meet under these circumstances, while we are both going through the worst time in our lives and fighting for them. They had a very strong and unique bond that was amazing and beautiful to watch. Eric and Patrick could make each other laugh even when some days it seemed there was nothing to possibly laugh about. They would walk those hospital floor and halls together with their IV poles and if you watched them they would be laughing and talking just like any good two friends would enjoying each others company almost as if they were not even in the hospital at all.. as if they were in another place. Our hearts are heavy and we want Patrick's Mom Janice to know how much he loved her and appreciated her. She was always there by his side, taking care of him and loving him- he was very blessed to have her and I know he loves her so much and appreciated all she did for him as he shared with us on many occasions.
Eric is having a hard time, the funeral is Saturday and we are scrambling trying to see if we can some how get a flight or buddy pass to get to his funeral on short notice. Eric really wants to go it's important to him. I am very worried about him, he really is taking it so hard - I pray the Lord will comfort him and Patrick's family during this time.I am posting a picture of Eric and Patrick together...this is the one we took on the last day before Eric was coming home to Utah. We will forever in our hearts Patrick cherish our time we shared and our friendship and know that you are in a better place now, not suffering anymore, no more chemo, no more hospitals, no more blood transfusions, no more tests and experiments...you are home! I am posting a link to Patrick's obituary and guest book http://www.newcomerorlando.com/ we will see you on the other side my friend...until we meet again!
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