“Life can change in an instant.” We’ve all heard the phrase but this week, our best friend Amy, and her life partner of ten years, Patrick, have sadly experienced this firsthand.

Brief background: For about a week, Patrick was experiencing chest pains inevitably chalking it up to nothing more than heartburn. As the days passed, his discomfort grew and other symptoms (fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath) appeared. He left work early on Monday, October 7th and after several rounds of routine testing and scans to determine the cause, the doctor’s confirmed a very large mass in his chest. A biopsy was performed and sent to Johns Hopkins to determine the official diagnosis, which once returned on October 14th concluded that Patrick has an extremely aggressive form of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite this awful diagnosis, DLBCL is considered potentially curable. However, due to the size, location and aggressive growth pattern, Patrick will begin treatment immediately. We will know more once treatment begins, particularly following the results of a bone marrow biopsy, including how the tumor is responding to chemotherapy as well as future treatment plans. 

As you can imagine, this news is devastating, especially the unknown. What we do know is that he and Amy are in this together and are ready to fight this battle... and win. While Amy has been by Patrick’s side since the diagnosis, and their children, Lincoln (8) and London (7), are full of life and “so excited for Daddy to be feeling better and to come home,” all four have a tough journey ahead and need all the prayers and help they can get.

Here’s where you come in! While we can’t undo Patrick’s condition, we can help ease some of the financial burden as they figure out how to navigate their new normal. Any amount is appreciated and welcomed, even if that “amount” means sharing Patrick’s story. Both Amy and Patrick typically depend on their monthly income to pay their bills. With both of them out of work for the last week and for an unknown amount of time moving forward, this presents a very great need on top of the yet to be determined medical bills that will eventually present themselves. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated. 

A special note to Amy’s salon clients:
Amy will be back to work as soon as possible. Please hang in there and stick with her! 

Amy and Patrick are tremendously grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and understanding they’ve received over the past week, so thank you for all that you are already doing to comfort them during this difficult time!

Please continue to pray for Patrick, Amy, Lincoln, and London. Grant them the hope, courage, and strength they need to face each day, comfort to help ease the pain, and blessings for Patrick’s healing.

Thank you again for your support and generosity.