Pat Richardson

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place and appreciate your words of hope, encouragement, and prayers.


Pat was diagnosed with duodenal lymphoma in July of 2015 and was successfully treated for that diagnosis.  Cancer takes a toll on anyone, but she recovered from chemo and felt pretty good for most of the past four years.  This summer, she began feeling run down. but in both June and July, her blood counts were "perfect."  She had some dental work in August and seemed to react with a potential systemic infection that can happen with invasive dental work.  While in the hospital, her blood counts began looking suspicious and she had a bone marrow biopsy.  Her oncologist was surprised by the diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  She was seen by a team at Moffitt Cancer Center within 48 hours and treatment began within a week.


AML is an aggressive form of leukemia that requires immediate treatment.  The oncologist shared with us that previously they thought AML may be made more likely by chemo.  Newer evidence is leading them to conclude that the original mistake at the cellular level that causes certain types of cancer contributes to the likelihood of developing AML.  Moffitt is a leader in the country in cancer treatment, not just medically, but also, holistically for the patient.  We are fortunate that it is their local cancer center-even if the drive is an hour one way.


As Mom and Dad begin this marathon, and it will be a marathon, not a sprint, we all (Susan, Scott, Barry, Matthew, Mitchell, Joshua, Cooper, and Mallory) appreciate your support.  Church family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers have all reached out to us in various ways. 


Our family has enjoyed Lauren Daigle's music this year, and these lyrics keep coming back to me:


I will send out an army to find you, in the middle of the darkest night, it's true, I will rescue you.
I will never stop marching to reach you, in the middle of the hardest fight, it's true, I will rescue you. 


We know God has us and we see you, our earthly army, showing up in a mighty way.


Love,
Jennifer