Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.
For several months Phil has been experiencing significant pain in his back. In mid-March Phil's doctors ran some tests and he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Multiple Myeloma Cancer. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Common symptoms include bone pain in the spine and chest, nausea, mental fogginess or confusion, weakness or numbness in your legs and fatigue
In terms of treatment, Phil began chemotherapy on March 30th. He receives chemotherapy via shots on Thursdays. This will go on for several months and then he will need additional chemotherapy. it is likely that Phil will also need a bone marrow transplant . After that, Phil my also need surgery to repair vertebrae in his back. Another complicating factor is that Phil is also in need of hernia surgery. However, he is unable to have surgery until after chemotherapy. The combination of multiple myeloma, his hernia and chemotherapy has resulted in Phil's being in a constant state of significant pain and fatigue. He has also experienced some disorientation.
Phil has a son and two daughters. His daughter Sarah is currently serving as Phil's primary caregiver. She has effectively moved in with Phil to care for him around the clock, however this is a challenge because she is also caring for her three-year-old son, Will, and has only recently recovered from surgery to her appendix. His daughter Emily lives in California. She has been staying with Phil over the past week but is about to return home. His son Stephen is also in Chapel Hill and is also caring for his dad.
Phil has touched so many lives that many of you will want to be in touch with him. Because of the fatigue he is experiencing we would appreciate your reaching out to share your greetings, prayers and encouragement by email to philpartin@gmail.com.
Please pray for: - Phil: healing from cancer, his body's adjustment to chemotherapy, a reduction in pain and disorientation and the avoidance of any other sickness. - Phil's family as they care for Phil and juggle there other responsibilities - longer term help: that the family can find some longer-term consistent help to care for Phil
We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Please do pray for our beloved Phil. We spoke last week. He’s about a week and a half into his new chemotherapy regimen and it’s super rough. He’s really exhausted all the time. Same old fully trusted in the Lord. Wanted y’all to know.
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