Randy's Journey Home

To all who have known and loved Randy,

I know I speak for my family when I say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  The love that you have all shown us through the past two years has been overwhelming.  We thank you all for being with us along this most difficult journey and for all the support your have shown in the past few days. 

I wanted to send an email out not only to thank you, but also to let those of you who may not know when and where the visitation and funeral are.

The visitation is today, Monday, at Langeland's funeral home on 9th street from 5-8pm.

The funeral is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14 at Valley Family Church at 1pm.  Please dress casual or in Harley clothes.  There will be a motorcycle processional to the cemetery after the service.  There will be a meal provided at Valley Church after the burial.


Blessings to all,
Beth

Fwd: Rand :)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rand Patterson <maandpap1@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 06:18:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Rand :)
To: Beth Murphy <bethamurphy@gmail.com>

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,
Our journey has come to an end.....Our precious Dad, Boppa, Brother,
Son, Uncle, dearest friend and my beloved husband and best friend in
the whole world went to heaven April 8 at 12:30 a.m. with Heidi, Tami
and myself close by his side. We miss him more than words can ever
ever express, but we know with all our hearts that he is safe in the
arms of Jesus with no pain, no worries and enjoying the home that God
has prepared for him.
We will be heading back to Kalamazoo probably today and tomorrow.  We
haven't made funeral arrangements, but with the Easter weekend this
weekend it will probably be sometime next week.  Just think Rand will
be celebrating Easter in Heaven....what a sight that will be to
behold.
Our family wants to thank all of you for being with us each step of
the way and even though we will miss him so, we have so many wonderful
memories to cherish. There will be a time of "sharing" and celebrating
all of the many many happy times we all have had....if you would like
to share those thoughts and memories at the service there will be a
time set aside for you to do just that.... our family would be honored
and blessed.
There will also be a motorcycle processional after the service to the
graveside after the funeral. Motorcycles were such a special part of
our lives and I know that he would be so happy to have you help him
take that one last ride with him.  Dress casual to the funeral because
he would want you to be comfy and happy and just free to be you.
Love and heart felt blessings to you all and please pass this e:mail
to anyone you wish.
Blessings,
The Rand Patterson Family

Another update 4/4

Hello all,

Well, as the journey with cancer has done to us so many times before, we have a change of plans.  The doctor from Mexico called Randy and Joanie this afternoon to see how he is doing and when they told him that he had rejected the idea of radiation and was going to go home, the Dr. told him not to.  The Dr. believes that the radiation will help alleviate the pain he has been experiencing and that he should go ahead with it.  When Randy is well enough to travel he wants him to still go to Mexico for treatment because he believes he can help him.  This is truly in God's hands as it always has been.  Tami, Randy and Joanie's daughter, said that God has been telling her that, "He's got him and is taking care of him and not to give up."  Randy has fought so hard these past two years and now it is our turn to fight even harder for and with him.  All of the family is in agreement that going ahead with the radiation is the right plan.  Randy says ok, let's do it!  We asked Randy if he wanted his dad to be there during the treatment, and he said yes, so we are going to get him on a plane to Detroit as soon as we get the go ahead.

So, the plan is for Rand to stay at U of M and go through with radiation therapy--this will be about 3 weeks, and then when he is well enough to travel they will go to Mexico.  I know I can speak for my whole family when I say thank you for all of your support.  It means the world to us to know that there are so many of you out there praying for us and keeping Rand near to your hearts.  We know our prayers are heard and put our trust in the Lord.

I will keep you updated as I learn more.

-Beth

Update 4/4

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rand Patterson <maandpap1@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, Apr 4, 2009 at 5:26 AM
Subject:
To: Beth Murphy <bethamurphy@gmail.com>

Dear Ones, Just a little note to quickly catch you up on what has happened in just the last few days.  In the beginning of the week Rand was feeling very well and we were packing things up around here to  send back home, worked on our taxes so we could bring them back home, too.  We had a nice birthday dinner together on his birthday.   That evening things began to change ..he had severe pain in his back and noticeable blood in his urine.  The following day there were significant changes in his counts and they began treating hime for infections and hydrating him daily.  He has 4 different infections plus an obstructed kidney where the Lymphoma is resting.  He had to have a stent put into his kidney and various other things to get the kidney to drain properly.  We came home and he had a very difficult evening with pain and continual trips to the bathroom. In the morning he was miserable and not even himself so Ben and I took him to emergency.  He is again in the hospital and they are treating the infections, and watching the kidney closely.  He wil probably start radiation on Monday to relieve the pressure of the Lymphoma on his kidney.  Our trip to Mexico is on hold until all these things get resolved.  We haven't given up hope in our Great Physician who we know and believe can turn all things around.  Rand is very sick and our prayer is that these infections will heal, the radation will relieve the kidney and we can go to Mexico.  He would not be able to travel in the condition he is in now.  Ben came up all day yesterday and spent the night last night so I could get a good night's sleep. Tami and Kynzie will be here all day today.  Heidi is coming up Sunday to spend the day and night with us and I wll go home that night to get some sleep.  We believe with all our hearts that God has a plan and our faith is strong.  Sometimes things don't go as we plan, but we believe that God always has a better plan for us.  We know that God can heal Rand in an instant because that is what is word tells us, or it may still be in time or as we go, but we are holding fast to God's will and promises. Rand is definitely our hero.  He has never ever once complained, asked why or questioned.  He is tired, worn out and anxious to feel like Randy again and what a blessing that would be.  Prayers are heard and cherished and we love you all for everyone that has been uttered for Rand and the family. Love and Blessings,  Rand and Joanie  Feel free to call me on my cell:  269-760-0431