Bergen Catholic Alumnus ‘03

Freshman Year

Patrick was a graduate of Bergen Catholic’s class of 2003. He entered that September as young shy boy who would leave four years later as a mature young man. The day he walked up the steps for a visit in eighth grade, the realization that he was going to high school struck Marianne with force.

He attended the summer session on study skills where he met Mr. Charles Flynn. One of the highlights of that experience was the day Mr. Flynn got his new green car and shared his enthusiasm with his students. During these weeks, he met some students who would become his friends and lunch mates. Freshman year brought the stories of Br.Beyer’s World History Class along with Biology and Spanish. Patrick was shy and had not joined many activities. Due to his health issues, sports were not an option. We had encouraged joining the Red and Gold Club as a potential activity. That necessitated going to get and application and a recommendation. Hard work for any freshman! One day he came home and told me he found an application on the floor in the hall. Does God have his ways? Joining the Red and Gold Club meant purchasing the all important Blue Blazer. Being particular as he was, the search was begun for a double breasted jacket which was not the in-style at the time but the desired item. Sophomore year brought participation in Open-Houses and escorting a visiting student for the day.

January of Freshman year brought the preparation for the needed kidney transplant which was scheduled for July ’00. Many doctors’ appointments as well as routine things like dentist and eye doctors appointments filled the end of freshman year. Bergen was a second home. He was so proud of his bumper sticker “Bergen Catholic Honor Student”. He hated being taken out of school early and one day told an interested student who asked “Where are you going?” that it was none of his business. He wanted to be just another student not know for his medical issues.

The transplant was scheduled for July, his Dad was giving the kidney, mom was holding the fort down and many relatives were scheduling vacations around the date to visit and support us. In January, Patrick had mentioned a minor twinge in his right leg. At the monthly nephrologist’s appointment, it was mentioned to his regular doctor. She sent us to the orthopedist. Patrick couldn’t reproduce the pain and the orthopedists shook his head. The following month in February, the kidney doctor recommends a neurologist. In March, Patrick visited the neurologist for the first time and he also wasn’t clear what the cause of the twinge was so he ordered an MRI. Thinking it was nothing and being tired of the multiple trips to the city, Mom got the brilliant idea to have it done in NJ. By the time a place is found and scheduled it is June. We have the test done and the result given to the neurologist. It is now ten days before the transplant date. We received a phone call from the neurologist stating that they can’t do the transplant because he has an abnormal Cervical-2 and Cervical -3 vertebrae. He will wake up paralyzed!

They need to repeat some of the films. Not one to give up easily after months of preparation, we refused to cancel the surgery until a neurosurgeon saw the films. We had the extra films taken on Monday and Norm and Patrick went into Cornell to have the finally blood cross match done for the transplant and drop off the films at the neurosurgeons office.

Five hours later, we received the call from the Nephrologist canceling the transplant stating Patrick needed neurosurgery on his neck. Patrick was referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon in Columbia Presbyterian. He wore a neck brace in the car since they told us any major snapping of his neck could paralyze him. Surgery was schedule for Aug. 8 th. No swimming, bicycle riding, roller blading and most sadly no golfing. The surgeon said he might have to wear a halo cast around his head for three months with screws and wires if he was unable to put titanium screws in his neck for stability. With these thoughts in mind, Patrick underwent a successful surgery. In the recovery room still under anesthesia, he asked the surgeon if he got the screws and he replied “You got a hole in one!”. Patrick had anxiety about going back the first day of sophomore year with a neck collar on. The first morning he comes into wake Marianne up. They had overslept by an hour! Needless to say they arrived at school with no time to think about the awkwardness about the collar. God sent Br. Beyer to the parking lot that morning who greeted Patrick as he got out of the car and put his arm around his shoulder and lovingly escorted him into the school.