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So many prayers answered!

Donnie and I are so grateful for all the prayers that are being answered.  As you know, pancreatic cancer is quite painful.  Donnie said many times in his journey over the past 21 months, “I’m not afraid of going to heaven, I’m worried about what life looks like before I get there!”  . . . and here we are, battling pain and nausea.

Hospice of the Comforter has been more than amazing in their care of us.  They respond quickly to us when we are in terrible situations, and come up with great solutions for our problems.  Last night, Donnie’s pain increased to an 8 on a scale of 10.  He has not had debilitating pain like this for over a year.  We knew this was the pain from his cancer.

After attempting to throw large doses of morphine at him last night, without relief, the final straw was when he vomited violently.  He was exhausted and “done.”  We called our Hospice nurse (for the 5th time in the middle of the night), and she had us admitted to the Hospice Inpatient Unit in Altamonte Springs.

As soon as we arrived at this beautiful facility (only 15 beds), we were greeted by the most wonderful people and taken to our room.  The nurse and doctor came in and spoke with us at length, and then put a plan in place.  They accessed Donnie’s port, and started a PCA pump of Dilaudid 2 mg per hour.  He also has the ability to give himself a boost of 1 mg per hour for breakthrough pain (which he has not needed at all).  Also, they gave Donnie Phenergan for his nausea.  It worked great for him.  Praise God!!

So currently, Donnie has a pain level of zero.  That is amazing after the terrible night of pain he just endured.  He is a little “flaky,” as he is pharmaceutically “stoned.”  He hallucinates quite a bit, trying to swat bugs on his arm, talks in his sleep, and is pretty much high as a kite.  Actually, he is quite funny, and still very kind to everyone . . . a welcome change from the intolerable pain he had the night before.  I must say his pain control is a huge blessing.  We are hopeful he will have a painless 24 hours (he sure needed the relief), and we can wean him down a bit tomorrow.

Today, our family surrounded him with love by being near him.  This was a request of his . . . when it gets close to his homegoing . . . that he has as little pain as possible, and that his children, Mom, and brothers and sisters are near him.  Of course our 4 children are always around loving on him, and his sweet Mom, and our brothers and sisters are all glad to add to the love!!  Today turned out to be such a special day for him, full of blessings and answers to prayers!!!

Rachael is spending the night with him tonight, to give me a good night’s sleep and love on Donnie a bit.  Donnie is not eating anything.  He is sucking on ice chips and an occasional popsicle.  He is asleep the majority of the time.  We will see what tomorrow holds in helping us meet the goals of pain control and nausea control.  If we get that down, we will be coming back home where he wishes to be.

Thank you for your faithful prayers!  Continue to pray for pain control and nausea control, and that Donnie would be able to come back home.  By the way, thank you for signing your posts.  It is wonderful to see who is writing us!  xox

Much love,  Donnie & Tina

47 replies on “So many prayers answered!”

Sending more prayers for releif of pain and that The Lord continues His blessings that are in need for you all.

 

Theresa Stevens (White)

Thank you for your posts over these months giving us a glimpse of the highs and lows and even the blessings of Donnie's journey. Tim and I pray for him daily and for your strength as well 🙏🏻.  Love you!    Nancy

Donnie and all of u, his family and friends are in our continuous prayers. As u know we went through this with my sweet 37 yr. old daughter 11 months ago. She, like Donnie was at a peace with her Lord and passed with courage and boundless faith that comforted her and all of us. I pray Donnie finds grace with our Lord and you all will find peace to move forward as our loved ones would have us do. I send u a heart full of love…..Connie

We pray for comfort and no more pain. Thank you for all the updates. We love you ALL so much and will continue sending love and prayers!

Ryan Lisa and Bella 

I was so glad to hear that Donnie got some relief from his terrible pain. You all have been on my mind and heart and have been praying for Donnie and the whole family.  I know that God has his arms around Donnie and is holding him through his pain until he is ready to go home. I have never known a more loving and supporting family. I will continue to pray for peace for you through the days ahead. Much love.                     Jennie Ellis Denney

What more can we say except we love you and continue to pray. Praise God that Donnie is not in pain now. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.. Love R and Leah

Donnie has showed so much strength and he has become one of my Heros. I will continue to pray for his peace and well being. He is very lucky to have such a loving family. You are all being thought of. Much love. Donnies fellow nursing student

christin 

 So thankful for God's grace giving Donnie the relief he needed. Pray that it can be ease down so he can go home where he wants to be. Grateful for the loving support of his family. My heart goes out to each of you as do you my prayers.

We continue to pray for Donnie and for you. So glad they have his pain controlled at present. I also pray his nausea stays away. It is my prayer that Donnie is able to return home as he wishes.  Love you  joe and hal

 

Praying constantly for God's Holy Spirit to keep His comforting arms around you to lift you up & give you both what you need.

Hi, i just want to say that I pray daily for Donnie and your family. I went to school with Donnie and then we worked together for 2 years when he was working for WACCO.  Donnie was always so very kind and a wonderful man. We used to take  each other coffee. I am so sorry to hear that he is going through so much pain and not doing well. I will continue to pray. God Bless Donnie and your family. 

Thank you for all the updates. Burt and I are praying for you and your family. Please let us know if you need anything!  ~Kathy Grippin

Donnie, 

I continue to pray for you and Tina.  I hope that you get home soon and that the nausea and vomiting leaves and your appetite returns.  I loveyou andI know that God's blessings continue to rain down upon you.

Tammie Terry 

Continued prayers for you Donnie and your family. I love how your faith shines in all you do. May God continue to watch over you and all of your care givers. 

Tina,

Thank you for the continued updates. Your strength amazes me. Donnie amazes me, with all he has endured. I believe Faith is what gets us through our difficult times. Jesus endured much pain before his Home Coming and lived to tell us about it. I believe that Donnie will also live to tell us about his journey to his Home Coming when the time is right. We Love you all and will continue to pray for you and Donnie. I know God has heard each one and will answer. 

Love, Tracey Buzbee 

Donnie and Tina, although I have never met you I am astonished by your courage and faith. I pray for you both almost everyday that god works his wonders for you. Your story has touched so many, thank you for sharing this journey with us. – Kate

We give Thanks for the answered prayers of being pain free!! We will continue to pray for God's grace and peace. Our arms are surrounding all of you in Love, thoughts and Prayers!!!  Cindi McNiff 

Prayers, Positive Energy,  and Love to you both.  So glad they were able to provide comfort from both pain and nausea. Hugs!

Kat

Our mighty GOD is so good. We have been lifting everyone up in prayer and love. We love you all so much!

Butch, Tiffany, Tierney and Trey

 

We have had a wonderful experience with Hospice as well. I'm so glad that they are involved in Donnie's care. Always in thought and prayer🙏

Pat and Dave Shwartz

Donnie you are an amazing person.  God's speed my friend. God bless you and Tina,  as well as your entire family.

Glad he has pain relief and his amazing family. Praying the pain will stay at bay and he can enjoy the family surrounding him at home.

Please give him a hug from me and all my Love,

Colleen 

 

I'm so glad we got to spend some time with Donnie when he was feeling better. This is a very hard time for you and the family. Donnie is in the best of hands surrounded by love and kindness. We love you all and are praying for his and your comfort. I'm so happy the family is close by him now. You both and family are in my thoughts and prayers. Chery Gorham.

I know Donnie wants to be home, but this was definitely needed to get that pain level down and control the nausea. Praying he can be weaned down on the "good stuff" and that he will be able to return home.

So glad y'all have the support of your lovely family. The Lord has blessed y'all well…

Will continue keeping all of you in my prayers

Much love to you all,

Theresa Stevens(White)

I have kept your family in my prayers and have followed you through this journey. God bless you all. – Jenn ( former Winter Park Oncology RN )

We are continuing to lift up Donnie, and your whole family, to God in prayer. I know it is a comfort to be surrounded by your awesome family. You are such an inspiration. The courage and love we have all seen through the last nearly two years is phenomenal. I'm so happy you've got the support of a great hospice team and can keep Donnie out of pain. 

 I'm often awake in the middle of the night so I assume it's my job to lift Donnie up in prayer to bring him before our Lord.  🙂  It's 4:00 am, so I'm continuing with my job! 

Love and prayers,

Betty and Steve Wiseman

Praying every day for your requests for Donnie, and also for you. God truly has his arms around you both on this journey. Sending love your way. ~ Norma

 

iMy love and prayers are with you all continally. I will say an extra special prayer for you tonight. May God grant you the sleep, rest and peace you need tonight and the strength to face what tomorrow holds. I love you all. 

Celeste and Tristan

So relieved that he is resting. Praying you all can get some good rest and Donnie sleeps well tonight and can come home soon! We love you all!          Elaine 

Tina,

So sorry that Donnie is in so much pain, but glad it is under control for now. I will continue to pray for you guys.  Love and miss you! Prayers and Hugs for you both.  Give Donnie my love.

Crystal

Praying the Holy Spirit surrounds you all and I thank you for sharing your journey!  With all its peaks and valleys, the beauty of your faith and love in both your husband and our Lord shines a light and a blessing in my own life.  I send you love and light and my own faith in the promise of the God that will welcome us all home one day!  

Much love, Susan Berretta Edwards

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