Rachael brought Brianna to see Pa (Donnie), and they stayed with him Saturday morning for me. Bri, almost 8 years old, has been asking questions about Pa. She even said, “I hope Pa isn’t going to die.” Rachael made the decision to talk to her about it, since Bri was talking about Pa that way. Bri had witnessed my Mom, her great grandmother, cross over to heaven just 3 years ago, and remembers it well. After Rachael talked with her in “8 year old language,” Bri said, “Out of all the people in my life, Pa is the most fun!!! He’s more fun than Daddy or Uncle Dave!!!” Sorry Daddy and Uncle Dave, but . . . out of the mouth of babes!!!! That really made Donnie smile!!!! He’s always had the heart of a child when it comes to our children and grandchildren! We all laugh (the grownups in the family), as he was sort of the “pied piper” at family reunions. Look for a bunch of kids, and you would find Donnie in the middle of them acting the silly fool! They loved him!
Donnie was his hilarious self for a moment last night. We were watching the Bucs game, and he mustered an “aye matey” pirate look for a touchdown, which we sent to Ronnie & Darlene, the passionate Bucs fans in the family!
Donnie had significantly increased pain last night. Two weeks ago on Sunday night, we went to the Hospice Inpatient Unit due to our inability to control his pain. At that time, he was placed on a PCA pump with Dilaudid 2 mg per hour IV through his port. This controlled his pain very well. When he was discharged, the pump was programmed for him to be able to give himself an extra 1 mg of Dilaudid every 30 minutes. He has given himself an extra dose maybe 3 or 4 times over the past week.
Yesterday, in 24 hours, he took 8 extra doses of Dilaudid. This means he took 1 mg of Dilaudid every 2-3 hours on top of his basal rate of 2 mg an hour. He has a lot of discomfort in his abdomen, where his disease is. This discomfort/pain wakes him up from his sleep. As you can imagine, he is not very stable walking around due to being medically sedated. He has lots of hallucinations and psychosis, not only at night, but during the day. He walks using a walker for stability, or holds my hand. He’s pretty wobbly.
I was on the phone with Hospice last night and this morning. They are very supportive with ideas to help him, which helps both of us immensely. I am grateful for their critical thinking and problem solving. The nurse came in this morning to assess him, and change medications to meet his needs.
Please continue to pray for Donnie’s comfort. He is not a complainer, and has an amazing inner strength and spirit. This attitude has continued even through these difficult times. Of course, I am blessed and grateful he is that way. Joyce (Donnie’s Mom) is here with us, holding our hands, walking with us.
May God be with Donnie. May he feel His presence. I pray he is comforted by all of us that God has put in his path. We are grateful for your kind words and prayers.
Love, Donnie & Tina
36 replies on “A significant dip in the road”
The moments we share with loved ones become our most precious treasures. Donnie’s joy in bringing happiness to grandchildren exemplifies what truly matters – treating family like VIPs every day. Those earnph vip moments of connection are worth more than anything. Cherish them always.
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Prayers for peace, love, strength and comfort for you and Donnie and family and friends. We love ❤️ you!!!!
Just want to say I love you and continue to pray for peace.
Celeste
My prayers and love are with you both!! Miss you and pray for peace and comfort for you both. ❤️ Court
Hi Donnie and Tina,
I have been thinking about you two all morning, wishing to share my memories and thoughts with you. Luckily, you've made this blog available to all of us 🙂
I was just thinking of all the times you came to the restaurant. Like the time you came back from Hawaii and told us about your helicopter adventure! And the many times you updated us on your lives, sharing pictures and stories about your grandkids.
I remember one of the times Donnie came in by himself and was so happy and proud of you Tina for your new job. A job that allowed you to work from home and spend more time with each other. I loved hearing the stories of how Donnie used to study for nursing school in the evenings at the restaurant while Jim was working. And the times both of you would walk in early in the morning, dressed in scrubs…we knew to serve you decaf so you could go home and sleep in your very dark room 🙂
You both treated each and every day like a blessing. You never took a day for granted. I truly loved seeing you both because you always shared your sincere kindness with me and to every human being who crossed your paths! I loved the way you held hands….it's the little things, right? Donnie and Tina, you have both taught me so much just by the love you share with each other.
Our family will continue to think and pray for you everyday. Love you both!
To Donnie and family I continue to pray for and family and for continued comfort and pain relieve.You're a loving man and are blessed to be surrounded by a loving family and friends.
Love that pirate face!
Continued prayers for Donnie's comfort and strength, and our love to all of you.
Meg (Vargo) and George Cook
We pray every day for comfort for Donnie and peace for you, Tina. So much love to you …
Hi just got a new phone can't use it in training now I can stay in touch love ya brian
I love you🍀❤️
My prayers are with you Donnie and Tina<3
Praying that God will hold you tightly during the days and nights to come. Sending thoughts from Tennessee for everyone who loves both of you so very much. You have been an inspiration during this walk! God Bless You!
Donnie and Tina, you are both in my heart and constantly on my mind. My prayers are with you and continue for you….comfort, and peace, and to feel the presence of our ever Loving Heavenly Father. God Bless and keep you both.
While these are difficult to read posts they serve a valuable purpose and hopefully help you all know how many are with you in thought, prayer or meditation. It is a window to a world many will face intros life and the spirit with which you all are managing this is really helpful and inspiring too. I pray for a peaceful transition and for one in which all are able to live in the moment knowing that so much love exists…
Continuing to pray for you Donnie aunt Joyce and the rest of the rest of the family; god bless you all
Love you both! Praying for rest and comfort!
May God grant him comfort and may he continue to hold you both in his arms. I love you both.
We are grateful for your generous spirit of sharing this time with all of us! Know that we think about, pray for, and keep you all in our hearts!! God Bless and keep you in comfort and peace!! Love, Cindi McNiff
Praying that The Lord will send His legions of angels to Donnie to assist him in this journey peacefully and painlessly…and to comfort him and all involved.
Theresa Stevens (White)
Prayers for strength and guidance. I love you both!
Hi Tina, thanks for keeping everyone updated on Donnie's condition. We have been out of town for 2 weeks, so I have just read all your posts. We continue to pray the Lord's will be done for Donnie. Praying for all your wonderful family. I know Joyce is such a blessing to you all. We love her very much.
Praying for you as you would pray for me. So much love between you all & around you. God continues to bless everyone you both touch. Love, love, love to all of you.
I am so grateful that God holds our hand every step of tHe way. I hope that every day you see a treasure to last a lifetime. You all are in my heart and in my prayers. Gods riches blessings to you all
We are constantly praying for your beautiful family. We love you so much!
Love,
Ryan, Lisa and Bella
We continue to pray for you both. I do hope Donnie's pain level is much better now. God Bless you both and keep you in his arms.
I am so sorry to hear of Donnie's decline. He has influenced the lives of so many and I believe he is an Angel here on earth. My family and I are in prayer for Donnie, you and your entire family. God Bless you both!
I loved Hospice for taking care of my sister, Sandi. She also had Pancreatic cancer in the abdomen. They held our hands and took us step by step through her last days. God is preparing everybody for his journey. You are in our prayers, we love you. Michael and Cheryl
My heart goes out to the entire McFarland family. May God watch over all of you and especially Donnie and Tina. Praying that they can continue to manage the pain. Your faith is amazing and you are true examples of how faith family and love all blend together. Sending hugs!
Oh my sweet friends, you are so covered in prayer. Everyone I know I have asked to pray for both of you. You have been a true testimony to others. I wish there was something more I could do. I thank God for the honor of praying for you. What a blessing you have been to me. I am so touched by your awesome loving family, and Donnies time with his children and grandchildren. He is building memories with them every day. Love you both.
Suzie
Tina, I have followed Donnie's journey through your posts for over 18 months or so now — and while I've never met him I'm continually amazed at his resilience and spirit and faith. Not to mention yours. I can only imagine the ups and downs of your daily life, you are amazing. (You were always amazing!)
Your family and friends are equally as amazing, what a blessing that you have such a large and loving group to walk with with you and your family.
May God continue to bless and keep you all in the palm of His hand.
Praying, as always. Love you guys.
God is with Donnie. I just prayed for his comfort and peace for the family.
Please tell him I'll text a photo of 'Fountainhead' (Miriam) getting married Saturday!
Love you guys a lot!
Thinking of you all😘Thank you for your updates…..
Laura Eckert
My heart goes out to you all. This is such a difficult time to try and be strong. I know that your faith is unwavering but your hearts are so heavy. Please know you are all in prayer. Amazing I woke up at 2:30 AM praying for Donnie. His prayer angels are always at work with friends and family.
We have been thinking about you everyday. We love you Donnie and Tina. Our prayers are with you.