Today, the day started off great, with 5 of the Filipino Mafia coming to cheer Donnie up (just a few of the crew). He was feeling pretty good, and he enjoyed them so much!!!
The Filipino Mafia…representing!!
Then, abruptly at 10am, he got overwhelmingly nauseated. His family was visiting, including his Mom and Kaia (one of our grandbabies) for the first time since he has been in the hospital. He was so sick he couldn’t talk with anyone. He has gotten lots of anti-nausea meds today. At least he never threw up while they were here!! Kaia loved on him, and seemed to realize how bad he felt. She layed in the bed with him for a couple of hours it seemed. So sweet!
Kissing Pa for the first time since he got sick
Tonight his chemo was completed at 10:15pm. He violently vomited at 10:30pm.
Lovin on Pa to make him well!!
I am very hopeful that his day tomorrow will show improvement in the nausea department. Please pray for that!!
SANTA makes a loud noise and jingle in the hall! Donnie thinks it is the “hospital” santa, but finds out it is his own PERSONAL SANTA, and best of all, its Lourdes, the PRAYING SANTA!! She is part of the security team at Florida Hospital East. What a sweetie!! She is accompanied by Meesha, another nurse Donnie precepted on the night shift 🙂 SANTA and her helper brought much great cheer!!
Chemo started at 5pm on Saturday, Dec 19, 2014. The first med had no side effects, but the second one was a beast!! Nausea and cramping were immediate, and as Donnie put it, “Horrible.” If you know Donnie, he seems to downplay most of his symptoms. They gave him IV medications that took care of his “horrible” symptoms, and he had no other issues through the night. Beau stayed with him through the night at the hospital, which was a blessing.
This morning, he said he felt better than he has since he was admitted to the hospital. WHAT A PRAISE AND A TESTIMONY TO PRAYER!! Also, he only took his breakthrough pain medication once today (he had been taking it 4 times a day). This is a positive sign that the chemo is working. ANOTHER PRAISE AND TESTIMONY TO PRAYER!!
Brevard County Zoo Splash Pad 2013 with Beau, Pa and MimiBri and Soph in the jacuzzi with Pa
Rachael and Jared brought Brianna, Sophia and Bradley to see Donnie today. Grandbabies always put a smile on his face!!
Pa and Kaia at her first dance recital 2014 (Mimi taking pics!)
Lots of family are coming from out of town to visit tomorrow. He is looking forward to seeing his Mom for the first time since his diagnosis, and also Kaia (our grandbaby that belongs to Jeff). It will be a sweet day!!
Thank you from our hearts for all the food, visits, contact, and prayer, both in person and on Donnie’s behalf. You surely must know how much we both appreciate it!!
Tweaks to the blog seem so inconsequential compared to the main topic here that I almost feel guilty even posting them. But I want to make the blog as friendly and enjoyable as possible for Donnie & Tina, and for everyone who shows their love by sharing comments. So I hope you all (excuse me, y’all) don’t mind.
This latest tweak lets people “get conversational” and reply to somebody else’s COMMENT, if they want to. You’ll now see a “Reply” button at the bottom of every comment, like this:
So if you want to reply to someone’s comment, just hit that button and type away. When you post your comment, it will appear under the one you replied to, slightly indented so folks can tell that it’s a response to another comment. For example, I replied to Linda’s comment:
You can see that it’s positioned right under Linda’s comment and slightly indented.
If you just want to reply to the post (like you’ve been doing), just scroll down to the “Comment” form at the end of the comments, just like before.
ICU buddies Prathi, Beck, and Gina visiting in PCU. They hold a special place in his heart!
Al and Greg (awesome ICU RN’s) visit Donnie
Many thanks for all the visits to Donnie in the hospital, and all the words of encouragement on the blog!!!! Donnie reads it in the early morning hours when he has some quiet time, and it makes him smile 🙂
WOW…Donnie rates a visit from the BIG DOGS!!! The management team from ICU at FL Hospital East. He was so glad to see them!
We were educated by an oncology nurse from Dr. Z’s office for about an hour and a half today. Jim Giordano was with us while we were being educated. It’s a good thing, as Donnie couldn’t keep his eyes open. We were given many books, pamphlets and important papers that discuss Donnie’s disease, chemotherapy regimen (or “cocktail” as I call it), possible side effects of each medication, how to manage those side effects, nutrition, and support. It was very enlightening. She was very thorough and kind.
At 5pm, Donnie was given his “pre-meds”, which promptly put him to sleep. I must say it is good to see him resting so hard. This is typical. He started his first chemo medication, which took 2 hours to infuse. He will receive a total of four chemo medications. All four of the meds will be given in succession, and it will take 48 hours for all of them to infuse. After that, if his symptoms are under control, he will be able to go home. We are hoping that will be by Tuesday.
“They say” that he will feel pretty good for 4 days after his treatments, then will start to feel bad for the next 10 days. Also, he is very, very susceptible to infections around 7 days after his treatments, so no sick people or children should visit him at home at that time. Just FYI 🙂
If the chemotherapy is doing its job, and the cancer is shrinking, Donnie should have less pain in his abdomen, and may even be able to wean some of his pain medications. Lets all pray for that!!!!!
Some wonderful developments happened yesterday. Donnie got his port at 0730 which was a blessing, as he was NPO (no food or drink). Then he was able to eat breakfast and lunch. Nutrition is more important than ever these days.
His attending physician ordered IV fluids to keep him hydrated, to help with the dehydration from his pain meds causing his constipation. That was a good move. We are thankful for so many caring professionals on his case (and all the professionals in Donnie’s life that have his back!).
Our favorite spot with our babies, young and old!! Another silly day with them all 🙂
Dr. Zenghebot took over Donnie’s case as his oncologist. He came into our room, and announced Donnie would start chemo while he is still in the hospital (original plan was to start next week). He said no reason to wait, and he will be feeling pretty good for Christmas. I like the way he thinks!! Donnie was definitely wanting to start ASAP, as this cancer is agressive, and growing while we are awaiting chemo (and causing him secondary problems). He should be in the hospital until at least Tuesday, per his MD.
Donnie finally pooped yesterday (sorry to be so direct), and he went 4 times. This was vitally important, as he was miserable after 5 days of not pooping. The pain from his disease is in his intestines, so being constipated compounds that pain. He felt better after that, but drained. He was up talking a bit, but tired. He slept very well last night (David stayed with him), requiring no additional pain medication. Praise be to God!
So…keep praying and supporting. Donnie loves your blogs, emails, texts, FaceBook posts and visits. He is a people person, so it really keeps him positive. We feel like two of the luckiest people alive for all the love and caring that has been showered on us!!!
Hey, everyone. I’m Scott Sutherland. I’m a friend & church-mate of Donnie & Tina, and a website developer. I volunteered to make a few tweaks to the blog. Here’s a quick list of changes:
Updated the theme to add a little color
Fixed the date problem (comments & posts were reflecting the default time zone, not Eastern)
Changed settings related to comments so that the most recent comments are at the top
Added a “Photo Gallery” (see left-hand menu)
Added ability to subscribe to the blog so you can receive an email notification whenever Donnie or Tina publishes a new post). Here’s how to subscribe:
At the bottom of the left-hand column, just enter your email and hit the “Subscribe” button.
You’ll receive a “confirmation” email. Click the “Confirm Follow” button in the email to complete your subscription.
You’ll then receive a notification that you’ve subscribed and that you can change your subscription preferences. There’s nothing you need to do with what’s in that email. You can ignore it.
If anyone has anything else they’d like added, please leave a comment here.
Donnie will be getting his port today. The plan was for him to go home after that, but that won’t happen if he remains constipated. Pray for effective solutions.
The plan is to start chemo in the outpatient clinic next week.
Donnie had a rough night. Due to his pain medication, he is constipated. Due to his disease process, and the resulting pain he has in his abdomen, all the treatments they are pulling out of their bag of tricks to help him “go”, cause his intestines to cramp, which hurts him even more. Not to mention, they haven’t worked. Please pray for relief.
Donnie, Jeff and Flora walking outside the hospital with “garden privileges”
Donnie slept very well Tuesday night. Wednesday morning his pain and nausea were in good control. Jeff and Flora visited today. They took Donnie for a walk (Donnie wanted to do this as he needs to have a bowel movement). When he came back from walking, he has had difficulty with pain and nausea. He did not eat any dinner. He went to sleep early tonight at 7pm.
Tomorrow his port will be placed. The plan is for him to go home, however it might not happen if he is feeling as bad as he does tonight. I’m learning to play it 12 hours at a time with him.
He will start his chemo next week in the oncologists office. It will be given every 2 weeks.
Thanks again for all your love and prayers!! Donnie & Tina
Donnie and I wanted to start this blog, so you can be updated more easily on his progress. As you know, he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer stage IV, with metastases to his mesentery and omentum (intestines). We are awaiting biopsy results today, and a visit from his oncologist to discuss possible treatment modalities. His pain is significant, so he is being managed with oral medications, and hopefully will be able to go home within the next few days. I will post on the blog when we find out new information.
Donnie and I want to thank our precious family and friends for the outpouring of love and caring we have received. It is so uplifting to feel the love from our family and friends. As you all know, this is very important to Donnie. Feel free to share pictures, uplifting memories, encouragement and prayers on this site. We will attempt to check the site daily.
