I took Donnie to the hospital Friday evening. He continued to have significant problems with nausea, difficulty eating much, losing weight, weak . . . you get the idea. As his intestines don’t want to work very well due to chemo and morphine, Dr. Z gave all of his antiemetics (anti-nausea drugs) to him IV (instead of by mouth). The drugs are more effective IV, and seem to be working better for him. Dr. Z also added a couple more meds Donnie was not taking before to help with nausea. On Thursday night, D’s nausea was a 9 on a scale of 10 (10 is vomiting). After 2 days of IV medications, he is a 2 on a scale of 10. Big improvement, but we would like to have no nausea at all.
Another blessing is that they started TPN (total parenteral nutrition) on Donnie. These are IV fluids that have protein, carbohydrates, fats, and lots of great electrolytes for Donnie to get the nutrition he so desperately needs to turn around. After 24 hours of TPN, he walked around in the hospital twice today, and took a shower (which takes lots of energy). He has not moved around like that in 6 weeks.
Today he got an amazing subcutaneous drug called Relistor for opiod-induced constipation. It works in minutes, which was another relief for him, as it had been 6 days. Of course, this will help get his nausea under control, too.
When we went to the hospital on Friday, Donnie weighed 149 pounds. He has been doing his best to eat (even though food takes like cardboard due to chemo), have a good attitude, and keep trying. This was a crummy place he was in the first time around with this chemo, so we are hoping he will improve again once we get past this point.
Today Lorraine and Robert visited us in the hospital. It was a needed break from our concerns, and gave Donnie a little “hitch in his giddy up.” We are thinking he will come home from the hospital on Monday or Tuesday this week.
We can’t thank our family and friends enough for your unceasing prayers. We continue to praise you, God, for the mighty works you are accomplishing in Donnie and through him. We are ever grateful for each day we continue to have with Donnie. Donnie is a positive light in so many of our lives. We continue to fight the good fight, and are grateful for the prayer warriors that fight with us.
Love, Donnie & Tina
8 replies on “In the hospital getting nausea under control”
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Continuous prayers for both of you and your family. TPN sounds like good stuff. Sending huge hugs!
Praying for Donnie's nausea to subside and his pain to be gone. Hang in there. You are both such wonderful people and truly an inspiration to us all. Love you both.
Great to hear Donnie has had some improvement. Continued prayers every day for relief from pain and nausea and return of appetite and strength.
You do it, Mac. Love and prayers from Patti and I.
Putting on the Armour of God and going to battle for you in prayer each and everyday….multiple times a day. We're there for you brother!!!
You are a great warrior! Keep up the good fight Donnie Mac!
Love you to the moon and back!!! Loved our time together yesterday….. 🙂
Good to here he is better and up moving around. We continue praying for strength for the both of you!