In my humble opinion, this has been Donnie’s most difficult week since his diagnosis last December.  He has lost a considerable amount of weight, and lost 6 pounds last week.  He is probably about 152 pounds at this time.  His normal healthy weight is 200 pounds.  This weight loss is due to starting chemo again, and his inability to eat much due to nausea.

Donnie’s pain is under control with morphine ER 60 mg twice a day.  He takes no other pain meds currently for break through pain, because he doesn’t have any. His underlying pain is a 3 out of 10.  This is a pain level he can sleep through, so it is tolerable for him.

Due to his inability to eat and drink much, we were taking him into the outpatient clinic to get IV hydration.  This is a very big deal for Donnie, as traveling is exhausting, not to mention the “motion sickness” piece of being in the car.  We have gotten pretty good at prevention, and he has not thrown up once in transit.  With that being said, it is still an ordeal for him to go to the clinic or the hospital for hydration . . . so we are now giving him IV hydration at home.

It is really a blessing to be able to give him IV fluids at home!!  Vanessa Warble Stavros is our angel, as she made this happen for us on Friday (it was a God thing, trust me!) !!!!  We can give the IV fluids slower at home (which gives Donnie less undesirable side effects), and of course, he is in the comfort of his bed.  This way he can save his energy for healing.  Hydration is pretty amazing.  When he finishes a liter bag of normal saline, all of a sudden he wants to eat, and eats a big bowl of garbanzo bean soup or something rather hearty.  He is trying to eat, and knows he needs to eat, so when he gets to eat a meal like that, it is encouraging to him (and to me).

He is very weak, very shaky and light headed when he walks at all, and spends most of his time in the comfort of our bed.  Due to both of us working night shift for years, our room is like a dark cave in the middle of the day.  This gives D lots of quiet and peace, which is a huge relief to him.

In January, after D finished his first “round” of chemo, he was pretty rough.  We were all concerned about his ability to withstand the chemo.  A month later, he made a significant turn for the better.  Well . . . we are in that rough place again right now . . . the place where he just finished his first round of chemo for the second time.  We are trying to fight the good fight with everything we have, and even when we are in the valley, we know that God is with us.

God’s promise in Psalm 23:4~  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Please pray for my D to be able to have good support, so we can get through the next round of chemo, and see where he is at that point.  We are still optimistic that there is a future and a hope for him.  We appreciate your prayers, concern and love.

xoxo,  Donnie & Tina