Anyone at church today notice we were missing something??? We've been stepping out without "the baby"!!!
As of Friday, October 9 Ron is officially on a TPN "vacation". Yes, this means he is NOT getting ANY IV nutrition! Dr. Arslanlar decided it had to be tried sometime therefore he is now receiving all his fluids and nutrition orally. WOOOO HOOOOO!!!
It's exciting and scary at the same time. It's hard to believe Ron's been on TPN since October 29, 2007!!!! We continue to battle getting food down him and keep it down. He had done better, for about 10 days he was only vomiting every other day but now he's back to vomiting every day...no rhyme or reason for it which no one can understand since all his tests look fine. Frustrating!
We are now back on "high alert" around here! We have to watch for signs of dehydration and malnutrition by monitoring all input and output, as well as blood pressure, heartrate and temperature multiple times a day and watching for dizziness, shakiness, hot flashes/cold sweats, increased thirst and/or lack of energy (that's the hardest to determine since he feels lethargic most of the time).
The freedom for Ron has been great! Being able to do whatever he wants without a "leash" tethering him has been liberating. And the greatest thing, he can take a shower WHENEVER HE WANTS! That hasn't happened in over a year! It always had to be scheduled around TPN. And, he can change his shirt WHENEVER HE WANTS! Having the TPN hooked up to his PICC line kept him from being able to change his shirt without disconnecting the TPN and flushing the lines before reconnecting; all things he had to have assitance with. Now, more independence!! The PICC line will stay in for a while, and we still have to flush it daily but we'll take it!
PLEASE pray this TPN "vacation" will go well and we will have no emergency trips to Presby. And that things will resolve regarding the vomiting. It is imperative that he be able to get the nutritional value, calories, vitamins, fluids, etc from the foods he eats; and when you're throwing up as often as he is; you really aren't getting any of these.
Also pray, as we look towards Ryan & Stacee's wedding in less than a month. It will be a long, physically demanding, (as well as emotional) weekend for him. He really needs to have more energy and stamina.
On a positive note, after a week on the diuretic, the swelling is much improved. We discontinued the diuretic once he stopped the TPN, though--don't need his body flushing all the fluids he so desperately needs right now. Please pray against return of swelling.
It's late, so I'll close with this from "Daily Inspirations from Women":
"Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps His word."
Hebrews 10:23 The Message
As we face the challenges that are part of life here on earth, we must not become discouraged. We must, instead, arm ourselves with the promises of God.
"The meaning of hope isn't just some flimsy wishing. It's a firm confidence in God's promises--that He will ultimately set things right." Sheila Walsh
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