Time to Eat. . .

Shaun took over at the hospital on Tuesday night, staying with Brendan while I came home to run errands, make it to my dentist appointment, and get a haircut (thanks, Celeste, for working me in!) 

I can't even begin to express my thanks to Shaun.  He's always there for me, he's there for Brendan, and he's there for all of our kids. Shaun has no problem working hard every day at work, then doesn't mind coming home to help cook and clean.  He's an incessant tease, and keeps everyone laughing.  

 Christ has been our rock, our foundation-- and Shaun has been my pillar of strength -- the one who physically holds me up and supports me day to day.   He's listened as I've rejoiced and complained, calmed me when the waves of fear have started to pull me under, and held me when I've sobbed.  (His shoulder has received numerous waterings.)  Through it all, I've never heard him complain or doubt.  His faith never wavers -- he knows in whom he trusts. He keeps us pressing onward. Thanks, Shaun.
--Kerry

Shaun:  Charlie slept pretty well last night, with just the usual potty breaks and a couple of vomiting spells.  He woke up looking a little more chipper than yesterday.  Overnight, they decreased one of the medications that had him so loopy yesterday.  However, he still had no desire to eat or drink.  As the morning hours passed, he continued to sleep frequently, but was more and more alert in between naps.  Eventually he felt well enough to watch part of a movie.  Then we got news that his sodium was low.  That means we won’t be getting discharged today.  Low sodium can lead to seizures.  They began giving him more sodium via IV, and started doing blood draws every few hours to check sodium levels.  

Worn out and tired at radiation, but he's up!

We got him up and changed and ready for radiation at 2:00.  He went over in a wheelchair, but came back walking.  That was progress.  When we got back, we cajoled him into eating one gummi bear.  His first food in 2 1/2 days.  He kept that down.  A couple hours later he suddenly stated that he wanted a hamburger.   So good to see him have an appetite again.  He’s getting so thin.

While he was eating, the nurse practitioner came to tell us they were going to place a feeding tube today.   That unnerved Charlie and after 4 small bites of the hamburger, he was done.  He’s had so many procedures to his head that he panicked when he found out the feeding tube would go in his nose.  When the doctor came to place the tube, he brought a scope to make sure they didn’t do any damage to the areas impacted by the recent surgeries.  It took about a half hour before Charlie would let the doctor anywhere near his nose. 

 Finally, the doctor allowed Charlie to put the numbing spray in his nose himself.  After another fight, Charlie finally relented and they were able to get the scope and tube in his nose and down his throat.  

Once started, the procedure took only a few minutes, and Charlie did very well.  He now has a tube sticking out his nose that will be used to put a nutrition concoction directly into his stomach.  I’m so glad Charlie will now be able to get some food into him.  Our goal after the procedure was to get him up for another walk, and then wash him down.  None of that happened. Worn out, he promptly went to sleep.  

Later, when the nurses tried to start the nutrition into the feeding tube, something was blocking the tube.  After a number of calls, they just informed me that they have given up for the night and will try to correct the problem and start the nutrition tomorrow.  Disappointing – but we’re getting used to things not always going smoothly.  We’re just glad to see him doing better today.  Hopefully he’ll be discharged tomorrow before radiation and can then join the rest of his family for the weekend.