Wed., August 31st - Finally Home

Yesterday's discharge got delayed to the evening. Mama didn't get her discharge until just before 8pm. The final decision to come home without the TPN was made by Mama and Daddy. It wasn't an easy decision to make. While the IV nutrition was helping to give her the needed nutrition, it also was creating other difficulties. The TPN kept her getting up throughout the night because of all the added fluids, which robbed her of sleep and she was exhausted. It also suppressed her diet because she was feeling full so she didn't feel she had much room to eat. The hospital foods were less than desirable so that also became a challenge. Mama felt if she could get home without the TPN, she would be able to get rest and eat better. At home she would be able to sleep all night without the interruptions of getting up all night long as well as hospital staff waking her up to do vitals. As far as eating goes, she was looking forward to eating things she enjoys and more of a variety.

We got her home by about 9:30pm last night. By the time we got her clothes changed and settled into bed, she was "all in but her shoestrings". :) She was so relieved to get into her own bed where she is finally comfortable.

This morning and afternoon, she is doing pretty well eating and drinking. The 1,000 calorie goal is still an effort, but she is really working at getting it in by the end of the day. She is on track and should make it. So far, she is doing well at keeping everything down and not throwing up. This whole food and fluids things is a real big hurdle to get over so she doesn't have to be readmitting into the hospital, so we would appreciate your prayers regarding this especially.

Our friend Cindi (who is a nurse) came over and helped Dad sort through the medications and get them on a schedule. That was a task and somewhat overwhelming. Thank you so much Cindi. You are a blessing.

Mama has had several visitors today. She enjoyed getting to visit and was feeling so blessed. She had been up since this morning and it doesn't take much to wipe her out these days, so she is back in bed to get some more sleep and recharge her batteries. Daddy is taking this quiet time to also sneak in a nap himself.

It is so good to be home again. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. The Bible says we are to bear one another's burdens and then in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up." Thank you for coming up beside Mama and our family. For bearing our burdens and lifting us up when we most need it. Your words of encouragement and your answered prayers have picked us up over and over. Thank you.

With love,

Carmen & family