Things are still about the same.
The mucositis is bad, the double pneumonia is hanging around and the cough is really thick. Ryan's WBC is still low, but rose to .2 today!
Yesterday, he was having trouble with urinary retention, so he didn't want to take as many pain meds. He was fine as long as he was sleeping, but whenever he woke up... poor mouth, poor Ry!
Since the pain is still very intense, and to help with urinary retention, they are changing up Ryan's pain meds. They also decided to start the PCA pump:
So now, instead of asking for his pain meds... Ryan just pushes this little button:
and some medicine is pumped right into his IV.
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It is so hard for him to eat/drink ANYTHING. If he can get something down (when the pain is somewhat under control), he coughs SO much. When it DOES go down, sometimes it comes back up a few minutes later (from coughing...not nausea).
It really helps with getting all the mucus and sloughed off skin out of his mouth/throat.
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After breakfast, it's usually time to take a shower. The IV has to be covered to keep any moisture out.
So fun to take a shower with tubes and coverings all over you....
YA RIGHT!
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But GUESS WHAT?!?
NOT anymore!
The team felt it was best to get rid of the IV and put in a PICC line.
Here's a look:
It is somewhat similar to the the central lines Ryan once had, although this is a smaller line and MUCH less invasive.
Ryan getting his veins checked
There it is...the PICC line before it is inserted
The procedure went GREAT and Ryan is enjoying having his new line.
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Even though Ryan isn't feeling great, he is doing a little BETTER than yesterday. He was able to go for a walk today, the first time since THURSDAY!
And through it all, he still manages to crack a smile
Keep FIGHTING Ry
***GO TEAM RYAN***
10 comments:
Man, that all just seems unbelievably miserable. No fun! You are so strong, though, I know you are--both of you!! I pray the Lord will continue to strengthen and comfort you. You can do this!
Good thing for modern conveniences to make it somewhat easier for you Ry. Praying for your continued strength!
Thank goodness for pain meds. Lots of prayers for better days ahead!
Hopefully your cough and pneumonia go away soon!! We are praying for you!
We're thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. Hope it gets a bit better soon.
I'm so glad you felt better today than yesterday, Ryan! Here's to an even better day tomorrow!!! We're praying for you!
I hope tomorrow is a little bit better too. We are praying for you!
We just missed you by a day in SV, it would have been great to see you. We are still praying for you & your family. Hope better days are ahead of you.
Thinking of You!
I was introduced to your blog last summer through our daughter Kylee Thompson. I have been strengthened time and again as I have witnessed your pure faith. As I have fasted and prayed for you and your family and as I have put your name in the temple, it has come to me that every time Heavenly Father hears your name mentioned He reaches out to bless you. I was so disappointed when I read that the cancer had come back. I have prayed for peace and understanding and a miracle. Thank you for reminding me that we need to have the simple faith as in the song "I Am A Child of God."
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