I haven’t posted in a while because I had nothing positive to report.  Ken was not doing well at all.  He lost 16lbs in a little over 2 weeks.  He could keep nothing down for days.  The Dr. down here wanted him to be admitted in Cleveland because he said there was nothing else they could do down here to control the vomiting, but Ken refused to go.  None of the nausea meds were working because the vomiting is from the Mucousitis, not nausea.  He chokes and gags on mucous in his lungs and throat and eventually, whatever is in his stomach comes up.  Not fun.  Needless to say it has been very stressful in our home the past few weeks. 

The food the insurance co. was paying for was producing tons of stomach acid, which was contributing to the vomiting also.  I fought with the insurance co. for about 2 weeks to get them to cover another brand of food which Ken had had been on about a week a little over a month ago that was given to him so it wouldn’t expire and go to waste.  When he was on this food his vomiting, while not completely gone had noticeably decreased.  They didn’t want to cover the other food because it was more expensive, and “pretty much” the same as the other brand, just made by a different company.  Well, in this case “pretty much” made a big difference.  Persistence paid off and they finally agreed.  He has been on the new food a few days now and has not vomited very much at all.  Still too much though.  One of his Dr’s told me that it takes a person a long time to starve to death.  Nice huh?

He has lost another 4lbs in the past week, as of Sunday I think.

Now for the good news.  A little over a week ago Ken has been able to swallow a few sips of water, broth, etc.  The past 3 days he has been showing signs if improvement.  He doesn’t look quite as pale.  We were told about “Magic Mineral Broth” which is given to Chemo patients that are having problems with nausea.  It has some interesting ingredients in it (seaweed for one) and vitamins and minerals.  Ken is able to take a couple of sips of it.  Sometimes he is still not able to swallow.  If he can’t swallow, I stick it in his tube.  I really do think it has been helping.

Ken really doesn’t want to go back to the hospital.  We have an agreement that if he starts doing worse or losing more weight, he will go with no argument.  Even though he has lost 4 more lbs. I agreed to not insist he go now because I can see that’s he’s doing a bit better.  Also to give some time to the new food to work.

Ken is on a mission to prove to me (and himself I’m sure) that he is feeling better.  He has taken the kids and I kite flying, fishing and rocket launching.  While these adventures really wear him out, it’s nice to see him out having a good time with us. 

He is not out of the woods yet.  Please keep praying for him.  And for the rest of us.

Wendy