Miracle: Going home on TPN

Last week, I shared the dire straits I was in regarding my inability to eat and the pain and other symptoms I experienced every time I tried using my feeding tube. I was in need of a miracle. And a miracle is exactly what God sent. #GodisMyStrength #TPN #PICCLine

At just the right moment, the medical assistant for my GI doctor called me to let me know he sent over the order for the MRI to the hospital because the clinic where the order was originally sent did not have a MRI compatible ventilator. In desperation, I told the medical assistant about all my issues eating and the pain I was having using the feeding tube. The medical assistant took my words to heart. He told me the doctor was on call at the hospital starting in about three minutes. He would text the doctor to see if he could get in touch with him. The medical assistant told me he would call me back.

A few minutes later, the medical assistant called back. He told me the doctor said to come to the emergency department. I was given instructions what I should do when I came in. As much as I wanted to shout for joy, I was overwhelmed with sadness. This would be the third week in a row of going to the hospital. I did not want to spend one more minute confined within the walls of a medical center. But I knew my health was fading fast. If I did nothing, I would be in very bad shape, or worse, I would be dead. I knew I needed to get to medical intervention soon. I swallowed my pride and resolved to go to the emergency department and endure yet another hospitalization.

Upon arriving at the emergency department, I gave the triage nurse the name of my GI doctor and said my GI doctor told me to come in to the emergency department.

From there, I spent two days and two nights in the emergency department. Bloodwork revealed I was very malnourished. My protein levels, magnesium and some of my liver markers were extremely low. I was given magnesium infusions and started on IV fluids, but despite these interventions, everything seemed as though it was going in a dead end. During the first day in the ED, I had the MRI of my liver and pancreas which revealed some minor issues, but there was nothing which could be treated—there were no cysts, bile duct blockages or masses. The symptoms I am having are just due to having chronic pancreatitis. The second night in the emergency department, I was told to resume eating by mouth.

During the next hour, I collected my thoughts and tried to still my mind. I was extremely upset. I was frustrated. I was scared I was going to be sent home and told to keep trying to use my feeding tube and eat by mouth. When the resident doctor from the medical team visited me, my lips suddenly poured forth an abundance of information. I explained to the resident doctor I have had these issues before with my pancreas. I have had feeding tubes, but they have failed. I have been given IV nutrition called TPN.

To my shock, my words were forwarded to the rest of my medical team. In the afternoon, the attending doctor on my medical team stopped by to let me know they were going to be starting me on TPN. Furthermore, they were submitting paperwork to send me home on TPN.

There are a few things which are different about the TPN I am receiving. First, this TPN does not contain lipids. This is good and bad. I believe the lipids were probably causing the pain in my liver and pancreas the previous times I was on TPN. Also, without lipids, the calorie count is low. My TPN continuously runs; however, it only provides about 975 calories per day. This means I still need to eat about 500 calories a day of food by mouth. For the moment, this is a challenge. I can only eat pureed foods and my pancreas and GI tract still become enraged in pain if I eat too much or eat too quickly. I am trying to stabilize my weight, but it is hard when I am required to eat so much by mouth.

I am uncertain what the future holds. Since the TPN was prescribed by the hospital medical team, I do not know if my GI doctor approves of me being on TPN. I do not know if he will continue the orders for the TPN when the next batch of TPN needs to be shipped out. I also do not know how long my PICC line will last. If it is decided TPN will be needed for an indefinite time, I will need to get a different central line for IV access. The longest I have had a PICC line last is four months. I had a port-a-cath placed last year in an attempt to have permanent IV access, but that was a complete disaster and had to be pulled. Other central line options will have to be explored if TPN is going to be needed for more than a few months.

[msm]

Just saw your previous video, said a short prayer before clicking “comment” to post my comment - and I see this one.

Thank You Lord Jesus 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[susiespoel]

Praying that you are able to continue with the TPN to get Nourishment and also can eat by mouth. ❤️

[rubytheservicedog]

I hope you can get ensure clear it tastes great and has 350 calories per bottle. Can usually be found at Walmart or be bought from Amazon in a big case. So happy to hear you are getting some calories although not a huge amount it's a start. Hopefully the TPN is a good fit and it becomes more long term. I've seen other YouTubers on long term TPN and they had a Hickman line. Praise God. I prayed for you

[stevebee]

Have u trie pre-mixed protein drinks? Muscle Milk is a good one and is actually non-dairy despite the name. Pure Protein is also good, both at Walmart. Your videos are very well done. I am not religious but will "pray" for u in my own way.

[californiadoll]

God miracle? Thats your life conditions and thats gods miracle? Lmao. If he too useless to actually CURE YOU? .. If god were real, none of this wouldn't have happened to you in the first place!