Update on Damon - August 9th
In support of
The Givehand Family
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The Givehand Family
Hi all.
I truly can't say thank you enough for the outpouring of support in so many forms. We are humbled by the amount of love and light being sent our way. Every text message, phone call, donation, voice text, private message on Instagram, and in the Mighty Network goes a long way on these long rollercoaster days.
I've started and stopped this update multiple times over the last few days because we start the day with good news, but by midday we've had at least one piece of news or new information that feels like a punch in the gut and then in the evening, we get another set of news and information -- sometimes contradicting what we got early. And then there is what I can see with my eyes and what Damon is able to communicate to me. All of these pieces have yet to align in a way that makes it easy to give a short and sweet update while still maintaining some level of privacy for Damon and what he's dealing with.
Even with everything, Damon remains hopeful and full of belief that he can turn this around with the support of the medical team, me and our family, and the cheering on of this community of friends, students, and even strangers.
Here's the latest list of things we are navigating:
I truly can't say thank you enough for the outpouring of support in so many forms. We are humbled by the amount of love and light being sent our way. Every text message, phone call, donation, voice text, private message on Instagram, and in the Mighty Network goes a long way on these long rollercoaster days.
I've started and stopped this update multiple times over the last few days because we start the day with good news, but by midday we've had at least one piece of news or new information that feels like a punch in the gut and then in the evening, we get another set of news and information -- sometimes contradicting what we got early. And then there is what I can see with my eyes and what Damon is able to communicate to me. All of these pieces have yet to align in a way that makes it easy to give a short and sweet update while still maintaining some level of privacy for Damon and what he's dealing with.
Even with everything, Damon remains hopeful and full of belief that he can turn this around with the support of the medical team, me and our family, and the cheering on of this community of friends, students, and even strangers.
Here's the latest list of things we are navigating:
- He has had to stop the tube feeding because they've been giving him a product that has dairy and Damon has a dairy allergy/intolerance. It was causing him to be extremely mucus-filled which caused him to need multiple bedside procedures to clear the mucus.
- Those procedures revealed blood clots that have been addressed.
- The main goal for him right now is getting him nutrients so that he can get stronger. So this is a bit of a small setback as they work to find a product that can both work for him and is plant based. There are products and they do have them, but as some of you know all too well, no changes happen quickly in a hospital unless you are coding and nothing moves fast on the weekends. And everything needs 2 to 3 levels of approval / sign-offs. And so, we wait.
- On Friday, he had his first physical therapy session and they were able to get him into a medical recliner and he was able to sit there for about 90 minutes without too much muss and fuss. He was exhausted after, but this is a part of rebuilding his stamina & his strength.
- He's starting to work on the extreme atrophy that has happened since arriving at to the hospital. There are a lot of parts and pieces to this, but he's willing, able, and ready.
- The tumor has gotten larger. They say it is filled with fluid that they do not want to drain because it will simply come back. The tumor cannot be addressed more aggressively until Damon is much stronger, so we sit inside this loop of needing to get him stronger but not having the correct food to do that and needing to address the tumor but him not being strong enough, YET.
- There are lots of other little things that have cropped up as a result of the last 12 days of ICU and hospitalization, but we are taking it one piece of news at a time and celebrating every small win that we can.
Thank you all for your continued love and support.
I am here by his side and will continue to be for his safety and until I am confident that he can effectively communicate with the medical team on his own. I do shower, eat, and sleep here at the hospital and I do leave for a few hours every few days to go home, shower in my own shower, refresh my suitcase, and check on mom and the house. My mom comes to sit with him while I go home. When I return, I get time with her and we usually have a meal together here in his room and watch one of his favorite shows (basically anything on Food Network).
When he is sleeping, I'm either stitching something to calm my nerves; outside for a walk and some fresh air, writing/journaling, working on work things, or also sleeping. I have to keep my mind busy because the alternative is spiraling into the land of what-ifs.
I appreciate the love and good energy you are all sending our way and for the lovely reminders of what community really looks like. Please continue to send us love and light when we cross your mind/heart. We are receiving. I see y'all. I feel your energy. I am honored and grateful beyond measure.
With love...
Kiala
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