Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Today Mike's mouth sores are getting worse and it's difficult for him to chew and swallow.  They give him morphine to help with the pain.  Right now he's trying to eat lunch, but it's painful for him.  Mouth and esophagus sores are a very common side effect from the chemo and all the immunosuppressant drugs he's taken. 
 
Tonight the nurses will administer TPN to Mike.  TPN is given to someone who cannot eat anything and must receive all nutrients required daily through an intravenous line. 
 
Yesterday Mike had an infusion of platelets because his nose bleed wouldn't stop.  Today, he still has some slight nose bleeding, but nowhere as much as yesterday.