The ebb and flow

So, as I posted earlier, JoDee had a chest tube inserted to help drain the fluid that is putting pressure on her damaged lung. A few quick and interesting items of note:

1) the doctor had to insert the tube (~3/4 of an inch in diameter) between two cracked ribs on her left side…ouch is an understatement

2) it was the biggest tube possible for use in this application

3) almost 900 cc (or mL) of fluid has already drained

4) chest tubes are extremely painful and it has literally taken two anesthesiologists to be able to get her pain under control so that she could stand to take a breath, oh and 7.5 hours of trying this drug and that drug, relocating her epidural, drugs via IV…you name it

5) drugs are good (the legal kind of course)

Today has been one of those days that the doctors warned us about. But in the long run, a day that was necessary for JoDee’s recovery. Unfortunately, it has set us back two or three days in the near term. Yesterday was a great day and she was actually able to visit with some friends. It will be a while until she has that sort of energy and stamina again. However, getting that fluid out of her body has now become essential to her overall well being. The risk of inflammation and even infection, along with added pressure on her lungs, was approaching dangerous levels. Fortunately, I now think we have her pain under control, and she is relaxing a bit more. I can tell when she is more relaxed by the fact that she is able to take deeper breaths, and not the short “panting-like” little breaths. Hopefully, we can get more sleep than last night.

It has been a bit emotional for mom and dad and I to watch her endure such high levels of pain after all she has gone through. I am so thankful that mom and dad are here, as it has been great to have someone to go through this process with.

I also have to say thanks to Zach and Kristy for being such great friends and for helping us in so many ways. This experience has not been easy on them nor on their family. It has been great to talk with them and to share the emotions of that cold and snowy Saturday night that didn’t end the way we expected. JoDee has been an inspiration to me personally and even after being married now for nine years, I am continually amazed by her drive and determination. The world is a better place because of her.