Day 11 Second Surgery Successful

I did one of these computer things where I wrote this blog for the day and then lost it before I could post. So I will try again and maybe include less detail.

Last night Louise was able to have the transfusion without any reaction and it fixed her blood so that it would coagulate. Today's surgery was scheduled for 5 pm. So it seemed like a long day just waiting for the time. Louise was able to sleep for most of the day. She was in way less pain but she also never got out of bed.

She went to surgery on time and it took about two hours. Dr. Standerfer was pleased with how well it went. It went as he thought it would with no complications. He found that both lungs had adhesions from her first surgery. The adhesions had kept the lungs from moving freely and expanding and contracting as they should. What I don't get is that he created tissue in the upper chest wall that would make the right lung adhere to the chest wall and seal the leak. So he eliminated adhesions and created adhesions and made the lungs work like they should. Go consult with your local thoracic surgeon if you want to understand it because I sure don't. He also put an upper and lower tube in her right side and just an upper tube in her left side. Yes these are the same size as the last ones but he also put an epidural in her back that should take most of the pain away from the tubes. We will see. He didn't think it would take the scratched chest pain away so we hope that doesn't hurt too much. She did not have to have a ventilator put in like they said she might. thank goodness. She is breathing well on her own. the doctor even showed me several pictures that he took with the scope. He used the pictures to explain what he did. They were beautiful full colored pictures of her lungs. But I don't think we will use them on our Christmas card next year. I didn't understand them very well either. Anyway, the doctor was very pleased with the surgery and said it was really the right time to do it.

When they finally brought Louise back into her ICU room, she was in so much pain. they had not started the epidural in OR. they waited until she got situated in her room first. that was a big mistake. It took at least 20 minutes of starting the medicine and then another shot of benedryl before she actually fell asleep. Until then she had me put music on and I rubbed her arm to try to ease the pain. It was the most pain she has been in since we came into the hospital. So I don't know how the night will go and how she will feel in the morning but right now she is sound asleep and all of her vital stats are real good. I better close now because it is late and I need to go home and sleep it off myself. Thanks for your interest.

Spence