Hebrews 12:1-2a

"Let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with Endurance
the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith."
Hebrews 12:1-2a

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Recovery At Home - Day 16

It was a busy morning with appointments and then in the afternoon, I did Gazette work.

First we went to MedLabs for Jim to have blood drawn to check coumadin levels. Jane from Dr. Butler's office called in the afternoon - levels are going up, now at 1.3, but still not where desired. So he continues to take 6 mg nightly and have blood drawn again in the morning. The home health nurse is to come at 11 a.m. Friday to do that and check vitals.

Then we drove to UIHC for an 11 a.m. appointment and arrived at 10:30. His weight was checked -  143 pounds (148 with travel pack of  nutritional supplements - it weighs a whopping 5 pounds!); blood pressure and oxygen levels. All was good.

Then an EKG and chest x-ray, which showed an improvement, but still a bit of air outside the lungs was evident. There was some talk between doctors whether the pigtail drain should come out yet, but Jim's surgeon, Dr. Parekh, just happened to be  in the area, and he determined the drain could be removed. Jim was so relieved. That was the primary reason for the appointment and he wasn't particularly looking forward to going home with it still intact.

So, Jason Tcheng (pronounced Chang) a Fellow in cardiothoracic surgery and a member of Jim's surgery team, removed the drain. Jim said it wasn't near as painful as taking out the neck suture was - one long stitch, although it looked like 12 tiny ones. Jason took all the sutures out.

Jason is one of our favorite doctors. He will be leaving June 30 for Seattle, Wash., where he will  specialize in cardiothoracic surgery. He has has been a Fellow here for the past two years. His wife, Deborah, who has been living in Dallas, will join him.

The only tube remaining is the J-tube (feeding tube).

Another chest x-ray is scheduled for next week, but it will be done here in Cedar Rapids at St. Luke's. It will show if the air outside the lungs is continuing to decrease or doing something stupid.

On Tuesday, June 2, Jim may start clear liquids. First he takes a couple of sips of grape juice (up to 4 ounces) and watches his neck incision. If there is leakage, he must call UIHC immediately (pray for no leakage!); otherwise, he can start, in very small quantities, things like popsicles, chicken broth, etc.

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