Two meanings to the title of todays blog.
1. Lee came back from the bronchoscopy (3 hours from the time he left the room) and the reports look good so far. A biopsy was taken and we will not hear from that for a few days. This is done to determine whether or not he is rejecting the lung. This is routinely done on all lung transplants at specific intervals the first few months and throughout the first year. The old chest tube was removed and another one is now in place. The doctor was very encouraging when she talked to Lee. She explained that all the complications he has experienced so far are not unusual. Some people get through the rehab program, only to go home and have to return again. She said it was good that Lee was getting his taken care of before going home to Vale.
2. Lee is now like his old self. He appears happy and definitely is showing more strength. It is so good to see the twinkle in his eye and have him communicating as he did before the heart problem. He was starved when he returned from the bronchoscopy and ate ALL of his evening meal!
I met with the two discharge nurses today and they told me they are making arrangements for Lee to be discharged from the hospital. He will have to have another PICC line inserted because he will have to continue to be on I.V. antibiotics when he returns to the condo. They may do that tonight or sometime tomorrow......I suspect tomorrow. I do know that he cannot be discharged with a chest tube and we will have to wait until that is removed. My speculation is that it will be Saturday or Sunday. It will be so good to get back into the rehab routine because that means he will get stronger and closer to our return home.
What a joy it was to leave him this evening feeling good about how he is doing. He had been so very weak from the atrial fibrillation of his heart that it was discouraging for both of us. His heart simply would not allow him the energy to do the least activity. Now he is able to walk in such a way that you can see his strength returning!
It is amazing that these other caregivers are able to have a two-hour crash course on medications, feeding tubes, I.V. meds and sterile dressing changes and are able to do it! My neighbor had to do that yesterday..........it was overwhelming and she asked for my help....................she was amazing! Each day I am so thankful that I have a nursing background.
Lee and I look forward to the time when we can personally see and thank all of you for being so faithful in following our daily blog and for keeping us in your prayers. Thank you for your e-letters through Duke.org. He was so happy to read them all. He received 22 in one day!
More Later....................................................Brenda
Brenda & Lee....It is sooo good to read the good news tonight! I am so happy that there is much improvement today. Can't wait until tomorrow to let Charles know....if it wasn't 11:00 pm I would call him now!!!! We thank God each day for Lee's improvement and pray this will be the last set-back for you. Hang in there, both of you, and look forward to the next blog!
ReplyDeleteDorothy J.
Below are lyrics from a song by Miley Cyrus talking about her dad. It emphasizes what Eleanor said on her comment:
ReplyDelete"I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is somethin' you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believin'
There's no question, that's a lesson, I learned from you"
Wonderfull news!!! Sometimes it is hard to wait on God to answer our prayers. We just have to be faithful and know that God knows what is best for us. We love you and we are hanging in there for you.
ReplyDeleteangie