Tube out

We do not get to go home.  We will start week three at the hospital on Monday.  It will be okay.

If I could compare being at the hospital to anything, I think it might be highschool.
Our first time was like Freshman year.  You're unsure of yourself, your surrounding and you are trying to learn everything.  You listen to the doctors and take their advice.  At this time, they know Lucy best.  It the longest year and our longest stay.

The second trip;  sophmore year.  You're familiar with the setting,  you know everyone.  There are less questions, but the things you are learning are a little more advanced.  You're skin is tougher and the doctors are relying on you a little more.  The year goes by a little quicker

The third trip;  junior year.  It's barely there.  It's a blip on the screen.  Three days, in and out.
You don't really learn anything...just biding time until senior year

But this trip...it's senior year.  King of the castle.  We now know Lucy best.  I ask things I wouldn't dare ask back in May.  As we moved down to floor two last Tuesday, I said we should probably just take out that left tube.  Doctors said no.  Wednesday morning x-ray showed the tube was nearly falling out and caused pneumothrorax (air in the chest cavity).  I told you so!  We flush her NG tube after feedings.  The nurses ask for our input when considering pain medication.  We are practically graduates.

By the time we are back for her third surgery, it's possible we'll have our masters degree.  Although if we don't have another admittance before then, we'd be okay with it.

Thursday morning we got another x-ray and bad news along with it.  She had reaccumulated fluid on her left side.  Seriously, where does this kid get all the fluid?  I spoke with the cardiolist and we had three options. 

1.  Insert another chest tube - um, no thank you!  It's hard enough to pick her up with one.
2.  Place her on NPO (it means nothing by mouth) and dry her out.  Can we say cranky baby?
3.  Increase diuretics and monitor carefully.  Least invasive, but probably takes the longest.

 

As much as I'd like to leave sooner than later, I was hoping number three was what they would decide.  In any option we weren't leaving this week but minimally invasive always has my vote.  Before they left I asked if they could at least take the IV out of her right hand.  She came out of surgery with IV in the right hand and left foot.  Since she is mobile and very curious they have to put plastic casing over it so she won't pull it out. It's pretty much a club hand and apparently a chew toy.  As we would catch her gnawing on it.  She was happy to have her hand back.  Makes it much easier to play.

After speaking to the surgeons, the team went with option number three.  With more fluid accumulating on the left side there was no chance they were going to pull the right tube out.  Even though it was draining minimally.  We have increased diuretics and the x-ray Friday morning is showing some improvement.  Cardiology came into speak with us after they reviewed the x-ray.  They would wait for no drainage from the right tube before pulling it.  Luckily for us that happened today.  We are officially tube free and possibly looking forward to mid-week discharge.

Sometimes you just have to goof around.  No heads were injured, just playing with band aids.

Tonight, while Lucy is in great hands, we will celebrate her and CHD research at the first annual Red Tie Ball.  It's a much needed night out to make sure we don't forget our first roles: husband and wife.