Sunday, May 22, 2011

Not Going Home Today

Well there's been a bit of a glitch.  John's temp went up to 102 and he wasn't able to perform his "respirometer" exercises (breathing) as well as on Friday.  He was also complaining of pain in his right chest area (the side they went in for his surgery) not related to the incision.  So after a CT scan, X-ray, blood tests and EKG (just to rule out any heart-related problems), the doctors decided to postpone his discharge.  It seems that after the removal of his last chest tube, the void it left collapsed.  Just the space collapsed, not his lung.  And that can cause a spike in temperature.  He's had some Tylenol, took his first post-surgical shower and walked a one-lap stroll down the hall.  His temp has come down to 98.8.  Now we just need to see if he can maintain a healthy temp without the aid of medication.  If so, he may go home tomorrow.
Our Bothell neighbors, Bruce and Laura Scott and daughters, were in yesterday and brought a little gag gift for John:  A U.W. Husky #1 sponge hand, a couple of U.W. Husky bumper stickers and two University of Washington pencils.  John feels THAT is what caused his "relapse;" Bad-Dog Karma.
To be honest, I'm a bit relieved that they're keeping him for at least another day.  I wasn't too excited about getting him "home" and having to bring him back this evening to emergency just to be readmitted.  Tomorrow, after all, is another day.  I'll keep you all posted...Nancy

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