Hospitalization Update

Joy slept the best last night that she has, probably since transplant. She felt pretty good this morning however, she had a long day ahead.

They took her to surgery to extract the fluid from outside her lungs but within the lung cavity. They removed over a liter of fluid and although she was a little sore and groggy when she returned, she was breathing better but not 100%.

Just minutes after she returned to her room, they took her back to surgery because the post-procedure x-ray revealed a partially collapsed right lung and it was necessary to insert a drainage tube in her back to remove the accumulation of air in her lung pleural cavity and also allow for training of fluid not removed in the earlier procedure. She was in a lot of pain after and very uncomfortable when I left tonight.

The preliminary report from yesterdays biopsy does not indicate infection and a quick examination of the fluid removed today does not appear to be infection and does not show emphatic evidence of rejection however, they feel she exhibits classic signs of rejection and they plan to start treating that empirically tomorrow with anti-biotics and steroids. They will x-ray her in the morning to determine if any fluid remains and ensure the lung has expanded normally then decide how long to keep the tube in place. Maybe a couple days? IV's, feeding tube, drain/suction tube, monitors................she has about had it with tubes and wired monitors!

They do not know how long she will remain hospitalized but do not feel that this will interfere with her upcoming stomach surgery on the 31st. So she may get a few days of freedom.

This has been a long and exhausting day for her and although she is not depressed over these blips, she is understandably a little down. Hopefully, her night will not be to bad and she will feel better tomorrow.