Lung Update #10 - The New Guy

So we received some uplifting news late this evening as the fellow who works under Dr. Quaong (surgeon) made his rounds. He evaluated Jeremy's numbers over the course of the day and was quite pleased with the progress that he was making. He gave us some very positive feedback that we are taking with caution. Dr. Quaong has left for a business trip for the weekend, so Dr. Kemp (the fellow) and Dr. Shrump (IDK) will be making the decisions in Jeremy's interest for the duration of the next few days. If Jeremy progresses through the night rather well here in the IMC, then he will most likely get transferred to a surgical floor room TOMORROW AFTERNOON. This is great and exciting, but we are not holding our breath; yet, we are somewhat excited. Jeremy is currently sleeping WITHOUT oxygen and his oxygen saturation numbers are normal. This testifies to Dr. Kemp and to us that the CPap is working for him along with the bronchial dialator treatments. Jeremy will also continue to work on breathing treatments tomorrow throughout the day. These treatments will continue to aid in the oxygen intake, which his body still needs training on.

Jeremy will most likely be weened off heavy IV fluids tomorrow and be forced to rely on his own personal hydration. The intake of water for him throughout the day will be crucial to aid with the intake of large quantities of pain medication and antibiotics. Jeremy will also lose his local pain pump that is NOT self-induced. It works like the elastimers that we use at home to infuse his medicine. Once it has finished infusing, it is to be extracted. Dr. Kemp says they typically last about 3-4 days. That would bring us to tomorrow. From there, he will begin IV and/or oral pain medication to assist with discomfort at the incision site. He will remain on the self-induced pump for a bit longer. It assists with the pain at the location of the drainage tubes. They will remove the tubes one-at-a-time. Jeremy's surgery was different in that they removed an actual infectious mass. So the doctors want to keep at least one drainage tube in until nearer our departure in order to rid him from all fluid.

Pray for Jeremy to not have HICCUPS tomorrow. Every time he uses the CPap, he gets the hiccups and they are so painful because they are those monstrous kind we can get from time to time. Pray for his fever to STAY AWAY. It has elevated some this evening and we need it to go down. That would be a deterrent to move him into a regular room. Pray for Jeremy's appetite - that it would continue to return bite by bite. Pray for his nausea that usually comes when we get him up to move around. Pray for his strength as we get him up to move around. Pray for Jason, Rachel, Emma, & Papa as they travel tomorrow. Pray for Abbi as she continues to visit with friends. Pray for her to sleep tonight with Ken & Cindy so that they can sleep. Praise the Lord for a BETTER day. PRAISE THE LORD for good numbers. Praise the Lord for each other and the amazing support we give each other. I thank my God upon each remembrance of (each of ) you.