Who signed us up for the Circus?

Tightrope walking. That's what our surgeon told me we were doing at this point in Ashley's recovery. If somebody knows something that I don't about signing us up to perform in the center ring please,please tell me.

Ashley's chest x-ray from this morning did not bring the news we were hoping for. Yesterdays' procedure did not open the upper right lobe. On top of that she is now showing plural effusions on the left and right lungs. For now her surgeon is not supportive of placing a second chest tube. He wants to continue the diaretics in hopes of pulling more fluid off of her. Here comes the assent to the tightrope. The side effects of the diaretic is damage to her kidneys and renal system. What do you choose? Removal of fluid so that she might breathe more effectively or risk possible dialysis as her kidneys slow down? This morning her BUN(blood urea nitrogen) level was 72! It's supposed to be around 20. Dr. B shook his head and shrugged his shoulders not really knowing what was best. If her lungs don't clear fluid in the next day or so then we will probably receive another chest tube. I can't tell you how uncomfortable that is for Ash.

The removal and replacement of her line and foley did not happen today. The surgeons have been in the OR all day and have not been able to find time. Perhaps tomorrow.

Since Ash spiked a fever yesterday and again last night the team is now suspecting some type of viral pnuemonia and in that case it becomes a waiting game. There is no treatment for it. We just wait on her body to recover and hope she doesn't come down with a secondary infection. The longer she is on the ventilator the harder it becomes to avoid secondary infections.

The good news today is that her blood gases are really good and we have been able to make a few changes to her vent settings. The machine continues to do all of the work, but they have turned off her paralytic and are trying to allow her to wake up in hopes that any movement she provides will assist in removal of the fluid from the lungs. She hasn't opened her eyes, but she does cry huge tears when she hears my voice. I sang itsy bitsy spider to her and I saw the slightest of movements from her tiny fingers. She was trying to tap the bed as I sang. My heart is breaking as I remember all too well how painful it is for her to be awake and intubated. My prayer is that she makes huge progress and can be extubated sooner rather than later.

So I just wanted to let you know that we may consider selling tickets for the circus if we manage to stay on that wire without falling off. Who knows? we may get really good before this is over.