Monday Morning

Jon had to be at NIH this morning at 7:30 for another Thoracentesis to remove the fluid that is building up in his chest. We left the house around 6:00 to make sure we arrived by 7:30 for his appointment. Jon's mom says I drive like Mario (from Mario cart :)!  We arrived on time and were able to get Jon where he needed to go. As soon as we arrived at the radiology desk, Jon pulled out his iPhone to read the email from Dr. Stewart that said, "Tell them your reporting to Special Procedures to have fluid drained from your lung." The woman at the desk guided us to another waiting room where another nurse looked at Jon, realized he was short of breath, and immediately got him oxygen (he had just walked in from the parking lot). He sat patiently with the little tubes in his nose that he hates so much until they took him back for the procedure about ten minutes later.  
 When I heard him coming down the hall, I peaked around the corner and saw him being pushed by a nurse and pointing for me too look at all the fluid that just removed from his chest! There were three bottles of fluid in a box taped up. Two of the bottles were completely full and the third one had only a little in the bottom. Jon said they were able to to get 2500ml out!! This round of fluid was a little lighter and looked exactly like a Blue Moon beer. I am not sure if it is a good thing that it is lighter or not. Immediately after he came out of the procedure, they took him to get x-rays of his chest and see if they were able to get all the fluid out. 


After reviewing the x-rays, the doctors determined that Jon still had more fluid that they needed to remove! They had to get a little girl in for a procedure first but put Jon next on the list. While he waited for his next Thoracentesis, the doctors admitted him and gave him his room so he could rest. 


He has been sleeping for almost 2 hours and seems to be sleeping pretty soundly (he was lightly snoring and looks really comfortable). They should be coming to get him shortly for his next Thoracentesis to remove the remainder of the fluid, and I will post again this evening to let everyone know how this afternoon goes, as well as what the doctors plan to do next.

1:15 pm - This is Jon's mom!  

Anne and I found this sweet Mac computer station in the Interventional Radiology center where Jon's next procedure is being done.  After looking at his x-rays, the doctors were surprised to see that even after draining 2500 ml from this morning, Jon still has a large amount of fluid in his chest.  There are doing a procedure now to insert a tube in his chest which will be hooked up to a machine that will gently suction the fluid out overnight.  It will be less stressful on his body to have the fluid drained more slowly. He will be sedated for this procedure (he's happy about that) which will take about an hour.  Anne is catching up on some emails, and then we are going to explore the hospital while we wait.  NIH is a truly amazing place.  Everyone is so caring and compassionate, and Jon is getting good care.  Please continue to keep Jon in your thoughts and prayers.  He's a good patient and takes each new development with good humor and determination.  

We are still waiting to hear about what his doctors decided in their meeting this morning regarding his treatment.  Anne will update tonight if there is any new news.  If not, I'm going to insist that she get some rest and take a break.  She is so loving and caring of Jon, but all the hurrying up and waiting can be exhausting. 

On a lighter note, I tried to supply some healthy snacks for the two of us to nibble on while we waited.  I bought two bottles of "natural" (Anne's note: UNSWEETENED) green tea in two different flavors.  Mine tasted like perfume and Anne's tasted like "dirt" :)  I think I'll try a different brand next time!



The tea that tasted like dirt :)