Day 2 Post-Op

I don't want to jinx it but things are going far better than anyone could have expected. We were able to make all through the night without any fetynol which surprised everyone. Austin is doing very well with his breathing "exercises" to control his pain. Basically we've gotten him to the point that we can walk him through a panic/pain induced attack. Since we were able to make it without the fetynol they have decided to put him on loritab instead, which is something we could utilize at home unlike the fetynol. He got up in the chair for the first time today and even walked twice out into the hall...only maybe ten feet or so total but it's a start. He's in high spirits and is slowly returning to himself. I can't help but laugh because even if he is in excruciating pain, if Nate or myself act like we are going to take a picture either with a camera or a cell phone he stops crying for 2.5seconds for a cheesy grin, and then goes back to crying.

I think the goals for tomorrow are going to be to get his chest tube out and maybe a couple longer walks. He got his arterial line out today, but we have been having some fluid retention issues so we may not get the chest tube out. I am prepared for another day of it if needed. I would much rather sit for another day with it, then to have to put a new one in. This past morning he was so fluid logged he looked like he weighed forty some odd pounds. His little feet were like little sausages. They had to give him some albumen and IV lasix to help with it, and although it's working...he's still clearly holding a lot of fluid. We also seem to be struggling getting him off his oxygen. We've been trying, but he drops his O2's down into the lower 60's without it...which is not good. It's something expected, but a hurdle none the less towards going home. Myself and Nate are doing well, so far, with no major setbacks. We don't want to get our hopes up but maybe sometime mid to late next week for home. We are giving ourselves a little extra time if needed for our own sanity. The prayers and thoughts are really helping so please keep them up, and I will update again sometime tomorrow...and maybe through some pictures up. Thanks again-