This morning's X-ray showed enough retained fluid around his lung to place a drain, so at 7:30, they declared Brandt as NPO, meaning no food...for six hours. He wasn't pleased with that idea. He had been restless and sleepless last night, though, so he ended up sleeping for a large portion of his wait.
He went back for the tube at 1:30. The whole thing took maybe 45 minutes, and when he came out, he ended up chugging a full 10 ounces in as many minutes. Thankfully, he at least waited until we got back to the room before he threw it all up again. His stomach doesn't like anesthesia.
It would appear, though, that all that fluid build-up was the reason he hadn't slept well. It caused pressure on his lungs, and likely on his rib cage, making breathing a little more difficult. We didn't even think about that aspect until, while resting afterward, we saw his sats sitting at 98-100 on 1L of oxygen. Previously, it had been 92-94 on the same. So apparently it had been hindering that as well. As much as we had been hoping that he was done draining on that side, it's really nice to see him a little more comfortable now.
At the moment, he's completely sacked out on Tanner. He woke up a little while ago and sharply reminded us that in all the kerfuffle with his vomiting we had forgotten to give his pain meds. Whoops!! The nurses heard his screeching and it was unanimously decided to get him some dilaudid, even though we had stopped giving it a while ago for pain management. It's quick and strong and drowsy-making, so it was a really good fit. He fell back to sleep within minutes of getting that through his IV. By tomorrow, he should be a lot more comfortable, and then we can get on with the healing again!
It would appear, though, that all that fluid build-up was the reason he hadn't slept well. It caused pressure on his lungs, and likely on his rib cage, making breathing a little more difficult. We didn't even think about that aspect until, while resting afterward, we saw his sats sitting at 98-100 on 1L of oxygen. Previously, it had been 92-94 on the same. So apparently it had been hindering that as well. As much as we had been hoping that he was done draining on that side, it's really nice to see him a little more comfortable now.
At the moment, he's completely sacked out on Tanner. He woke up a little while ago and sharply reminded us that in all the kerfuffle with his vomiting we had forgotten to give his pain meds. Whoops!! The nurses heard his screeching and it was unanimously decided to get him some dilaudid, even though we had stopped giving it a while ago for pain management. It's quick and strong and drowsy-making, so it was a really good fit. He fell back to sleep within minutes of getting that through his IV. By tomorrow, he should be a lot more comfortable, and then we can get on with the healing again!
If there was any way I could take his place I would. This Papa’s heart is breaking.
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