Getting Stronger

8:15pm visit-Marla, Melissa, Denise, Mike and Marin just came back from the hospital. It is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel. Since it is so hot we try to take the skyways when we can. Anyways, a doctor from Dr. Coselli's team was there to answer our questions. Rob's CT scan showed a bullae which is a small bulging out in one of his lungs. It probably was something he came in with--probably related to Marfan's syndrome and the connective tissue being so stretchy.

I'm not sure why they didn't see it before the surgery--but they probably had to go ahead anyways. The doctors say the ventilator has made the bullae bigger because the air from it is pushing it out. The doctors really want the ventilator tube out too but have to play it extremely safe because when they tried to remove it before his blood pressure goes us so much. He did have some fluid in his lungs that is now cleared out since his heart is pumping better.and improved his circulation. Mike tried giving Rob a pep talk about how scary it was to breathe on his own when they took his pump out in May--to relax and breathe even though he hurts.

Rob really likes the small hand-held fans we brought in--but they've already quit-the batteries not being the problem (They won't allow a fan with a cord in the ICU--too many cords and tubes by his bed already.) We are going to check out some other stores tomorrow. They've told us in many stores they had more fans, "when it was hot." It's 99+ degrees here and humid--they think that it is cool now???? It was funny because Rob tried to replace the batteries himself between the three fans while we were there even though he can's see what he'd doing--he has to keep his head up because ot the tube in his mouth. Also, when Melissa or Marla stopped massaging his feet he'd motion to start up again by wiggling his fingers and pointing to his feet.

Tomorrow they will try again to take the ventilator out--we're praying tomorrow's the day it will work for him. He might get to move to another floor in a day or two where we can visit longer hours. Rob has nodded, "yes" when we've asked him if he'd like that.