We are still waiting in the Waiting Room here at MD Anderson... Lauri had a few minor complications relating to her chest tube drain that have caused our admission to a room to be delayed. It appears to be coming under control now, and we expect to be in a room later this evening, after 8:00 pm CST.
Lauri was experiencing excessive bleeding at the chest tube site. For reference, the chest tube site is located on her right side, just below the rib cage, where the chest tube drains enter her body. There was also excessive drainage from the drain lines leading to some clotting being found in the drain tube itself. Clotting in the drain tube can cause it to clog up and not drain, causing the blood to pool in the lung.
Blood tests have been done on the order of every 2-3 hours since noon today to track her hemoglobin count. Lauri's hemoglobin has dropped to just over 8 at 6:00pm from an initial value of just over 12 at around noon. If she drops down to 7 or 8, then she will be given a blood transfusion to replace the lost blood. Since she is young, the doctors here will wait a little longer to let the body naturally replace the blood.
They have also taken X-Rays at 3:00pm of Lauri's chest to make sure the blood was not pooling in the lung or at the Chest Tube site. The X-ray came back negative for pooling, meaning that the drain is working as it should.
The Surgery team has decided to keep Lauri in the Recovery Room until 8:00pm, at which time they will do another blood test and a possible X-ray. If the hemoglobin count has dropped too low, then she will be administered a blood transfusion. The Surgery Team decided to hold her in Recovery because it is easier and significantly faster for them to order and receive blood in the Recovery Room as opposed to the regular floor rooms.
The Surgery Team further reports that at 6:00pm Lauri's drain tube appeared to be draining very well. The amount of drainage had reduced to a much more normal level, and the bleeding at the drain site had decreased as well.
It makes for a long day, but at least the cancer is gone. We are getting the bleeding under control, and we should be resting in a room by sometime next month...
Just kidding...
1 comment:
Jeff, a special thanks to you for taking the time to post these updates; I know that you have a lot going on but the effort you make is really appreciated.
If Lauri should need blood they can get it from the Ruth Gandour Blood Bank – let me know if I need to look up the information on our blood bank again.
It has been a long and stressful day for everyone and I’m sure that Lauri’s set back had everyone a little anxious but it sounds like she is doing much better. I’m glad that our girl, Lauri is starting to get her act together and not trying to scare us anymore. It’s really late so I guess she is in her room now, hopefully getting a little rest (hopefully all of you are getting a little rest also).
I know that God is watching over each and every one of you – ya’ll are my heroes.
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