Tube Yanking
I missed writing last night. I left the hospital at 11 and did some work on courses for next semester and forgot. It doesn’t, however, mean that it was an uneventful day. Yesterday Caitlyn’s left chest tube came out. The night before Caitlyn had complained a bit about that side but we didn’t think much of it. When Jasmine, Donna and I got back from an xray (after lunch I think) and Jasmine turned the suction back on the chest tube we all heard a funny sucking sound. Jasmine was quick to look at the chest tube and she got a funny look on her face. She quickly turned off the suction, looked again, got another funny face and told us that she thought that the tube had come out. She called the doctor who came quickly and, sure enough, the tube had come out on it’s own. This isn’t something that is supposed to happen but I think it wasn’t supported or we hadn’t supported it enough in our walks. Of course there was immediate reaction with the pediatrician and everyone else involved. They were worried about air pockets and fluid not draining. We had 3 or 4 xrays yesterday and with all of them it didn’t seem as though her lungs were getting worse. So, they determined to watch it over night and xray this morning to see what was going on. This morning we were excited to see that her lungs had actually improved over night and the air and fluid had diminished slightly. So, no new tube! Woo Hoo. Today when the doctor came to see her she even talked about giving us a day pass to go to Ronald Macdonald house for awhile on Friday. Things are improving!
Yesterday we had another monumental accomplishment: Caitlyn’s hair got combed through. If you have long hair you know how you get snarls over night (Darryl and I wouldn’t know about things like that.) Well, compound that over 3 weeks of lying in bed. The back of Caitlyn’s hair was a bit wild to say the least. So, shampoo, cream rinse, Johnson’s hair detangler (Thanks Aunt Nurae), Clair, Donna, and an hour straight of detangling and Caitlyn’s hair was snarl-less. One of the nurses had said that they had seen something like that before and that the people ended up just cutting out the hair. Apparently the Johnson’s hair detangler is the ticket.
Today when the surgeon who would have to put in a new tube (which we didn’t need) came to give us the NO TUBE news, he wanted to look at the bandages around the two holes. Earlier Jennifer had indicated that today was the day that we should address those bandages. If you know Caitlyn, you know that she does NOT like when someone takes bandages off. Now we’re So, when the surgeon was here they went to work. There were 3 sets of bandages that had been taped up and dated. They took all three off in a matter of a few minutes and redressed two of them. Caitlyn was not impressed but at least the dressings have been changed. I didn’t get a change to look at the holes but I’m sure the tubes left a mark.
Jessica and Tanner arrived today and it was great to see them. Lots of treats and presents traveled with them – thanks to all who were thinking of us. We bought our traditional Christmas Eve’s supper and are looking forward to a unique Christmas experience. It’s been a bit difficult to get into the Christmas spirit of giving. However, we have felt lots of gifts given to us by people who Caitlyn has touched. Each day we have “opened” wonderful gifts of well wishes offered by friends and family. Today was a good example when Rhonda, one of Caitlyn’s former assistants, stopped by for a visit. Thanks, again, for your wonderful gifts.