The Road to Recovery (Days 4-5)

Unfortunately, due to Jed’s digestive track reacting to the drugs he has received he now has more tubes in different locations. Currently he has 6 tubes going into his body besides his standard IVs. Often getting up and walking can bring relief though. Liquids and solid foods are still off limits until all the tubes are removed and his digestive track is functioning again on its own. This has certainly been a test of mental and physical strength for him during his discomfort.

Wednesday afternoon as we attempted to take a short nap, one of the Pulmonary Doctors walked into his room. She told us that on Jed’s morning chest x-ray they had spotted air around the outside of the left lung. Not knowing what that meant she explained there might be a leak within the sealing of the lungs. If it were small they would leave it alone and monitor it. However, if large enough then the Doctor would go into the lungs and place a stent to block the leak. Our stomachs became weak! The last 48 hours brought one complication after the other, but his lungs have stayed strong through it. To hear that there might be an issue now with the lungs was hard to handle. They quickly set Jed up to have a bronchial scope done to get a picture of the inside of the lungs. Holding it together, I walked out of the room leaving Jed with the team of 5 surrounding him. I headed to a private area and allowed myself to break down for the first time in this process and cried out to God. For a moment, I didn’t have to be strong for anyone else.

Within 30 minutes the Doctor called me. She said that Jed responded well to the scope and they did NOT locate any leaks within the sealing of the lungs. “Lungs look good!” They will continue to monitor things to find out where and why the air showed up in the x-ray, but the fear of a complication within the lungs was gone for now. We have been warned that complications will come and not to worry, they can typically fix them. Once again, we are thanking God for these lungs. As Jed woke up from the medication that made him sleep for the procedure, I could inform him what the Doctor said about the lungs. It was great to see a smile on his face again and the anxiety disappear.

That night we were hopeful that he would finally get a decent night sleep, but sadly as evening hit so did extreme back pain. Jed was unable to lay in bed or his chair, and unable to sleep on his sides due to the chest tubes. It was another rough night. It was beyond frustrating to watch him again be in pain and not be able to fix it. They believe the pain is due to air that is left in his body from the surgery and it will be a matter of days for it to subside. On the bright side, since he was unable to sleep he got all his walks in for the day before morning shift arrived. Come Thursday morning my patience was starting to be tested as well. After lack of sleep since Friday night, both of our endurance levels are draining. At times my flesh may lose patience, but God is restoring it and giving me the compassion I need to stand strong. We keep reminding ourselves that this is temporary and his pain and discomfort will lessen. There is hope. Jed’s Dad came to the hospital in the afternoon so I could finally go to the hotel to shower and nap. It is hard to leave Jed’s side; however, I know that if I end up sick then I can no longer care for him.

The Doctors are still hoping to see more results in lessening the leak that remains in one of his chest tubes. They are lowering the suction so it can hopefully heal easier. There could be a risk of his lung showing signs of collapse during this process. So far it has gone well. This afternoon they tried a new pain management medicine to help with pain. It has had good results, yet Doctors are cautious with the type of drug it is due to the harsh effect it can have on the kidneys. He is also now being medicated for his heart rate because even at rest it has been high and causing him to not relax. Through all the hurdles Jed has gone through so far, Doctors are still overall happy with his progress. It has been slower than desired (especially for Jed) but every person’s body responses differently to major surgeries like this one. The main thing is that the new lungs are remaining to hold strong. The pain will pass; we trust that God will continue to give the patience and strength needed in this time.

Again, thank you for the constant prayers, we are so grateful. At this time, visiting Jed is not possible, thank you for understanding. Know that we feel the love and support from everyone.

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Psalm 59:16 “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”