The Road to Recovery (Days 13-16)

100% was the reading on Jed’s oxygen monitor during pulmonary rehab Friday. He hasn't needed oxygen since his 2nd day post-surgery, however this was the first time the monitor read 100% oxygen concentration. It was a wonderful site to see on the monitor. Later that afternoon his 3rd chest tube was removed. His right lung was now fully supporting itself with nothing relieving the pressure surround the lung. The follow up x-ray showed that there is still a pneumothorax (air pocket) on the right side of his chest cavity. They are hopeful that with time and exercise his body will continue to absorb the air.

Friday evening the kids came down for their first visit since Jed’s surgery. It was great to spend some time with them in the hotel at night and visit dad during the day. The kids got a chance to catch us up on school, CJ’s baseball games, and Kylie’s newly painted bedroom. On Saturday we took two trips outside to the Healing Garden to play Uno Dare with the kids and Nana. The fresh air, family time, and laughter during the game was a great source of medicine for us all. Although Jed did have to be careful how hard he laughed. To break up the time at the hospital and allow Jed to take a nap, my mom and I took the kids to get smoothies and do a little shopping in the afternoon. They were supposed to head back home that evening, yet as the time approached, I had two kids pleading to stay at the hotel one more night. So, one last night of cuddling with me and a long goodbye in the parking lot and the kids headed back home.

While heading back over to the hospital Sunday morning I received a text from Jed that the Doctor decided to go ahead and pull the last tube. Fear and excitement overcame me! I was happy for all the progress, however with the last tube out, it means nothing is relieving the pressure within Jed's chest cavity. His new lungs must be able to stand up to the pressure surround them on their own. God provided wonderful distractions in the few hours that followed, allowing Jed to get his mind away from whether he would experience a lung collapse. By late afternoon one of our new favorite Nurse Practitioners stopped in to check on Jed. She was the one that was with us our first night at the hospital before the surgery and she removed his last tube. She hugged us, since she will most likely not see us again before we leave, and thanked Jed for being such an amazing patient to have cared for. There are certain staff that we got to know better and bond with during our long stay in the hospital. We have been so blessed by all the staff on B4/5 and the transplant team. Jed of course tries to remember everyone’s names and is always looking for an avenue to talk about God or pray for them. He feels honored that God has given him many open doors to be a source of encouragement to those around him in this time.

With all the chest tubes removed Jed had one last 4 am chest x-ray Monday morning with a follow up bronchial scope. These tests are done to check on the air that remains in the chest cavity, the healing within the lungs, and clean out any waste left over from the surgery in the lungs. So far, the results have been positive, which means Jed could be released from the hospital tomorrow! We will then stay in a hotel in the surrounding area and return for pulmonary rehab, labs, and checkup during the following week. It is a step by step process to get back home. We are looking forward to the opportunity of leaving the hospital and entering phase two. We have been warned that even once we leave the hospital it is not uncommon to be readmitted shortly after. Jed’s body is still adjusting to the new lungs and all the medications. Acute rejection will occur. We can’t live in fear of rejection, but rather just stay on top of it and trust God.

This scripture is a testimony of what we have experienced.

Acts 4:10 “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.”