Day Four: Healing and Strength

He started his day at 4 am deciding to go for a walk after getting up to use the bathroom. 🔥

Since we are in the ICU, Tony has to be assisted by a staff member whenever he moves. All his plumbing has come back online which is always an uncomfortable achievement after surgery and pain meds.

The physical therapist had him up out of bed for another walk mid morning. She is very pleased with his progress. She will meet with him again tomorrow and then release him from her care. She is confident that he will be able to manage well at home.

Early this afternoon, Tony told me his airway was blocked. It was quite a scary moment for him. I got the nurse and she found the respiratory specialist. Between the two of them, they were able to increase the output on the humidifier mask and make him more comfortable. He tried coughing gently to clear whatever was causing the issue. His oxygen levels never fell, so we knew he was okay. He finally got comfortable enough that he dozed off.

During late afternoon rounds, two members of the surgical team came to check on him. We told them how Tony had been feeling. One of the doctors opened his mouth to take a look. She removed a few bits of dried blood clots from the back of his throat. One was hugging his uvula making him gag uncomfortably. She told him she could see one more on the other side of his throat and asked Tony if he wanted her to go after it. He said yes, and that is when she snagged the problem. We all gasped at the size of it! No wonder he felt an obstruction. 🤦🏼‍♀️ They have ordered a salt water wash he can gargle and spit out to help break that stuff up. His nurse said that was a rare occurrence. She has been here eight years. I’m so glad that mass was able to be removed. Trying to get that thing to dissolve would have been awful.

Tonight the nurse came running in to check on him. The monitors showed his heart racing. Fortunately, it didn’t last long. Tony didn’t even notice it. He was sitting up in bed watching a movie, oblivious. Apparently it isn’t all that unusual post surgery. Labs were ordered to see if they would provide any revelations. Tony didn’t skip a beat. He got up after the blood draw and walked twice as far before getting tucked into bed for the night. After labs came back, electrolytes and Magnesium were administered.

Tony has been medically released from the ICU and we are still here. Every room on the regular floor is occupied and there is a waiting list.