Dr. Katragada took out Ron's chest tube at about 4:00 today, here in the room.  The worst part about it was when he was taking off the tape!  Debbie, his nurse, gave him a double dose of Fentanyl right before it, so he wouldn't feel much pain, and he didn't.  I was amazed at how long the part was that was in his chest.  So far, no reaction from his heart. :)
 
They also discontinued his IV fluids today, so he is now not "connected" to anything but the vent.  He was on C-pap mode on that from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. today.  He was even breathing on his own when Sister Julie, the physical therapist, had him up in the chair from 12:30 to 2:30!  He ate his lunch while sitting in the chair.  Sister Julie also had him do exercises - just more slowly since he was breathing on his own, with only C-pap support.
 
"Plumbing" is all working fine, today, and aside from some gas, belching and passing, he's had no problems...  no headache or backache, either.
 
Dr. Corman, one of the gastroenterologists was in this afternoon and said they can find no reason for the low hemoglobin gastro intestinally.  His iron level is fine; B12 is OK; and folic acid is OK.  He was going to check the gastroscopy from when they put his gastro tube in to see if it showed any ulcers.  He said his hemoglobin level today was 8.1, so at least it's not going down.
 
He ate well again today, but a new respiratory therapist suctioned him too aggressively this evening, and he threw up his supper from coughing too hard!  I was out of the room for a quick walk-about, and missed the shift change.  You'd think they would have those notes in his chart by now about his bad gag reflex, and how they can't go way down with the suction tube!!  He was upset about it when I got back.  He was going to not have the tube food tonight, but now he'd probably better.  Everything I've read says that proteins are the best treatment for lung illnesses, so we're trying to be sure he eats well, and drinks Enlive juice (with 9 g of protien in each box.)
 
If all goes well tonight and tomorrow morning, it looks like he'll be going back to Regency tomorrow.  They don't know what time, at this point.  I will try to get up here earlier in the morning, or Deb, his night nurse, said I can call and tell them not to send him until later when I'm here.  He's sad to be leaving St. V's, and will miss all the wonderful care, the nurses, RT's and aides, but Regency is one step closer to home...  Hopefully he won't have to be there long.  Debbie talked to the intake gal from Regency today and had it put in his notes to do an immediate chest x-ray if he feels any chest pain like last time - even if his numbers look OK!  There are one nurse and aide that he had last time he was there, that we are going to request not be assigned to him. 
 
Thanks for all the continued prayers and positive thoughts!
 
Love,
EJ