Dad was moved into a two person room yesterday and we were able to visit for an extended about of time. He was looking better and had a bunch of questions to ask the docs and nurses. He was getting back to his old self.
He has some tightness in his chest and he often feels like he is choking. The nurses kept telling him it was because of the IV that was in his Jugular Vein. Not to mention, there is this huge bandage that goes up the center of his chest and ends right below his Adam's Apple. I imagine that it is worse than a tight t-shirt.
The docs and nurses said that most of the pain and discomfort were going to come from the tubes that are in his chest. One tube is in his side, and goes up the inside of rib cage up nest to his lungs. The other two go in at his stomach and run up under the rib cage up to near his heart. All three of these tubes are for drainage of liquids that may be building up in his body. If everything is going ok, he should have them removed some time today. Other wise they may stay in until tomorrow. These monster tubes have holes running along the side that allows all of the juices to escape out of the body. This keeps preasure from building up in the chest and allows the heart to get used to its new surroundings.
Everyone we have spoken with has been very encouraging and said that Dad will feel soooo much better. The heart doesn't have to work so hard anymore and it gets more blood to the rest of the body, which gives the body oxygen. Oxygen == energy so he will be feeling spry and ready to go. I think there are some good changes coming soon...
Posted by carl at February 5, 2004 10:11 AM
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