Focused on Winning this Current “Challenge”

Progress continues in my effort to overcome the Chyle Leak that has been “dogging” me for the past two weeks.  I am still on a nutritional IV with no food by mouth (15 days), and my chest tubes remain in place to drain and track fluid in my lungs (19 days). The current plan is to continue monitoring the chest fluid and if the amount of fluid draining from my chest is under 200ml/day for 4 consecutive days, we will eat food to “challenge” the Chyle Leak. Hmmmm . . . DK Diner  . . . Rotolo’s . . . Marcellas . . . Ramen . . . the sole of a shoe? I’ll eat anything!

The past 48 hours, my fluid output has been under 200ml/day, so we are on track for a Tuesday (1/6) challenge provided the output continues at the current pace! The success of the “challenge” will determine next steps. Right now, our only focus is winning this current battle.

I”m crediting the positive direction on my fluid output to being at home with Heather and the kids,  a Buckeye Sugar Bowl Championship and the friendship of my lovable labrador retriever Ollie.  Ollie likes to lay at my feet and stay close to me during the day. Or, at least he does when he isn’t licking the dirty plates in the dishwasher, stealing shoes out of the mudroom to chew or barking at visitors and dogs walking past the house.

We are praying hard for success in the next 48 hours and we appreciate all the support we continue to receive from friends and family.