Day Four with a Chest Tube

Surgical mission accomplished--mass out.  Miles says his pain control post-op was good.  His epidural was discontinued midday today.  So, all in all he has shed 4 lines since Monday.  One IV site remains, and so does the chest tube.

Here's the important update:

The usual chest drainage started to look funny.  Turns out there's a leak of lymphatic fluid into the thoracic cavity (chylothorax)--a possible surgical complication. Miles had a lot of scar tissue to get through as a result of his prior surgery, and during that dissection it's likely the tiny lymphatic vessels get disrupted.

So, there's no immediate threat.  And it's not causing pain.  The leak does need to cease though.  It is shown that 75% resolve themselves over two weeks. Thus, it's a bit of a waiting game, and it puts a damper on Miles' weekend plans. Instead of heading home by Friday, he'll be around till next week.

It is possible to go back in, find the leak, and repair it.  But who wants that? Not Miles, not his surgeon, and not his parents.  So we wait.  Miles is quietly disappointed, but moving on.  He's had some visitors, and more are on the way, which always kicks up his spirits.

Thanks for the Puritan chicken tenders Liz and Steph!