FR TONY UPDATE: CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Our Tony's resting quietly after a difficult day.... Thought I'd bring you all up to speed.

Friday Evening:
Tony dozed off during the news... awoke to sharp pain in the left side of his chest. Continued to complain of chest pain and discomfort going into his arm..... Off to the E.R. we go!

After eliminating the possibility of a heart attack or blood clot, he was admitted to hospital (1am) for observation. Chest pain growing increasingly intolerable. Morphine barely touching it.

Saturday Morning:
Much pain... doctors and nurses trying to work out which "cocktail" of pain meds would do the trick. XRays show fluid on lungs... 1/4 of lower left lung. Dr. C begins aggressive antibiotic therapy and rest of day is spent trying to get pain under control. All the while, pain in chest is so very bad, muscle in chest wall spasms with every inhale.

Saturday Afternoon:
Dilloted Pump hooked up to Tony and he's out like a light..... totally doped up, not even knowing his name, the date or where he is! For those of you who know Tony, you probably understand how frightful this was for those of us around him. It was a bit of a relief to not watch him suffer so terribly, but at the same time he was still spasming with every breath, and struggling as his lung was obviously filling up.

Saturday Evening:
Still doped up on dilloted...

Sunday Morning:
Doc shows me XRays of lungs.... in spite of heavy duty antibiotics, lung is being compressed by fluid and infection not responding. Left lung now almost completely collapsed. Doc tells me it's time to call in the kids. NOT the most pleasant news I'd ever received. Instantly on the cusp of meltdown, but must soldier on!

Called the kids and told them they needed to come to Morgantown. Went home and took another anti-depressant, to help get through what was going to be a most difficult day.... and headed back to Tony's side.

Called friends and emailed others to spread the request for some intensive prayers. Our friends round the world have always been there for us, and I know there are so many out there who care so very much for our Tony.

Sunday Afternoon:
Dilloted still has Tony zoned out. Philip arrives, much to Tony's joy. Tony in and out of consciousness. Bishop arrives for short visit.

Sunday Evening:
Mark arrives from NC. Lung essentially collapsed, chest tube ordered and inserted. Some drainage, but not enough. Breathing seems less labored, and not as much muscle spasming. Seems things are looking up.... to us.

Philip took the night watch. Mark and I headed to the house to catch a few hours sleep, around 2am. Back up at 6+am..... and over to hospital to relieve Philip.

Monday Morning:
Tony awake and visiting with Mark, Philip and visitors. Doc shows us latest CT scan and XRay results.... not good.... lung collapsed..... Must get more aggressive about treatment. Doc orders 2 large chest tubes to help get fluid drained from around lung. Mom and Dad arrive. Tony in and out of consciousness while on heavy duty pain killers.

Monday Afternoon:
Two chest tubes surgically inserted WITHOUT sedative!!! Pic line inserted. Megan arranges to fly here from Portland. Me thinks Abbey is considering driving in from Raleigh.

Monday Evening:
Massive amount of fluid drained from lung!!! YAY!!! Tony looking far more peaceful.... less tension and strain with the breathing. He's "resting" well. I suspect our beloved Dr. Craig will be trying to get Tony up and moving around a bit tomorrow, to get more of this fluid out of his system.

We can't thank you all enough for your prayers and well wishes. Your love and devotion are the thing that sees Tony and I through the difficult times we've experienced.

Fading... must get sleep.
Will try to send up date tomorrow.