Home fairly early this evening. Pets managed another day without anyone home. Tony had a good day, ate regular meals (on his new "Renal Diet".... although we had been told his kidneys were doing fine?!) without any ill side affects, and had several visitors. Jay+ and Bruce+ drove down from Pittsburgh, and Tony was so very pleased they came. Patty and her children paid short visit. It was so nice for them to stop by. Tony's grown quite fond of the Harman family.

Today was day two with the Physical Therapist. Tony walked the entire length of the hall again, and did some exercises. No shortness of breath! We hear there's a really great massage therapist on staff, and hope to get an order in for her to visit Tony. Tomorrow is shower day.... YAY!

No news to report. Tomorrow is the big football game (West Virginia Mountaineers vs Louisville Cardinals) so must read up on the parking regulations and figure out how to come and go from hospital. sigh

Found some information that might help you all understand what Tony's dealing with.

Empyema/Decortication

What is it?

An empyema is infection in the pleural space. The pleural space is the potential space between the lung and the chest wall. The development of an empyema results from fluid within the pleural space which becomes infected, and the deposition of infected protein material onto the surface ofthe lung and the chest wall.

The infected material deposited onto the lung is called a pleural peel. The pleural space normally has a moist surface, allowing the expanding and contracting lung to slide smoothly over the inside of the chest wall. Under normal circumstances, there is no significant amount of fluid, and there is no air, in the pleural space.

The lung is normally completely expanded inside the chest. When an empyema is present, the lung is compressed by the fluid in the pleural space, and the lung becomes "trapped" within the material, unable to fully inflate. The patient may be very short of breath, and typically has a high fever and feels verysick.

What causes it?

Most empyemas begin as a pneumonia. Some patients with pneumonia develop a pleural effusion. In most patients, the pleural effusion resolves when the pneumonia is treated. For unknown reasons, in some patients, the effusion does not go away, but becomes infected. An infected pleural effusion is called an empyema. The empyema has two components: the fluid in the space, and the pleural peel deposited onto the lung and chest wall. The vast majority of empyemas will not respond to antibiotics, nor will they resolve on their own. The vast majority require surgical exploration and drainage.

If the fluid coats the lung for a period of time, then a sheet of protein begins to be deposited on the surface of the lung. This sheet of protein is called a pleural peel. The pleural peel acts as an eggshell, or papier-mâché material, permanently preventing the proper expansion of the lung. In order to return the underlying lung to normal function, surgery must be performed to remove the pleural peel. If the fluid is organized or severely loculated, the effusion or pleural peel should be removed by a thoracotomy as soon as possible to prevent entrapment of the lung. If this procedure is tolerated, the patient should improve rapidly.

Time for bed.... Morning comes early these days.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and well wishes.