Managed to catch the Thoracic Surgeon's assistant just before he headed to Tony's room to insert dreaded chest tube. He said there's still some fluid outside the lung in the pleural cavity, which may be sitting in a pocket (of sorts). The goal of the 3rd chest tube was to reach said pocket. He mentioned there's a chance the lung/pleural cavity could be stuck to the ribs, thus preventing him from getting to the pocket.

Well, guess what..... he ran into what he described. After a long hour of hit and miss sedation, poking, prodding and trying to get the tube inserted, the surgeon's assistant gave up. No 3rd chest tube.

Following the procedure Tony's lips began to swell. All quite odd, but they IV'd some benadryl and a bit of sterroid which took care of the matter after a few hours.

Poor Tony is wanting to drink and eat, but under this no food for two days order, no can do. Sucking on the sponge stick just isn't cutting it!

Where we go from here is now a mystery, as no one showed up to give us an update or clue us in. Tomorrow morning they plan on doing an ultra sound. Of course, not sure what they're ultra sounding, but maybe we'll find out some time tomorrow.

I was told by another person in a white coat that we will probably be visited by the surgeon tomorrow. Does this mean they're finally considering surgery? Have no clue. What I highly suspect is yet another long day of waiting... waiting.... waiting... waiting..... and more waiting, while Tony lies there wondering what's going on inside.

Goals accomplished today? One

Tony received communion the evening before.

Tomorrow's goals: Get answers to:

1) What is status of kidneys

2) What will be done about the remaining fluid in the lung

3) Will there be surgery and if so... when

and

4) Arrange regular visitation and communion

5) Try to get Tony up and walking

6) Get Tony shifted around more so he's not on his bottom as much

Al P. and Dorothy came to visit. Thank you both! It's always nice to see a familiar smiling face.

The nurses continue to do a fantastic job taking care of Tony. Thanks be to God for our angels in blue and white!

Must sleep.

More tomorrow..... as we do the one step forward and two steps back dance.