Good afternoon, friends.
Today brings some good news and a few challenges.
Sage's WBC continues to drop; it is still elevated but moving in the direction of normalcy. Her kidneys are doing well—yesterday was the second day in a row during which Sage put out more fluid than she took in. Her blood sugar is stable; her liver function enzymes appear to be normal as well.
A chest x-ray taken at 3a.m. today showed that the pneumothorax had persisted. The tube that was put in yesterday to correct it was aerated and irrigated at that time, and her stats returned to normal levels; but in discussion with doctors this morning it was decided that the smaller tubes and pigtails we have been using are not going to work, and that this is going to be an ongoing issue that needs to be resolved.
It's time to exterminate once and for all that little brute of a pneumothorax; pigtails and porcine products are not going to do the job—so a cardiothoracic surgeon is going to surgically insert a larger ("16 French") chest tube. That will do the job, keep it open, and put an end to the pneumothorax. Sage is undergoing that procedure right now; we will update the blog as soon as it is over.
We would also ask any of you who are in the Dartmouth/Boston area to get in touch with Timothy:
Timothy@laphamsquarterly.org
There is a large support group here for Sage and Sophie right now and through this weekend, but most of the Pineos and Dons are going to have to return to whence they came by Sunday. We're looking for a few good men and women to step in and help Sage and Sophie out up here when they can, beginning next week. Anything you could do in the way of visits would be helpful—just get in touch with Timothy with your available dates and requirements, and we'll try to work out a schedule.
Thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, for all of us—most especially, for Sage.
We're envisioning that this procedure makes breathing easier, Hon. Hang in there, Kiddo. We're going to cut through this briar patch and get you out. You just take funky patchwork of love being sent to you world-wide, and wrap it around you to keep you warm. We've asked Peter Rabbit to sing to you a lullaby of hope and healing. Believe him when he tells you that when some physical presences depart, their love remains ever-strong. Listen to him when he tells you all the ways we love you and are here to help you heal. Let him snuggle up to you and anchor you here, with all of us.
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