A Bend in the Road
Day 7

Isn't it amazing the twists and turns we experience in life. It can change so fast. Yesterday the plan was to come home to Newnan in a few days. Today brings a new plan. The doctors discovered that there is a small leak in the collapsed lung. Although it has nearly returned to the normal size, apparently a small hole is letting air into the pleural cavity. Not to worry, this is not unusual. It should repair itself within a few days. By Monday we will have a better idea just what the next course of action will be. It seems unlikely June and Ernie will be returning the first part of next week. If the lung has healed itself by Tuesday, they are considering the surgery on the sacrum. http://www.back.com/anatomy-sacral.html This is a delicate surgical procedure and there are risks involved. By doing this operation first and allowing the appropriate recovery time, they will be able to come back to Atlanta for the hip replacement surgery, thus avoiding additional trips to Lexington.
http://www.hipreplacement.com/xq/ASP.default/mn.local/pg.list/joint_id.5/list_id.17/joint_nm.Hip/local_id.5/qx/default.htm

Today, Mom is still in good spirits. She has received some pain control but has not experienced excessive pain. The doctors see no reason to be in pain. Pain equals stress, NOT good. Fluid continues to drain from the pleural cavity, about 4 liters so far, equal to about a gallon plus 1 cup. The food is lousy, her biggest complaint. Down right slop. IE: weak or watery unappetizing food or drink; "she lives on the thin slops that the hospital kitchen provides" .
Ernie has brought her some good stuff from time to time. :-) Ernie went back to St. Agnes House early today; they were both in need of some rest.

Friends and neighbors, keep those cards, comments and prayers a comin'!