Update on Trent

Trent is doing somewhat better now that his heart can beat properly again.  The doctors fully expect his kidneys and liver to bounce back to normal soon.  The drain that they put in yesterday is still draining quite a bit of blood. They will have to put in a more permanent drain inside his body tomorrow.  He will be having a bronchoscopy (this will be the third bronchoscopy in six weeks) and they will be cutting a pericardium window.  The window is for the blood to drain from the pericardium into the chest cavity to be reabsorbed by the body.  

When I saw Trent today he was very tired but better able to breathe.  His lungs still hurt because of the tumor but at least his heart is not longer having the life squeezed out of it.  He looks a little beat up but is way better than yesterday.  It is hard to believe that all happened yesterday.  It seems like it was a million years ago.  Trent doesn't remember any of it.  He vaguely remembers being at the hotel and being very tired.  He asked me to repeat the day's events for him about three times.  I am so glad that the situation was taken care of so quickly, it easily could have turned out much worse.

A very, very tired Trent.

Looks a little beat up, but better.  He is even getting dark hair!

Joellynn and Nate with Trent in TICU (Thoracic ICU)

 As we talk to people at the hospital we get a great response from ALL of them about Dr. Sugarbaker.  People from all over the world are here to receive his care.  I have heard that this is the only TICU (Thoracic Intensive Care Unit) in the nation-possibly the world.  I haven't done my research on that so I am not sure it is true, but it is the first time I have even heard of a TICU.

All in all, it was a much better day than yesterday.  I am very relieved to have someone else watch Trent 24/7 to make sure he is taking his next breath.  I know he is in good hands and I feel really good about the situation.  There are more obstacles to overcome but we can do it.  WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.  I have learned that over and over again.  Just because it is hard does not mean it can't be done.

We are so grateful for all of your prayers and for putting Trent's name in the temple.  I know it is helping him.  THANK YOU!!!!  Your support is so important to us and the outcome.  Please put Dr. Sugarbaker and Dr. DaSilva in your prayers as well.  I really need them to have as much help as they can get.