I arrived yesterday very hopeful.  Optimistically thinking we might have Landon home by the weekend.  But as the treatment and waiting game continues, he’s taken a step or two backward the last couple of days.

Main points:

He’s still breathing well on minimum vent settings, and is doing pretty well during his sprints.

He looks great when he’s resting.  He is comfortable, not puffy, and has been squeezing my finger with his right hand.

His x-ray has gotten worse, and an ultrasound indicates pockets of fluid that aren’t responding to treatments, and have instead gotten worse lately.  There seems to be some fluid gathering on his right pleura.  So we’re back to mentioning pleural effusion, most likely onset the last few days as a result of the pneumonia.  This is all RELATED…but it is different from the fluid IN his lungs from his pneumonia.  It is more of a fluid AROUND his lung as a result of the pneumonia.  (Any DR reading this is cringing…I’m trying).

What is pleural effusion?

Pleural effusion, sometimes referred to as “water on the lungs,” is the build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs. The pleura are thin membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity and act to lubricate and facilitate breathing. Normally, a small amount of fluid is present in the pleura.

They are starting another antibiotic, and planning on a CT scan in the morning to get a better look.

That’s enough detail for now, anything else I say may end up being incorrect or behind by the time I type it.

I’m feeling a bit negative right now, so I’m going to try to list some positives:

• Landon is comfortable
• The “home” team has been doing pretty well, and J has been successfully operating as a single father of two for the majority of the last few days.  All of my boys are tough.
• Darra is wonderful, and knowing she is keeping an eye on Nolan during the day is a huge relief.
• I am thankful for an understanding work environment, and that I have something to help keep my mind busy on other things on days like today.
• I’m thankful for reliable friends, eager helpers, good deeds, a faithful family, a kind community, you, a present God, strong coffee, soft yarn, and Landon’s long lashes.