Just when we thought we were getting a grip on Matt’s injuries, BOOM! Another plot twist.
Back up to two and a half weeks ago. Matt and I went to the Dr. for this cough he’s had that he just can’t shake. He’s had this since week 1 of his accident. (So much so that we informed his doctor and the trauma doctor that he’s been taking mucinex and delsym, to which they both said…Good.) It’s continued to worsen. He was coughing so hard that he was pulling muscles, coughing up clear phlegm, feeling winded and started to get fevers.
We were told it was allergies. Prescribed steroids to open the lungs, nasal mist, Allegra and told to double up on his muscle relaxer. It didn’t help. Last week Matt requested an X-ray so that we could have some insight to what is going on (since none have been taken since week two of his accident). He called them the following day and was told there was “signs of a virus” and was then prescribed an antibiotic…for a virus. When we picked up the antibiotic we looked it up and turns out it’s treatment for pneumonia. So no allergies, no virus…it’s pneumonia.
Matt then went in for a follow up X-ray this week (Wednesday) and decided to get a second (really a third) opinion. Vanderbilt clinic. They were able to confirm no expansion in the lower left lung with deep breathing and also managed to intercept the newest X-ray. They advised him to go to a Vanderbilt hospital because of the seriousness of the situation. Turns out it’s not pneumonia, it’s a Plural Effusion. The same Plural Effusion that was shown on his day two of injury CT scan. He was given a chest CT where they confirmed a large amount of fluid that was also hindering his lung ability. They actually told him “I’m surprised your able to breathe as well as you can”.
*Side note-So thankful that our neighbors are as loving as they are. Without hesitation they offered to watch the boys and have them spend the night.*
The Remedy for his Plural Effusion – A chest tube to drain it. A thoracic surgeon would need to perform it but there was not one available at that location so they transferred him via ambulance to the next closest hospital with one. So we end up in a Nashville hospital at 10pm on Wednesday night. He’s hooked up…IV’s, Monitors and blood drawn. They inform us that he will be worked into the surgery schedule but will remain in the hospital until then as well.
SURGERY! It made me sick to my stomach at the thought of him having to go through surgery for this. It’s that serious.
I got home about midnight and had so much anxiety and sadness. I was also alone in the house and trying to figure out how I would be able to keep my boys safe and “comfortable” while maintaining our pets AND be able to be with Matt. The boys are not allowed in the hospital due to Covid, so who could I trust to watch them where they would feel some sort of normalcy with me not there. I went to bed with such a heavy heart, sleep just wasn’t in the cards for me.
I got up the next morning (Thursday) and called my Mom. I had been able to keep my composure while talking about everything with everyone but I cracked when my mom asked me what was wrong. I told her and without hesitation she said want me to come and help. YES! She was literally on her way to the airport 30 minutes later. That was at 8:30am, her flight would arrive at 3pm. Then I told Darleen what was going on and she offered to help with the boys, no questions, no hesitation, no requirements, Just that I take care of my husband. The boys came home and we cleaned up, put away laundry, showered and they ate lunch. They were excited to go over and play ping pong at Darleen’s ❤️ She also took them out for Ice cream❤️
I got to the hospital at about 1:30, brought Matt some lunch, snacks, clean clothes and a blanket. He was already going stir crazy and still feisty. We found out his surgery would be the next morning at 7:30am. About 3pm the nurse came in the draw more blood and administer more antibiotics. I left when she was done to go pick up mom. We stopped and got her and the boys lunch and went home. The boys had so much fun playing with Darleen and they were so excited to see Grandma! I was home for about 45 minutes and then headed back to the hospital.
When I got there Matt was having his dinner so I went and got a Turkey sandwich and ate with him. We relaxed in his bed and watched TV for a bit. Then he had to shower and get ready for tomorrow morning. I helped as much as I could (as much as he would let me) and poof, fresh & clean! We sat back down and turned on the Preds game. At 8pm visiting hours are over so I kissed him over and over and told him how much I love him. He finally caught some sleep after I got home. I let the boys sleep with me and Mom slept upstairs. It was a noisy night, not much sleep for me between cat meows, upstairs floor creeks and Ryan’s moving and grooving throughout the bed. I was up at 3:30 and used some time for prayer.
Lovey texted me at 5:30 that they were going to take him back at 6 am and start him on an IV then anesthesia. I got the house prepped and I headed to the hospital. I got there at 8:30am but received a text at 7:59 am that he was officially asleep and the surgery was starting. At 9:15 I got a call from the Surgeon. Everything went well and Matt was finished and in recovery *Thank you Jesus!*
The Surgeon removed two and a half liters (yes 2.5 liters) of old blood and was able to remove about 90% of the film that had formed. He said that the 10% wouldn’t have much, if any, effect on Matt’s breathing. He came out with two chest tubes and three stitched/glued wounds from where the cameras and tools were inserted/used. They finally brought him back at 10:30 and I was so happy to see him❤️
He’s sore, coughing repetitively, and groggy, which is to be expected, but his dry humor is on full force, which is always a good sign. This man has been through the ringer, more than once with this injury and he’s still managing to smile. Or maybe it’s that pain medication kicking in. Either way, I’m so thankful. I love this man so much, his perseverance and resilience just continues to awe me!
I’ll keep you posted!
