Another drainage tube likely

An x-ray showed pockets of fluid building up under both of Riley's lungs. A clot was removed from the drain in the right side of his chest. Hopefully the removal of the clot will allow that pocket to drain properly. A follow-up echo confirmed that there is fluid building up under both lungs. While the pocket of fluid under his left lung didn't appear as significant as it looked on the x-ray, it seems likely that he will have a pigtail drain reinserted into his left chest to help drainage there (This left drain was removed prematurely because it had become dislodged and wasn't functioning). Another chest x-ray and echo on Friday will finalize things.

Another drainage tube will make his physical therapy that much more difficult, as he will have painful drains attached to cumbersome boxes on either side of his chest. This is a big step backwards. Instead of getting closer to discharge, we are getting farther away. Riley has been a champ, working hard to keep his spirits up during this long ordeal. However, every echo, x-ray, and procedure seems to take a toll on his demeanor. He has been through so much already. This setback will be disheartening for all of us.

Here are some of the pictures from Riley's hospital stay.