Those of you reading this have not had the exposure to xrays that we have and this picture found on the world wide web is not even close to as bad as hers. But we were called in to see the doctor just now and waiting at the door I said to Jeff "should you go ahead and clean out the room and bring our stuff over to the hospital?". Then I literally slapped my hand over my mouth when we were shown the 4:00 a.m. image. The top of her right lung (left side of the screen to you) is white which means collapsed.
History:
8/3 surgery with xray showing right upper lobe collapse
8/5 total collapse
8/17 discharge with small upper wedge collapse
8/14 xray at home totally open
9/14 surgery with xray showing no collapse
9/16 xray showing right upper lobe collapse
The doc said if it were "another child" he'd let them go to the "floor" with this today but with her history, we're going to be aggressive today in the ICU. She'll get some percussions (beating) hard on here right side all day long and only can lay on her left side to get the heart off the lung. He said as long as the 4:00 p.m. x-ray looks the same, or better he'll let her go to the other room tomorrow.
She just needs to take her time. As an offer of love for Ellie - let us all say at least one time today to someone we come across, whether stranger or loved one, "take your time".
