David had the VATS test yesterday and everything went fine. They drained out another liter and a half of liquid, and scraped out thickened and/or necrotic material from the plural sac - all to be sent off to a lab. They installed a vent in his side for the fluids to drain. The surgeon said that it did not "present" like a pneumonia that was brought on by cancer, but he can't say for sure that it isn't. The lung is now more enabled to inflate and function, but he said that it will continue to produce fluid unless they can eliminate the infection.

The bad news is that he will probably have to be ventilated until sometime next week. The damage is extensive and David will never have full use of the lung again. The other lung is only at 30% from previous emphysema.

David's daughter Kathy drove in from St. Louis yesterday and will stay with him today along with Dave Jr. (who slept at the hospital again last night). Personally, I need to break away from the ICU for a bit. There is a cycle that you fall into whilst watching over David. He sleeps for awhile, wakes up, panics and fights, you jump up, try to calm him, and he finally drifts off into drugged sleep again. You sit back down and watch the monitor - evaluating his Pulse/Ox, his heart rate, his blood pressure. You try to raise his Pulse/Ox through will alone, and then all of a sudden, he's awakening again. It's more than I can take for another day, so I'll go to work seeking normalcy for today at least. His son and daughter have him covered, and Dave Jr. will call if I need to come in.

Thank you all again for everything. And Terry, thank you for letting me know about this thread, and for the beautiful ornament that you sent to us.

Here's a little gift for all of you. It was shot from my bedroom window through a screen and I'm a bit wobbly. Sorry 'bout that. But you can see six reasons why David and I love our home here so much:

What a wonderful video. They are so pretty, makes me wish I lived there. Praying that everything turns out ok.

Get some rest Raven, I know it is playing hell on your body right now. I will continue to pray for David and your entire family. P.S. I love the video, they are the most beautiful and graceful animals.

I can't see the video from my work PC but i'm sure it's beautiful like all your photos and videos from home!

Sending more and more hugs, kisses, and positive thoughts your way!!

You have no idea how much I love that deer pooping right in your face! She is completely unconcerned by any external pressures or fears. Relaxed, happy, at peace with her family.

I'm very glad you decided to take a break from the drama of the ICU. Seems like you needed to channel the relaxation and peace of the forest -- your home.

Thoughts, prayers with you and your family.

I'm with Alden..take as many breaks as you need to. I sat in the ICU with my dad for 57 days while he was in a drug induced coma. Sometimes, you HAVE to separate yourself.

Dave Jr. & my daughter-in-law Kathy sat with him all day yesterday. His blood pressure kept dropping and they kept increasing BP meds until they finally discovered that he just needed more fluids. After they raised his fluid levels, the edema in his hands went down, his color got better, and his pressure raised. He is resting more comfortably now. He is still sedated and unaware and will probably remain so as long as he is on the ventilator. No test results yet. I'm going up to be with him after work today. Dave Jr. is the one that desperately needs a break now, so he'll take the weekend off.

Yesterday at work my boss stole my car keys out of my purse. She then instructed our truck driver to take my car and fill the tank with gas. He cleaned my windshield as an added gift.

The deer video: When I shot that I had no idea that the doe "evacuated" in my face. That was a treat that I didn't discover until after I uploaded the video to my computer. I almost fell on the floor laughing.

What a thoughtful boss you have! My co-workers were so wonderful to do things like that for me while Alan was in the hospital. The feelings I had were so conflicted about it. Greatful, embarrassed, thankful and full of love for all of them. Sometimes, we really need help but let our pride get in the way. Ive learned to ask when I really need something and an always so humbled by the loving response. Anyway, my point is, Raven - when you need help in anyway - ask. <<hugs>>

Im glad to hear that David is comfortable now. It had to be so hard to see him like that. It breaks your heart to see your loved on in such a state and know there isnt anything you can do to take it away. David knows you are all with him and he feels the love you are generating.

Still sending healing prayers your way...

Sending you and David prayers, love and kisses. I miss you so much!

Raven - Heart felt good wishes and prayers comming your way. I hope David gets better soon.

No change in David's status for the last few days. He needs to be off of the vent and cognitive. I miss talking with him so much ...

I bet the hardest part of this whole thing is that you feel so lonely. Even with friends and family giving you support, it's just not the same as having David there. I'm still sending him healing thoughts and you lots of love. Wish I could do more ...

I just read this, and I have to say how sorry I am for the situation and that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

I am so sorry to hear all this Raven. Prayers sent your way!

Prayers and well wishes your way. We're having issues with my grandmother in the hospital right now as well. All the doctor's are stumped; teams of specialists have come and gone and she's only getting worse. So I can sympathize.

Also, awesome video. Makes me miss the cabin my family had in the mountains up until a couple of years ago.

It really is such a lonely feeling when your beloved spouse is not "there". Such a scared, lonely, depressing feeling. I fully understand, Raven.

Keep thnking positive. Never give up hope. Everyday is a new day and miracles do happen. We have seen a lot of that with our little online family in the last couple of years.

Hugs to you and healing prayers sent David. We all love you, Raven.

I certainly second that!

I've been "away" for awhile and just now read this. I am so sorry to hear what has been going on. Seems like everything has already been said. Just take care of yourself. It's hard but, you need your strength too. Take care and prayers go out to David, yourself and the entire family.

He's taken a bit of a turn for the worse. His blood levels are low and his pulse/ox and blood pressure are too low. They began giving him blood yesterday and will give him more today. He still won't make eye contact and freaks out every time he hears my voice or Dave's. We're scared to even talk to him because when we do, his vitals start going through the roof, and they have to give him more sedative. I haven't seen his eyes focus on anything for days. When he is touched, he starts fighting the restraints like the Incredible Hulk. This is David's concept of hell, and certainly mine as well.

I am so sorry to hear this we will be praying for your family.

I'm so sorry, Raven. I'm sending you and your family all love. I wish it helped!

I can relate to the "concept of Hell" being infirmed. My mother takes her therapy dog to visit elderly in nursing homes. She tells me that she doesnt want to be allowed to "get like that" where it is so common to be a drool zombie. She has one favorite who was an artist with her amazing art plastered all over her walls. She cant talk or do anything for herself. One really does have to question the quality of life after a time of no purpose or no healing. I hope when my time comes, I can still operate on the Internet or do something mindful. Perhaps by then there will exist an acceptable and legal escape plan for people.

David being older than you and also being strong and stubborn; there may be a time where you need to let him know that he can stop struggling. I'm sure he wants nothing more than to be with you guys and he may just need to know that it is ok, that you'll be ok. I know how stubborn guys are. He probably wants to go home and fix the leak in the roof, or something small like that yet meaningful to him. It's hard to not be selfish at times like these, but some times when the boat is broken, the good captain makes a choice on his own terms to gracefully go down with it.

We're all thinking bout you guys. Let me know if I can do something.

Oh Raven, my heart is breaking for you. I wish there were something we could do for you.

Please know that you all are in our prayers.

I also wish I could offer more but will continue to keep you in my thoughts and sending lots and lots of prayers.

Just thought I'd post a quick update. David is slowly getting better. Although he is still too sedated to be "aware" he occasionally gives a brief quasi-smile. His condition is Stable.

Today he will be having surgery. They will be doing a trachioscopy (I think that's right) so that the ventilator can be attached at a location below the larynx. No more tube going in through his mouth. Appararently it's easier to wean patients off of a ventilator from this position. He'll also have a feeding tube attached so that he will no longer have a tube going down his nose.

Very soon they will move him from ICU to a rehab facilility where he will be eased back up into the land of the living and off of the vent. I can't wait to see him awake and aware, and see a glimmer of the David that I have known and loved for a quarter of a century. It may be hard to recognize him. The hospital shaved off his beard! I've never before seen his chin. Talk about adding insult to injury.

On an interesting note: One nurse mentioned that the infection built up in his lung was old and thickened. Not new enough to be caused by the recent bug that he and I had gotten - just exacerbated by it. She thinks that it was caused by aspirating fecal matter back before last summer's surgery. If you'll recall: Vomiting his own waste was the only way to get it out for about a year and a quarter. I dunno, but I'm wondering if maybe once he's out of the woods it will be time for legal action. His condition was ignored repeatedly, and as a result, he's had years of misery and medical bills that, by now, total literally millions.

Raven - so much I would LOVE to say to that! But - there will be a time for that later.

For now- just MASSIVE HUGS and love to you and your family. Thanks for coming in to update.

Raven, Im so happy to hear he is improving. What a worry this has been for you and your family.

Please keep us updated on how all of you are doing. You are in our thoughts constantly. And...we miss you! <<hugs>>

(((hugs))) I'm glad things are looking up. We sure miss you!

Lots of positive energy and thoughts being sent your way...