I know it’s been a little while since my last update. But it’s been for good reason. We had another complication pop up and I wanted to wait until it was resolved before updating… Which means that it’s been resolved!
What kind of complication you ask? Well, you see, CFers most often have issues with their bowels. Sometimes, the mucus affects their pancreas, which causes malabsorption and lots of pooping. Because of all the pooping, their bowels don’t have time to get any mucus obstructions, which is super common. Other CFers who don’t have the pancreas issues will have common bowel obstruction issues because mucus will build up in the bowels and cause a back up. In Andrew’s case, he’s always had pancreas issues, which means LOTS of pooping!
Unfortunately, because he was asleep so long, his small intestines did have some mucus build up and he wasn’t able to pass anything. The first solution was yet another surgery. They even had him on the Operating Room schedule for last Tuesday AM -after spending yet another weekend in the ICU- but, thankfully, decided the risk was greater than the reward to operate again and cancelled the surgery, hoping that there may be some other tricks to try first.
Luckily- they were right! It took a long time, but as of 4am Sunday morning, he is a pooping man again! This weekend held so much relief for both of us! He got a couple of chest tubes out, he pooped, he’s walking 3-4 times a day (about 1000-2500 ft total), his speech is improving a little bit every day, and he’s CLEAN SHAVEN! No more lung-off beard! But the biggest relief of all? His breathing. It’s perfect. No coughing, no shortness of breath, no labored breathing. These lungs have been a gift worth fighting for and we will continue to fight for them!
What’s next for Andrew’s recovery? He’s really hoping to start eating today or tomorrow, taking his meds orally, getting rid of these last two chest tubes, and get all of his wounds healed up! Plus rehab, rehab, rehab!
We’ll keep you posted as things progress and hopefully be able to update from home soon!
Xo,
Amber