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Pleural effusion with a side of blood clots... Yum...

They inserted a tube drain into Alex's chest and drained 450ml of fluid out of his left side. That's a lot. They're culturing it to see what's growing in it, but in the meanwhile he's on broad spectrum antibiotics that should handle the most likely suspects.

They were expecting that his oxygen saturation levels would improve after the drain, but they didn't. The next most likely problem is a blood clot in the lung, so now he's on blood thinners to help with that. They'll stop the blood thinners 6 hours before his 10am tracheostomy.

I keep saying that Alex doesn't do anything "small." I'm ready for "small" now... this illness just keeps growing arms and legs. It's going to be a long recovery indeed.

Thanks for your support, everyone! Special thanks to Ken and Carol for coming with me to the hospital and helping me think of all the right questions to ask tonight. It helps to have medical professionals amongst your "nears and dears." We are truly blessed.