For those following along on Mr Ellen10's journey.
After going back onto a regular full diet on Monday, Mr Ellen10 thoroughly enjoyed a Massaman curry and rice (lip smacking delicious said he!)
Unfortunately about half an hour after finishing, we got up to go for a walk and his face dropped. coming out of the drain was the dreaded milky white substance. We showed the nurse and she messaged the surgeon who was away on the long weekend. That evening we mulled over certain scenarios, quite devastating for Mr Ellen10 after just getting over this latest round. Could he go home and eat only fruit and steamed fish and veges for the rest of his life, with vitamin supplements, would I stay on in Sydney again, (its been 2 weeks this round). Another operation? A sleepless night for us.
The next morning the surgeon came in early, I was not there. He discussed the next challenge and will perform another operation today. This time he will not use the original scar/wound, but will cut him more to the centre of his chest and prise open his ribs. They are trying a different technique as the leak is further in and seal it, dry up the area with a type of talc and the rest was lost on Mr Ellen10. The doctor was very apologetic and disappointed with everything and is determined to fix the problem for good. We are still confident in him to fix this, he is highly regarded here amongst all staff.
The anaesthetiist came to see him late last night and said she has worked with the surgeon since 1998. Many heart and valve ops and in that whole time there has only been about 6 chyle cases and with the new procedure, less invasive, like Mr Ellen10's this is the first. She said they have established the locations where they need to avoid them and can only explain that his is positioned in a slightly different area than usually expected.
So the operation is this afternoon and he will again go to ICU and they will phone me when he is awake.
P.s. a little joyful side bar. The staff at the hospital have been amazing and so vested in Mr Ellen 10's comfort and recovery. One of the nurses Paola who is always fussing over him, outsourced a recliner chair (apparently rare as hen's teeth) to the ward and had it moved into his room, so that he could recline with his feet raised throughout the day, she said all he needed then was a margarita!
The nurses, dietician, physio etc all cheer him along.
The lady who brings his afternoon cup tea and is always apologetic because he could only have a cup of black tea on his diet. When he was briefly on the full fat diet, she brought him two plates of delicious cakes for us to share and clapped!
So many kindnesses to brighten his day.
as the utilisation rate is always 100%. MrEllen10's nurses are advocating strongly for him
