James' pleural effusions have pretty much stopped. He is already being weaned from the medications that helped dry up the leaking, and moving towards possible discharge this weekend if everything stays dry as he transitions off meds and back onto solid food.
But...
It's not as simple as "now it's here/now it's done". The pleural effusions last summer were a sign that his body wasn't yet adapted to the Fontan circulation which was the entire point of the surgery. Their return this summer means that his body STILL isn't working optimally with the Fontan system. The pleural effusions will be a recurring problem unless we make a change.
His team has therefore scheduled him for a cardiac catheterization next Thursday. Even if he is discharged before then, he'll be readmitted to the hospital on July 14. (Exactly one year from his initial Fontan! July 14 is officially my least favorite date.)
Best case scenario, they decide during the cath that everything looks good enough to simply try a lowfat diet as sole lifestyle change to keep the effusions from returning.
Any other case - really the only other option if things aren't totally great inside - is a refenestration of his Fontan. This means poking a hole, adding a shunt, opening a permanent connection; decreased oxygen circulation; and some nasty lifelong medications involving super sucky stuff like daily shots for the rest of his life.
We don't want this. James doesn't want this. Let's hope we can avoid it!
Super excited about Legos ❤️
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