James' tube hasn't had output in over a week. His X-rays and ultrasounds show that there is still fluid, and it's not all old - so the leak still exists. This problem of pleural effusions isn't resolved.
But, we've exhausted all the standard treatment options. We could wait longer to allow more fluid to drain, but the tube isn't even draining anyways... His effusion doesn't seem to be accessible by chest tube. There is no point in giving it more time.
The good news is: most of the fluid has been removed over the past month, and the leak appears to be a slow leak, so it doesn't seem to be critical at this time. We're taking James home to enjoy his summer!
The bad news is: this is just a temporary reprieve. As soon as the fluid builds up again (next month? next week? this week?), we'll be road tripping to Philadelphia to check into Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Their Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Interventions offers innovative imaging technology, thus allowing more precise surgical interventions, which we're hoping will be able to locate and more definitively close his leak.
Also, super reaffirming: CHOP, the only east coast hospital that does this, has performed this procedure on 50 children!! I mean, hey, it's not rare at all!! 😳😳😳
In the meantime, here's a photo of James taking his zebra pilot for a plane ride 😄
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