Change of plans

Joel was all dressed in his gown and ready for surgery when things changed. The anesthesiologist listened to Joel's lungs as a routine thing. The look on the doctor's face changed into a worried expression. He listened again and again. And then he asked Joel to cough. Joel coughed. And up came a bunch of slime followed by many more productive coughs.  At this point I knew we were going home, but the doctors all talked for about 30 minutes trying to decide what to do. They all agreed that his left lung is full of crud and there was significant wheezing and that proceeding today would greatly increase the odds of pneumonia or other complications.

Joel was a bit excited to go home because they had just explained the catheter he would have for a few days...

Anyway, everything happens for a reason. Why did Joel wake up with a bad cough on the day of his surgery? I may never know.

So we will try again next Wednesday and give his body a week to beat the virus he has right now. I just know it was the right decision to postpone. Having a major chest surgery when your lungs are already compromised is never a good idea.