Part 126 More truth


Dr. Bl- approaches Becah again in the waiting room. She was able to get the smaller female tube in my mouth – the tracheotomy is dodged. “It’s a waiting game” for the next seven days, where I will remain sedated and in intensive care for my throat to heal. Dr. Bl- utters the sobering statement “either the swelling will go down or it won’t”, and offers the odds at being about 50:50 that the swelling will subside. The alternative will be a diagnosis adult respiratory distress syndrome, characterized by a dependence on oxygen assistance for an indefinite time.

The next two days my condition worsens, with added complications of staph infection, pneumonia, and fever. I remain sedated, in stable condition. Several bronchoscopies are conducted, my lungs are cleaned and samples analyzed. I have acquired some form of staph infection, and I am given a broad spectrum antibiotic to attack it.

As the sedated days go by, my white blood cell count gradually improves. After day twelve of my ordeal, I am weaned off oxygen dependence to see what my body will tolerate (the tube remains in my throat). The oxygen level is gradually reduced, and I respond appropriately. My infection begins to clear. A series of x-rays confirm the physical improvement in my lungs.

I must be a sight to see to those passing by. I am bearded now, and my hair is shaggy. Men’s Health magazine will never pick me for its cover, and for another year I will miss being on the front of People magazine’s sexiest man of the year issue.

Even as I make this great progress, though, Dr. Bl- fears that pulling the tube out at this time (extubation) could result in a surge of swelling again. Becah detects a pessimistic edge to her usually confident tone. Nonetheless a procedure is set up to remove the tube. If it fails, they will do the tracheotomy. A pulmonary specialist has deemed it acceptable to do this bedside in ICU. A physician from Spain is at his side, along with Dr. Bl- and one of her cohorts Dr. Ki-. Becah is not allowed in the room at this time. I am told that I am awake as they do this. My mind is groggy, but I am aware enough to know that this is quite unpleasant.