What Now?

It was an interesting conversation with the Vet yesterday - not necessarily good, but interesting.

They aren't positive what is causing the drainage from the center of his incision. It seems most likely that this infection is a reaction to the suture material used internally. The specialist cautioned us "that drainage may persist or recur until all suture material is removed or absorbed. That may take many months." That depends on if the infection is a reaction to the absorbable material used to suture the lung and chest cavity or the permanent material used to suture the ribs. If the latter, he could need yet another major surgery 6 months from now to remove those sutures once the remaining ribs have completely healed.

Meanwhile, they want to keep the incision open until it stops draining. Turk is now on his fourth course (and fourth type) of antibiotic, this time for 3-4 weeks.

Right now, the earliest we could leave the Anchorage area would be August 10th which would still allow us to make family commitments in Wenatchee later in August, but cuts out nearly all sight seeing. One day at a time!