Jewel”s Recovery

Jewel went in for surgery at the end of January  for a thyroidectomy and neck dissection due to thyroid cancer. During surgery the breathing tube that was placed was found to be faulty and resulted in her being intubated again causing swelling concerns. She was left intubated until the next day. Then was discharged that day when the surgical team okayed it. While at home she was complaining of shortness of breath and swallowing difficulty so back she went to UNMC. They believed it was possibly pneumonia or atelectasis. Gave her some meds, oxygen then discharged her again. A few days after that she was experiencing uncontrollable pain and breathing difficulties. In the ER they found right upper lobe pneumonia. She was sent back to UNMC again. While there her right lung collapsed resulting in a chest tube.  A CT and scope showed 2 holes in her trachea. 
Unfortunately they had to place the temporary trach. Soon after that she went back into surgery for another trach change where they found more infection and had to wash it out. She also had fluid around her lungs which they had to drain during surgery. The following day at bedside they had to once again drain even more fluid from around her lungs .  On Monday she will be back in surgery for her trach to hopefully downsize again so she can begin to verbally communicate.

She was only suppose to be out 2 weeks post surgery and now it is unclear how long she will be out.  We are thankful for any donations given to help with her lack of income and medical expenses. 

Thank you all!