Looks Like Clear Sailing Through the Sinus Passages

The return trip to my sinus passages yesterday has so far yielded positive results in the most important ways. I went down at 3:00 p.m. for my 2:00 p.m. procedure, which started around 5:00 p.m. A kind secretary brought me a phone so that I could call Jan and let her know about the delay, so that she didn't get concerned that my procedure had turned into something much more involved than we were anticipating.

The surgeons did not see any more fungus. They took additional samples, to make sure. The initial tests on those samples came back negative. They still need to wait a few days for a final verdict, but so far, so good. I think the packing stays in for that same period of time.

Because they took more samples, my nose is still packed with internal splints and other stuff. There is less packing than before, and there is less drainage both out my nostrils and down the back of my throat. (More small victories.) I still have to breathe through my mouth, which quickly gets intensely dry. Last night, each time I woke up, my mouth and lips were so dry that I could not close my lips around a straw or the lip of a cup. I had open my mouth, pour a little water in, and then swish it around to moisten the tissues enough that my mouth would actually function.

I have a breathing mask that supposedly provides more humid air. I have been using it for the last several days, and it seemed to be helpful. For some reason, it isn't helping with the current mouth dryness. Sipping water does help, but that technique is incompatible with sleep.

Some time today, I am going to get a new line for medications and transfusions. The one going into my chest is infected and needs to come out. So far, based on tests and the relative lack of fevers, that infection appears to be contained on the surface of my skin.

Never a dull moment! I want some dull moments.