The chest drainage number that has to be low for me to leave was remarkably low today. As a result, to my surprise, they decided to pull the chest tube and told me I might be leaving tomorrow. Wow. I was originally told the tube would be in four or five days. In addition, I got a bunch of other unpleasant stuff unhooked today. This morning I woke up tethered to the hospital room with nine tubes and wires. Tonight I have only two. When we hit zero, I can bolt.

The last major thing left is to pull the epidural and work with oral meds until the pain can be managed. When they find the right dosage and mix for pain to be well under control, I can leave. They began the process tonight by capping off the catheter without removing it and giving me some oxycodone and super-tylenol. They will follow me closely through the night into tomorrow.