Catch 22

Sometimes you need to do "C" before you can do "B" and subsequently move on to doing "C".  This is called a "Catch 22". 

Patty was on the breathing machine again for just a couple of days before the doctors thought she was ready to breathe on her own again.  So, I believe it was the night before last that they took out the breathing tube again.  

The last previous attempt was stopped short when it was apparent that breathing without the mechanical assistance was requiring too much effort on her part.  Her trachea and vocal cords had become swollen, as can often happen with an extended use of the breathing tube in a patient's throat.  This had made it more difficult to breathe, and she had become fatigued trying.  Also there were some digestive difficulties. 

The complicating issue seems to be phegm, and lots of it, that is congesting her breathing passages.  I asked what means their approach had to get rid of it, and was told that the bronchiodilator medicine and the use of suction to physically remove the phlegm were their means.  I noted that evidently the medicine was not enough, as the phlegm has not lessened.  It was a case of "lost in translation" again: they said it was enough, because she was getting the maximum dosage.  I said, well, apparently that isn't enough. We could probably have repeated this exchange many times, but sometimes I know when to stop trying to make a point.

With the help of a Chinese doctor friend in California, I've made an herbal formula that addresses her issues very specifically.  That's one of the advantages of Chinese medicine: formulas can be  tailored very specifically to individual cases.  The formula should be very helpful in clearing the phlegm, and as well as addressing a couple related things.  The doctors have been sympathetic and have allowed it to be administered.  However, given the digestive difficulties that have not been resolved, they are reluctant to do that now. And the number of times I've been able to give it have been few and far between.

I guess it's more complex than I'm putting it.   There is a possibility, because of the phlegm, that anything intended to go into her stomach will go into her air passages, particularly if the quantity is more than about 10 ml.

So, here it is, the Catch 22:   I have a formula that is very good for getting rid of phlegm.  But we need to wait until there is less phlegm to use it. 

Lak seems to have good faith in the Western medical approach that they are using.  I have less.  I know it can and does do amazing things.  But I know it has limitations, and I'm aware of some ways that Chinese medicine, in particular Chinese diagnosis and Chinese herbalism, fills some important gaps in what Western medicine can do.  But, before we can do B, we need to accomplish C. 

Anyway, it's frustrating.