Post by Cherylmcc on Mar 1, 2016 10:48:15 GMT -5
I realized that I'd never posted my lung adventure. Here are the highlights without all the little details.
My first pneumothorax was in 2005. They re-inflated the right lung and after a week in the hospital, I went home. I quit smoking immediately.
My right lung collapsed a second time in 2006. At that time I underwent emergency lung volume reduction surgery and the Dr stripped the outer lining of my lung and stuck my right lung to my chest wall. After a month, I was sent home with a drainage tube which was removed 2 weeks later.
In Sept. 2014, my left lung collapsed. It was re-inflated and another week spent in the hospital. This time the tube that was inserted was put in wrong and I developed a condition where oxygen get's under the skin layer (I don't remember what this was called). My face swelled up and they transferred me to the hospital where my Thoracic Surgeon worked. It was the Thoracic Surgeon who discovered that the tube wasn't inserted properly and she corrected it. 2 more weeks in the hospital.
October 2014 – My left lung collapsed again. Another emergency lung volume reduction surgery and the lung's outer lining was stripped off and my left lung was also stuck to my chest wall. By 2014 this surgery is done very minimally. I was only in the hospital for 4 days. Although recovery time is still lengthy.
I've had a several other surgeries which weren't related to my lungs. (2 bowel perforations, a lump removed from the palm of my hand and gall bladder removal)
I can't do as much as I used to, but I'm blessed with a wonderful family who know my limitations and help me when needed. The people in this forum are also my family and a continuing source of information and comfort.
My first pneumothorax was in 2005. They re-inflated the right lung and after a week in the hospital, I went home. I quit smoking immediately.
My right lung collapsed a second time in 2006. At that time I underwent emergency lung volume reduction surgery and the Dr stripped the outer lining of my lung and stuck my right lung to my chest wall. After a month, I was sent home with a drainage tube which was removed 2 weeks later.
In Sept. 2014, my left lung collapsed. It was re-inflated and another week spent in the hospital. This time the tube that was inserted was put in wrong and I developed a condition where oxygen get's under the skin layer (I don't remember what this was called). My face swelled up and they transferred me to the hospital where my Thoracic Surgeon worked. It was the Thoracic Surgeon who discovered that the tube wasn't inserted properly and she corrected it. 2 more weeks in the hospital.
October 2014 – My left lung collapsed again. Another emergency lung volume reduction surgery and the lung's outer lining was stripped off and my left lung was also stuck to my chest wall. By 2014 this surgery is done very minimally. I was only in the hospital for 4 days. Although recovery time is still lengthy.
I've had a several other surgeries which weren't related to my lungs. (2 bowel perforations, a lump removed from the palm of my hand and gall bladder removal)
I can't do as much as I used to, but I'm blessed with a wonderful family who know my limitations and help me when needed. The people in this forum are also my family and a continuing source of information and comfort.
