Still Battling a Collapsed Lung
Dr. Choi (lung doc) just came in and told me the talc powder for my collapsed lung didn’t take, so we need to wait until there is more drainage of air.
Currently, there is is 70% air, which is way too much for a healthy lung. So they are going to do another procedure to re-input the talc back in the lung. If the lung still doesn’t drain, then we will have to an operation. Either way, I am still stuck to my chest tube. It’s very frustrating because I can’t even leave the room! I am so sick of looking at these same walls.
It looks like I will be here through next week. It’s so frustrating! I am still having a difficult time breathing, even with oxygen on. It’s very scary not being able to breathe. Also, the chest tube is extremely painful. It takes a lot of energy just to do simple tasks like taking a shower and I become really winded.
I have a couple of friends coming over the weekend, but would love to have more visitors to help pass the time!
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment4 Comments
Melissa
I wished I lived near you, I'd be in for a visit in a heartbeat!
I can't imagine how frustrating it is, looking at those walls every day. You still write so beautifully, even though I'm sure sometimes you want to run from your laptop and into the mountains or some wide open spaces where there are no tubes, no beeping machines and no clinical looking rooms.
Thanks for your update, I hope you lungs improve and that you don't need surgery. If you have the time and inclination, can you explain what talc powder does in order to heal you lungs? Is it regular talcum powder or a medical version? I've never heard of this before.
I wish you the best!
Susan
October 5, 2009 - 1:49pmThis Comment
Hello Melissa -
Sorry to hear about your situation, and I can understand your frustration. I'm sure that other patients also find the four walls confining. You might consider talking to one of the nurses and seeing if he/she has any suggestions for you. Sometimes hospitals have services for patients that aren't immediately apparent and nurses generally have a lot of good ideas on what can be done to provide more comfort.
Hang in there, and thanks so much for writing in. Please keep us updated.
Pat
October 5, 2009 - 5:52pmHi,my name is Kitana.I am 26 and on Monday Oct.19th I went to the ER with what I thought was a heart attack.I had a collapsed lung and had to have a chest tube placed as well.I was discharged on Thurs. the 22nd.I know how you feel.I was only there for a short time and by Wed I was close to going crazy.I was also the 1st for a lot of people,to see a young Women have a spontaneous lung collapse.It happenened for no reason(I had no injuries or underlying diseases).The only thing that I related to with this,is that I am tall 5'9.So you are not alone.I hope you get better soon,hang in there and God bless you.
November 4, 2009 - 4:50pmKitana,
Yikes! This is frightening! What did your doctors tell you about why this might have happened, or whether you need to worry about it ever happening again? I am 5' 10" and haven't ever heard a connection to height; had the doctors made such a connection to you? Why would the height make a difference?
Do you have any remaining pain or other symptoms?
I'm so glad that you're OK. Please come back and update us.
November 6, 2009 - 8:34am