I had my left lung drained this morning. I have to say that it was an EXTREMELY painful procedure. I didn't know how I was going to make it through. As the fluid was being drained, I started coughing, which is to be expected. As the fluid drains, it allows the lung to finally move so the coughing is the lungs way to expand. I was so scared because the pain in my shoulder was severe and I was coughing to the point of needing to throw up. The technician asked if I wanted him to stop but I said to keep going because I wanted the procedure over and the fluid gone.
Luckily he was finished. Would you believe that 600 milliliters of fluid was drained. The bottle was 3/4 of the way filled. I was shocked that my lung had that much fluid around it. No wonder I've been feeling the way I have been. When I saw the fluid in the jar, I said a prayer out loud that it be free of cancer cells. It's in God's hands now.
After the procedure, I rested for a few minutes. I then had a chest x-ray. The radiologist read it right away and said that I had to stay for another 30 minutes because there was a place that showed my lung had not totally expanded yet. The second x-ray showed that everything was good. There is still a risk that the lung could collapse this evening so we're on guard to make sure that all is well. The site of the injection is very sore. My incision/stomach hurts from coughing on and off.
I've got so much to think about for tomorrow. I have to have the right lung drained as well. Now I know what is going to happen and that's scary. I also know that if there is as much fluid on the right as there was on the left lung, it has to get out of there. I get my first chemo tomorrow. I have to decide if I can do both. Do I have the stamina? If I wait until Monday, Butch wouldn't be able to be with me because he has to work.
Decisions, decisions....
4 comments:
Dearest Friend,
I am asking that all the angels that surround you keep you comfortable and as pain free as possible and to give you even more strength to leap the next hurdle in your recovery. You are loved and prayed for every minute of my day. XOXO CJ
Sharon, you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you. You have endured so much and I am in awe of your strength. I pray that God puts his loving arms around you and holds you tight so you can beat this thing and come back to us. I miss you. Love, Judy R.
Sharon,
I pray that God lightens your load and provides you guidance. We will be there with you - every day and every decision. And, we will all rejoice with you when you are through this whole battle and cancer free. Imagine how sweet that day will be!
Hugs...
Rosemary
Sharon -
So thankful that today's procedure is over, and that it was successful - an answered prayer! Prayers will continue for a favorable pathology report, among other things.
Tomorrow is a big day for you, and I know deep in my heart that while it will make you dig to the depths of your inner self to find the strength to endure both procedures, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE IT IN YOU. Just as you see strength and ability in your students, I see that same strength and ability in you. Just as the chemo will be infused into your body, so will the strength that you need to endure these treatments.
My friend, look at all of the people that you have praying for you - known and unknown to you, near and far. YOU are loved. How uplifting that must be to know that YOU, YOUR STRUGGLES and YOUR TRIUMPHS are providing strength, encouragement and HOPE to countless others all over this world. As we, your blog followers, do our best to provide strength for you, YOU, in turn, through your journey, are giving others strength. You see? You've got that strength inside, because you are so freely giving providing it to others.
Now, dig deep, deep, deep . . . that strength is in there . . keep looking, keep digging . . . it's in there, I know it is, and I know that you will find it.
Know that in my mind, I am helping you to "dig deep" for that strength every night.
Love and pinky hugs,
Kelli
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