Two for the Price of One PLUS a Blue Light Special

Yesterday, our day started early. I began by having a chest x-ray at the diagnostic center. We then proceeded to the oncologist office for lab work.

Met with the oncologist to go over results. My platelet count was back up so I could get chemo. The chest x-ray showed fluid again on my left lung and a little on my right. That certainly wasn't a surprise to me because I definitely was having trouble breathing all week. I would be scheduled to have that drained after chemo.

Chemo went well. I use that time to think. I haven't read a page from a book or more than a few pages from a magazine in quite some time. I rested with my eyes closed for a little while.

We left chemo and headed to the hospital for the thorocentesis. I had a different team this time...new radiologist and new doctor. First the injection to numb the area. They compare it to a bee sting. Next the insertion of the needle to drain the fluid. Bad news...only 20 ml. of fluid was draining. They said that they don't have to do this often but they could insert a wire into the tube and work it around to break up any strands and scar tissue that was causing the fluid to not drain. I gave the go ahead...after all, my road is never the straight one. The wire procedure wasn't making a difference because fluid would still not drain. That meant another decision. Did I want them to reinsert the needle into a new area and try again. Road is more curvy but because I was systematic and having trouble breathing, I knew that I had to get as much fluid off as possible while I was there. Gave the go ahead to begin the procedure all over again. Second bee swarmed in for another sting, new needle inserted in between rib bones. I gave a cheer, well more like a command.  "Come on fluid....drain". They got 320 ml. out total. That's all that would come out. From using the wire, they actually showed me the "strands" that were in the fluid. The doctor that watched the radiologist do the procedure was wonderful. He held his hand on my shoulder the entire time as he told me each and every step. I actually raised my head from the pillow during the procedures and told him how much I appreciated him. His hand on my shoulder gave me such comfort. My two thorocentesis for the price of one and the wire blue light special was over. Off to get an x-ray.

I wasn't able to go home for a couple of hours because the lung had air that had accumulated in the bottom. I had to stay in recovery to make sure that the lung didn't collapse. Off for another chest x-ray. Things looked the same so I could go home. It was again stressed that if I had any difficulty breathing as a result of the lung collapsing, to call 911 right away. Homeward bound!

Got home, threw up and settled in for a nice siesta!