Wife health update

[SnikPlosskin]

She is doing “OK” but not great. Very difficult for her to sleep so she’s exhausted. Has some issues with possible air leakage. (Subcutaneous emphysema). Still a fair amount of pain, out of breath.

I’m monitoring her vitals (all good) and condition. (I have an honest to god stethoscope and BP cuff/machine given to my by my brother who is a thoracic heart surgeon. I hate to even imagine how much it cost.) so I’m monitoring her for collapsed lung, listening for fluid, etc.

Had an X-ray Friday - no results yet. Hoping to avoid ER visit if these issues get worse.

I’m not worried yet. Surgery of this scale goes like this sometimes. Set backs, slower healing, then rapid improvement.

She loves to walk for miles. Today we walked about three blocks.

[KenHorse]

SOB will continue for a while (the remaining lung will expand to fill in the open space). In my case, it was about 5 weeks before I realized "Hey! I'm not short of breath!"

[Taurus]

Prayer sent.

[Tikiman]

It's nice that you were able to get her up and about. That is so important from both a physical and a mental point of view. Wishing you both the best.

[LisaJohn]

Walking three blocks sounds like good progress. I hope she continues to improve. Glad you can monitor her vitals with reliable equipment.

[MikeB]

Small steps, Thrak.

[04 commemorative]

Glad to hear she is going in right direction....keep it up !

[Big bob]

You are both in my prayers.

[KenHorse]

Hey Snik

Have you guys checked out Lungevity yet? I found it a very useful resource during my recovery

[Black94lt1]

Thanks for the update, she is definitely in my prayers

[Hardluck]

Prayers for a quicker recovery sent!

[JRD77VET]

More prayers for both of you during her recovery.

[snide]

[RED-85-Z51]

Thought about yall today, was happy to see a relatively positive update.

[roadpilot]

I know things will get better. Three blocks is great, better than three steps.
Recovery takes time and even though your wife is a fast healer, sometimes
it will take a little longer. I can attest to that. Anyway my thoughts are with
your wife and you.

[simpleman68]

Thanks for the update! As others mentioned, I'd guess 3 blocks is an excellent start, post-op.
Scott

[SnikPlosskin]

Thanks y’all. The weekend has been stressful since we can reach any doctors. We did see the X-ray results although her care team hasn’t seen them.

Small to moderate pneumothorax. Subcutaneous emphysema. Now has what is called riles - bubbling sound on inhalation in right lung.

She is right on the edge of an ER visit and we are monitoring every two hours. Overnight every four.

The pneumothorax is most concerning. I have some combat medicine (TCCC) training and chest needles but no way am I going to use it on her. The issue is that, if pneumothorax gets bad enough to put torsion on the trachea, it’s almost too late to save the patient. You can, but you need to get that air out NOW.

In combat training the standards are different. You stab em at first hint of an air leak from collapsed lung. This ain’t that.

Small to moderate can turn into full on pneumothorax in a hurry. So we are monitoring. ER is 12 minutes away at normal speeds.

I hate this kind of shit. It’s on the edge of “serious, need ER” and “somewhat normal for that kind of surgery”.

For example subcutaneous emphysema can either go away on its own or kill you.

I’m getting very tired so I need to watch that too.

[KenHorse]

Originally Posted by SnikPlosskin

Thanks y’all. The weekend has been stressful since we can reach any doctors. We did see the X-ray results although her care team hasn’t seen them.

Small to moderate pneumothorax. Subcutaneous emphysema. Now has what is called riles - bubbling sound on inhalation in right lung.

She is right on the edge of an ER visit and we are monitoring every two hours. Overnight every four.

The pneumothorax is most concerning. I have some combat medicine (TCCC) training and chest needles but no way am I going to use it on her. The issue is that, if pneumothorax gets bad enough to put torsion on the trachea, it’s almost too late to save the patient. You can, but you need to get that air out NOW.

In combat training the standards are different. You stab em at first hint of an air leak from collapsed lung. This ain’t that.

Small to moderate can turn into full on pneumothorax in a hurry. So we are monitoring. ER is 12 minutes away at normal speeds.

I hate this kind of shit. It’s on the edge of “serious, need ER” and “somewhat normal for that kind of surgery”.

For example subcutaneous emphysema can either go away on its own or kill you.

I’m getting very tired so I need to watch that too.

About 6 weeks after my RLL lobectomy, I developed a chylothorax and had about 2 liters of fluid removed from my right chest every 10 days or so (until I went back in for surgery to fix the leak).

My point point being is I was pretty much dealing with a partial lung collapse on a weekly basis. Overall, it wasn't as big a deal as one might expect. I could function, drive and more or less keep my daily routine up.

Your wife may look back at this experience and realize "It wasn't all that horrible"

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by KenHorse

About 6 weeks after my RLL lobectomy, I developed a chylothorax and had about 2 liters of fluid removed from my right chest every 10 days or so (until I went back in for surgery to fix the leak).

My point point being is I was pretty much dealing with a partial lung collapse on a weekly basis. Overall, it wasn't as big a deal as one might expect. I could function, drive and more or less keep my daily routine up.

Your wife may look back at this experience and realize "It wasn't all that horrible"

I hope so. I’m hoping it’s not to the level where any more invasive shit is needed. Insurance has already started denying shit. If this stretches to the new year I’ll need $8k for deductible.

I’m very good at fighting with insurance companies but a hospitalization ends up being expensive at the start of the year.

I’m still dealing with having the roof redone. We have the insurance money but need to find the right place that won’t **** it up again. There’s a bunch of shit the insurance won’t pay for.

Everything. All at once. All the time. Put that on my gravestone.

[zeek]

Prayers for your wife. I know first hand what it's like to have health issues. I understand your concern.