On Friday I had my procedure, the thoracentesis where they removed the fluid which ended up being about one litre. Ironically, this hurt more than the first time they did it. Not as much as the last time though, when I ended up with a chest tube.
I came home quite sore and kind of took it easy for the weekend. On Sunday my son came over. We went to the mall to replace his broken cell phone and picked up cake to take to my mother's. I came home and tried to take it easy but by now my right hand was hurting, particularly around my thumb. When they had the needle in my back I was required to grab onto a hospital table and hold tight. I think that injured it somehow. Yesterday I had to go see a doctor who told me to put ice on it and take some antiinflamatories. While I was waiting for the lung procedure I had to go off of my coumadin. This means that I must have shots of Lovenox in my belly to keep my blood thin (only works for about twelve hours like heparin.) I had to not have it Friday morning and begin again Friday evening. My belly looks horrible. It's one gigantic bruise and some huge lumps which are painful. Yesterday my INR was 2.5 which means I got to stop the painful, expensive shots. YES!!! I was thrilled.
Even though they removed the fluid I am somewhat breathless. I had my oxygen tank refilled today. At night when I put on my mask and feel the oxygen going through my cpap mask it is pure heaven. The machine also adds moisture.
My entire family (mother, brother and his wife, sister and her "friend" are going to my mother's vacation house which is a town my other brother and his family live in. I was asked to come but a. oxygen would be a problem and b. there wasn't going to be enough room. It kind of depresses me that life goes on. I am left out of many things and no one seems to even think how that makes me feel. I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond for new sheets today and I saw these people running and having it so easy and I thought how they will never know how I feel. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Somedays I have a lot of spunk and can push through but when you have several bad days in a row it's really hard.
I know how frustrating it is to watch others do the things you can't because of health issues. That said, it is wonderful that you feel some real comfort and relief with the oxygen going through your cpap mask at night. Simple pleasures are the best. Those shots of Lovenox in the belly are awful, for sure. Both my mom and daughter have had them for after knee surgery. Glad you're off of them. take care. Thanks for your prayers. my daughter goes to the specialist next week. There an MRI and Biopsy will be scheduled.
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