Posted by Sarah on March 01, 2003 at 00:50:55:
Pati has been in the hospital now since Feb.13, (about 14 days post Maze) and she’s still having pulmonary effusion/fluid. She’s got three pulmonologists treating her. They suctioned (not drained) more than 1 ½ liters today, again! Now she has to stay, again, until Monday, at least. They sent the fluid to pathology this time.
Our EP says the heart is doing a good job, and that’s not what’s keeping her in hosp. The local pulmonary docs want to do a laproscopic-type surgery that would entail having to collapse her lung, and “look around”. There seems to be some discussion between them and CC about what is appropriate. I’m supporting Pati doing whatever Dr. McCarthy recomends, for now. That's not easy, when he's not HERE. It’s to make decisions when you don’t feel well, are disappointed, and bored with being in the hospital,....the whole mess.
Q.for Me: Do any of you knowledgeable fellows understand what role surfactant has in this?? If the fluid is in a “sac”, outside the lungs, and is “washing” around, then how does the surfactant between the lung and the pericardial sac, keep viable? Doesn’t “de-flating the lungs break that “suction” that the lungs depend on in order to inflate, when the diaphragm and muscles, pull down & out while breathing? just curious.
I just want her home, so we can go walking together! We're going to be behind in our exercise therapy!
Sorry for the bummer news. I know Pati will soon be able to post wonderful, upbeat things soon! Sarah
- Re: report on Pati Carl Plaskett 11:43:42 3/01/2003 (0)