Turning Blue

This week has been one for the books. And this post is mostly about breath and taking deep breaths. It’s also election week and everyone is holding their breath for outcome.

After driving myself to Monday’s chemo in Nashville (my broken ankle is better, thank you very much!), I met with Doc who told me my cat scan looked good except for excess fluid in my lung lining and that i was going to have a bi-lateral thoranthesis the next day. I had been having shortness of breath and pain in my rib areas but nearly everyone dismissed as inconsequential. I knew something was wrong. On the bright side the doc said my cat scan brought her joy bc it showed no cancer progression. yay!

On Tuesday I went to an adjoining hospital for a thorantesis. You know how it is; you get there on time and then there’s a run around with who is supposed to be where. Mix-ups on time—that kind of thing.

I had no idea what to expect. I just thought they inserted a syringe and drew out fluid. Dear Elizabeth met be there and took a video/photo of what they were doing. Dan was still under the weather (he’s fine btw) and decided to stay home to babysit dog and go to Doc. He was having shortness of breath over weekend and ER gave him meds to help. It was combination of head cold, that old esophagus problem from 2 years ago when gall bladder went gangrene, and lack of sleep. So I’m happy he’s doing better!

My procedure was more complicated than I expected. They numbed up my back in the (two) lung areas with maybe 4-5 shots each lung. I practiced the breathing exercises my somatic experiencing therapist taught me for relaxing as needle went in. You relax face and tongue (after you tighten them) and then start to tighten and relax diaphragm and on down to pelvic floor. And of course breathe in and out.

After I was mostly numb, the doc inserted a tube (which looked like a straw from picture). Doc said, you’ll feel a push here, and I imagined she was putting in a spigot. There are some risks. They can collapse your lung and so on, but I felt confident it wouldn’t happen. Elizabeth did some running commentary (ew!) but she was a trooper although I know it made her cringe.

Altogether Doc took out 1250 ml of fluid or the equivalent of almost 2 bottles of wine! No wonder my chest felt tight. I asked them to send fluid off for analysis in case cancer cells in lining.

I felt well enough afterwards to drive home. E. was on her way to St. Louis to work. But first we had a leisurely lunch at P.f. Chang’s on patio w/ their amazing wanton soup!

I like driving on my own although several ppl offered to come with me (thank you!). I often have to negotiate complications on trips like this, so it’s just easier if I don’t have to explain to companions. E. has been with me enough to know most of the ropes. Besides on Tuesday I was still flying on Monday’s steroids. I listen to my book on audible, and I’m home before i know it!

One more thing about breath. My therapist this week told me about one way to stop anxiety and even a panic attack. It’s to say the word “vooooo” till all your breath is expelled from your diaphragm. So if you find yourself anxious this week. Try that.

I’m hoping for good days ahead. I’m 5 pounds lighter. My scans look good, my ankle almost healed—she’ll release me next Tues. I hope. Dan feeling better, and David my son coming today. And continue to pray peace and wellness for all—including yourself.