It's been a rocky road....

RobinH · Jul 30, 2008

Oops...of course I meant "pavement" but I wouldn't mind a few "payments" to me!

A New Beginning · Jul 30, 2008

sorry to hear about the rocky road...... I wish you a better days to come.

Aja

JodyC · Jul 30, 2008

I had a very similar recovery. I had a pleural effusion on my left lung. I had a pericardial tamponade which caused the top of my heart to collapse but that was in between 2 OHS over 4 weeks. I went into a-fib and then had other rhythm problems that put me in the hospital for 4 days till I had the right mix of drugs to control it. I know it can be fustrating to start to get better and then have something else come up. My AVR was due to radiation too. I am glad to see you are doing better and you sound like you have a positive outlook too. Are you considering cardiac rehab? I am starting mine friday and hope it helps to get me in shape faster.

RobinH · Jul 30, 2008

Hi Jodi...yes, I definitely want to go to cardiac rehab; however, my surgeon would like my pleural effusion to clear up before I start. I go for another chest x-ray on Monday and, hopefully, the fluid will be GONE!

SHEEPDOG · Jul 30, 2008

I know the answer!

I know the answer!

Not to all the problems but this may help. The plural space is between the Lung and the chest wall. The lungs sort of "FLOAT" in fluid that is in that space. If there is a build up of fluid, that prevents the proper expansion of the lungs which leads to SOB. The heart is in a similar situation. It is in the PERICARDIAL SACK that is full of PERICARDIAL FLUID. Like the lungs, if the fluid in that space gets too much, the extra pressure can cause the heart to not pump efficiently. (fluid or blood) There are very sophisticated sounding, $25.00 words to describe both situations but I don't want to throw them out there and get it wrong. I do know that PERICARDITIS is an INFLAMMATION (itis) of the PERICARDIAM. This can lead to the fluid problems noted above. Now I am NOT a DOCTOR,

nor do I play one on TV

but I remember this from the numerous times I have taken an EMT course over the years. The spelling may be wrong but I am sure the general idea is the same. Hope it helps all.

Now, with that said, I hope you have a MUCH smoother recovery from here out.

RobinH · Aug 5, 2008

Just a quick update everyone...I went to see the cardiac surgeon yesterday re: my ongoing pleural effusions. He did a chest x-ray and it looked completely normal. No fluid!!! I asked him if the fluid could come back. He said that it could but the fact that it's been 11 days since my last lung tap without fluid coming back is a good sign. More good news...the surgeon discharged me from his office and now my follow-ups will be handled by my cardiologist. I can also now start cardiac rehab and return to work part-time! Things are definitely looking up!

Robin