Sidenote: Everytime I say or think the word empyema, it makes me think of that catchy bossa nova tune Girl from Ipa Nema, which is tied into that old Special K commercial in my pop culture relating mind.
Without further ado, I share with you my battle scars:
That's a 5 inch incision where two little arthoscopic probes were supposed to have been able to suck the junk out, but as they got in there they realized that my empyema was MUCH WORSE than originally suspected. I only wish I could share with you the pictures in my chart from my surgery, it is feaking insane how much crud was in my chest cavity!
I also have bruises all over my right arm where they tried, and failed, miserably, to insert a PICC line in me. Said failure was so traumatic that when they tried to re-attempt on the opposite arm the next day, they had to give me Ativan. The PICC line is in my left arm and looks something like this:
Mine has more tubing coming out of it though, of course. And lastly, I have some beautimous scabby reminders on my neck of where my central line was for a week.
And to top it off, I'm 1 month postpartum. Can you say body image???
© 2009 Ramblings of a Red-Headed Step-Child. All Rights Reserved
OMG! You have been through hell, you poor thing. I hope you're better now!
ReplyDeleteI agree with DM-omg! So glad you're on the mend now. Snuggle those great kids-you are blessed, friend!
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe what you have been through. I would hug you but I think that it would really hurt.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your situation, get better soon!
HOLY MACKINAC. Sending you more hugs than you'll know what do with.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you with my whole brain.
Wow, I had exactly the same thing. They tried a drain but I ended up with the surgery. They also had trouble inserting my central line - I was freaking out. Took 6 month to a year to fully recover. It was hard with 3 kids. Hope you are fully recovered!!!
ReplyDelete