Over the weekend, my pleural drain stopped working. It wouldn’t flush or drain, so we went in to see the doctor yesterday. I was dearly hoping that this meant the lung was dry and I could get a pleuradesis in time for lots of summer swimming (can’t swim with a pleural drain).
This hope was not realized. The top reservoir in the lung has dried up, but there remains a lower reservoir. The interventional radiologist suggested placing a new pleural drain there. However, the lower reservoir does not seem to be growing and I’m not short of breath. And I am good and sick of having a drain.
So, we agreed that I would have a break from the drain and we’d check in three weeks to see what’s happening in the lower lung. If I need another drain, I’ll get one at that time. If the reservoir doesn’t seem to be growing, I may just forgo the drain for now and not pursue a pleuradesis. The lung must be completely dry for the pleuradesis to have a chance to work–and the procedure can only be done once.
My young friend, Naomi, when her family was getting ready to pray that I could be done with the drain, told her mom that she thought I wore the fanny pack for fashion. Bless her heart. I do feel like I’m without an appendage or something since I’ve had a drain since December 18, but fashion? No. The eighties aren’t back quite that strongly yet.
To celebrate my fanny-pack-less-ness, I will be flying to see my sister in Atlanta in a week. Hooray!! And wearing all of the dresses I own without looking like I’m pregnant :)
7 replies on “a break from the fanny pack”
Hip Hip Hooray! I’ll be waiting at the airport to see your beautiful fannypackless-self!
I do believe it is a matter of perspective. Coming from a time when I myself wore a fanny pack and loved not having a bag digging into my shoulder, I can understand why you didn’t think it was fashionable. But I’d have to agree with Naomi, you did wear it with a fashionista flair!
The Veals are looking forward to that visit in a BIG way.
I feel almost as excited as Bex to hear the two of you will have a wonderful time together.
What a blessed relief to have a break! Drains are just unpleasant and nuisance. and I hope things dry up and you never one again. Rejoicing with you! And hoping you have a wonderful, fanypackless trip!
Hooray. And I didn’t even realize you were hauling around a fanny pack; I just thought you liked wearing layers of things.
Great news – let’s hope the lung stays stable. Enjoy your vacation sans fanny pack. (Plus, you can avoid the awkward questions from airport security…) Love you Tash.