Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Pneumothorax reoccurred

Dear loved ones,

We are back in OSF and another chest tube is in, larger this time with plans to have a pleurodesis procedure using talc to "stick" the lung to the chest wall.  They are estimating we will be here until the weekend.  Derek is down.  Hard to find another way to say it.  Please pray for his attitude.  He doesn't want to be here, but God is faithful.

They tell him the goal for the inspirometer is 1,000 and he can only get it to 100....then 2 hrs later (on the suction), he can do 250.

Our biggest question is where his dry cough is coming from that seems to have set off this string of pneumothorax episodes.  Still no answer for that.  He has had a cough from New Years on.  It became congested the end of January.  The mucus cleared up with prescription cough medicines, but the cough continued and was really often and wearing him out this weekend while we were home.  The cough completely stops while the chest tube is in.  We believe the hyperbaric oxygen treatments could have made his lung susceptible to a pneumothorax, too.

We have mayo clinic appointments in 2 weeks (MRIs, PET scan, hearing test, 2 different oncologists- neuro and medical).  Hopefully, we will get that answered.  I feel like a detective these days.

Thank you for your love and prayers and advice.
Love,
Leann

8 comments:

  1. LeAnn and Derek
    Prayers tonight... and, when I get in to Peoria tomorrow, I will try to visit - should be around 5 or 6 pm.... still in Panama -

    In Christ - My warmest love and hugs - Dean

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  2. Sorry to hear this. We'll keep praying. We love you.

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  3. So sorry to hear this! It seems like you take a step forward and another giant one backwards:( Praying for some answers as to what's causing the coughing and for the comfort and peace that only God can give. Love you guys!

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  4. Praying for you and your family !!! Love you guys

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  5. Praying for you both! Casting on my cares upon the One who so lavishly cares for us (1 Peter 5)...and resting in the Gospel love and embrace of our great God who is actively interceding for us -- both the Son and the Spirit are talking to the Father about you in your weakness -- He is for you! (Romans 8). Love you loads, and praying!!

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  6. We continue to pray for you all, that the pleurodesis will be successful, and that you will gain strength and hope in God's nearness. -Paul & Betsy Hany

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  7. As always we continue to pray! We love you.

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  8. Not the news we wanted to hear. Continuing to pray for you and your families! Love, Kevin and Rachel

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