Subj:	Re: How ARE you?
Date:	95-10-23 07:17:42 EDT
From:	MRehlander
To:	LindaG1025
 
  Finally got out of the hospital yesterday (10/21) after 3 1/2 weeks of slow
healing.
  Surgery went well - they found a malignant tumor but it was encapsulated
and the surgeon got it all by removing the upper third of my right lung.
Subsequent pathology reports indicate that there is no evidence of any CA
elsewhere in the lung or otherwise.  They call it a "surgical cure".
  There have been some complications since the surgery that have delayed my
getting home and back in harness.  The biggest problem has been a persistent
leak in the lung at the surgery site that has refused to heal over.  As a
result, I was stuck on a pair of chest tubes that kept me tethered to the
hospital bed for a longer period than had been anticipated.  I understand the
heavy doses of prednisone I've been on plus a subsequent bout with pneumonia
have been the primary contributors to the delay.
  It was finally decided to go with a gizmo called a "Heimlich Valve" which
allows air and some fluid out of the chest cavity but nothing back in.  This
is attached to the remaining chest tube (one was removed a couple of days
ago).  I now have this appendage in my side (monte of borg) that will remain
until the air leak has healed over.  At least I'm able to get out of the
hospital.
  Right now I feel like it will be a while before I get back up to speed.
Quite a bit of discomfort left with the tube still in there.  Also feel
pretty weak.  It would appear that the remaining tube which is attached to
the valve has slipped out some and I have to see the doctor first thing in
the morning.  Hope that doesn't mean back into the hospital again.  I should
be grateful though, huh?
 
Thought there'd be more than a couple of us who were interested in how The 
Moose is doing...
 
Linda
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