Pleurisy confusion

Met with my pulmonary doctor this evening after I posted the Taj Mahal post. Well it seems that my self diagnosed pleural effusion is really pleurisy. I guess no amount of internet research can really substitute for the knowledge & experience of my main man Dr. Mason Goodman. He did a great job of explaining the difference.

Pleurisy is inflammation of the lining of the lungs that causes pain when you take a breath or cough. When you have pleurisy, the normally smooth lining of the lung (the pleura) become rough. They rub together with each breath, and may produce a rough, grating sound called a "friction rub."

Bottom line is I have a pneumonia with affiliated pleurisy. However I do not have a pleural effusion as my X-ray did not show any fluid on the lungs. So the plan is to stay on IV antibiotics and treat the pain from the pleurisy with pain meds.

The good news is that I hope to be out in a couple of days. It's looking good to be out for Festiv-ale and I may even be out as early as Thursday afternoon.

YIPPEE!!

Back to the Taj Mahal

After six months away I'm back at Clarian North Hospital (aka the "Taj Mahal"). If you've got to go to a hospital it doesn't get much better than this. The private rooms are well decorated and have fancy irridescent tile in the bath, art glass lighting over the bed etc. The food is good, ala carte and available almost 24/7 with one quick call downstairs. Oh and did I mention the in house spa services??? Today I got a pedicure and tomorrow an hour massage all in the privacy of my own room.

 

Lest you all think I'm here living the high life...here's a quick update on where my health status is. I've still been dealing with the illness mentioned in my last post. This illness is marked by a shortness of breath and pain in my lower left side. The pain is worse when I inhale. There are several possible causes:

1. I have a cracked rib.
2. I have an acute area of infection in my lungs that is possibly a bacterial pneumonia that has somehow created related pain.
3. I've developed a pleural effusion related to #1 and/or 2 above. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleural_effusion

My bet is on #3 caused by #2. Basically a pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the sac surrounding the lungs and the lung itself. This causes a rubbing of the tissues and a temporary loss of usable lung capacity. The "rub" causes pain on inhalation and shortness of breath which are my main symptoms.

What then is a girl to do??? First, the excess pleural fluid can be drained from the pleural cavity via a chest drain. Second the underlying cause of the problem must be treated. So right now I'm on IV antibiotics to get rid of the bacterial pnuemonia (item #2 above).

Hopefully this all can be resolved so I'm ready to get outta the "Taj" no later than Saturday morning. After all I've got a VIB event to attend - VERY IMPORTANT BEER TASTING. For those of you that haven't heard the 10th Annual Festiv-ale Beer Tasting is this Saturday from 3-7pm in Opti Park Broadripple. Please come and have a beer with me and help find a cure for CF. Purchase tickets on-line at http://indiana.cff.org/festivale09 or call the CF Foundation office at 317 202-9210.

That's all for now. Hanging in there and will try to post again soon with my latest status update.

Thanks for listening!!!
Steph