Testing, Procedures and Confirmation

As results from testing started coming back it was clear that my heart and lungs were surrounded by fluid and unless this fluid  was drained my heart would be unable to pump without a great deal of stress. It was clear I would need a Pericardial Window procedure performed first and foremost. Pericardial effusion, sometimes referred to as “fluid around the heart,” is the abnormal build-up of excess fluid that develops between the pericardium, the lining of the heart, and the heart itself.

Pericardial Window (Subxyphoid Pericardiostomy) is a minimally invasive procedure in which an opening is made in the pericardium to drain fluid that has accumulated around the heart. A pericardial window can be completed through a small incision below the end of the breastbone (sternum) or through a small incision between the ribs on the left side of the chest.

I was able to breath a little easier after this procedure was done but the huge difference came when on day 4 I was able to get the fluid around my lungs drained. This was such a scarry thought knowing I would not be put out for this procedure until I had it done.

What an amazing feeling when I felt ease with breathing as they drained 4 cups of fluid from around my lungs.

I had no idea that all that fluid had built up in my body and I had literally adapted to less and less oxygen intake over a very long period of time without noticing much difference. I had grown accustomed to living with this fluid takeover in my body.

During this time blood work, fluid testing and a biopsy was also performed. Down my neck for the biopsy from a tumor I had no idea existed.  Now it would be a waiting period to confirm if the mass, the tumor and the fluid would test positive or not for cancer.

As all of this was occuring my family managed to work out a schedule everyday to accommodate visiting time for each family member. Visiting hours were 12 to 8pm but only 1 family member at a time was allowed to visit. While 1 member visited me other family members needed to wait outside the hospital until the other person was done with visiting. As difficult as it was for the family to divide their time up daily everyone one of them came to visit me every day. If it wasn’t for my family and their pillar of support I would have been in a totally different state of mind and unable to share this blog with anyone. They are my rock and keep me filled with hope daily. My biggest blessing in life is my family.