[tri-med] Re: Fluid Around the Lungs

Caroline had a pleural effusion this summer. We went in to see an ortho dr
for AFOs and an x-ray showed a ton of fluid around her lung. I had noticed
her breathing had been a little rapid over the last months, but other than
that, she had no signs. I don't think she had pneumonia, but I don't know.
 Anyway, we saw a pulmonologist (sp) and a surgeon in early Sept and she was
hospitalized to drain the fluid with a chest tube. They drained about 15 oz!
They claim they have no idea how this happened. The fluid was just fluid
from her lung tissue, meaning her lung sort of collapsed which causes fluid
to be pulled from the tissues and fill in the open space. The surgeon also
stated he was doubtful this was due to her trisomy, it was just a freak
thing that will probably never happen again.
 My mom's neighbor actually had this happen a few times in his life. His
lung would collapse, the chest cavity would fill up and he would be
hospitalized to drain it. I guess, if it happens again and again, they can
"rough up" the lung surface so it will be better apt to "stick" up against
the chest and not collapse again.
 Caroline did just fine with this surgery. In fact, she is vomiting way less
(other than her recent cold virus incident). I think that the fluid was
putting pressure on her stomach and causing her to feel sick.
 It's always something.....
--
Irene
Christina (4), Caroline (2 with partial trisomy 17p) and Kallie (born
6/23/05)
Caroline's site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinesmith
 On 11/17/05, Karen <karens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "jwaite"
> > Fluid 'around' the lung??? As in the chest cavity???
>
> Its called a "Pleural Effusion" and can happen as a complication of
> pneumonia. Its not actually free in the chest cavity - just in the area
> immediately around the lungs and it of course stops the lungs from
> expanding, which makes the pneumonia worse. Sometimes they insert tubes to
> drain the fluid away.
>
> "We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see
> an
> imperfect person perfectly"
> Sam Keen
>
> Keep Looking For Rainbows!!
> _--_|\
> /Karen \
> \ _.--._ /
> v Karen, Mum to Alex (11 years, T-18 Mosaic)
> http://members.optushome.com.au/karens
>
> Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
> www.trisomyonline.org <http://www.trisomyonline.org>
> Families Helping Families On-line
>
>


:

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