Well, it turns out that John has a plural effussion. This is not particularly good news. Especially considering the main reasons he could have it, what the fluid could consist of, and the treatment sounds like just a ton o’ fun. *HEAR the sarcasm here*
OK, it sucks.
The doctor listened to him and ordered a chest x ray that he SHOULD HAVE DONE THE FIRST TIME, then looked at it and sent us over to get a cat scan because he didn’t “like the x ray”. Neither did I. I posted a pic of it on amendment at the end of yesterday’s post, but here it is again for any of you lagers. THAT’S RIGHT! I’M TALKING TO YOU! I SEE YOU SITTING THERE WITH YOUR COFFEE AND PAPER NAPKIN!
Ain’t it purdy? See all that white stuff that looks like clouds in his lungs?
Guess what. They’re not.
That? is the plural effusion. Oh and there’s also the pneumonia that we already expected down at the bottom of the lungs. It’s kind of hard to see on the “John’s cell phone camera” that I was sporting today at the professional building. I forgot my camera at home, and, honestly, can’t remember much of anything lately. So tired. So busy. So worried.
So we did the cat scan. They robbed charged us to the tune of $275.00 and sent us on our merry way. Not. And our insurance covered 80% of the cost. Gee-awd!
The radiologist leaned out the door as we were leaving and said, “I’ll be calling your doctor within two hours with your results.”
Considering there were other people there and I was assuming he’d call him sometime. This, I thought, boded ill.
Sure ’nuff, ill boding was what was done.
The doctor called and said that John has a plural effusion and he got him in with a pulmonary specialist at 10:15 tomorrow morning. Seeing a specialist, of any flavor, that fast, (without having to wait forever), also boded, well… you know.
So the best guess, from looking at good ol’ Wiki and Medline Plus, is that he/she will do a thoracentesis. And I don’t know about you, but that, right there sounds like the truly FUN part of the whole thing.
“They” will biopsy the sample they get and determine what is causing the excess fluid to collect around the lungs. Then we will know the proper way to proceed.
Hey, we are nothing if not proper.
STOP LAUGHING!
This is just one exciting, sexually charged, emotionally wrenching, ongoing, telenovela going on up in here, people!
Oh goodness! Get some rest and John too! I hope they at least were able to give him something to ease his discomfort and help him sleep for now.
Jean M´s last blog ..Random Dozen
Sam works in radiology. I had him look at the x-rays. He said the fluid at the bottom is the liver, not pneumonia. The effusion is the pneumonia and effusion just mean fluid in the lungs. Plural, of course, meaning both lungs. Not good to have pneumonia, but not anything worse. The drainage (thoracentesis) could be uncomfortable but it’s to help John feel better quicker.
I really hope it does. You two need a break. Still praying.
Karen´s last blog ..Apparently I Won’t Embarrass the Snot Out of My Daughter In Public When Given the Chance
Well hell. Just-thinking of you. Praying for you both.
Kori´s last blog ..Keep On The Sunny Side….
Crap. Whatever he has, it feels like I have it too. I haven’t needed an inhaler since April 2006, but I need it now. I hope he gets some relief soon.
witchypoo´s last blog ..Poopy Small
so I just got through rereading wikipedia…but then I read your comments and I am hoping your friend is right and wikipedia is totally shitfaced wrong cuz that crap aint no fun! I am feeling for you and may go do a quick nebulizer treatment cuz Im feeling a bit congested.
Damn!
Chief´s last blog ..$1 in the child’s therapy fund
Well, fuck a duck. The good news is that you know what it is and it can be treated. The bad news is that it just sucks, no matter which way you look at it.
{{hugs}}
Ree´s last blog ..Save The Boobies 2009
Good that you know now, and are going to start getting treatment. That’s the main thing! And when he’s feeling better, he needs to follow doctor’s orders and get those lungs up to scratch again. Good luck, and I hope everything is better really soon.
Nan´s last blog ..Internet Safety Part 2
I’m so glad he went to the doctor! Sending you guys some good and RESTFUL thoughts. And ohmahgah, he’s STILL WORKING?! If his employer is making him SSG is going to come down there herself to have a few words.
(And while she’s down there, she’ll make you your very own delicious sounding post roast. Thank you for the recipe, it sounds awesome. And for taking the time to send it! I’m so sorry I asked you for it in the middle of what you guys have going on, I had no idea!)
Simply Savvy Girl´s last blog ..The Simply Savvy Budget Dining Room Makeover
Girl – take care over there!
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Whoa! I hope that everything goes smoothly and it doesn’t turn into anything more serious.
Thoughts and prayers for the both of you.
Roger´s last blog ..How to Tell When Banana’s Go Bad
Yikes! I am late to the party . . . I hope this all gets resolved quickly and that it is not the onset of CHF. Thinking of you both!
Nicole´s last blog ..Social Networking For The Stay-At-Home-Mom
Dammit! Poor John. Poor YOU. Now running to the next post.. hoping for good news.
I’ll be thinking of you all night.
Hyphen Mama´s last blog ..Finding Zen….