10/10/2004 -- Autumn
On December 31, 2000 just a couple of weeks after my 30th birthday I began having severe chest pain, a hard time breathing, pain in my left arm & jaw. I didn't think I was having any problems with my lungs, I hadn't been sick or around anyone who sick....and thought I was too young & thin for a heart attack (low blood pressure too). Two days & two sleepless nights later I woke up feeling worse, my skin paler than usual with a bluish-gray color. I went to the ER at a local hospital. In triage they thought I was having a heart attack...the pain on the left side in the jaw & arm, pain in the chest, shortness of breath, gray pale skin & my fingernails were turning blue. My blood pressure was low, my heart racing, my pulse-ox at 57. I was admitted into the ER as a heart patient. After the leads were put on my chest & I was given oxygen, the docs discovered that my heart was fine. So, I was sent up to radiology for a chest x-ray. My left lung had collapsed 92 percent, folks! The docs & nurses were shocked & so was I! No one in my family had ever had a collapsed lung. I asked the docs why it happened. They weren't sure, thought it was spontaneous. I was given a chest tube under my left arm & admitted into pulmonary ICU for the next 3 days. Then, on the 3rd day they tried to get me to breathe without the help of the tube. My lung collapsed again. They couldn't understand why & called in two specialists. I was taken back to radiology to have a CT scan. It was discovered that I had several holes in my lung caused by blebs & scar tissue from 3 previous pneumonias (I was also menstruating, seemed insignificant then, but still, every month around that time I have breathing problems). The only solution was surgery...which I asked for a second & third opinion...all were in agreement...sugery was necessary. It was also discovered through the CT scan that I have a congenital condition that predisposed me to having the pneumonias & weakness in my left lung.....it's enlarged. The left lung is supposed to be smaller than the right as to make room for the heart. The surgery went well (accept for my heart stopping as a result of the anesthesia...common for me), I only lost 125 cc's of blood & it all healed well. In fact, the incision was huge & the scar is hardly noticible now.
However, I now have a prolapsed mitral valve & arrythmia....multiple allergies, can't tolerate swimming, cold air, any sort of chemical fumes, and can't run. : ( I haven't had any more collapses, but feel that it is only a matter of time. I live everyday in fear. I have a 19 inch horizontal scar from my spine over to just over halfway under my left breast. I have another vertical scar under my left arm from the chest tube inserted in the ER, then an additional & larger scar under my ribcage on the left side from the insertion while in surgery.
I really wish there is something that could be done, but nothing can really. My cardiologist & pulmonary specialist are working together to see if I have Marfan's syndrome. My 13 year old daughter (who is asthmatic...tall & slender like me) also has an arrythmia & certain skeletal problems....which, if gone untreated will caused problems for the heart & lungs. Chiropractic adjustments have been our only relief. I take no drugs for my lungs or heart. Just something for anxiety. I'm a single mom of two girls on top of it all & struggle everyday with my health & trying to make a living & raise my girls. Will there ever be a cure? What's everyone else's opion/knowledge about a cure?
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