Flashback Fridays -- Got Your Back

This is how big of a scar they make when they decided to take out a whole lung.

Crazy! I remember my surgeon telling me that her hand kept cramping up as she was holding the 4 POUND  bone tumor as they were "breaking it out" of my body. Breaking it out sounds wrong.. I think they probably cut little bit of connective tissues by little bit, until they were able to remove it. Four pounds! That's, like, half a baby. How did I even breathe with half a baby in my lung?!

After the surgery, when I was allowed to go home, I was given some pretty strong drugs to take for the pain, but they make me puke, so I only took Vicodin, which made me puke (and gave me nightmares), so I then resorted to Tylenol. It was reallly scary and I felt like my scar was going to tear open each time I coughed.

When they cut me during surgery, they cut through some of my nerves, which, to this day are still funk-da-fied (that's a word, I say so). Right under my right boob is still a little bits tingly. Under the scar, I can't even feel anything.. Dustin can touch me and I won't notice until he touches the skin around it.  Kind of freaky! Also, in order to actually get to my lung, they had to break some of my ribs... now they told me that they "broke" them, and with that I get a mental picture of my proper, Chanel wearing, lady surgeon flying through the air, breaking my bones with her elbow, much like this:

.. but with less lime green fringe and more blood.

Oh! Want to know something weird and gross?... Yes? Of course you do!

Well, when they remove an organ, such as a lung, something has to FILL the space. Over about the span of a month post surgery, the empty space started to fill... with "fluid." Don't ask, I don't know! But, the funny thing was, each day, as it filled more and more, the NOISE would change. At first when I'd lay down, it sounded like the ocean waves... swish.........swish........swish. Then, as it continued to fill it would sounds much like sloshing of a half filled plastic soda bottle, on its side. And then, as it was almost full, it sounded like your stomach does after you drink too much water and lay down.. like a water bed. (When I'd turn over at night, I sounded like a washing machine.. slosh, slosh, slosh.) Eventually, the space became full and hardened up, which still grosses me out  to think about. Like a giant, hard booger in my chest. I always tell Dustin that if we get caught in the middle of a fire fight, I'm good as long as they shoot my right side! Saved by a giant chunk of  body booger! Gotta find the bright side, right? ;)

Comments

[LeighAnn]

Hi Violet :)
Your hair looks really pretty dark! Excellent choice :)

I love how you make the weirdest things charming and even funny, you're the best. I'm often amazed at what you've gone through, you're amazing!

Love yoU!

[lacy]

you are brave and beautiful

[Angela]

Wow lady, you've gone through some crazy times for sure! I find it very inspirational how you maintain such a cheery outlook on life even though life has definitely handed you some lemons.

btw, loving your hair dark! Very striking :)

[S. Violet]

I love you gals! Seriously, you three make my heart happy. <3

[Lane C]

I also have a body booger...which is an AWESOME way to describe it. luvs it!