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*UPDATE* as promised: 28/f who had 60% of her lung removed today and can't fall asleep in the ICU
Last Wed. May, 16 I made my first IAmA post and was pretty shocked at the response it got! Had a hard time keeping up with all of the posts and I'm still wanting to reply to some of them as soon as I get the chance. I was FINALLY discharged from the Cleveland Clinic yesterday(Tuesday) morning. It has been a long, hard week! My surgery went great. My recovery is going ok. I've had a few complications(excessive bleeding, air in my chest tube) and setbacks, but hopefully things will go more smoothly at home. I really want to thank everyone for voting up the comments by helpmeimbored. She did NOT pull a scumbag Steve. She came to visit me TWICE! and even brought my daughter a birthday gift I feel really lucky to have met her this way and I know we are going to be lifelong friends. She's wonderful! She had surgery on Monday and I got to return the favor and visit her tonight. I'm not sure what else you guys want to be updated on. Let me know if you have any questions or want to know more details about the surgery/recovery. Thanks so much for all of the support, well wishes, and the entertainment you gave me during my hospital stay. You made it much more bearable!!
WhyAmINotStudying697 karma
The best part is that the reduced lung capacity means she can't run from you.
WhosThatGirl_ItsRach477 karma
While I'm recovering, this is true. I walked to the hospital to visit helpmeimbored last night and had to pass a group of men that made me a little uncomfortable. I realized right then, I couldn't outrun a toddler, if I had to! HOWEVER, after the initial surgical pain wears off and my lung has sealed itself off, I will have the same use of my lungs that I always did. The 60% that got cut out was never usable, breathing tissue. It was just depriving my good tissue of air/space. I could potentially be a BETTER runner after this. You many never be able to catch me!!!
StuckInMinneapolis66 karma
Given how good looking you are, Redditors will take that as a challenge.
WhosThatGirl_ItsRach166 karma
This is going to be a great way to work cardio into my everyday routine, without feeling like I'm working out!
anon72c112 karma
But, if 60% of one lung was removed, and assuming they're equal in size, then she still has 70% capacity. However, the left and right lungs are actually different sizes, I couldn't find which one received the operation.
WhosThatGirl_ItsRach80 karma
The right one. it was all my lower lobe. I had an extra large lower lobe that took up 60% of my total lung space on the right and was still growing.
saintlawrence158 karma
Seriously. Lovely people doing lovely things for lovely people. It's amazing how the internet can bring people together. We get the whole gamut-from 2 girls, 1 cup to 2 girls, 3.4 lungs. What an age we live in.
Iainfixie449 karma
Ridiculously photogenic surgery girl.
Seriously though, way to go! Glad you're feeling better!
saintlawrence352 karma
I wonder if she had a pleural effusion
'Cause I'd tap that
...sorry, med school humor. I'll see myself out.
WhosThatGirl_ItsRach4 karma
My laugh has become this weird donkey noise. I try to hold it in and tighten my abs so that the heaving doesn't shoot lighting bolts of pain from my ribs. You guys and your jokes have turned me into a donkey.
WhosThatGirl_ItsRach13 karma
easye745 karma
You had 60% of your lung removed, but you still took my breath away.
Edit: Aw shit three people did this already.
barbarianbobb20 karma
were you the one that called the dean blundell show with this story, or did somebody else steal that from you..
gp01288 karma
40 % lungs, 100% hot
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