Lung Surgery :(

[GreekDiver]

I am currently recovering from lung surgery. I got misdiagnosed when i was feeling sick, and i had to go to the emergency room a week later from being very ill. I was diagnosed with a severe pneumonia. It got so bad that my lung filled up with pus. They had to surgically cut into my chest and vacuum out the lung. I'm guessing i got it from inhaling a small amount of water but i don't remember doing so. The bacteria was anaerobic.

The doctor told me today that i have lung scaring and i might lose 5% of lung volume. He isn't sure though but he said he cant hear the lower part of my lung very well.

I have a chest tube that goes between my ribs into my lungs. I have had it inside my lung for over a month now. I think in 2 weeks i will get it removed.

I am 30 years old, great shape, non smoker and I'm wondering how much this will affect my diving? Opinions? Has anyone had any kind of lung surgery on this board? Any comments are much appreciated.

Harry

[trux]

Oh holy sh*t! Wish you a quick recovery. I think the loss of the lung volume is not of a too big concern, but I have no idea how the lungs will react on higher blood pressures that are common during apnea (and I do not even speak about deep dives). When nothing else, you will certainly need to be extremely careful at the beginning. I hope some of the experts here will peek in. Maybe try pinging Fpernett.

Get well soon!

[GreekDiver]

Thanks Trux. Ill send him a private message to post on my thread. I guess his opinion can help me or someone else in the same situation. I will post how the recovery will go too.

[BatRay]

Wow, that's rough. I hope you get better soon and that this doesn't affect your diving ability too much.

[bgill]

Holy crap man! That does'nt look to be much fun at all.

What a bummer!

And to think...Most of us take our good health for granted...

I hope you get better soon dude...And that you totally re-gain your full lung function.

I have asthma...So I f I got what you had - it could very well kill me maybe... ... Scary thought!

Hey...Even if you can't go too deep at first when you get back to freediving...There is alot of awesome shallow freediving and spearing to be done. Not to mention pool training and dynamics

Get well.

[Marwan]

Harry,
i think you need to consult a specialist in these things typically, a hyperbaric doctor (i think thats what theyre called) who deals with lung injuries and diving day to day.. i dont know how common they would be in florida, but should be a few of them given that diving is popular there

[osusim]

I guess you've got heavy form of pleurisy - gas or liquid between lung(s) and diaphragm (pleura). In best case it may take 4-6 month to return back to normal life. I hope your lung(s) is intact but badly compressed from the bottom. Your body must dissolve the rest of liquid. Some people have got commissures at lungs for a life. Next several years you may fill sharp pain after rapid movement or even during weather changes.

As soon as your doctor will permit (after removing of a pipe) you must start everyday lungsstretching exercises like an yoga or gymnastic. After 3-6 month you can start aggressive aerobic training (running, circling, swimming etc).

Success GreekDiver, your future in your hands.

[fpernett]

Well it seems you had an empyema, and it's unusual to be caused by anaerobic bacteria. It's important to rule out Gastro Esophagic Reflux Disease. You should ask your pulmonary physician, when you can start freediving again, and also is important a Thorax CT Scan after recovery to confirm that pleural space is normal. I think you can dive safely again, but only after full physical recovery and your physician find everything almost normal again.

[pangea3000]

OUCH!!! That really sucks. Pus in the pleural space is called empyema, and it sounds like you had a decortication to try to remove it. They sometimes administer antibiotics directly to the pleural space, as well as IV. Are you still getting a lot of drainage? It seems like a long time to keep the tube, but if it continues to drain, what can you do. I would only assume, the longer it is in, the more likely you would be to develop more infection. (keep that sucker clean) Be sure to use your incentive spirometer frequently, or at the very least, some deep breathing exercises. At any rate, Here's to a speedy recovery!

[fcallagy]

dont have any medical advice greek diver but wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

[GreekDiver]

Originally Posted by pangea3000

OUCH!!! That really sucks. Pus in the pleural space is called empyema, and it sounds like you had a decortication to try to remove it. They sometimes administer antibiotics directly to the pleural space, as well as IV. Are you still getting a lot of drainage? It seems like a long time to keep the tube, but if it continues to drain, what can you do. I would only assume, the longer it is in, the more likely you would be to develop more infection. (keep that sucker clean) Be sure to use your incentive spirometer frequently, or at the very least, some deep breathing exercises. At any rate, Here's to a speedy recovery!

draining is over. The picture is a bit old. I still have the tube in me but will remove it in 2 weeks. They want to pull it out when the cavity is real small and i flush it daily with dacon solution to remove bacteria.

[GreekDiver]

As soon as your doctor will permit (after removing of a pipe) you must start everyday lungsstretching exercises like an yoga or gymnastic. After 3-6 month you can start aggressive aerobic training (running, circling, swimming etc).

I was thinking about doing some light lung stretching first and then slowly moving into aerobic exercising.

[GreekDiver]

Originally Posted by Marwan

Harry,
i think you need to consult a specialist in these things typically, a hyperbaric doctor (i think thats what theyre called) who deals with lung injuries and diving day to day.. i dont know how common they would be in florida, but should be a few of them given that diving is popular there

I am going to a Pulmonary Doctor.

[spaghetti]

That's not right. I'm sorry Greek.
Crossing fingers for your quick and full recovery.
Friendly,
valentino
(spaghetti)

[Marwan]

sorry harry, im sure you are seeking the right medical care, didint mean to suggest otherwise..im just saying that for diving related issues and the after effects if any, good advice could also be sought from a doctor who deals with divers with lung related injuries..once he understands your condition, maybe sees the report of the pulmonary doctor, he could be in a good position to give advice, related to the dos and donts for short and long term, i think thats the best route before diving again..
wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery..
cheers