Aaron's Journal

Been doing a good deal of reading on the site, but would welcome any and all experiences and advice when it comes to fluid build-up around the lungs (pleural effusion).

6 1/2 weeks post-Ross procedure and for the first five I thought I was living a charmed life with how uneventful recovery had been.  Breath work on an incentive spirometer good (2.25 - 2.5 L), walking 15k steps daily.  But last week I got tired much more easily, the spirometer results got worse, and my sleep was just awful. Decided not to play tough guy and took myself into the ER this past Friday, where x-ray showed I had about 90% of my right lung obscured.  Subsequently had a tube inserted to drain and was in hospital until this afternoon.  Will add Lasix back into my medication routine for this upcoming week.

For those of you who experienced similar, how did it go for you?  Did you change any behaviors afterwards?  Thanks. 

Hello all!  Sharing news six days since my Ross procedure, performed at Northwestern Medicine's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute by the amazing team led by Dr. Chris Malaisrie.  I've been up, mobile, walking, and feeling wonderful and, in particular, filled with a gratitude I'll never be able to adequately express in words.  This life blessing - this new opportunity to relish and capture life - none of it possible without Dr. Malaisrie and his team, the incredible team of nurses in Northwestern's CTICU who have cared for me with such generosity and kindness, and my family who have been by my side every step of the way.  I'm not a religious person, but there are angels in this world, and I found and find myself embraced by the best of them.  Sincere gratitude and to all in our community, continued good vibes for your health today, tomorrow, and always.