Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
As you may remember, I have been in the hospital at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland since 23 July -- when it became evident that, after having a prostatectomy on 25 June, I had incurred a condition called lymphedema -- which is to say, the production of fluids in excess of what the body could reabsorb and their pooling in a place within the body where they cause trouble.
In my case, the fluids had pooled in a cavity near my left kidney, where they were putting pressure on the muscles that control axial motion in my left leg. Put more simply, it became an agony to get into a bucket seat in a car, and things were going to get worse.
In the weeks that I have been here, the physicians and technical staff drained about a liter of liquid out of the cavity and left the catheter in to drain any fluid that might collect thereafter. It was their hope initially that the flow would dry up and this would do the trick. When the flow continued at about one-fifth of a liter a day, they tried sclerosis -- using a drying agent, in my case rubbing alcohol, to cause the cavity to crumple up and shrink. This had the requisite effect on the cavity but the flow continued at the established rate.
On Friday, they pulled the catheter on the presumption that it was acting like a wick and eliciting flow. On Monday, they did an ultrasound to see whether the liquid was pooling once again in the pertinent cavity. It was -- but where, in the past, almost a liter had collected -- there was roughly 16% of a liter: not enough to cause me muscle problems.
Today they did a second ultrasound with similar results, and by this evening I will be released from the hospital. My wife is up north collecting our children from their long-suffering and generous grandparents. When she returns with our munchkins in tow at about 9 p.m., we will all head home.
With luck, I will not have to return for further treatment. If that happens, however -- if the lymphedema once again causes tendonitis or something like it -- it will mean surgery.
Thank you all for your prayers, for your visits, for the books you sent or dropped off, for the fruit and chocolate delivered, and for your offers of help. It has been a bit of an ordeal, and your concern bucked me up.
- Comment (30)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (3)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Jun '11
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
It will be simple enough to distract the type who'd want to hang you high. Just toss them a Gordian Knot...that'll keep them preoccupied for a millenium or three.
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
Congratulations, Professor! Welcome home to what I hope is a more uneventful recovery. Your country needs you at maximum effectiveness as we head into this critical election season.
Thank you for your candid and detailed descriptions of your disease and its treatment. Your collected posts will prove a boon to others, newly diagnosed, as they search the Internet for advice.
Jan '12
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
So glad to hear you get to go home!
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
George Savage: Congratulations, Professor! Welcome home to what I hope is a more uneventful recovery. Your country needs you at maximum effectiveness as we head into this critical election season.
Thank you for your candid and detailed descriptions of your disease and its treatment. Your collected posts will prove a boon to others, newly diagnosed, as they search the Internet for advice. · 1 hour ago
I hope that, despite the gore, they are of some use.
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
Apart from the pneumonia, which was no fun, the worst of it was the boredom. I wish that I had brought with me a truly great book -- say, War and Peace -- that I should have read long ago but could not contemplate reading because it would take a long time. As it stands, I brought two changes of underwear and a biography of The One. I had no idea that I was in for a long stay.
Jul '12
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
Glad to hear you're out. Regarding being on the wagon, I was on chemo plus Rituxan last Dec. through May and could not have any alcohol at all. Strangely enough, I didn't miss it but, when it was over, there was a lust that could not be denied. One ice cold bottle of beer after six months of nothing sure tastes good.
Incidentally, the month or so after my diagnosis (stage 3 lymphoma) was a time of intense spiritual ferment. If it didn't sound so ostentatious, I would call it ecstacy. Did you experience anything like that?
Apr '12
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
Your good news is such a pleasure! May your body keep up the good work and allow you to get on with your work! Every best wish for your full recovery!
Oct '10
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
This made my day. Congratulations on getting well!
Oct '10
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
Paul A. Rahe
Apart from the pneumonia, which was no fun, the worst of it was the boredom. I wish that I had brought with me a truly great book -- say, War and Peace-- that I should have read long ago but could not contemplate reading because it would take a long time. As it stands, I brought two changes of underwear and a biography of The One. I had no idea that I was in for a long stay. · 1 hour ago
I can't bring myself to read his books. Listening to him speak is narcissistic enough; I can't imagine reading a whole book.
Apr '12
Re: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy, Jig!
Wonderful, but does this mean less content from you? I have been enjoying your contribution.