It’s a quick entry today, y’all. It’s been a rough couple of days. Constant (although not intense) pain, fatigue, difficulty breathing, not nearly enough sleep….like I said, rough couple of days.

I have news, however.

On Wednesday, I’m scheduled for another thoracentesis. This will be # 4. You can imagine how thrilled I am to have this procedure again. I honestly never had a choice, though; the sooner I have it done, the sooner the cough and the back pain will stop. Maybe it’ll help with the fatigue also, who knows? I have a prescription for some Xanax which I’ll take an hour before the procedure. Maybe that’ll keep me calm and from having another panic attack when I can’t breathe. I have a driver to and from, so that’s covered (thank you, E!).

After whining for a couple of days about having to see Mr. Needle again, I’ve come to realize a couple of things (with help, of course, sometimes I can’t see the forest for the trees). 1. Despite the whining, I am grateful that I CAN have this procedure. 2. I am grateful that there is medicine that will relax me to the point of distraction. Or further. 3. I am grateful to have friends who will point these things out for me! 4. I am grateful to have sympathetic and generous co-workers who take such good care of me, in spite of my stubbornness. (Me? Stubborn? Huh.)

And now it’s time for me to get back on the couch, which retains the imprint of my body, even when I’m not there. Thanks for being here.

Addendum

It’s Wednesday afternoon, after the thoracentesis. Per my instructions, I took the Xanax before the appointment. While I thought I was feeling mostly just sleepy, apparently I was relaxed enough to be agreeable to have the procedure. (Y’all remember how much I was looking forward to it!) I must say, this time was much easier than last time; much less pain and no panic attack, and the doctor was able to extract about a liter of fluid. There is still some fluid left in there, but I couldn’t stand the suction in my chest any longer, so we quit. It’s possible that I’ll have to go back again, and just in case, I was given a prescription for more Xanax. So, knowing my track record here, are y’all thinking what I’m thinking?

It’ll take a couple of days to fully recuperate, but I am already feeling much better than I was yesterday at this time. I still lose my breath while talking, but that may get better gradually as well. All in all, a successful procedure. So far, anyway.

¶ 2:06 PM