Pneumothorax

I seem to get the weird ailments and no one seems to know how I get them. I have felt pain over the past 4 days which kept getting more severe in my right side. It felt similar to the pain I felt after surgery when there was still fluid in my lungs. I kept having a feeling I needed to call my surgeon so Tuesday afternoon I did and was instructed to get an x-ray just to make sure everything was OK. I really thought they were going to tell me I had pluracy again(which is what they thought I had the last 3 times but it turned out to be a tumor). Within five minutes of leaving the hospital the radiology tech called and said I need to call Dr. Collins right now. I suddenly got worried and after speaking with the Dr. found out I have a Pneumothorax. We really don't know how I got it or if it is associated with the surgery. I got another x-ray this morning and are waiting to find out what the next step is. We are hoping I will not have to be admitted to the hospital and get yet another chest tube put it to drain the air around my lungs. We are praying for the best and really hope our Moab trip will not be called off this weekend. Timing is everything. Geesh!

"A pneumothorax (a term for collapsed lung) occurs when air leaks into the space between your lungs and chest wall, creating pressure against the lung. Depending on the cause of the pneumothorax, your lung may only partially collapse, or it may collapse completely.

A pneumothorax can be caused by a chest injury, certain medical procedures involving your lung, lung disease, or it may occur for no obvious reason.

A small, uncomplicated pneumothorax may quickly heal on its own, but when the pneumothorax is larger, the excess air is usually removed by inserting a tube or needle between your ribs and slowly removing the air over a few days."
Mayo Clinic