Asking for prayers again

10 years ago

This time, for my oldest step-daughter, Mellisa. She is having a pericardial window placed this morning, to allow fluid (which keeps accumulating in the pericardial sac around her heart) to drain into her chest cavity. Hopefully, they might also find some reason why this fluid keeps accumulating.

She has been having problems with this for several months, and the fluid has manually been drained but came back.

She went into a local hospital on New Year's Eve day, when it was thought that she had pneumonia, complicated by more accumulating fluid. She was sent to a specialist (at a larger hospital) and had tests throughout the day yesterday. It was determined that she does not have pneumonia and all current problems are due to the fluid.

They are placing the window this morning, and she went in at about 8:30 Eastern time.

Please say some prayers for a successful surgery and recovery (in most cases this is a simple surgery and quick recovery) and for the window to work (it doesn't always), and also for the doctors to find out why this fluid keeps coming back.

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Comments (31)

ivamae
10 years ago
Prayers have been said for all of you.
heather_on
10 years ago
Holding your family in my thoughts and prayers.
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marie_ndcal
10 years ago
Prayers and good thoughts for your family and the medical staff to find the problem.
phyllis__mn
10 years ago
Caring thoughts going out to your step-daughter....may this do the trick.
gadgets
10 years ago
I used your last paragraph as my prayer for Mellisa. Please come back and give us updates.

Shirley
mare_wbpa
10 years ago
Prayers and good thoughts being sent.
teddybear_2009
10 years ago
Prayers to Melissa and her family, also to the Doctors who will restore her to wellness.
glenda_al
10 years ago
Special thoughts for Melissa and family!.
sandiefl
10 years ago
Sending prayers for Melissa and her doctors and family.
jannie
10 years ago
Saying prayers for everyone involved- Melissa, you and all her loved ones, and for the doctors treating her.
mamatoad
10 years ago
Sending my prayers for Melissa.
yayagal
10 years ago
I'll be praying along with the rest.
jel48
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much. I know that I can always count on you all for support and prayers.

The doctor called, after a longer than (to me anyway) expected surgery. He said that it went well, there were no surprises, and that Mellisa is in recovery. No further details were available, but that is enough for us for the moment. If everything goes well, she should only have to stay in the hospital a day or so and then home to recover. I expect she'll be good and sore for a while but barring anything unforeseen, she is out of the woods for now.

The next thing will be to see if this does drain the fluid adequately. They've already told her that it doesn't work in all cases. And also, whether they will be able to find out any more as a result of what they did today. I imagine there are biopsies as well as visual (and whatever else is appropriate) examination to go on.

Please continue to keep Mellisa and all of her family (4 kids, husband and 4 step kids, as well as all of the rest of us, parents, siblings, etc) in your prayers. Missy has had a lot of health problems of various sorts, and our family would so much appreciate a complete recovery for her, at least from this one very worrisome problem.
lindaohnowga
10 years ago
Prayers said that this works for Mellisa so that she will have no more problems.
katlan
10 years ago
Melissa has my prayers. And your entire family. Best of luck to her.
alisande
10 years ago
Jel, infection from a tick bite can cause this recurring problem. They should consider this possibility.

Recurring Pericardial Effusion Caused by Lyme Disease
jel48
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you Alisande. She has been tested for Lymes, and it was negative, although I understand that negative tests are not always 100% right.

She is awake, and in a lot of pain. She was on morphine and the IV blew so that made it worse. The nurse is giving her something now to knock her clear out for a while. Thank you all again, and please keep the prayers coming.
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
sorry she is still in so much pain! you sure have my prayers and good thoughts!
alisande
10 years ago
Yes, the standard test is notorious for false negatives, unfortunately.
luckygardnr
10 years ago
Praying for a good outcome. And hugs to you all!
mawheel
10 years ago
Prayers are being offered for Melissa and all those in her family.
mary3444
10 years ago
Melissa & the whole family will be in my prayers.
joyfulguy
10 years ago
Sending good wishes and hopes to Melissa and family ... and offering prayers on her and their behalf, also for skill for the medical people involved.

ole joyful
Orchidllauraga
10 years ago
Sending up prayers for Melissa and yalls family..
kittiemom
10 years ago
Prayers for your family going up, and especially for Melissa's quick recovery.
nanny98
10 years ago
More prayers and Good Thoughts for a quick recovery... and a better New Year!
tami_ohio
10 years ago
Saying prayers for Melissa and family.
jel48
Original Author
10 years ago
Mellisa is at home. The surgery went well. She was in a lot of pain and had a difficult time breathing. They did keep her on oxygen until, I think it was Saturday. They also left the drainage tube in until Saturday, and altogether (surgery and post op) about 1000 cc of fluid was drained. Lab was done and no infection or bacteria found. She was discharged yesterday, and her husband and two of the kids (teen age daughter and step daughter) made the trip home with her. Thank you so much for all the prayers and good wishes. They help more than anything! Next hurdle is to find out if this will be successful long term.
nizza
10 years ago
Good to hear that she home. I will keep her in my prayers.
tami_ohio
10 years ago
Thank you for the update. Melissa is still in my prayers.

Tami
dedtired
10 years ago
You've had a rough year. Sending strong healing thoughts for Melissa. Hope she is up and about and feeling well soon. Hugs.