Rarity thy name is Chhavi — Day #11
“Chhavi, you never disappoint us with the mundane, they said”
I really don’t know how to start today. I have already back swiped a million times. Good that at least I have had a good few hours to process all the new information.
ANYHOW I WILL GO STRAIGHT IN…
Just when we all were celebrating my miraculous blood test reports yesterday (CRP came down from 150ish to 15 within 3 days, Ferritin levels have also improved drastically etc.), I started sensing something fishy with the doctors visiting me around with all their questions about my medical history, Wegener’s lung involvement, surgical history etc.
The CT scan results had come back in and they understandably, stalled telling me the findings, until the final reports were compiled.
Looks like there’s been a puncture in my lung, near the heart, some air bubble has burst (will try to explain further with the help of a friend), which by the way is not common at all, and was no way they were expecting, and of course has very little to do with COVID per se. It’s the regular “Chhavi’s Rarity” as my school friend turned doctor friend has been calling it.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Well, the amazing part is that the body can heal the puncture on its own, simply by OXYGEN, Such a marvel is our human body!
I have to now be on strictly, very high oxygen levels, at all times, breath very gently, and very comfortably, not trying any deep breaths or exercising or new positions or orientations (should I further rupture the puncture which is already at a weird position?)
Instructions are simple enough for me. Breathe. Relax. Wait. Stay Vigilant (Of any gurgling sounds in or around the neck)
I can do that :) Still might take a few more hours today to assimilate the info better, a couple more doctors visits may be, but upcoming couple of weeks’ rhythm, I know, I have to rethink and redesign. No rush there.
MOMENTS OF LIFE
Mom paid me a surprise visit yesterday afternoon (she managed to get a 10 min entry pass), and, seriously, it was so overwhelming, that it was almost anticlimactic :D we talked naturally, she handed over fresh clothes and hygiene supplies, made quick tea for me, sat on a chair, I enquired about condition of the home, etc. etc. Just a usual regular exchange. FYI — this was all before the CT news broke down, so somehow we both knew we’re talking recovery and prepping for home coming.
Anyhow that moment was indeed special because it was routine. And, very well summarises the essence of Life for me.
PS: Tried a new look today, with the little knick knacks mom got yesterday.
MEDICAL EXPLANATION FOR THE CURIOUS SOULS
Thanks to my decades old school friend, Nupur, who completed her medical training in India and has recently received official permit to practice in Germany too (where she shifted post her wedding), for dumbing down the CT findings for me, to help me better understand, what’s happened, what’s going on and what all do I really need to do now.
Understanding the rarity by Nupur
COMMENTARY — You know, this blue area of trachea and lungs only are supposed to have air, other than that they are covered with a membrane with fluid inside, to prevent friction through movements
COMMENTARY — When one of these alveoli are not well because of infection, it just keeps inflating because air is getting collected and not going inside the blood.
When someone coughs too hard, a small air balloon can burst and enter in this area of esophagus, trachea and lungs! That’s what you got.
And, too clarify, how RARE it is, there are a million bubbles in the lung, and exactly the one on the margin there burst for you. I mean, really, Chhavi 😕
The good thing is this is that there are a lot Fat Blood Vessels in that area, and the air should slowly get absorbed in them.
When asked her whether she’s seen this happening before
Honestly, we see it with bulimic patients sometimes or alcoholics, who vomit excessively all at once. That high pressure can cause sometimes esophagus to rupture.
Ya people who have smoked a lot, and then coughed really hard.
The second case I have seen, But not as Covid sequelae. Bullas (medical term for this balloon) do rupture and most of the time, we just keep doing repeat scans until it goes back to normal.
Anyhow, it’s “you”, so, something “had” to happen… You can’t be a boring Covid person. Part of your charm😄
So how are they going to monitor the progress? Is the puncture healing properly, air is not getting misplaced, heart is fine etc.? Because CT means so much radiation
I think they might just repeat scan in 4–5 days. No other sure way to properly monitor the progress.
SPECIAL CALL OUT
This is a special thanks to Kavita, my roommate from the first 3 days, whose praises I’ve already sung in my initial posts, though still understated. She, still, without fail, daily checks in on me, from her own room (she herself has been in the hospital since 3rd May, and is showing great recovery but her husband is still in ICU. Please send prayers for him). She’s an absolute angel, and having known me only for a handful of days, still enquires about my meals, sleep, well being and other stuff. I love you Kavita and wish you and Rahul get out of this hospital at the earliest!
CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS
As you already know, I’m on this quest of abstaining entirely from social media, news, A/V noise consumption. Very soon, as I’ll recover from the debilitating weakness due to ongoing periods and recovery, I’m planning to attempt to indulge in reading. Definitely fiction, something poetic, full of life may be, but nothing disturbing or fact filled. So any suggestions welcome in the response below :)
CLOSING THOUGHTS
All in all, there’s really nothing to worry about. It’s just that the time frame has unexpectedly increased beyond expectations, and I genuinely believe, it’s a rare, marvelous opportunity being given to me by the universe, yet once again in my life, to truly disconnect from the outside, take ample time to unwind, and truly turn inwards, and discover the simplicity within. Just imagine, in the midst of this crazy chaotic information overloaded age, battling a crazy pandemic, I’ll be getting a chance to truly introspect without distractions. I’m so going to cash in on it. And, may be I’ll come out a simpler, less complicated soul.
Love you all :)
