Help Hannah Start the Next Chapter of Her Life
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Hey friends! As many of you may know, since March 9th I've been at Boulder Community Hospital. During my time there, it was determined that I had been suffering from an empyema or a lung abscess, which caused plural effusion in my chest cavity. I'm proud to say on March 26th, I was finally released from the hospital! According to my surgeon, I still have three weeks of at-home recovery ahead, but I'm happy to be in a more comfortable space to rebuild my health.
Plural Effusion is the buildup of fluid in the space between the tissue of the lungs and the chest wall. There is normally a small amount of fluid here which helps your lungs move easily when you breathe, however, when an infection is present, it can cause an overproduction of this fluid to occur. In the week prior to being admitted to the hospital, I was experiencing extreme pain in my left shoulder beneath my collar bone. As it turns out, a big pocket of infection had collected here, which was causing my lung to collapse and me to be very short of breath. Also, because of the sheer amount of fluid and infection, this caused my heart to be pushed to the other side of my chest and press on my right lung, which caused a small but less concerning amount of fluid buildup, as well as slightly collapsing my lung, further complicating my breathing.
From everything the doctors told me, this is something that someone in my age group is highly unlikely to suffer from, so my entire visit was baffling to the entire staff there considering my high level of activity and that I'm a non-smoker. I initially underwent a Thoracentesis, a low-key procedure to remove fluid from your chest cavity without being put under and only using local anesthesia. This procedure removed a little over 750ml from my left side, or about the size of a bottle of wine. After this fluid was analyzed, the doctors decided that the best course of action was a Video Assisted Thorascoscopic Surgery where a camera is used to go in to aid in the removal of all the gunk that had built up around my left lung. A whopping FOUR liters was removed during this first surgery, and a drainage tube was put in place which drained about another 200 ml. Because of the placement of this tube, I dealt with muscle spasms and nerve pain in my shoulder and down the back of arm, something I'm sadly still dealing with.
Unfortunately, this first surgery didn't end up being enough to clear everything out, so the following week I underwent the same procedure, this time coming out with two drainage tubes. My surgeon was much happier with the outcome this time, and my drainage tubes were removed on Sunday, March 24th.
Returning back to normal life and facing the fact that I haven't worked a single day in March has been challenging. I work full time between three jobs, and my lost wages due to the time spent in the hospital are about $2,200. I will also not be able to return to work or any strenuous activity during my at-home recovery period of three weeks, meaning more lost wages totally about $1,300. The timing of this ordeal also comes when I'm in a period of transition into a new living situation. Therefore I'm also asking for funds that will go towards a security deposit, a first month of rent, and just generally getting back on my feet to start this new chapter in my life. The outpouring of support I received during my hospital stay was immense, and I am humbled at the love and well wishes I received during that time. Now I am humbled in asking for any financial support people might be able to offer to help me in the aftermath of what was undoubtedly one of the most difficult and painful experiences of my entire life. Thank you all so much in advance!
Plural Effusion is the buildup of fluid in the space between the tissue of the lungs and the chest wall. There is normally a small amount of fluid here which helps your lungs move easily when you breathe, however, when an infection is present, it can cause an overproduction of this fluid to occur. In the week prior to being admitted to the hospital, I was experiencing extreme pain in my left shoulder beneath my collar bone. As it turns out, a big pocket of infection had collected here, which was causing my lung to collapse and me to be very short of breath. Also, because of the sheer amount of fluid and infection, this caused my heart to be pushed to the other side of my chest and press on my right lung, which caused a small but less concerning amount of fluid buildup, as well as slightly collapsing my lung, further complicating my breathing.
From everything the doctors told me, this is something that someone in my age group is highly unlikely to suffer from, so my entire visit was baffling to the entire staff there considering my high level of activity and that I'm a non-smoker. I initially underwent a Thoracentesis, a low-key procedure to remove fluid from your chest cavity without being put under and only using local anesthesia. This procedure removed a little over 750ml from my left side, or about the size of a bottle of wine. After this fluid was analyzed, the doctors decided that the best course of action was a Video Assisted Thorascoscopic Surgery where a camera is used to go in to aid in the removal of all the gunk that had built up around my left lung. A whopping FOUR liters was removed during this first surgery, and a drainage tube was put in place which drained about another 200 ml. Because of the placement of this tube, I dealt with muscle spasms and nerve pain in my shoulder and down the back of arm, something I'm sadly still dealing with.
Unfortunately, this first surgery didn't end up being enough to clear everything out, so the following week I underwent the same procedure, this time coming out with two drainage tubes. My surgeon was much happier with the outcome this time, and my drainage tubes were removed on Sunday, March 24th.
Returning back to normal life and facing the fact that I haven't worked a single day in March has been challenging. I work full time between three jobs, and my lost wages due to the time spent in the hospital are about $2,200. I will also not be able to return to work or any strenuous activity during my at-home recovery period of three weeks, meaning more lost wages totally about $1,300. The timing of this ordeal also comes when I'm in a period of transition into a new living situation. Therefore I'm also asking for funds that will go towards a security deposit, a first month of rent, and just generally getting back on my feet to start this new chapter in my life. The outpouring of support I received during my hospital stay was immense, and I am humbled at the love and well wishes I received during that time. Now I am humbled in asking for any financial support people might be able to offer to help me in the aftermath of what was undoubtedly one of the most difficult and painful experiences of my entire life. Thank you all so much in advance!
Organizer
Hannah Jackson
Organizer
Boulder, CO