1. < Lung Health

Paralyzed Diaphragm

Posted by giller198 @giller198, Jul 3, 2018

My name is John and I was diagnosed this past January with a paralyzed right diaphragm. Phrenic nerve damage has been ruled out because of the amount of time between my heart valve surgery and when this started. I still cannot figure how this happened, I have a couple of ideas but nothing conclusive. I have seen two pulmonary doctors and both say there is a surgical procedure that can be done but no guarantee that it will work. I would like to know if anyone out there has been diagnosed with a paralyzed diaphragm and if they had it fixed.

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All_in_1963 | @burrkay | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @usmccam "@jenniferhunter, @terri, @Rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @Teresa . Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and..." + (show)
@usmccam

@jenniferhunter, @terri, @rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @teresa
. Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and well wishes. It means a lot. I am also an amputee from Vietnam and the VA has me doing military graphics for veteran amputees in the prosthetic department. I can do my graphics while being in bed on my laptop and tablet, so at least I can still do that. I have done over 60 so far and have orders coming in all the time. I will post some of my examples which are presently imprinted on different prosthetic arms, legs, and a hand, too. I hope you enjoy them.. Treatment and therapy time, so will close for now and wish all of you a Blessed evening and a healthy week ahead.

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Wow! The graphics are awesome! Keep doing that...such a worthy cause too.
We live in South Carrolina, and the birds are busy starting new families! I built 103 bluebird houses for our community and monitor the back nine boxes on our golf course.
Lots of bluebird nests! Here are a couple of pics!
Enjoy your day!
REPLY
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @usmccam "@jenniferhunter, @terri, @Rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @Teresa . Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and..." + (show)
@usmccam

@jenniferhunter, @terri, @rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @teresa
. Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and well wishes. It means a lot. I am also an amputee from Vietnam and the VA has me doing military graphics for veteran amputees in the prosthetic department. I can do my graphics while being in bed on my laptop and tablet, so at least I can still do that. I have done over 60 so far and have orders coming in all the time. I will post some of my examples which are presently imprinted on different prosthetic arms, legs, and a hand, too. I hope you enjoy them.. Treatment and therapy time, so will close for now and wish all of you a Blessed evening and a healthy week ahead.

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@usmccam Good morning! I love your graphics and WOW! You surprised me. I am a fine artist and I know from my own personal experience about the healing power of engaging in creativity and art. I paint mostly historic subjects, and I did one Civil War painting of Union Cavalry soldiers on their horses. I have friends who are re-enactors and they willingly pose for my camera. I've gone to a local Civil War Days for several years. I love horses (and I have one) and I like to paint them. This summer, the tall ships will come to Kenosha, WI, which is near where I live. Canada's ship, the Bluenose II is coming. I sailed on her out of Halifax years ago when I was on a trip to Nova Scotia so I could gather material and do paintings. It was the first time I traveled alone and I mostly lived out of my car. I was on a journey of discovery and on my own for the first time. I have a photo of me from those years ago next to the mast of the Bluenose (which is a tree trunk). Here's a story which I think you may enjoy. https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @usmccam "@jenniferhunter, @terri, @Rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @Teresa . Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and..." + (show)
@usmccam

@jenniferhunter, @terri, @rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @teresa
. Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and well wishes. It means a lot. I am also an amputee from Vietnam and the VA has me doing military graphics for veteran amputees in the prosthetic department. I can do my graphics while being in bed on my laptop and tablet, so at least I can still do that. I have done over 60 so far and have orders coming in all the time. I will post some of my examples which are presently imprinted on different prosthetic arms, legs, and a hand, too. I hope you enjoy them.. Treatment and therapy time, so will close for now and wish all of you a Blessed evening and a healthy week ahead.

Jump to this post

You write beautifully and your graphics are wonderful! I feel honored that you have shared your beautiful graphics with us. They are truly smashing. Saw these last night and gain today. Adjust getting o responding back to e mails and wanted you to know how much your sharing with us is appreciated. I'm glad you have a talent like doing these graphics to keep you occupied and can do such even now. Thank you fro being an outstanding Marine and a fine man. God bless you.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @usmccam "@jenniferhunter, @terri, @Rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @Teresa . Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and..." + (show)
@usmccam

@jenniferhunter, @terri, @rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @teresa
. Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and well wishes. It means a lot. I am also an amputee from Vietnam and the VA has me doing military graphics for veteran amputees in the prosthetic department. I can do my graphics while being in bed on my laptop and tablet, so at least I can still do that. I have done over 60 so far and have orders coming in all the time. I will post some of my examples which are presently imprinted on different prosthetic arms, legs, and a hand, too. I hope you enjoy them.. Treatment and therapy time, so will close for now and wish all of you a Blessed evening and a healthy week ahead.

Jump to this post

@usmccam

Your graphics are just outstanding! What a remarkable talent.

Was this type of artwork something you have always done?

PS It's obvious you are from Pennsylvania, the graphics of the Steelers was a give-a-way!

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @usmccam "@jenniferhunter, @terri, @Rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @Teresa . Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and..." + (show)
@usmccam

@jenniferhunter, @terri, @rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @teresa
. Thank you, everyone, for all of your kindness and well wishes. It means a lot. I am also an amputee from Vietnam and the VA has me doing military graphics for veteran amputees in the prosthetic department. I can do my graphics while being in bed on my laptop and tablet, so at least I can still do that. I have done over 60 so far and have orders coming in all the time. I will post some of my examples which are presently imprinted on different prosthetic arms, legs, and a hand, too. I hope you enjoy them.. Treatment and therapy time, so will close for now and wish all of you a Blessed evening and a healthy week ahead.

Jump to this post

@usmccam I didn't know you were such a creative guy! I think my two favorites are the first one 'United We Stand', (it's very powerful), and the Navy ships. Thank you for sharing these.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 3, 2019

@usmccam- Good morning. I hope today is a good day for you. I was diagnosed with lung cancer 22+ ago. I hate certain questions so I'll wait until you indicate that your day isn't good. Your graphics are amazing. I love the sense of composition and balance in coloring.
In my early years of cancer I watched Decorah Eagles. They are watched worldwide and have been in several movies about eagles.
They are supported by donations only by a group called Raptor Research Project. You can watch and chat with others. It is free and the moderators are experts in all things Eagle and more.
https://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/decorah-eagles/

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Dee | @danielad | Apr 3, 2019

@giller198 -- Hello John, I too have had a paralyzed right diaphragm, so I will share my story with you. Mine was caused by an anesthesiologist. Last June I was about to have surgery on the right wrist to repair 2 broken bones following a fall, and the anesthesiologist attempted to give me a "nerve block". Unfortunately, he ended up in the Phrenic nerve. Within a matter of seconds I realized I couldn't breath or talk. INCREDIBLY frightening! The situation has resolved by itself in the months following the incident, but it was quite a journey! My pulmonologist told me there was nothing to do but wait it out, as it would resolve over time. She also told me that the most important thing I needed to do is to keep my lungs healthy by doing breathing exercises very often. I used a Spirometer in the hospital and at home. Hated the exercises and the cough, but it was necessary! Having only one lung working is not ideal, and I did feel out of breath often, but I tried to concentrate on positive thoughts and after a long while, things got better and finally got back to normal. I have to see my pulmonologist at the end of the month for a chest x-ray and a breathing test. What did your pulmonologists tell you to do for this? I guess you had chest X-rays and all is still the same? Wishing you the very best!
--Dee

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 4, 2019

Hello @usmccam
Just wanted to drop by to say hello and check in with you. I hope this is a good day for you.

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Apr 4, 2019

Adding a similar note. Taking fo you and hoping that this is a good day. Hope the graphics work is coming along.

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usmccam | @usmccam | Apr 5, 2019

@jenniferhunter, @terri, @rosemary, @alamogal635, @burrkay, @teresa, @merry,

The past few days have not been very good at all due to my atelectasis. Breathing has become very difficult, to say the least. I will respond to your comments above in time but for now, I need to rest and limit my exertion. Hope ev1 is doing good. Ciao.

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