All this I learned since leaving the hospital but, and a big but is what kind of damage would the infection in the chest cavity have caused? The surgeon mentioned a look around, while he was inside, for leasions on/to the lung but he never mentioned looking or breaking any. Since I have to go back in I was hoping to learn more about the healing or tissue problems left from the infection. I trust the guy who will do the final(I hope) surgery and want to make sure that when he goes back in he takes care of whatever is not normal. The surgeon was a trauma surgeon for 12 years so I believe I was lucky when he opened me up since a trauma surgeon doesn't know what he is up against, gunshot or stab wound etc, until he gets inside. Thanks for the response. Edfit to add that I posted this before Astro posted. Thats sort of what I need to know since the surgeon is a speacialist and I only see him if there is a reason. There is plenty of help on this site for almost any problem and I thank any and all who can give me some insight. Andy