Mommy skills

Patient: They tell me that my lungs are filling with water, but I don't know why it is hard to breathe when I try to get up and move around.

Me: Well, if you had a balloon and you filled half of it with water you could only fill half of it with air. If you had a balloon with no water you could fill it completley with air. Your lungs have water in them so you are not able to get as much air now with each breath.

Patient: Wow! That is the best explanation I have ever heard. I am going to remember that!

Sometimes Mommy skills come in handy. =)