Inkerdoodler

Had thoracentesis a few days ago... done in office of thoracic surgery in teaching hospital. Found out afterward that it was done by a "fellow" rather than the regular surgeon (we should have asked the questions in advance). Difficult procedure... painful and taxing... they allowed me to be in the room with him, but he passed out during the procedure (I thought I was losing him when that happened). They extracted 2 liters of fluid before he passed out and that was not all there was (he knocked out the needle and they did not want to put him thorugh the insertion again). Don't know if it will have to be done again. They are talking about the possibility of the "talc" procedure to prevent future accumulation of fluid but we will need to do some more homework on that procedure. We feel very naieve about everything but welearn more about our rights/options and mistakes we've made with each one!! He feels somewhat better afterward but we are not sure whether the lung has re-inflated or not. He is having less trouble sleeping, which is good.

Hi Jamie a "welcome" of sorts (this is a hard place to be welcomed to). Sending good thoughts and wishes to you and your family and hoping for the best. This is a struggle that tests our fortitude but it makes us stronger! Keep your good attitude and hug and smooch that baby!! We also have wonderful grandchildren that keep us focused on the most important things in life... the legacy we pass on to the next generations!

Survivors are fighters and fighters are the ones with positive attitudes. Damn the statistics... we are NOT numbers!! Keep your eyes on the PRIZE and just be positive every single day!! And take time to LAUGH and take care of yourself because YOU'RE WORTH IT!! Sandy

Jim had the thoracentesis procedure done today... in the thoracic surgery office. It was difficult and painful, they removed 2 liters of fluid, and that was not all that was there, but he passed out at that point and fell backward and knocked the needle out so they decided they would not go back in and try to finish it. It was quite painful for him, and I was with him the whole time... but he suddenly said he felt faint and started moaning, fell forward, then collapsed backwards and his eyes rolled back and I thought he was having a seizure... there was the doc and a BIG strong male nurse and they had trouble holding/moving him (I had to turn my back because I was so scared!). He was in a lot of discomfort afterward (they said from the lung trying to reinflate). It has reinflated some, but not completely and it may take time. They will consider the talc procedure in a few weeks when they see how this progresses and whether the fluid continues to build up. He is breathing somewhat easier tonight tho' and his color is significantly improved. A long and stressful day (9 a.m. till 6 p.m.) and we're exhausted!

Due to pulmonary effusion, docs are considering pleurocentesis. We don't know what to expect, what the risks are, who should be doing it... what do we ask for/about? If he has this done does it increase risks for spread later? We would appreciate any advice from anyone who has been through this. He has been increasingly uncomfortable the past few days (SOB) and using supplementary O2 more often. Thanks for your advice!

How do we put a photo in our messages? I tried putting in the link to a photo I have in webshots but that obviously did not work. Sandy

He does have pleural effusion, which has increased in last month with increasing SOB (could be also related to another drop in red count) - considering pleurocentesis... I have not been able to find any info on this procedure in a search so would appreciate any information on it. I would prefer NOT to have it done in an ER so if possible we will wait till next week. Have been advised by RN daughter to make sure it is done by a pulmonologist, not ER doc or resident. Anyone have experience with this?

Hi I'm Sandy: DH Jim age 61 diagnosed 12/03. Strong spirit and wonderful sense of humor keep us going all the time! We have 5 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Being treated at Dana Farber in Boston. Initial tumor location close to heart, so surgery was not an option. Chemo+radiation shrunk tumor and nodes. After 6 mos. remission we went on a 2-wk cruise but he developed severe edema in legs/feet. PET scan showed "unclear spots" - diagnosed as apparent recurrence. Had 6 Alimta treatments to no avail, PET showed increased growth. Alimta caused severe fatigue; decreased BP (always "cold");loss of appetite (nothing "tasted good");decreased red count required 2 transfusions. After 2 treatments with Taxotere CT shows no apparent progession so we opt to continue as Taxotere side effects (leg cramps,neuropathy)are tolerable. Pleural effusion is causing more SOB during hot/humid weather. Considering pleurocentesis. He does not want to know any "details" but I want/need to have as much information as possible! Self-employed in sales, he is unable to travel so income has decreased substantially and we rely on my income/health insurance - becoming challenging. Young resident advised him in July to "see people you want to see and do things you want to do quickly while you still feel reasonably well" - he refuses to accept this and stays optimistic, but feels depressed and "guilty" because he is no longer able to do any yard work/household chores. We try to stay positive!

Brand new to this forum and don't know how to list our "history" but hubby had significant side effects while on Alimta - severe fatigue, drop in BP (always cold, wrapped up in blankets) and low red cell count requiring transfusions of 2 units in 4/05 and 6/05 at which point they started Aranesp in conjunction w. chemo. He also experienced loss of appetite and "change in taste buds" so nothing tasted good. After 6 treatments DX more progression and increased fluid surrounding lung so we ended Alimta. He was initially DX 12/04 with NSCLC stage IIIB. Taxol&Carboplatin every 3 wks for 3 mos. then 6 wks. of daily radiation, then resume chemo till end of June (total 8 treatments). Tumor shrunk significantly and lymph nodes descreased. Persistent cough 7/04 led to DX of radiational pneumonitis treated w. steroids. 11/04 experienced severe edema while on cruise and on return was Dx w. recurrence. Started Alimta 1/05 every 3 wks. till 6/05. 6/05 switched to Taxotere.