janetg Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Hello to all, Ron finished 7 of 10 planned taxotere treatments and decided to take a break because it was really tiring him out. A catscan completed on Sept. 16 showed stability. However, on Oct. 28 pleural effusion again reared its ugly head. He had it drained 3 months to the day since the last occurrence. He's now experiencing "bloating" and generally isn't regaining the strength he hoped he would after taking the break from chemo. I'm so afraid that there's ascites in the abdomen. That was our signal before that something was wrong. An emerg MD told him that there didn't appear to be any ascites on Saturday but he's not seen the bloating diminish. He's scheduled to see his oncologist on the 28th but I suggested that he should contact him to get in for any earlier evaluation. I've been off work for the last week - am trying to get myself back on track after losing my dad one week ago today to very advanced metastatic liver cancer. He was diagnosed on Nov. 3 and died on Nov. 7 the date that he married mom 61 years ago. She passed away on August 25. Life has been so difficult since March when dad entered hospital and ended up going to a nursing home and then losing mom and trying to be strong for Ron since his reoccurence in April. 2005 has been quite a year. I'm really glad it's almost over. If anyone has any information to offer on pleural effusion I'd love to hear it. I'm really getting scared since he's building up fluid every 3 months. He had twelve months between the first and second. Prayers for strength and courage would be appreciated. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinaresholz Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I'm sorry your husband is having trouble with pleural effusion. A friend of mine told me her husband had some kind of pump inserted to drain it. Maybe your doctor will do something like that. Prayers for both of you! Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Janet, I just went through all of this myself. I am not an expert by any means. I am still trying to figure things out for myself. I will try to help though. I was also having recurrent effusions which seemed to be causing a shortness of breath. After much discussion with a few docs (surgeons, onc.) I was given three choices. One. Continue to drain using thoracentesis. No malignant cells were found in any of the previous procedures. However, the onc. had it in his head that there must be some cells in there to create the effusions. The plus side would be that it would be the least invasive. The downside was that the effusions were returning within a few days after they were drained. Two. A Denver Catheter reaching in to the effusion. An open site that would require meticulous care on my part of changing bottles and bandages at home for a period of weeks to indefinitely. The downside would be the hassle and the risk of infection. And for me, it would have been gross! (in hind-sight, I could have done it though) Three. Pleurodesis. Drain the fluid using VATS technique, insert drain tube and squirt in some talc or antibiotic so that the lining of the lung sticks to the lung and no more fluid can get in there. The downside is that it is major surgery. A week in the hospital. And a failure rate that I was told equalled about 10% or a 90% success rate...however you choose to look at it. For me, after much deliberation, I chose door #3. (wrong door for me it turned out) I still don't have cancer cells in there, but I have a leak of chyle going in there. Doctor did the talc thing but now I have pockets of fluid in there that cannot be drained. Think of wet baby powder. It has turned to goo. So now I am stuck with the effusions and I still can't breathe for shi_. One surgeon told me that if I had cells in the fluid and I had just a short time to live, that they would choose palliation, which would be thoracenteses. If I had cells and the docs thought that I would live for say 6 months or more, then he said the drain would be a good idea. But, because I decided already that I am invincible and because of this positive attitude that I have been "blessed" with and my stubborness, I needed to have a permanent solution to my problem. As I said, I have consequences now. I don't know what went wrong or if anything did go wrong. Or if this is just the lot that I drew, but, I am suffering with transient pain and breathlessness, still. Any questions, Janet, pm me. And to Ron..the drummer. Rock on! Janet, I also want to say how sorry I am that these months have been so difficult. Accept my sorrow for your losses. love, Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j ross Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Dear Janet Sorry that you are going through a difficult patch. Bary had a pleurodesis procedure and has had no problems since. If the patient can take it it seems to have a good success rate. Jennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 (((JANET))) You have sure had a rough year and I hope that things turn around for Ron. You guys deserve a break! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdjenkins Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 My Dad had pleural effusion last summer and had the drainage tube inserted. The surgery went well he spent 3 days in the hospital. We were trained in hospital on how to drain the tube at home. He drained it about once a week. They removed the tube in October he was only getting a small amount of drainage weekly. I hope everything goes well for Ron. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Hugs and prayers, dear. lots of them You are a trooper. Love Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephi Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Janet, my heart and prayers go out to you and Ron. It has been an unrelenting year for you. I'm believing with you that you will have a much better year coming. Healing prayers and comfort for you both..Take care of YOU too. Stephi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 ((((Janet)))), How so very sorry I am to hear ALL that has been put upon you this past year. I am not one to cry NO FAIR, but in this case NO FAIR it is! I will be hoping and praying that the tide has turned and your load will be lighter. We all must believe in order to trek on. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Janet. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Janet, so sorry you have had to go through so much this past year. I definitely have said prayers for you for strength and courage. Hang in there. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiesdaughter Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Janet, I'm very sorry for the loss of your Dad and the very hard year you've had. I will pray that Ron will be okay and next year will be a much better year for you.... Rana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamataca Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 What a backbreaker of a year you've had. I'm so impressed with the strength you show, hopping up and helping Ron as well. I guess we do what we have to do, even when we wish we didn't have to. I hope your year ends much better. You dseserve a break. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darci Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Wow...you have been through a lot. Sounds to me like you could use a little TLC yourself...maybe a massage or something? Hang in there! Hopefully things will turn around for you soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Janet, I'm sorry I don't have any helpful information, but I do have prayers to offer. Know that I am praying for you and Ron. God Bless. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endangered but surviving Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Wow, how do you even breathe? lots of prayers for you and Ron, wish I could help with info. love joyce and brent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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