Lee-Anne Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 Hello to everyone, I have had the pleasure of meeting Marlon already through a different support group and I have read many of the post here too. My father was diagnosed in January with Stage IIIB - primary in right lung causing lung to collapse and effusion to build. His primary physician misdiagnosed him for 3 months - he px'd an inhaler and misread his chest Xray. He had a chest tube for 7 weeks that drained his malignant effusion, however, he was not followed by the correct doctor and he developed an infection from the tube and also his lung became trapped. Needless to say, he, and I are very discouraged by the care he has received and it has made everything harder to deal with. The tube is now out and he is home but he is VERY tired and weak and his outlook is not positive. I hope to find help and hope here and plan to provide the dame to whomever I can. I will say that Marlon has been an inspiration to me and I am going to do everything I can to allow my father to be an inspiration to someone else. God bless all of you, for your courage and optimism Lee-Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 Hi Lee-Anne. A heartfelt welcome to you. This IS a wonderful place to find support. Sorry to hear your dad's having a tough go of it; it's bad enough he has to deal with the disease, but doctors "dropping the ball" is a really big pill to swallow. I'm glad to hear he's home. Work at making him rest, and see that he eats well (there are some great cancer related nutrition books available - some in the "Recipes" forum). He will certainly get stronger and have a more positive outlook. So long for now, David P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 LeeAnne, welcome to the message board. Sorry your dad is having complications. My wife had a port-a-cath for her chemo which got a staph infection, and we almost lost her. Tubes in the body are unfortunately prone to getting infected. My wife, Lucie, is fine now and has had her second chemo since starting back (she was without treatment for 2 months while she recovered from the infection). Glad Marlon sent you our way and we look forward to your participation. Best to you and your dad. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teetlee Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 Hi Lee-Ann, I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I know you will find help, good advice, comfort, and great listeners here at this board. It's really tough to live with and accept when doctors make mistakes. Believe me I know what I'm talking about. I was misdiagnosed for over 2 years. It doesn't make it any easier to trust the next doctor that comes along. You can trust the people here...they (we) generally tell it like it is. I sincerely hope and pray that as your dad's health improves, his outlook will become more positive also. Teet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlon Posted March 17, 2003 Share Posted March 17, 2003 Hi again Lee-Anne: So they finally took the tube out? I'm so very sorry that it progressed to a trapped lung, but don't worry because there is a corrective surgery for that (just find the right doctor) as long as they can get the cancer under control. Because my mom's CT and PET scans were clean and fluid negative for cancer cells, and my mom's relatively young age and no history of smoking, the surgeon determined my mom was a good surgical candidate. She never had any discernable tumor, so to speak. Just make sure to keep the docs on their toes. You mentioned he is very weak, so how are they treating the fluid if they removed the chest tube? I'm sorry that you and your family have to go thru this. There are at least five other people I have met on this board with malignant pleural effusion, but your dad's case seems to be following the same course my mom's did. They say trapped lung only develops in 10-30% of cases with pleural effusion, but it does happen. You said they found a tumor blocking his airways that caused the collapse. Did they determine that thru a scan? In my mom's case I think it was just the fluid that caused the collapse, but they never did a PET scan or a bronchoscopy or thoracoscopy to rule out airway blockage. The oncologist just told us that there was tumor inside the lung preventing re-expansion. However, the thoracic surgeon said that the underlying lung was very healthy, and thats why the lung re-expanded like it did. I am thinking about filing a lawsuit. Also, God forbid, but if your dad's first chemo regimen doesn't work, you might want to look into chemosensitivity testing. That's where they take a sample of the tumor and try all the cancer drugs on it to see what will work. It has a 94% accuracy in determining response. Visit rational-t.com. Also, if you want email me and I can give you the names of some integrative cancer care centers in Canada. I firmly believe that chemo works, but you MUST take steps to protect the body while undergoing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted March 17, 2003 Share Posted March 17, 2003 Lee-Anne, Welcome and thanks for sharing your dad's story with us. It sounds like you are out there supporting him and fighting for him in every way you can. As you already know, Marlon is a good resource for you regarding the course your dad's disease seems to be taking, and the rest of the gang here are invaluable for love and back-up assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karma1976 Posted March 17, 2003 Share Posted March 17, 2003 Yes Welcome Lee-Anne!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Thanks so much everyone, I am leaving Dad alone for a few days as he has received bad news regarding his ability to take chemo at this time. I posted in caregiver and late stage to which many of you replied as well. This is a great place, I hope and pray that I will have an inspirational story to tell about my fathers experience. At the beginning we prayed for miracles...now I pray for small steps, hopefully he will change his mind and choose to fight. Thanks again, my prayers include all of you Lee-Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted March 22, 2003 Share Posted March 22, 2003 Hi Lee-Ann, I hope when your dad feels up to it , that you've found a GOOD doctor!!! Fire as many as you need to, but get a good one. Maybe someone on this board knows someone not too far away from you. Sending positive vibes your way. JudyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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