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Pneumonia after chemo treatment

dangkin
dangkin CSN Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I joined this site on behalf of my sister. She was diagnosed to have a stage4 breast cancer and her chemo treatment was finished first week of October 2008. A week after that, she began to complain that her side where they took her breast is kind of sore whenever she cough or laugh a little. The Doctor told her that it's normal because the cut is probably healing. So, she ignored it for a little while. But, 3 weeks ago, she can no longer bear the pain. She told my mother that she already felt so week and can't seem to move herself around. They rush her to the hospital, have an X-ray and the Doctor said that she has Pneumonia. So what the Doctors did is they made a hole on her side so they can put a tube connecting to her lungs to drain the water from her lungs because they said that her lungs is about to get full. It's been almost 3 weeks that she has that tube on her side, and she said that it's so painful. She didn't want to talk any longer because it hurts when she talks. It hurts when she moves. I think my question is, do you think this is normal? I feel like she had gone worse. She is slowly drifting away. It hurts me hearing her telling us that she can't take the pain anymore. I was wondering if that tube that they inserted on her is the right thing to do to drain her lungs. And it's been 3 weeks!

I don't know what else to do or tell her because I am here in the US and she is in the Philippines. She has 2 sons, 7 & 2... The last time I called, she don't even want to talk anymore...

I have read about pneumonia, but I haven't read/found any article about putting a tube to drain the lungs... Any thoughts would be highly appreciated.
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Comments

  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising CSN Member Posts: 1,508
    #2
    I'm sorry to hear about your
    I'm sorry to hear about your sister. It must be hard being so far away and unable to help or even speak to her. I did a quick google search under "pneumonia drain lungs" and there were quite a few hits, so please check it out. Her circumstance might be a little different from the average person in that she just finished chemo and many of her systems may be weak and damaged. Perhaps you could talk to her husband or another family member and get them to question the docs about the tx. Hopefully you'll get some answers.
    love
    jan
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  • zahalene
    zahalene CSN Member Posts: 670
    #3
    phoenixrising said:

    I'm sorry to hear about your
    I'm sorry to hear about your sister. It must be hard being so far away and unable to help or even speak to her. I did a quick google search under "pneumonia drain lungs" and there were quite a few hits, so please check it out. Her circumstance might be a little different from the average person in that she just finished chemo and many of her systems may be weak and damaged. Perhaps you could talk to her husband or another family member and get them to question the docs about the tx. Hopefully you'll get some answers.
    love
    jan

    Yes, what phoenix said...
    and by all means, when you talk to anyone there, ask them about pain meds for your sister. Maybe they are already giving her some, but apparently they are not working well. Encourage her family or whoever is watching over her to get on the doctor's case until they get her some relief.
    Hugs to you and your sister and family.
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  • ninjamom
    ninjamom CSN Member Posts: 142
    #4
    I'm sorry to hear about your
    I'm sorry to hear about your sister. I was in the hospital for one week (back in Nov.) due to pneumonia downgraded to bronchitis. It was not getting better and finally the found blood clots in my lungs. I found that blood clots are common in chemo patients. Once diagnosed I have been slowly improving. I know every case is different but it's worth checking it out.

    I hope your sister starts feeling better soon
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  • dangkin
    dangkin CSN Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Scheduled for surgery..
    Thank you all for your replies. My sister is scheduled for some kind of lung operation/surgery in a few hours. We are only hoping for the best. Please help us pray for her...
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  • CHERYL 4
    CHERYL 4 CSN Member Posts: 75 Member
    #6
    dangkin said:

    Scheduled for surgery..
    Thank you all for your replies. My sister is scheduled for some kind of lung operation/surgery in a few hours. We are only hoping for the best. Please help us pray for her...

    prayers
    yes dangkin u got my6prayers from west virgina nmay God heal ur sisters body love n huggs and prayers keep us posted
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