Pleural Effusion - Mom in hospital - SCLC exten.

deb_needhope
deb_needhope Member Posts: 38
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
So today my Mom had severe shortness of breath so my sister took her to the ER.. They did another x-ray which confirmed that she had pleural effusion to the right lung with a partial lung collapse. They're admitting her tonight. Tomorrow I think they will look to drain the fluid.. Friday, they thought she had pneumonia and gave her an anti-biotic. So worried.. I'm hoping all goes well with the drainage.. Last Monday, she had an x-ray, due to shortness of breath and they mentioned pleural effusion but said they would watch her closely and maybe the radiation to the chest would help... What does this all mean with the big picture? We've done 4 treatments of chemo with great response.. WBR to the brain which she did well and just had her 9th radiation to the chest.. I'm so overwhelmed with emotion.. Trying to stay positive.. Both my sister and I who are taking turns caring for her are so stressed.. Is there still hope?.. Praying hard every night..

Comments

  • Forevermore
    Forevermore Member Posts: 11
    #2
    Pleural Effusion

    Hi,
    I haven't read any of your other posts so forgive me if I sound off the subject.
    Do you have a diagnosis for your mother yet? I see you joined in June, I hope you have a diagnosis by now. They biggest picture is that Pleural Effusion is caused by several diseases and sometimes misdiognosed as TB tuberculosis or pneumonia. Which is the case with my brother.....
    How long has your mother had these symtoms ? Where is she being treated and does she have a Thoracic specialist involved.
    If she doesn't have a diagnosis yet, insist they send some of the fluid out to be tested.
    For the best and fastest answers I suggest the Mayo Clinic. We fooled around with the hospital doctors for two months because they didn't know what they were looking at in their labs. We got word from the Mayo Clinic in three days.....
    Knowing what you are fighting will make life a bit easier and you will educate yourself about it so you can better help your mother.
    I don't know how much fluid your mom has but it's a fairly simple procedure and my brother felt like new when he had his done and he could breath normally. Of course, he had it drained every week. So don't be too surprised if she has it done allot.
    Get back to me I want to know how it goes.
    I'll pray that you and your sister have some peace. I know the panic and fear....
  • deb_needhope
    deb_needhope Member Posts: 38
    #3
    Forevermore said:

    Pleural Effusion

    Hi,
    I haven't read any of your other posts so forgive me if I sound off the subject.
    Do you have a diagnosis for your mother yet? I see you joined in June, I hope you have a diagnosis by now. They biggest picture is that Pleural Effusion is caused by several diseases and sometimes misdiognosed as TB tuberculosis or pneumonia. Which is the case with my brother.....
    How long has your mother had these symtoms ? Where is she being treated and does she have a Thoracic specialist involved.
    If she doesn't have a diagnosis yet, insist they send some of the fluid out to be tested.
    For the best and fastest answers I suggest the Mayo Clinic. We fooled around with the hospital doctors for two months because they didn't know what they were looking at in their labs. We got word from the Mayo Clinic in three days.....
    Knowing what you are fighting will make life a bit easier and you will educate yourself about it so you can better help your mother.
    I don't know how much fluid your mom has but it's a fairly simple procedure and my brother felt like new when he had his done and he could breath normally. Of course, he had it drained every week. So don't be too surprised if she has it done allot.
    Get back to me I want to know how it goes.
    I'll pray that you and your sister have some peace. I know the panic and fear....

    Pleural Effusion
    So, yes, my mother was diagnosed at the end of May with Small Cell Lung Cancer - extensive. She had a tumor in her right lung, liver and 1 small lesion to the brain. In June she stated her chemo (carbo/etoposide?) and had 4 treatments which ended in August. The month of September they did whole brain radiation. She faired pretty well through all of this. The biggest side effect was tiredness. This month they started radiation to the chest area. That's when her shortness of breath kicked up. Last Monday, 10/18, they did a chest x-ray and her radiation oncologist said he thought there might be a bit of fluid in her right lung. He said that they would watch her closely and see if the radiation treatments helped with the fluid build-up. Friday, we met w/her regular Oncologist and updated her on the shortness of breath, told her about the recent chest x-ray etc. This wknd, my Mom felt great, went shopping etc.. Then on Monday, she could barely talk so we took her to the ER. They did another chest x-ray which showed more fluid build-up and a partially collapsed right lung. They kept her overnight and I believe the plan is to drain the fluid out today. My sister and I are wondering if we shouldn't have done the chest radiation as that seems to be when all these new side effects started.. We're hoping this will help her and won't be too painful..
  • Forevermore
    Forevermore Member Posts: 11
    #4
    deb_needhope said:

    Pleural Effusion
    So, yes, my mother was diagnosed at the end of May with Small Cell Lung Cancer - extensive. She had a tumor in her right lung, liver and 1 small lesion to the brain. In June she stated her chemo (carbo/etoposide?) and had 4 treatments which ended in August. The month of September they did whole brain radiation. She faired pretty well through all of this. The biggest side effect was tiredness. This month they started radiation to the chest area. That's when her shortness of breath kicked up. Last Monday, 10/18, they did a chest x-ray and her radiation oncologist said he thought there might be a bit of fluid in her right lung. He said that they would watch her closely and see if the radiation treatments helped with the fluid build-up. Friday, we met w/her regular Oncologist and updated her on the shortness of breath, told her about the recent chest x-ray etc. This wknd, my Mom felt great, went shopping etc.. Then on Monday, she could barely talk so we took her to the ER. They did another chest x-ray which showed more fluid build-up and a partially collapsed right lung. They kept her overnight and I believe the plan is to drain the fluid out today. My sister and I are wondering if we shouldn't have done the chest radiation as that seems to be when all these new side effects started.. We're hoping this will help her and won't be too painful..

    Pleural Effusion


    I hope it went well for your mom today.
    She should be feeling better if they drained the fluid.(watch it tho it can come back)
    You mentioned if the chest radiation was a good idea. Yes, I think it was. It could be that she isn't tolerating it too well but it's one of the few things that could shrink a tumor....maybe the doctor could try a lower dose.?
    Your mom sounds like a fighter and I know her kids are the reason she fights.
    My brother is going through the same things right now. He's so brave.
    Remember, you are not alone in this.
    Keep fighting and of course, praying.

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