My dad

diana818
diana818 Member Posts: 11
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I haven't been on this forum for awhile, but he recently did surgery and the surgeon said all the cancer was removed (he did the chemo and radiation prior)

he seemed to be recovering ok, although he always had issues breathing after, until last week his lungs were inflamed and his breathing got so bad that they put him on a ventilator. They are thinking it is Pnemonia or just his body not reacting well to the surgery. I'm devastated to see him on a ventilator and I am SO worried.

They said there was some fluid found in the adominal and they wanted to perform a procedure today to drain it. however, they couldn't bc his breathing was bad and they did not want to risk putting him on a mobile ventilator.

Does any one have any of these experiences? And would like to guide me or provide me with some insight? I feel so helpless

Thank you.

Comments

  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #2
    Welcome
    Hello Dianna and welcome to this dicussion board. So sorry your dad is having breathing issues. I was a caregiver for my dad. He passed in March 2010 from EC with mets to the liver. There is one other girl on this board whose dad had this type of issue. My mom had 4 way bypass in December and had to go back into the hospital because her lungs filled up with fluid. The drs. should start to drain the fluid in his lungs and stomach. Take it one hour at a time. Pray alot and often. Once the fluid is removed, he will do much better. Sometimes you have to stay on top of these drs. and nurses. Hope this helps. And to feel helpless is normal. We are always here for you. Hugs, and please keep in touch.
    Tina in Va
  • diana818
    diana818 Member Posts: 11
    #3
    Tina Blondek said:

    Welcome
    Hello Dianna and welcome to this dicussion board. So sorry your dad is having breathing issues. I was a caregiver for my dad. He passed in March 2010 from EC with mets to the liver. There is one other girl on this board whose dad had this type of issue. My mom had 4 way bypass in December and had to go back into the hospital because her lungs filled up with fluid. The drs. should start to drain the fluid in his lungs and stomach. Take it one hour at a time. Pray alot and often. Once the fluid is removed, he will do much better. Sometimes you have to stay on top of these drs. and nurses. Hope this helps. And to feel helpless is normal. We are always here for you. Hugs, and please keep in touch.
    Tina in Va

    Thank u for your insight.
    Thank u for your insight. The docs said they put him on new antibiotics and will see if his breathing improves tmrow. If so they will drain the fluid. I am
    Just scared.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #4
    diana818 said:

    Thank u for your insight.
    Thank u for your insight. The docs said they put him on new antibiotics and will see if his breathing improves tmrow. If so they will drain the fluid. I am
    Just scared.

    We Are Here
    Hi Diana
    Of course you are scared. Who wouldn't be? The antibiotics will help with the infection. It most likely is pneumonia. In a couple days he will feel better. Make sure they drain the fluid from his back and side. Make sure the tube is large enough. My mom had this problem. Tube was too small the first time. He will feel a whole lot better once that fluid gets removed. You can also chat with us on the csn chat line. Hope to see you there, and know we are here and praying for all of you.
    Tina in Va
  • sammy123
    sammy123 Member Posts: 65
    #5
    Hi Diana-
    I know you are
    Hi Diana-

    I know you are scared and feeling helpless. Knowledge is power so I suggest you try and ask one of the nurses to take some time to explain things to you. I know (being a nurse) that it is quite scary to see a loved one on a ventilator, but try and look at it that the respirator is giving him some much needed rest. It takes a lot of energy to breath especially with pneumonia and with the ventilator he will get that rest and begin the post-op healing. He is probably on triple antibiotics as we speak and you will see an improvement in a day or two. God Bless and stay in touch, we are all here for you in every way.
  • diana818
    diana818 Member Posts: 11
    #6
    sammy123 said:

    Hi Diana-
    I know you are
    Hi Diana-

    I know you are scared and feeling helpless. Knowledge is power so I suggest you try and ask one of the nurses to take some time to explain things to you. I know (being a nurse) that it is quite scary to see a loved one on a ventilator, but try and look at it that the respirator is giving him some much needed rest. It takes a lot of energy to breath especially with pneumonia and with the ventilator he will get that rest and begin the post-op healing. He is probably on triple antibiotics as we speak and you will see an improvement in a day or two. God Bless and stay in touch, we are all here for you in every way.

    Thank you. The reason I am
    Thank you. The reason I am worried is they were giving him antibiotics 3 days ago and it didn't seem to improve his breathing. The doc said draining ou the fluid should make him a lot better. However they couldn't do it today bc they didn't want him on a mobile ventilator.

    Thank you all for the support listening to your exp makes me not think negatively.
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #7
    Sorry to hear about the ventilator but he'lll get better
    Is he still at Mayo's? Or is he at your local hospital? I would think the drs at Mayo will get a handle on what's causing the problem quickly.

    I'm praying really hard

    jan
  • diana818
    diana818 Member Posts: 11
    #8
    oriontj said:

    Sorry to hear about the ventilator but he'lll get better
    Is he still at Mayo's? Or is he at your local hospital? I would think the drs at Mayo will get a handle on what's causing the problem quickly.

    I'm praying really hard

    jan

    Thank You
    We live in NY and he is currently staying at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital.
  • diana818
    diana818 Member Posts: 11
    #9
    diana818 said:

    Thank You
    We live in NY and he is currently staying at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital.

    update*
    So the doctor's said they still could not drain the excess fluid today because they believe it will be too dangerous to move him off the ventilator and on a mobile one (he is only breathing 82 with the ventilator on 60%)

    They said it may be Acute Respirtory Syndrome, and are saying that the antibiotic could be working but they need to drain out the fluid in order for him to get better. However, they don't want to risk taking him off as it may be life threatening

    My concern is that if it is not drained, then there will be excess fluid building as the antibiotic are only keeping him stable and he isnt really getting better.

    The doctor agree with my concern , however, they are not going to proceed with the procedure until his breathing is better.

    I am so worried, esp when this has ended up just a waiting game. Any insights...

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