aunttootsie001
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Posts:324
I have a Question, I had my follow up with my Surgeon and the Pleurodesis wasn't totally a success! It is sealed on the Top but not on the bottom. So now he is saying we need to put the Cath in with a bag for awhile to drain the fluid to see if it will finish what it was suppose to do. My Question is, before we jump into doing the Cath with the bag, if we just drain it a couple times and see if that does the trick. what do you think?
Forums
Reply # - May 20, 2013, 09:06 PM
Reply To: Pleural Efusion
I suspect that if there's still fluid there, neither approach will lead to the fluid going away for good. The two approaches really do the same thing. One drains fluid through a needle and then removes it, and the other removes fluid through a catheter that stays in between drainings, but I would expect no difference in outcomes between them.
-Dr. West
Reply # - May 22, 2013, 12:08 PM
Reply To: Pleural Effusion
When they took the Chest tube out there was still a lot of thick gunk at the very end of the tube. Was wondering if that would mean still some gunk left in the bottom of the lung? Not nessasarily new accumulated fluid? My wheezing and breathing are better? I'm leaning toward just getting it Drained prior to my CT and wait to see what happens? There are Cancer Cells present in the Fluid and so far still on Xalkori. I return from Vacation Sat. And have an appointment lung Dr. Tuesday, Surgeon on Weds. We have the whole summer just starting and really don't want the bag on just yet!
Reply # - May 22, 2013, 01:03 PM
Reply To: Pleural Effusion
Lorrie, I'm happy you didn't have to stop taking Xalkori. I know you were upset about that. Hope your summer is wonderful, and sorry you're having such a hard time with this effusion. But your attitude rises above your troubles. So Cheers! And have fun!
Debra
Reply # - May 22, 2013, 03:50 PM
Reply To: Pleural Effusion
I would suspect that there's a similar protein-laden material outside of your lung, potentially too thick to be drained through a catheter or a needle.
Yes, I think it's reasonable to hold off and see how things go, resorting to a drainage procedure on an "as needed" basis as time goes by.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - May 22, 2013, 05:04 PM
Reply To: Pleural Effusion
Dr. West, before I had the pleurodesis my Pumologist drained it twice. So I'm thinking he'll be the one to drain it again! Pretty sure that is the way I'm going to go!
Debra, haven't talked to my ONC since finding out about the Cancer Cells still being present so I'm assuming she will be doing a CT before taking me off of the Xalkori and if no Progression elsewhere she may leave me on it?
Dr. West what would you do? Would Chemo possible eliminate the Cancer Cells in my effusion or even rid me of the effusion? Just trying to arm myself with information before I see these Dr's! Thanks everyone!
Debra so nice of you to concern yourself with my issues with all you have going on! Lorrie.
Reply # - May 22, 2013, 06:12 PM
Reply To: Pleural Effusion
So wait I just re read that! So if it's to thick to drain thru catheter or Needle what would we do?
Reply # - May 22, 2013, 10:28 PM
Reply To: Pleural Effusion
Unfortunately, it isn't possible to eliminate all of the cancers cells if they have been detected in the pleural fluid. You would need to discuss options with the pulmonologist -- I don't have anything to suggest.
-Dr. West