Topic: Chemical pleurodesis next week, need encouragement

Posted on: Jul 3, 2009 04:28 pm, edited Jul 3, 2009 06:50 PM by Analemma

Cleveland area, OH
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,712

Analemma wrote:

So I had a thorocentesis yesterday, and what a relief. Now, I have a chemical pleurodesis (like talc, but surgeon says he's going to use another agent) scheduled for next Friday. I didn't think it was such a big deal until I started asking "Dr. Google." I need your stories and some encouragement. Is it painful for a long time after the procedure? I will be inpatient for three days, the dr. says. The silver lining is that I will be in the new wing at Cleveland Clinic, with all private rooms. I had imagined sitting there bored for three days, but maybe I will be drugged up?

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. --John W. Whitehead
Dx 12/10/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 5/12 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-

Posts 1 - 16 (16 total)
jeanne46 CA Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,038	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 04:41 pm jeanne46 wrote: Can't help you on the question but did want to send lots of good thoughts and prayers that the procedure goes smoothly and that you recover easily in the new wing of the clinic. And a Happy July 4th ! Handle every stressful situation like a dog - if you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away. Dx 12/2005 Stage IV, Grade 3, mets ER+ PR- Her/2 (2+)
ElaineD United Kingdom Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 979	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 04:43 pm ElaineD wrote: Only had a talc one, but assume this will be broadly similair. It's a very straightforward and painless procedure, and I can't imagine you'd need to be drugged. I felt only relief-and no pain -afterwards. Dx 11/4/2007, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2+
Analemma Cleveland area, OH Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,712	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 05:39 pm Analemma wrote: Elaine, were you in-patient? I am surprised to be in there for three days. It's a VATS procedure, which I think is Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery. Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. --John W. Whitehead Dx 12/10/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 5/12 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Lifestoosho… WI Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 70	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 06:16 pm Lifestooshort wrote: Hi, I haven't had a chemical thorocentesis, but I have had a VATS procedure to remove a wedge of my lung for a lung nodule. I was told 3 to 5 days, depending on how it went. I went home after 2....because it went well and I had no lung/air leaks. The only real pain I had was from the drain and I really think that was because they had me laying on it. (Not sure if you will have a drain or not, but they removed my drain after about 24 hours and then there was no pain at all!!). Other than that darn drain, the VATS wasn't bad at all.... was anticipating worse and was pleasantly surprised. Good luck!!!!!! Sending many good vibes your way!!!! Laurie Dx 6/6/2006, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 1/22 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
elliem1207 MA Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,524	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 06:30 pm elliem1207 wrote: hi, i had the talc procedure with the removal of 3 nodules--was in the hospital 4 days. i had general anesthesia. i had no problems--very little pain (had the morphine pump), had the drain removed on the 3rd day. haven't had a problem since. i don't know anything about the vats. good luck--it'll be fine. ellie xx ~~ I will not allow the fear of tomorrow rob me of the joy of today.~~ Dx 11/2007, , Stage IV, / nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Reneepals New Haven, Ct Joined: May 2006 Posts: 1,155	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 07:43 pm Reneepals wrote: Analemma, It is video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. They like to keep you in-house. To keep an eye on your Vitals and bleeding. Renee
joaniji chicago, il Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 276	Log in to post a reply Jul 3, 2009 09:29 pm joaniji wrote: just wishing you a smooth surgery and a rapid recovery. I hope that you feel better quickly. Being in the hospital is never fun but maybe it will be a good chance to catch up on leisure activities - reading, t.v., chocolate eating... Warm wishes are being sent your way. joani Dx 1/1/2009, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, mets, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Lifestoosho… WI Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 70	Log in to post a reply Jul 8, 2009 10:26 pm Lifestooshort wrote: Analemma, Good luck with your surgery Friday! The anticipation of the unknown, for me, is sometimes worse than the actual procedure! You'll do fine. Hang in there and keep us posted. Take care. Laurie Dx 6/6/2006, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 1/22 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
heatherpalm… KLAMATH FALLS , OR Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,779	Log in to post a reply Jul 8, 2009 10:28 pm heatherpalmerton wrote: Analemma, Sending you lots of warm gentle hugs, Heather HEATHER PALMERTON Dx 1/18/2008, Stage IV, ER+/PR+, HER2-
pitanga Brazil Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 564	Log in to post a reply Jul 9, 2009 07:33 am pitanga wrote: Analemma, I´m sorry yu will be stuck int he hospital for a few days but hope the effect will be well worth it. Grit your teeth...or better yet, sleep a lot, with very sweet dreams of NED coming for a nice long visit, or maybe even moving in! Sending you lots of healing energy, Lisa First dx 1999, age 39. Lumpectomy, chemo, rads, Stage IIA IDC 1/22 nodes er+. March 2009--Local recurrence and mets. R- mx Dx 2/5/2009, IDC, <1cm, Stage IV, Grade 2, mets, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Lifestoosho… WI Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 70	Log in to post a reply Jul 14, 2009 06:31 pm Lifestooshort wrote: Analemma, How did your surgery go? Good I hope! Thinking of you.... Laurie Dx 6/6/2006, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 1/22 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Analemma Cleveland area, OH Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,712	Log in to post a reply Jul 14, 2009 06:55 pm Analemma wrote: Thanks for asking - it was not that much fun, at least the hospital stay. Even though the rooms are great, I couldn't rest. I came home on Sunday with a drain, after having a big chest tube in the hospital that was quite uncomfortable. Once that came out I was a lot more comfortable. I slept on Sunday and most of yesterday once I got home from the hospital. I went back today to get drained, and there was only a tiny bit of fluid, so that's good, and hopefully I won't have to keep this lung catheter in too long. It's kind of secondary insurance in case the procedure doesn't take, I guess. I did read the surgery report, it said the surface of the pleura was "studded." I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds like maybe it looked like cancer when he had the camera inside. The effusion was definitely malignant, and my onc has moved my August appointment up to this week to discuss treatment, since I am not currently on chemo. So I'm feeling low right now. In addition, I came online after coming home to find that Vicki had died. She and I were at sort of the same place in this journey, and she had just been dx with pleural effusion for SOB. It's hard not to project, you know? She had just emailed me a couple of weeks ago because her post gamma knife mri was coming up. Mine is tomorrow. I'm really feeling like a Debbie Downer and I apologize. I've been reading, but not posting, for a couple of days. Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. --John W. Whitehead Dx 12/10/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 5/12 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
sjack827 Central , OH Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 436	Log in to post a reply Jul 14, 2009 07:29 pm sjack827 wrote: {{{{{{{{{{Analemma}}}}}}}}}} You have the right to feel any way you feel. But cry, scream, curse .... and then come back swinging with both fists!!! Everyone's journey is different and different things happen to people in the same circumstances. I want to say that I'm sorry that you have to go through all of this, that I will pray for you and I am hoping your MRI is completely clear.
Lifestoosho… WI Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 70	Log in to post a reply Jul 14, 2009 07:35 pm Lifestooshort wrote: Wow...you're one tough cookie to go home that soon! You've been through an awful lot so don't feel like you have to be chipper here, okay? We get it! Hang in there...hope your MRI goes great tomorrow, and that you get the lung catheter out soon! Gentle, but heartfelt hugs. As always, best wishes! Laurie Dx 6/6/2006, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 1/22 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
jeanne46 CA Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,038	Log in to post a reply Jul 14, 2009 08:27 pm jeanne46 wrote: Sounds like you've had a lot to deal with in the recent past. Get your strength back, rest up and things will look much better. Even with possible mets issues, you've got a lot of arsenal left to use. Hugs, Jeanne Handle every stressful situation like a dog - if you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away. Dx 12/2005 Stage IV, Grade 3, mets ER+ PR- Her/2 (2+)
heatherpalm… KLAMATH FALLS , OR Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,779	Log in to post a reply Jul 14, 2009 08:40 pm heatherpalmerton wrote: Analemma, Don't feel bad for thinking Debbie Downer, I think we all hit that a time or two. Considering everything we go through I think we have earned that right. Just know we have such a wonderful place to come with alot of support, where we can cry, scream and even laugh. I hope the very best for your mri tomorrow. Many gentle hugs being sent your way. Heather HEATHER PALMERTON Dx 1/18/2008, Stage IV, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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