Topic: pluera iffusion (SP)
- Posted on: Oct 29, 2009 06:41 pm
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 460
I had a cat scan done 7 weks ago and all was clear. I fell and hurt my side a week ago and I went to get a massage yesterday at chemo center and she was afraid to give me one with out checking with onc, she was afraid I might of cracked a rib, because I have had trouble taking in a deep breath since I did this. It has felt as if I have a tight girdle on, just one side. I heard a pop and a snap when I hurt myself. Well the onc sent me for xrays and because of my scoliosis they said that they could not tell if I cracked a rib but the nurse says I had pluera iffusion sorry about the spelling not sure what it is. She told me that the onc wants a cat scan on monday, So If I have fluid in the lining of my lung does this mean the cat scan is going to tell me that I have lung mets? I have been on taxetere and herceptin for the last 6 months and have had a really hard time with all this. I was hoping to get a chemo break not getting more bad news. I am sick with worry and scared very scared. The past 6 months have been horrible and I can not bare it to get any worse. I did not expect to spend my 50th birthday in this kind of shape. Thanks for being here. HUGS gale
Diagnosis: 5/5/2006, IDC, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 2, 6/15 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+
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roseg Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 8,600 |
Oct 29, 2009 08:13 pm
roseg wrote:
I think it's "effusion." Fluid in your lungs doesn't necessarily mean lung mets. It can collect if you have other tumors that are blocking the drainage. My husband had lymphoma with a lot of plueral effusion, but the cancer wasn't in his lungs. Are they going to drain the fluid? Then they can send a sample out and see what the pathology is. You'll find breathing much easier with the fluid gone. It bothered my husband at night and he didn't like that one little bit. Don't worry until you know something for certain! Rose
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Nanalinda Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 533 |
Oct 29, 2009 10:20 pm
Nanalinda wrote:
Gale: I am so sorry you have been having such a rough time. It's OK to be scared... we have all been there. I know the waiting for the tests to be done is the hardest part... the not knowing. I hope that you get good news; it sounds like you could use some. In the mean time, hang on to hope and feel the ((((hugs)))) I am sending you. Let us know how things are going for you. Linda Diagnosis: 7/26/2006, IDC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
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Fitztwins Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 8,175 |
Oct 29, 2009 10:31 pm
Fitztwins wrote:
this is one thing that you can get relief w/o chemo..may you find it. SUX doesn't it?? It is okay to scream and throw canned goods. xo Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain, with the rain of shambala
Diagnosis: 12/12/2004, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 2, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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LisaSDCA Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,348 |
Oct 29, 2009 11:00 pm
LisaSDCA wrote:
Avoid closed windows when you're tossing the canned stuff around. I had a pleural effusion on my last CT scan. I was stunned. The half-a-dozen MDs I had seen during that hospitalization had, almost to a man, remarked that "your lungs sound good". Even my own onc did it 10min before telling me, "The radiologist noted some pleural effusion around your left lung. But I wouldn't be concerned, your recent surgery and hospitalization could have caused that". He included recent injury (your fall?), shallow breathing (due to the pain of taking a deep breath?) and lack of aerobic activity in the list of possible causative factors. It's not mets until the pathologist says it is - and as Fitz says, relief won't necessarily come at the cost of more harsh chemo. I salute you for enduring 6mo of Taxotere. I hated it. Good luck on Monday. Take a xanax. And we'll hope for a bruised rib. Lisa Stage IV mets to brain 11/2008 Mets are Her2 pos (!)
Diagnosis: 1/24/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
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ead Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 404 |
Oct 30, 2009 09:26 am
ead wrote:
Hi Gale I had pleural fluid around my right lung and had it drained 2x. I was on Falsodex and now switched to Aromasin and it seems to be OK. I read other gals here too had this and everything worked out OK. I will be thinking of you and so sorry you have to go through this. Please keep us updated. Liz Ead
Diagnosis: 6/3/2006, Stage IV, Grade 3, 1/18 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Reneepals Joined: May 2006 Posts: 1,331 |
Oct 30, 2009 10:33 am
Reneepals wrote:
Gale, Pleural effusion can be caused by different things, also medication does cause it too. The fall seems like a good reason to me. Why do they always make us wait for tests & results? Renee
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abbyglp Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 460 |
Nov 3, 2009 05:57 pm
abbyglp wrote:
Thank you all for your thoughts, I had a ruff weekend and had my husband take me to the ER sunday. They did a CT and the ER doc says my lung was under 30 to 40 % of water. He says it must be from the cancer he gave me some valume and sent me home. Again I was dissed by a non oncologist. Who do you go to when even an ER doc wants nothing to do with you. I called my onc on monday and told him that I went to the er and had ct done and never heard from him. I am supose to see him tomorrow for my chemo and he is not coming near me with that until I can breath again. I am so frustrated and mad. What kind of doctor reemoves the fluid does it have to be a surgeon if so I will call mine if my onc does nothing tomorrow.I need some frickin relief. Hugs gale Diagnosis: 5/5/2006, IDC, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 2, 6/15 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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Reneepals Joined: May 2006 Posts: 1,331 |
Nov 3, 2009 08:06 pm
Reneepals wrote:
I am pretty sure it is an IR DOC = Interventional Radiologist Renee
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pee Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 191 |
Nov 3, 2009 08:22 pm
pee wrote:
So sorry for all that you are going through. I can't imagine that they just sent you home. You should have been admitted and taken care of. Period and no discussion. But I know about the er docs from first hand experience also. I am on maintenence taxotere. It really put me through hell initially but it is now adjusted (down) and the week that I get it I have to come in 3 additional days to get anti-nausea meds, hydration and potassium. I understand how you feel about taxotere. Prayers that all will be well. Love and Blessings, Pee
Diagnosis: 12/19/2008, 6cm+, Stage IV, Grade 3, 6/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Squeaker Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 175 |
Nov 4, 2009 02:10 pm
Squeaker wrote:
Abbyglp - I'm just seeing your posting for the first time and realize you've already had your scan, so hopefully you've had your questions all answered too?? I got pleural effusion after being on taxotere for 6 mths. I couldn't walk up my driveway w/the dog w/o stopping for air. Here's what I learned from onslaught ( Feb 09) to end (midJuly 09). This does not mean you automatically have mets to your lung. The fluid that is drained will go for numerous tests to determine source, composition ... you name it! They look at everything very carefully from the fluid color to any tissue matter that is present. I was assigned a pulmonologist when this developed and I was very lucky that he took special interest and was helpful in educating me and keeping my onc updated. Here's the bottomline I heard: Pleural effusion is a side-effect of Taxotere in around 10% (maybe slightly more, I can't remember the exact %) of the women who've had it. It's all in the original trial documentation and since that was awhile ago, not that many docs take the time to look it up or even realize it, unless they've had a pt present w/it. You can have it for awhile while being treated ( I too heard my lungs 'sounded fine') or it can go away by itself over time, There is a procedure that can be done in serious cases. Being slightly stubborn I would offer that you have a chat w/your onc about all this, if you haven't already? In the meantime, we all hope the labs come back clean and you can get back to concentrating on living each day w/o this complication.Good Luck!! PM me if you have any further questions. Squeaker |
and not wanting to volunteer for extra surgical procedures, I opted to 'wait it out'. I went from having each lung drained every 3 wks (thorocentisis - sp?) to the point that my lungs were able to finally reabsorb what fluid that was being produced. Yes, it took 5 mths but I'm happy to report that all the lab tests came back negative and I'm happy not to be having the issue any longer.