New Update:
Mom is back in hospital because the coughing at night turned out to be recurrence of left PE. It seems the initial pleurodesis was ineffective after 7 months. (The performing Doc had mentioned that there was some leakage, as in the cavity was not completely sealed). Mom is awaiting a second pleurodesis or whatever else the Doc's determine is required. Drainage of the PE will be delayed until her blood is thick enough. Blood thinners were stopped and she's taking vitamin K to thicken the blood in hopes of drainage in another day.
These thoughts come to mind:
- Since malignancy causes the fluid buildup, then it could mean that Tykerb/Xeloda may not be working or yet?? However, I've read that the pleurodesis can cause this extra fluid.
- Maybe this time around the Docs should explore using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis? (From what I've read, VATS is considered to be a more effective procedure.)
- Or what about going with the alternative method, Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC)??
-ellz