negative outcome of procedure

[lu ann]

I had surgery Wednesday to remove fluid from the pleural cavity of my left lung. They were then to talc the outside of the lung to aid as glue so the lung would re-expand. There was so much evidence of metastasis and scar tissue that the procedure failed. Am I near the end of the road? Has anyone else had mets to the outside of their lung? Thanks for all replies? Lu Ann

[kimber]

Lu Ann - I was hoping and praying the surgery would be a success. I am so very sorry. The doctors are going to have to find another option for you. You are NOT at the end of the road. You are still ON the road. It is time to regroup and find another way to kick the cancer in the butt!

love - kim

[RhondaH]

I'm sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately, I have NO experience, but I DO have BIGGGG huggs and prayers. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[dede10]

You are still on the road, so keep going!!!!!

[tousled1]

Lu Ann,

I'm so sorry to hear that your procedure did not go well. You are NOT at the end of the road. There are so many treatments still available that I'm sure your oncologist will come up with something to get you NED. I will keep you in my prayers.

[Lolly]

Lu Ann, I'm very sorry you had to go through this, and then to have it be unsuccessful is just a bummer...I don't know about mets on the outside of the lungs, but I do know others have beat extensive lung mets back with the right combo, so please don't lose hope. Your docs are going to take a cue from you as to whether you want to keep going, so if YOU aren't ready to give up they will help you keep fighting.

Have you had Tykerb yet? I'm on Tykerb/Abraxane(easier version of Taxol) for my lymph and skin mets and finding it very easy to tolerate and am seeing a positive response after just one week.

If that's not an option for you, there are most likely other options your onc and you can discuss. You are in the drivers seat, so hang on and keep driving!

<3 Lolly

[Andi]

Lu Ann - I am sorry to hear that your talc procedure didn't work. I had this done in December. When they pulled the first tube after my procedure, my lung collapsed, so they put a pigtail catheter in and drained me somemore. After that my lungs cleared up. You are not at the end of the road, just still trying to find the right drugs to fight your cancer. I am currently on Tykerb/Xeloda but have just started so I don't know if this will be the one for me, but I sure hope so. My prayers are with you that you and your onc will come up with something very successful. Don't give up the fight.

[R.B.]

I was very sorry to read your news.

I post this with the same trepidation as I did the first time, simply as a potential area for consideration as an adjunct to what ever treatment is considered appropriate by you and your advisor.

http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ught+provoking

There is sound logic behind why balancing omega three and six (in combination with sound diet) and ensuring adequate long chain omega threes DHA and EPA (found in fish oil) could help reduce inflammation, impact on on cancers etc, but huge amounts are unknown and there is huge debate.

This is strictly a one off "trial", and of limited evidential use.

I have seen another lady making similar claims on Appleseed Annie following a complete dietary change. I am afraid I do not have the link but you can search the site.

http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/

If you find this thought provoking please discuss any dietary change with your doctor.


RB

[Sandy H]

Lu ann, I am sorry the procedure did not work for you. I have been watching for your post as I am probably right behind you in getting this done myself. I had another draining done on the right lung Wednesday where they drew off a quart of fluid. My left one has some but they say thye don't want to do both because if the lung does col. than they both will. Its better to have only one at a time. Did they put in a Denver catheter for continuous draining? I was told they can do it but than, there is the risk of infection. Did you have anything showing in the lungs of your scans or was this a surprise for you to find this out? I honestly, don't know where we stand here-only God knows. We are still on the road here and until we fall off we will not give up or I will not. I am frustrated because I am not use to being this quiet and I am not sick just real tired from shortness of breath. Will continue tol keep you in my prayers and hang in there my dear sister. Its not over until its over! Keep us posted Sending you a big hug, Sandy

[Sandy H]

Andi: I am glad this procedure worked for you. How painful was it? How long were you in the hospital? Did you have both lungs done? Sorry, to have so many questions but some times this is the only way we get them answered is by those that have had it done! Sending you a big hug, Sandy

[CLTann]

The plurel space generated liquid due to the presence of cancers or other foreign matter. Prodesis procedure is an attempt to glue the two surfaces together by irritating the surface with talc. I would imagine that your lung is partially glued together and partially left with plurel space. Therefore, although the procedure is not ideally successful, this is certainly not the end of the road. Your onc will figure out another way to help the situation.

A new chemo agent might be the best answer to your current situation. Have courage and talk to your medical team for best alternatives. Best luck.

[StephN]

Hello Lu Ann -

Know you are not feeling too good about this at the moment, but I am sure there are other treatment avenues to try. Just get past THIS STOP SIGN.

Maybe you can widen your search on the internet and Google certain key words for your case. Time consuming, but often when we can glean a bit of hope from "someplace" we can feel a little more sustained for the next step of this fight.

You do not have a Signature with all your treatments to date so hard to offer any specific advice of what might be available.
Didn't you go to a branch of Cancer Treatment Center of America??

Peace and best wishes prayers coming your way.

[hutchibk]

Is this different from extraplueral pneumonectomy? I am guessing that you have consulted with the best thoracic cancer surgeons in the Cleveland area...

...the road goes on forever and the party never ends!

Best wishes and keep us posted! I know they will find an answer.

[Adriana Mangus]

Dear Lu Ann: Do not even think about it!! You are a warrior!! and as such do not give up, NEVER....I'm sure the doctors have another alternative to take care of your problem. All of us, your sisters are praying for you...Hang in there.

[Joy]

I don't have a lot of knowledge in this area, but these other ladies have said some great things. I'd definitely search out the best specialists in pulmonary metastasis and get this taken care of. I believe strongly that you can get this taken care of. This is not the end of the road, just a big pothole.
But with some determination you can just drive on through it.

[lu ann]

....I'm feeling much better today. I went to church. out for lunch, and a drive to the country side.

The home procedure I'm having done is brand new. The home drainage kit is from Denver Biomedical and the kit is called Pleur x. You can go on line if you are interested in watching the video. I don't know the web-site or link.

I appreciate the votes of confidence. I thought I was near the end of the road 3 years ago, but I am still here.

The drainage is done 2 times a week or as needed. It's quite a detailed procedure. Everything is packed in a sterile bag for single use. It is uncomfortable but should ease up over time.

A visiting nurse will do the procedure until my husband is at ease doing it himself.

R.B., what is the best omega three I can purchase?

Stephanie, I was on cytoxin, 5fu, and methotrexate for 6 months when I was dx. 16 years ago with stage 1. Since the reoccurrance I have been on taxol, carboplatin, herceptin, zometa, navlebine, gemsar, xeloda, and doxil. I had rad. tx. to spine, and mediastynime at Cancer Treatment Centers in Zion. Ill. I also had rad. tx. to my hip, femur, and knee last November at University Hospital in Cleve. Ohio.

I have a neuropathy condition which they think is seperate from the lung issue that I am also to have tests for. We will meet with the med. onc. Friday to discuss her game plan. I'm not sure how active the cancer is growing in the pleural cavity, but my tests showed improvement with the doxil.

Loli, Tykerb and xeloda or herceptin was what we discussed prior to surgery. Once we find out if I need rad. tx. to the neck area for an enlarged lymph node, I can finish 2 more rounds of doxil then the tykerb combo.

I appreciate all of your posts and I am not giving up.

Happy Mothers Day
Dear Friends.
Love, Lu Ann

[Jean]

Dearest Lu Ann,

I am thinking of you and will be saying a special healing prayer
for you. You sound strong once again - glad your back on the
road to fighting back. Never Give UP!

Sending you lots of strong hugs,
Jean

[BEA]

I found the following posted on a web site by a lady named Penny Rice. Thought this was something we all should consider in our journey:

Jesus said in Matthew 6:28, “Consider the Lilies of the field, how they grow.” The lilies of Palestine persist, grow & thrive even though they are trodden down by those who pass through the fields. God Himself is their Gardener who causes them to persevere and become exquisitely beautiful with their heads held high. It is to Him that we who are trodden down by cancer can look for the strength to persevere & flourish as beautiful lilies for all to see.

My prayers are with you to gain the strength to be a real warrior.

[Shell]

LuAnn-

I was saddened by your first post and uplifted by your second - I haven't had the procedure, but like Sandy, am probably headed in that direction. I have mets to the lung and outside the lung, and have had many of the treatments you've had. I am so glad you are responding to the doxil - can they add avastin to it?

Kind regards,

[TriciaK]

It is good to read your second post, Lu Ann, and see the fighting spirit return! Our prayers and good thoughts are all with you. Hugs, Tricia