Having another procedure
 

I'm still dealing a little with coughing up blood -- even though it hasn't happened in just over two weeks -- and as a result I'm scheduled Thursday for what I think is an angiography.

It seem that the soure of the intermittent bleeding has been found --a bulge in a vein in the lung near the RFA area -- and it's going to be embolized.

I had been going along taking my antifungal infection medication for the aspergillus (mold) infection in my lung and then about a month ago started to cough up small amounts of blood again every day for about a week.

The interventional radiologist who did the lung RFA last August wanted to insert in an ambulatory procedure the medication directly into the cavity in my lung caused by the RFA, but in preparation a CT scan Saturday showed that the cavity had naturally closed up on its own. He said there's now no place to put the meds. However, he did see a bulge in one of the veins in the RFA area of my lung which is probably the source of the bleeding (he likened it to a tire with a bulge in it). The bulge is caused by a weakening of the vein wall. He consulted with two pulmonolgists and a thorasic surgeon, as well.

The good news is that there is still no sign of cancer in the lung. Also, it seems that the inflammation went down since I've been taking the meds for the aspergillus, and allowed a clearer picture that showed the problematic vein.

RFA causes a cavity where the tumor is ablated, which fungus/mold and bacteria can colonize. However, I don't believe this is normally the case. But I think I developed the infection after taking Decadron for four week post brain surgery, which was only two months after the RFA. Decadron use can lead to fungal infections like in the perfect storm and, in my case, the lung area was probably still healing.

I'm very nervous about the procedure. The IR guy called me on Friday to switch procedures, and the angiography requires a one-night stay in the hospital.

Also, I have very little information about the procedure other than I think they insert a tube in my leg vein and go through the body to the area in the lung.

Hopefully between the meds and the procedure I won't have to deal with the coughing stuff anymore.

Joan

Joan,

I am so sorry that you have to go through another procedure but it sounds like your doctors are on top of things. I pray that this will take care of cough and that you recover quickly.

Tonya

Joan- I am so sorry you have to go thru anything else. I would be nervous and scared, too. Your doctors have gotten through quite a bit, so count on them to continue to heal you. Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts. Flori

Prayers and good wishes, Joan. Ceesun

Much prayer for a successful procedure, Joan. And prayers for the fear to go away and trust and peace to take charge, too. ma

Joan, sorry you have to go through yet another procedure. I hope everything goes well and this puts an end to it all. I pray for good results and a speedy recovery. Good luck!

Joan,
You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you have this procedure done. I will be praying that all goes well and that you are feeling better very soon. Take care.

Joan, sending lots of prayers and healing thoughts your way. Praying that the doctors quickly find the reason and cure the cough.

hugs,
shobha

You are in my thoughts and prayers Joan

Hi Joan,
I am happy to hear that the lung is NED...I will be keeping you in my special prayers for a speedy and
safe procedure.

Best Wishes,
Jean

I'll be thinking of you as well,Joan..
Marcia

Joan,

So happy to hear the good news! On the other hand I am so sorry that you have to go through yet another procedure. I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Sending you hugs, comfort & prayers, Joan!
All will be well- soon, very soon.

Keep the Faith~

Jml

Joan - Thoughts and prayers for a very easy procedure and the end to the coughing blood. Glad to hear it's not cancer. Pam

Joan,

I will be praying for you. Hope you are feeling better. Positive vibes coming your way.

Amelia

Dear Joan -
You have once again pushed the docs to find your problem. Anything that is out of the ordinary seems to fall on us to keep them thinking about our case.

When is the procedure?? You can be sure many prayers for success and healing of this annoying problem will be heading your way.

Joan,

How did the angiography go? The place where they inserted the catheter is going to be sore for a couple of days.

Continuing to pray for you Joan. Hope all has gone well. Rest easy.

Joan
Hoping this procedure will be the final fix and that you will begin to feel better without the coughing episodes. You are a brave tough woman...you deserve a break. Sending hugs and prayers to you!

Thanks for all your wonderful thoughts and prayers.

I had the procedure Thursday and came home yesterday afternoon. I feel pretty good.

The procedure was an embolization of the pulmonary artery (similar technique to an angiography).

I was awake but sedated. I don't remember too much except the IR docs saying about nine times, Hold your breath, hold it, hold it, hold it, ... breath, while one of them was running behind the glass enclosure to take a still photo of the screens showing floroscopy highlighting my lung arteries and vessels. They used stainless steel coils to block the bulging sack in the lung vessel. It was in the area of the RFA (and prior wedge resection). The procedure took 2 hours. The IR docs said it went really well.

The bulging sack in the vessel appears to be the source of the bleeding. I haven't coughed up any blood in two weeks and hope it won't happen again. But I still have to take the anti-fungal mediation voriconazole because it appears the aspergilloma is still there. I'm scheduled for another CT scan at the end of June which both the pulmonologist who prescribed the meds and the IR guy will review to see how the lung is doing.

It seems that there's still no sign of cancer in the lung since the RFA in August. And that's the best part.

Love you all

Joan

yeah!
 

Joan-

I am so glad it went well. I am sure it was stressful in the pre/post procedure times so I am glad your doctor was encouraging...and the best news is no sign of nasty cancer!

I was just about to post that I was thinking about you and got to the end of the string with your update. I hope you feel well and that the anti-fungal medicine is not unpleasant.

Thinking about you and sending you healing, peaceful thoughts!

Maureen

I am happy things went well and that there was no sign of cancer. I hope you are feling bettter soon.

Joan,

I am sending you a big hug and I am joining the prayers to bring you wellbeing again.

Paty

please keep us updated and sending lots of hugs, positive thoughts and prayers!