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traxx65's avatar
traxx65
Member
14 years ago

Just another hiccup1

These hiccups keep upetting me!  Got the results of my CT scan today and feeling really flat about it.  While it shows that the newer nodes have shrunk to about 1/2 the size (Yay) the pleural thickening has enlarged.  So I am off to see a thoracic surgeon on 3rd February to discuss having pleurodesis.  My onc says this would be better than having the chest cavity drained as the fluid may come back and I could end up having it drained over and over.  Pleurodesis is more permanent and tends to fix the problem with a better prognosis.  So it looks like surgery is going to happen.  Feeling scared out of my wits at the moment.  It now explains why I have been having trouble taking deep breaths.  Thought I had asthma. Just wondering if anyone else has had this procedure done before.  My onc explained it but you know how it is when they tell you something that you hadn't included in your notes.

I know I should be happy with the results on no new cancer and shrinkage, but this news kind of took the shine off that.  Didn't even ask for my tumour marker that I am particuarly religious about asking for.

I would be most grateful if someone out there could enlighten me on this.

Thank you ladies.

I wish you all the best with your treatments.

Take care.

Tracey xx

 

10 Replies

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Kathy,

    Have you had the procedure at all?  I have read quite a few positive things about it.  As you say it is a scary thought to go through these things, but I guess we do what we have too.  I hope all is going well with you.

    Take care.

     

    Tracey xx

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Kathy,

    Have you had the procedure at all?  I have read quite a few positive things about it.  As you say it is a scary thought to go through these things, but I guess we do what we have too.  I hope all is going well with you.

    Take care.

     

    Tracey xx

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Kathy,

    Have you had the procedure at all?  I have read quite a few positive things about it.  As you say it is a scary thought to go through these things, but I guess we do what we have too.  I hope all is going well with you.

    Take care.

     

    Tracey xx

  • pisces_tas's avatar
    pisces_tas
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tracey,

      Sorry to hear you may have the pleurodesis and then 3 week recovery. I hope it helps you. It is scary new procedures; you have a lot on your plate as it is. I am thinking of you. It is easy to go into denial about some things, ( I know I did ) and I hope you can get information about the procedure to allay your fear perhaps a bit. 

     Will you ring Centrelink perhaps re work ? I think you are a strong person, but we all have our limits and I hope you have some supports at this time.

    Kathy OOXX....

     

     

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Amy.  I will keep everyone updated as it may be a procedure that others may need to go through at some point in time and as we have all found it is great to be able to hear from someone who has experienced.  Have read a couple of things on it and the recovery time seems to be anywhere from about 3 weeks up to a couple of months.  I may have to re-think my work choices.

    Hope all is going well with you Amy.

    Take care and Thanks again.

    Tracey xx

  • Amy's avatar
    Amy
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tracey

    Sorry I can't offer you any advice but wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you.  Please keep us updated.

    Amy x

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Joy, Xeloda was going alright nodes hadhhalved in size which was god, but tumour marker went up slightly which my onc thinks is due to the fluid in the chest cavity.  I'm off it from now until I see the thoracic surgeon on 3rd February and then I suppose I will probaby go back on it.  The fatigue is annoying and it's not really helped by this fluid either.  Not sure what i will do about work as I am a kinder assistnat and I am cleaning a lot, lifting heavy stuff around the yard, sweeping etc.  I really want to work because I am my own worst enemy when left to think and I need the money to pay for our health cover and medications.  But at the same time, I just don't know how I feel about it all.  I wish I could work from home.

    Thanks for the info Joy.  I will have a look at it now and see what they say.  Always glad to find some info.

    Thanks for your help.   All the best with your treatment and hope everything goes well.

    Take care.

    Tracey xx

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Joy, Xeloda was going alright nodes hadhhalved in size which was god, but tumour marker went up slightly which my onc thinks is due to the fluid in the chest cavity.  I'm off it from now until I see the thoracic surgeon on 3rd February and then I suppose I will probaby go back on it.  The fatigue is annoying and it's not really helped by this fluid either.  Not sure what i will do about work as I am a kinder assistnat and I am cleaning a lot, lifting heavy stuff around the yard, sweeping etc.  I really want to work because I am my own worst enemy when left to think and I need the money to pay for our health cover and medications.  But at the same time, I just don't know how I feel about it all.  I wish I could work from home.

    Thanks for the info Joy.  I will have a look at it now and see what they say.  Always glad to find some info.

    Thanks for your help.   All the best with your treatment and hope everything goes well.

    Take care.

    Tracey xx

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Joy, Xeloda was going alright nodes hadhhalved in size which was god, but tumour marker went up slightly which my onc thinks is due to the fluid in the chest cavity.  I'm off it from now until I see the thoracic surgeon on 3rd February and then I suppose I will probaby go back on it.  The fatigue is annoying and it's not really helped by this fluid either.  Not sure what i will do about work as I am a kinder assistnat and I am cleaning a lot, lifting heavy stuff around the yard, sweeping etc.  I really want to work because I am my own worst enemy when left to think and I need the money to pay for our health cover and medications.  But at the same time, I just don't know how I feel about it all.  I wish I could work from home.

    Thanks for the info Joy.  I will have a look at it now and see what they say.  Always glad to find some info.

    Thanks for your help.   All the best with your treatment and hope everything goes well.

    Take care.

    Tracey xx

  • Joy_K's avatar
    Joy_K
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tracey

    Can't help you here, but have you tried the American Boards, there has been much recent discussion of this topic. I'll PM you the address.

    How are you faring on Xeloda? I've just been taken off it, some skin mets and lymph nodes shrinking in size and others growing in size on my last CT scan. The last biopsy showed that it was now hormone positive again ( originally hormone positive, then weakly positive, then inconclusive, then negative, now positive again) so I have been put on that old workhorse Tamoxifen to see if it works, if not more rads.

    Xeloda got everything heading in the right direction, tumour markers down to within normal range and very easy to take for the 6 months, hope it's the same for you. For hand foot syndrome found that Scholl Heel Balm Gold worked better than any moisturiser for both hands and feet. Bit greasy on application, but it absorbed withih 5 minutes.

    With love

    Joy K