Hi Stresshead, yes I have had my results and they were good thank you. My scan showed that the disease has not progressed further and the bones are healing. The plan is to continue with present treatment tegime a day will be reviewed in 3 months following the next routine scan.
I totally empathise with you with regards to the pleural effusions, to me it was the worse symptom I had to contend with following my secondary dx last year. Eventually my oncology consultant referred me to a thoracic cancer surgeon at Guys and had a right VATS procedure sterile talc pleurodesis carried out in February this year to stop the effusion reoccurring but unfortunately it was not successful. I became so breathless again because of the fluid building up again in my pleural cavity, I was unable to function and carry out any activities.I was reviewed a month later and it was decided then to insert PleurX catheters to manage the effusions and after the initial post op discomfort, I am so much more comfortable. The community nurses came in initially but now my husband and I manage the catheters on our own. My quality of life has improved dramatically and I am now able to lead a relatively normal life. Ok....the catheters are sited on your chest wall and I am a little conscious of what I wear so not to make them obvious but to me that it is a small price to pay for the freedom I have gained and not be breathless. The catheters are not necessarily permanent, eventually once your disease is under control and the fluid decreases they can be removed. I have had mine now for over 2 months and am still draining over 2 litres of fluid in the space of a week. Every one is different so I am told as the average time for catheters to remain is 31 days so don't panic. To me the catheters have been a positive solution to the debilitating symptom and is certainly much better than having to go to A&E regularly and have a needle inserted to drain my effusion.
Please do not be worried about VATS procedure it just means that it is a procedure carried out by using a Video to Assist Thoracic Surgery, yes it was quite painful post op but you are given strong analgesics to help with this. I do not understand why this procedure would preclude you from having chemo as this has not been discounted by my oncologist for future use. I hope this helps and you should try and get as much info as possible to make the right decisions about how to manage your condition. This forum has been a great help to me and I am sure other members will be able to contribute to your question.
Please let us know how you get on I will be thinking of you. Hugs and best wishes Ann xx
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