So scared! My sister has been in the hospital for over a week. Her initial diagnosis was pleural effusion. They extracted close to a gallon of liquid from the lining (pleura). The test results to identify treatment are not complete yet since markers will be identified for special treatment which hopefully won’t be chemo. Pet scan has been ordered to make sure it’s not metastasized outside the lung and pleural cavity. Appointment with oncologist specialist on Thursday.
Any feedback from this group will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Mitchell, thank you for joining us - you will get wonderful advice and support from these great people. I will also private message you. Please don't feel alone!
Mitchell740, please wait till Thursday to determine next steps, and please do not jump to conclusions. When the Dr explains the alternative treatments and his recommended plan, please do not discount any treatment out of hand eg. it is certainly possible that chemotherapy will be part of the plan, and if so, so be it. There are a number of us on this site, that have, at least so far, beaten the odds. Your sister may just surprise you and also beat the odds. Best Wishes to both you and your sister, judg69
Thank you so much judg69! They have postponed the appointment with the oncologist since they are now doing a VATS procedure tomorrow to identify markers and ultimately treatment thru oncologist/specialist. They’ve had to drain additional pleural fluid today since she was coughing too much and was uncomfortable. My sister is 85 but strong. We’re praying for a good outcome. Mitchell740
There are a couple other tests that will need to be done as well. They will do an MRI of the brain and a bone scan as those are two places that lung cancer likes to metasticize to and they can’t be observed on a PET scan.
I send hope that your sister does qualify for one of the newer treatments.
Please know that this is no longer an immediate death sentence. My stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 10/2010. So 7 years and a few months. I have personally met other stage 4 survivors who’ve hung out for 17 and 18 years.
It sounds like your sister is in good hands. As the others have said, there are many options to be revealed once you have the test results. You’ve come to a very good place for support, please keep us updated.
My sister had the VATS surgery just now and they were able to remove cancerous cells for marking tests. However, her left lung’s pleural cavity was totally invaded by smaller tumors. Left lung was partially collapsed and they treated it so that she doesn’t get additional pleural liquid in. They removed a litter of liquid and also removed the spleen because it was stuck to the abdomen. She will be in the hospital for another 5 days and then will see the lung oncologist to determine if there are any markers that would qualify her for new alternative treatment. In the meantime they told us no chemo for her since she’s not strong enough and one of her lungs is not truly working. Please pray for my sis Marta. Thank you!! Betty
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