Does the fluid ever stop building up? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

needtoknowga · 02-20-2004, 09:01 AM

Hello everyone. My father was diagnosed with stage IV non small cell lung cancer last month. When he was first diagnosed, his left lung was filled with fluid and had to be drained. He has had one round of carboplatin/taxol chemo. He was scheduled to get his second round yesterday, but could not get it because the first round made him very anemic and the fluid had collected in his lung again. He had to get a blood transfusion and have the fluid drained again. Is this fluid collection going to be something that happens all the time or does it ever go away? The cancer has not spread outside of his lungs, and the only time he had pain was after the first chemo, and he has not had pain again since the fluid was drained off. They are going to try and do chemo again next Wednesday. All of the stats on survival for this type and stage of lung cancer are pretty dismal, but the doctors do not seem to be concerned. Any answers, facts, or suggestions would really help now. I just want to know straight facts with no chaser. Thanks everyone and God bless.

MichelleP · 02-25-2004, 01:18 PM

My step dad has finally stopped showing signs of swelling in his arms and legs. For the first 5 months after diagnosis (Stage IV NSCLC w/ mets to bone and liver) he swelled so bad. His swelling subsided a few weeks after they stopped chemo treatments.

God Bless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by needtoknowga

Hello everyone. My father was diagnosed with stage IV non small cell lung cancer last month. When he was first diagnosed, his left lung was filled with fluid and had to be drained. He has had one round of carboplatin/taxol chemo. He was scheduled to get his second round yesterday, but could not get it because the first round made him very anemic and the fluid had collected in his lung again. He had to get a blood transfusion and have the fluid drained again. Is this fluid collection going to be something that happens all the time or does it ever go away? The cancer has not spread outside of his lungs, and the only time he had pain was after the first chemo, and he has not had pain again since the fluid was drained off. They are going to try and do chemo again next Wednesday. All of the stats on survival for this type and stage of lung cancer are pretty dismal, but the doctors do not seem to be concerned. Any answers, facts, or suggestions would really help now. I just want to know straight facts with no chaser. Thanks everyone and God bless.