Setback

We were back in the ER today:(

I had a suspicion that things were heading that direction about a week ago

When my PleurX catheter stopped draining as it had been.

At first we thought it might be encouraging news

Indicating that we were getting to the bottom of the fluid in my left lung

But then I began to experience shortness of breath

A tell-tell sign that fluid was building up in my lung

And that the PleurX catheter was not working anymore as it should have been.

I gave it a few days

Since my favorite place in the world for an excursion

Is not the ER:)

However, last night when it was difficult to breathe going to bed

It became clear that today was the day for that excursion.

I headed out around 9:30am to try and beat the ER rush

And was pleasantly surprised to arrive to an empty waiting room!

(Nothing short of a miracle!!)

I didn't even get to sit down

And watch a soap on the waiting room TV

Before they brought me into the triage room

And then immediately back into a patient room!

I had only been in my room about 10 minutes

When the ER doctor came in with an ultrasound machine

To confirm that there was fluid in my lung

There was.

This was immediately followed by an X-ray which double confirmed the fluid.

This was followed by a bit of a wait to get into the IR Radiology room

Where they injected something into my PleurX catheter

To seek to break down any clots that might be plugging the catheter

So that it would drain properly.

This did not work:(

Which left the doctor a bit baffled as it seemed that the catheter

Had been cleared and flushed of any clots

And yet it still would not drain.

Sigh...

This resulted in the immediate need

To do another thoracentesis (lung drain)

In order to provide breathing relief.

This was accomplished successfully

And we were able to go home.

So...

Where do we go from here?

The doctor is going to confer with his colleagues

To try and figure out what to do next...

Try to flush it again

Put in a new PleurX

Or, take it out out completely requiring me to go into the ER every time I need my lung drained
(Note:  This would be a hard option)

Tomorrow, we will try the PleurX and see if it drains as it should

And communicate the result with the doctor.

Hopefully good news.

That's the latest in My Cancer Journey saga:)

Thanks again for caring and supporting!

Dave