Plueral Effusion after surgery

[T.Petersen]

My mom got diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer back on October 15, 2003.  She had the Plueral Effusion (fluid around the lungs) and in her abdomen.  She underwent a tap on her right lung, and 3 chemo treatments.  She then had a full hysterectomy on December 30, 2003.  She was scheduled to have her first chemo treatment after surgery on January 25, 2004 when once again the fluid had built up and she had a hard time breathing.  We went into the ER instead of her chemo treatment and the next day they tapped her lung.  They had taken out 1 liter of fluid, but said that there was still quite a bit of fluid, but had decided to start chemo again the next day.  She had her first chemo on January 27, 2004 and as of yesterday (February 8, 2004) she is having a hard time  breathing again.  They took an x-ray and show that there is still fluid but would want to see if the chemo will still help get rid of some of the fluid.  She is not due for her next  chemo treatment until next Friday (February 18, 2004)  My questions are the following. 1. should they tap her lung again before starting the next chemo treatment?  2. can  she develop lung cancer with this fluid being left unattended?  3. can her other organs, such as her heart, be affected with lack of oxygen? and finally 4. is this normal to occur after having surgery of removal of the tumor plus the hysterectomy?  I am very concerned that she should get this fluid out.  Her oxygen levels have been around 89 as an average.  Please advise the complications that may occur if the fluid is not removed.  Thank you.

[RamCheerMom]

I was wondering if they checked for cancer cells in the fluid that was tapped from your mothers lung?
People sometimes get fluid in their lungs after a major surgery, sometimes the body does not absorb it and it builds up in the lungs.

[mommitude]

please read the following all the way through before getting scared. you should call a hospice - why? They have nurses trained in just this type of circumstance, even if your mom wants chemo they can give her recommendations for the best course of action. They have tons of oncology / cancer experience and can help you make sure that you and your mom are satisfied with her level of comfort. It sounds like right now you are very worried because you don't know where else to turn. If the chemo doctor will not give you an open suggestion about your options, then go to her regular doctor. Keep looking until you have someone who can explain what the options are and what the consequences for each are - then you can make the best decision for you and be comfortable knowing what is in store. good luck.