Aspergillus *URGENT*

[dhaze]

I have a grandfather who has aspergillus in his lung (or lungs?), and it  has grown to the point of him having extreme difficulty breathing. He is now in intensive care, and I don't expect him to live past tomorrow. He has been given anti-fungal fluids through an IV for several weeks, but, obviously, it's not working. I have looked up treatments for it, and one is to administer anti-fungal medications through a tube into the lung.

I want to know if what they are doing to him is the same thing as the treatment I have read about. If it is, what else can be done? He is in extremely bad shape. I don't think he wants to live anymore. I would ask him, but he is always unconscious.

[Resilient_Mimi]

Pray about it, the LORD doesn't want any of us to stay on this earth, he wants us in heaven.  That doesnt make the people that are left behind not suffer, but at least he is unconscious, maybe this keeps him from suffering thru pain.  I hope he is healed.  The only thing I do know about meds goin down the intubated tube is done during a "code" procedure, and this is done only when they are unable to find a vein to start the IV.  You and your family are in my prayers.

[bsmsl]

Oh, so sorry.  I don't know if it is the same or not.

Have they considered draining the fluid or a bronchoscopy where they can remove the fluid and fungus as well.  He may be in too weakened a state for too many procedures though.  Also, I know there are some inhaled anit-biotics.  I wonder if there are inhaled anti-fungals that might help?  Just a stab in the dark.

If he has a living will you would have to go by that. However, a living will may not actually apply to this situation.  If the fungus can be irradicated, he will be fine.  Some living wills have more to do with long term life support with no real hope of recovery and permanent brain damage.  You should consult with the hospital about this and your options.

Please keep me posted.  

I will be praying for you and your father.

You may have just helped me with a decission though.  I have been wrestling with going through with anti-fungal treatment for the last 24 hours - since I found out how much the medicine costs ($2730.09 for 60 tablets).  I have two abnormal fungi in my lungs, neither of which is supposed to be a truly bad one.  My allergist doesn't think they are the cause of my problems (other lab work doesn't indicate they are the problem).  My GP thinks they could be.  I can't really get in touch with my pulmo as he has quit private practice and is now a hospitalist.  My allergist did decide to try to treat the fungi Thursday since I am not responding well to antibiotics this time around.

I didn't realize a fungal infection could be so serious.  Well, I knew ABPA (certain aspergillus infection) was, but not others.

Praying
God bless.