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Short break

by Quixotic1, Nov 28, 2008 02:58PM
I am taking a day or two off.  My mom is increasingly short of breath and we found out last night (Yes, her PCP called her last night at home!)  She has fairly large pleural effusions (collection of fluid in the chest cavity outside the lungs).  This is restricting the spece she has to expand her lungs for breathing.  She will need to have it tapped off, both for relief (though it would likely come back) and for diagnosis.  The three likely causes are infection (but no symptoms of that), autoimmune (again no other symptoms) and cancer ( :(( )  I am very worried.  I am close to her.

Besides that I am too zapped to sit at the computer and post.  Too much activity yesterday.  

I know I owe several people posts and if I feel better later I will.

PLEASE!  This is NOT a request for sympathy or attention.  It's just when I drop off the board people always wonder where I am and I don't want anyone to worry.  Just letting you know.

Daughter Quixxie
Member Comments (28)

by doni54, Nov 28, 2008 03:05PM
To: Quix
You just take care of your sweet mom, and though we will miss you, mom comes first!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and you have my prayers that this will not be anything bad, just something easily treatable.

Hugs
doni

by Udkas, Nov 28, 2008 04:28PM
To: Quix
Hi Quix,
Take care of yourself and your mum, although we all love you on this forum as you are such a wealth of information and caring, supportive, YOUR OWN family  and your own health comes first.

I hope that it is a positive outcome and nothing too serious but lung things are nasty at the best of times.

Cheers,
Udkas.

by monotreme, Nov 28, 2008 04:50PM
To: Quix
I'm so sorry Quix,, first your father and now your mother.  I'll be thinking of you......Elaine

by LLWB, Nov 29, 2008 01:27AM
To: Quix
You get our sympathy and attention anyway, whether you want it or not! So there! Please know we are all praying for your Mom, and you also. I know everyone here will try to take up the missing piece while you are gone. They, and you, are priceless!

Hugs & Prayers
Maggie

by Erin0313, Nov 30, 2008 03:58PM
To: Quixotic1
Quix,

  I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I will add her and you to my prayers and hope that the diagnosis is the least of the terrible choices you listed. You take care of Yourself and be there for your mom and you know that we will all be here when you are ready to come back.

We will be thinking of you
   Erin

by jensequitur, Dec 01, 2008 12:23PM
Quix, is your mom feeling any better?  I know how scary that can be!  

by Quixotic1, Dec 01, 2008 01:24PM
To: all
Hi, all.  It was a long hard holiday.  My mom was getting slowly worse, and I could not get answers.  This morning I reached her doctor, found out that the fluid is bilateral and fills most of her chest cavity.  I pushed for action and she will get the fluid tapped off in about an hour, in interventional radiology (fluoroscopic guidance)  Then she should feel much better.

With the fluid being on both sides it is less likely cancer and more likely heart failure which can be treated.  I am relieved at both the news and the action.

I haven't been sleeping much, but will be back soon.

Quix  :))

by Udkas, Dec 01, 2008 02:04PM
To: To Quix
Hi Quix,
I am glad that you don't think it's cancer, try and take care of yourself too if you can.  I hope the procedure goes well and your mum is feeling better soon.

Cheers,
Udkas

by sllowe, Dec 01, 2008 03:07PM
To: Quix and Mom
Excellent - glad you got them moving.

Prayers for your Mom on their way!

by doni54, Dec 01, 2008 04:00PM
Quixxy,

Thank goodness they are doing something!!  My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

Hugs,
doni

by monotreme, Dec 01, 2008 04:33PM
To: Quixotic
Great news!!
Elaine

by Quixotic1, Dec 02, 2008 05:36PM
To: all my friends
Hi, I'm still with my Mom.  She had 1200cc of fluid (about 40 ounces) of fluid tapped off one side yesterday.  It was quick and painless.  She had an ECHO today, and it shows "okay" heart function.  She is not in heart failure.  She will have the other side tapped tomorrow.  

Now they have to find out why the fluid seeped out.  Again, the two leading causes are autoimmune and cancer, so I am back to deep worry.  Friday she sees a pulmonologist and Monday she sees her cardiologist.

Other than being able to breathe slightly better (itself a blessing) she is not feeling any better.

I am fine.

Be back soon, Quix

by monotreme, Dec 02, 2008 06:27PM
To: Quixotic
Oh no, I am saddened by this.  I am glad she is breathing easier, but the worry is still so great.  I hope the pulmonologist is a good one.  She is lucky she has you as her advocate.

Take care Quix.,
Elaine

by doni54, Dec 02, 2008 06:36PM
As always you and your mom are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,
doni

by jensequitur, Dec 02, 2008 07:02PM
Make sure you get plenty of rest, Quix!  I know it's hard when you're so worried.

by Fluffysmom, Dec 03, 2008 12:26PM
To: Quix
Shoot, my mom lived with congestive heart failure for years; too bad that wasn't the cause of your mom's pleural effusions.  

I will meditate on your mom's comfort and peace of mind, as well as yours, and your sister and dad's as you all wait for more answers.  As we all wait for more answers.

I hope that drawing the fluid off the other side made her even more comfortable.  

Be mindful of your own health as well.  

Hugs,

Kathy

by Udkas, Dec 04, 2008 08:21AM
To: Quix
Thinking of you both, worry only makes you get more wrinkles and maybe go grey a bit quicker, it doesn't change the outcome, so although it's hard not to worry make sure you get enough rest yourself as your mum needs you to stay as healthy as you can too.

Take care,

Cheers,
Udkas.

by Quixotic1, Dec 04, 2008 05:07PM
To: All
I can't thank you all enough for the support and the words of encouragement.  My mom had the second side of her chest