http://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-biopsy

I have heard of lung biopseys but never had one. However if I get the transplant I will get one several times.

I found this link that might help you.

Talk over your fear with the doctor and have him explain exactly what is going to happen. I don.t know about the collapsed lung...maybe someone else can help there
God be with you honey
It is going to be ok, I am sure your doctor has done it hundreds of times, but I can understand the fear.
Let us know
Brenda

Brenda-Good website. I now have a few questions for the surgeon. Still gathering. Thanks for your time!

Nancy...I texted a friend of mine who has a bronch done every 6 months r/t lung transplant...Mary said to tell you it is very easy and quick procedure..It does not take very long at all. They give you a IV line and send you off to twilight zone. Then they go down thru your nose and take pictures first then they get a very tiny clipping.. The hardest part is trying to eat afterwards. Your throat is a little sore. Also someone has to drive you home...Also said she has never known or heard of anybody that had any major problems with this procedure..I HOPE THIS HELPS SOME..iN MY PRAYERS AS ALWAYS...jOANNE..

Joanne that was good information for her, and exactly how they described it in the transplant learning class. I have never heard of them deflating a lung to do it.

What they might have said was there was a danger of collasping a lung if they go the wrong way or something.

That is pretty rare I am sure. But for liability reasons, they have to tell you every scary thing that might happen.

Don,t let that scare you.One of the transplant ladies I correspond with said once they nicked a little vein, but fixed at once. Later it hurt and she had to stay over to be sure it would not bleed. It was fine. Glad that web site helped you.I can come up with more if you need them, or you can just google lung biopseys. You will find a lot, but choose the well known medical ones.
I need to try to sleep now, so you also have a good sleep, and relax, put it in God's hands and He will lead you thru it.

Brenda
Brenda

Hi Ladybug, have been missing you! Sure can understand why you'd be scared as I would too, BUT I do know the Lord is very able! They say education is key and being informed is important so sounds like you're on the right track. I'll be praying for you, too! Debbie.

There are procedures in place if your lung collapses. That could happen to any of us, at any given time during our daily routine.

Keep in mind there is a difference between a medical team deflating a lung area & your lung collapsing during a procedure.

Keep the faith & know we are here to help you through. Hugs, Ohana

i haven't had a lung biopsy, but i just wanted to add that my prayers are with you that all will go smoothly and no problems.
when i had my throat surgery, my pulm said that being put to sleep i had the chance of a "bursae" (sp?) exploding .... not sure exactly, but it would be life threatening.
i asked the pulm and my PCP about it and found that with emphysema i could have this happen at any time, so if it is going to happen at least i would be in the hospital & they would be ready to take care of it immediately.
i would think if a collapsed lung is a possibility then they would be ready for it & to take care of it immediately for you.
anyway----my prayers are with you ((((HUGS)))))

Thanks for all the support and info. I need to research a bit more. My doctor says that they collapse my lung in order to do the biopsy. I suppose the hole that they cut does this. It is called an open lung biopsy. They go in from the outside between the ribs. I guess that I will have a chest tube. Lots of questions to be asked on Monday with the thoracic surgeon. I didn't realize that I am such a whimp. I haven't been thru all of the stuff that so many of you have. Gotta toughen up and/or good drugs.
Thanks again,
Nancy

Lady.....I wish you the best of luck on the procedure. Like someone said........they have to give you all the "warnings" just to protect themselves...............I'm sure you will be OK:):):)

Ladybug,
You are not a wimp! Goodness lady, anyone would be a bit afraid of a procedure like that. I am still trying to get brave enough to get a lung transplant!!
However the procedure is done, as others said, you are right there in the hospital, and having done the procedure countlesss times, the doctors are ready for anything when they are operating.
You are right to ask a lot of questions, and get reassured as you can be. They have to tell you the risks, for liability reasons.
Keeping you in my prayers, and stop underestimating your self. You are a woman, and under fire we are stronger than we think!!
God be with you and the surgeons, and I hope all goes well and you recover quickly so you can tell us all about it.
Brenda

now i'm lost---i was just focusing on the lung biopsy, but then i thought i'd look up "bronchiolitis" that you said your dr's are looking for.
according to mayo clinic that is the RSV virus that kids get.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bronchiolitis/DS00481
(how come my links never seem to work? --- you might have to copy & paste)
if you have a kids virus, why are they doing a lung biopsy?
---- i know, once again jarca is lost & needs expaining :(
if you have the virus, wouldn't it just go away or need an anti-viral, not anti inflamatories?

You are not a whimp! You are a lovely young woman and a lovely ladybug! Any of this lung business does scare any and all of us, but what are we to do but move forward! I'm thinking of you! Debbie.

Duke was the first one to mention bronchiolitis. I thought I misunderstood him after looking it up when I got home. Everything was about kids. My pulmonary doctor said he was thinking the same thing as Duke and this might be a possibility. I had to look up bronchiolits in adults. Little info out there.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2548426

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/bronchiolitis-in-adults(part of an article)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchiolitis_obliterans

http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/bronchiolitis/

Most of the info is on kids. Still researching because there is little info. My doctors say there are two kinds. One is inflammation and one is scar tissue. If I have the inflammation, high dose steroids and immunosuppressants may help. Would give me back 10-15% ? lung function. If it is scarring. Nothing will help.

I am hoping for the best. Thanks again for the support. I am feeling a bit lighter!

Nancy

interesting... you've definatly done your research.
this is why i love is when dennis & others post links as i'm a computer moron & i never seem to find all the info on a subject.
p.s. i'll never eat buttered popcorn again after the last article (jk)

I've never had a lung biopsy but I believe they are a simple procedure. The Dr.'s are required to tell you the complications that can stem from any procedure but rarely ever happen. I can understand you being scared and that's normal for anything we don't understand. Just ask questions and sounds like you are doing your research. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs,
Debi