I wish I could give you some answers. I don't have any. but I saw that no one replied, which means obviously no one else does either. It's odd how many people suffer from lung cancer and yet this group is so small.

I just wanted to offer some emotional support. I'm sorry you are going through this. It's hell. Remember to take time for you.

I wish you the very best.

Sorry that your dad is going thur this but for me my grandfather was going thur the same thing. All I can tell you is to enjoy your father. the only thing you can do is be there for your dad.

I just wanted to offer some emotional support. I'm sorry you are going through this.

Hi.... Unfortunately, I do know a lot about this. It is likely the Pleural Cavity that is filling with fluid and the draining technique was probably a Thoracentesis. My wife fought Lung Cancer for 3 years and underwent several of those procedures. There is actually a more invasive procedure that they can do to try and eliminate the collection of the fluid thereby eliminating the need to drain. It is a surgical procedure called Thoradesis. My wife had Stage 4 Lung Cancer and fought it bravely for 3 years. I lost her in November of 2012. I hope this information helps. If you have more questions....I'd be happy to try to answer for you... Again, I have had a LOT of experience with this as my wife's primary care giver. She also had a Pleurex Catheter inserted at one time which enabled regular draining from home ....less risky but actually involves surgically implanting a tube through your abdomen.

Correction to my recent note.... the surgical procedure is called Pleurodesis. Depending on severity of the condition, it is sometimes not on option. In my wife's case, they tried it.... it was not successful. Everyone is different and the success rate varies.

My wife had fluid building up in her lung on a regular basis. There was a tube put in place to allow me to drain it everyday. I would remove around 600 to 750 ml a day. The original time it was drained it was 1800 ml and again the same amount just a few days later. It finally got to the point that the line was clogged up and my wife's condition was to poor to travel to UNC to have it cleared. She had no discomfort from it and it could only fill to the max capacity. I hope you dad is OK, I will pray for him. My loving wife did not make it. She passed Mar 30th of this year. I love and miss her more then I can explain.

My dad has just recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, what and inciduous disease!
His first symptom was fluid around the lung. He became suddenly breathless, they did try to drain it with a drain it didn't work but is due to have a pleurex catheter inserted today (fingers crossed) He know's time is short but we hope this will bring him relief.
I'm so sorry to hear of love ones loss and of those who are suffering, i am grateful to have a place to share and find some comfort/answers.

Diagnosed 3 days ago with stage 3b lung cancer. Also have neoplastic Pemphigis. expect radiation and chemo. Pemphigus is a blistering condition, very painful and limiting. Oncologist says it is not the blistering that is the primary problem but a manifestation of the lung tumors.
I have great family support, good treatment available near home but that path is yet to be revealed. Good to have answers but wish they were happier ones.

I'm so sorry about youre father mine is also sick, but mine has mesothelioma which is a rare form of lung cancer caused from aspestos... its a very very tuff thing! I wanted to share this with u , because I lost a grandfather yrs ago and a best friend a yr 1/2 ago with lung cancer ,and also my best friend that passed from it a yr and 1/2 ago her husband lost 3 people within a month to lung cancer, being my friend included in one of those.

All lung cancers have differen't symptoms and needs. My friend that lost her life to lung cancer also had bone cancer and the amazing part was she never needed oxyogen at her side 24 hrs a day , when she found out she was already stage 4, now yrs ago when my grandpa had it he needed oxygen at all times ,my friends mom who had it was mobile till almost the end tho my friend on the other hand was bed riddin.

All cases may be differnt , and the truth is only God knows when it's time only God . U are in my thoughts and prayers I think I will try and add ya as a friend if u accept please know I'm here anytime u may want or need to talk, ok take care (((Hugs)))

Not necessarily (about the ready to go question). This can go on for awhile....but not forever, sadly. There is a procedure they can do to keep this from happening...You might ask his doctor about that. Some people are not candidates for the procedure. It is possible that infection will set in and cause his journey to be shortened. What can you do? Just what you are doing. Support him and love him. Allow him to talk to you if he seems to want to do so. Listen. You cannot stop his journey, but, you can let him know that you are there every step of the way. I am so sorry for your position. It is so hard to watch a loved one suffer.

I had the same thing when I found I had cancer. I got drained twice, both 2 liters or more. Then then put a catheter in my right lung, so I or someone else could drain me at home. At first we did it daily then it slowed down to every other day. After a few months the drains stopped. No major liquid in my lungs. I had the catheter removed and have not had to have a drain since. I have stage 4 lung cancer and have had 36 chemo treatments. I am in what you call maintenance. If you have any more questions let me know. Been there done that. I was given 12 months 26 months ago. YEA Ron golfguy430@live.com

I’m currently Stage 4 NSCLC. I’ve had 18 weeks of chemo and then 20 radiation treatments. Now I am undergoing immunotherapy doing 1 treatment of Keytruda every three weeks. To date I’ve had three Thoracentesis and scheduled to have my 4th next week. If the lung fills up one more time, then the pulmonary doctor will insert a catheter. I’m so tired of this and dealing with the side effects of chemo and radiation treatments. This is my 3rd bout with cancer. 1st, Prostate, then Throat and Neck Cancer now Lung Cancer. My time in Vietnam being sprayed with Agent Orange by our own government has brought these cancers into my life. I applied for benefits through Veterans Administration only to be denied. So, now my case is in the appeal process. That takes months if not years. So many of the Vietnam veterans have passed waiting for a decision. There is a saying regarding those affected with Dioxin Agent Orange, “Sprayed, and Betrayed. VA delay, deny until we die. Sad but true. I know the original post I’’m replying to is a few years old but if anyone is going through what I have then maybe my rambling run on sentences will help.