I tried really, really hard to not look on the web for what fluid around the heart could be. The second article I read had this for causes:
 Spread of cancer (metastasis), particularly lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease
 Cancer of the pericardium or heart
 Radiation therapy for cancer if the heart is within the field of radiation
 Chemotherapy treatment for cancer, such as doxorubicin (Doxil) and cyclophosphamide (Lyophilized Cytoxan)
So now I want to know if my treatment did it (which I truly believe is the case) or could it be the cancer bastard spread? I knew that I was borrowing trouble by looking this up, but I just had to know. Now I wish I didn’t. I am stuck at work all day by myself, so I can’t go relax and let it go. Can’t wait until I get home, hot bath and relaxing music, then all will be right again in my world.
Blessings,
Barb
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I tried not to look it up, but....
- By Barb267
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 12:06 pm · 11 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - General
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Heart failure Hodgkin's lymphoma Leukemia Radiation therapy Hodgkin's disease Cyclophosphamide Breast cancer Pneumonia Chemotherapy Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Cytoxan Congestive heart failure Lung cancer
11 replies
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- Newest first
- By debra1
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm
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I can tell you that I had this and it was from the radiation to the chest. My Dr. told me not a big deal? but wanted me under the watch of Heart Specialist. He also told me that if too much fluid build up, they would drain it. I went to the Heart Dr. ever few months and they watched it, never got worse, and I am about to go next month for my 1 yr check up.....so it was not a big deal for me. Do not think the worst!
- By Barb267
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 12:40 pm
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Thanks so much for your reply. I know it isn't going to be anything, but I can get like a dog on a bone, I start to worry and the only way to get rid of that worry is to relax and let it go. I did have an ECHO yesterday and am waiting for a call on the results.
Barb
- By Marylou1
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 1:47 pm
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Hey Barb:
I know what ya mean when you feel you just have to look. I have always done the same thing.
Hope you get that call soon and it's a good one. Meanwhile, "Don't Stop Believing."
Much Love,
Marylou
- By cuddles53
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm
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Dear Barb. If there was an emergent situation, I would think they would call you right away. Good luck, many,prayers that it is nothing bad for you. I know we all have these fears, me too, I also am having troubles with fluid now. I just went and had an echo done and they could not even see the heart on the echo, so I can't go by that test I guess, my doctor is looking at congestive heart failure and pulmonary lung failure, I have been gaining weight in with fluid and ankles and feet and I also could tell in my stomach and chest were bigger, more hard to breath. We can always feel things going on in our bodies, I just wish every little thing I didn't feel. God bless Sandy
- By misself
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 1:59 pm
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Barb,i am sorry.I hope maybe its just a little fluid retention a pill or even better a little less salt can contol.I was stage 1a,surgery shoul cure.Did but I have had different complications since.Not cancer.I forget I am also not a spring chicken anymore and some poor choices have come home to roost also.Do'nt forget you have the fall days, laughter ,friends, family, and LCA family, to enjoy.Do not let the beast lurk in your mind.What I listed is part but not all of why you fought and are the survivor you are.Relax and do something you love.Go to USA channel at 4:oopm central and watch NCIS with me.When I was a teen I had a crush on Ducky(Illya Kuriakin Then) I think we both have wisdom and wit.LOL AndiB( Prayers)
- By debra1
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 3:01 pm
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Barb-
It looks as if you had radiation to the chest and if you did, it is probably from that. It is a fluid in the pericardium which is a thin sac-like membrane that surrounds the heart. The radiation to the heart causes this build up. It shows on the Chest CT.
- By Barb267
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 4:51 pm
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Thanks everyone. I do plan on going home and relaxing after dinner.
Sandy, I hope you get to feeling better soon and that they can somehow reduce the fluid
Andi, I LOVE NCIS. I think Gibbs is sooooo hot. I will have to see what Ducky looked like before.
To all, blessings,
Barb
- By miracle_b
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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Barb,
im always doing the same thing and it drives me crazy! jst try in stay positive and keep yur mind busy i noticed when i look up stuff i say im not then get all this b/s about it my mind really goes nuts but keeping yur mind busy and staying busy usually helps me especially shopping!! i'll keep u in my prayers as i do with everyone else.=]
- By maryalice
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 8:24 am
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Hey Barb,
I have a great relationship with my surgeon and have his email. I have always told him that he is the only Dr I trust and how much I need him. I email him any time and he gets back to me right away. Do you think your Dr. would do this for you? I think they (Drs) understand just how scary this lung cancer is. It never hurts to ask!! I feel safe knowing he is available to me, and he knows I need him. You sound scared. And I don't blame you. Remember, the thoracic surgeons are cardio-thoracic Drs, so he can speak to the fluid around the heart.
Take care,
Peace MA
- By Granny888
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 9:53 am
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Barb,
Didn't you watch the Man from Uncle? Woo hoo. He looks different now but still real good. He was my favorite back then and one of my favorite now.
Nothing wrong with looking things up, that's how we get the ins and outs of it. But you need to look at dates on articldes and as we all know stay away from stats.
Lots of things can cause fluid in that area, including heart failure (like you wanted to hear) and most of these things are treatable (like heart failure!) and no need to panic.
Keep us updated. Rest, don't panic. You're on top of this, remember.
- By Barb723
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 10:33 am
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Hi Barb,
I know what your going through. I too have fluid around my heart and have had it for a while. I was scared to death because I had a dr. tell me everything that you looked up online.
I am so thankful for this last visit to the hospital because there's were they found that the fluid all of a sudden got a lot less. I was told that if the fluid gets less, means that it is not cancerous. I was so thankful!
They do think the reason for the fluid is from chemo/radiation and maybe the pneumonia. They are still not sure how the fluid got less.
If you have any concerns or questions that I could help with, please let me know. (I did go through a lot more with this but to long to write everything). Sometimes just knowing that someone else went through the same thing can make you feel better.
God Bless,
Barb
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