About Meir Wetzler <B>M. D.</B> Expertise Leukemia acute and chronic; from chemotherapy to transplantation. Done clinical and translational research on leukemia for the last 10 years at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
My father-in-law was diganosed with CLL 4 years ago but up until christmas 2008 he was receiving treatment, until things got a bit more complicated. He was admitted to hospital with respitory problems which ended up with him being admitted to icu, after further investigations it turned out to be fluid on the right lung. This was removed and he started to feel alot better. This spell in hospital lasted 10 around weeks. He was released from hospital and put on a water tablet to help take the fluid away from the lung but things took another turn for the worse, as my father-in-law has only 1 kidney it stopped working and he then had to undergo kidney dialysis. After a few sessions of this the kidney returned to normal and he was released and had to attend the outpatients clinic every friday. He was doing brilliantly until a week ago the fluid had returned and they drained 1.7 litres off the lung but a few days ago it returned and they have tried to drain it but it was unsuccesful and they are talking about trying to put a drain in tomorrow morning but they don't think he is well enough for this procedure. I am just wondering is there anything else that can be done for him, they won't put him on heart tablets as they are afraid this will affect the kidney, we are very reluctant to give up hope as he is a young man with all his facilities in tact and although the doctors have been brilliant I am just wondering have they maybe overlooked something that will help him, they have also stopped chemo because they said they have tried everything but I am sure something can be done.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.
Many Thanks
Catherine
ANSWER: Dear Catherine,
I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I'm not clear about the reason for the fluid accumulation; is it related to CLL, heart problem, kidney problem or all the above.
Thx, Meir.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: At the start the doctors had put the fluid accumulation down to problems with the heart but now they have recently told us they think this is now the CLL.
Answer Dear Catherine,
There are several experimental studies for CLL and your father-in-law's eligibility to them can be checked with the appropriate centers. You may search through a specific center or www.cancer.gov. Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Meir.
