hi @amareese - what kind of surgery did you have? a lobectomy or a wedge resection? I think it's more likely that the pleural effusion is related to your surgical recovery or even an infection, than the cancer. but it's good they can check the fluid just to be sure.

I'm a mom, too - and was just a little older than you when I was diagnosed. my kids are 14 and 12 now. have you heard of the Pickles program? it's a free resource for kids who have an immediate family member with cancer, or who have cancer themselves. my kids did it and I think it helped them to meet other kids in a similar situation.
https://www.picklesgroup.org/
let us know what you learn from the thoracentesis - and I hope it will help you feel better!