I am not sure if anyone else will come along and post, but I think your question about healing would be best answered by the doctors involved. After a pleural effusion is drained most people feel a good deal less breathless, but there can be other reasons why someone might remain short of breath, so it would be a good idea to let the doctors or nurses know what is going on and get their input. They are in the best position to give advice about this.
When a plural effusion is drained the fluid can reaccumulate so a procedure called a pleurodesis is often done to try and seal the space in between the membranes covering the lungs and lining the chest cavity - this is where the fluid can build up so the intention is to prevent it. You can read about this on our website at this link. I think that this is the procedure you are asking about. Although it can be effective in reducing breathlessness most of the time, there may be a few patients who don't benefit as much from a pleurodeses or run in to problems with it such as an infection.
Please give us a ring if you want to talk this over, our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here weekdays 9-5.
