Fluid in the lungs

Hi, My 90 year old great aunt has recurring fluid in her lungs/pnuemonia that she cannot get rid of. Currently, she is in the hospital and had a procedure that drained the fluid out with a needle; but now doctors are saying she may have to have some kind of operation/more procedures.

The fluid in her lungs started a year ago; she was even in rehab for a few months. This is her third or forth time in the hospital for it. She just cannot seem to get the mucus out of her body. About a month ago she told me she was hacking up thick white mucus. But then about 2 weeks ago she got a stomach virus, vomited once, became weak, and now the fluid in her lungs put her back in the hospital.

She takes a load of prescription drugs. She has been on coumadin for a long time- maybe 20 years even- for a heart condition; i believe she had a surgery that replaced a valve with an artificial one. Recently, they were giving her a diaretic pill. She weighs about 97 lbs. She lost eyesight in one of her eyes many years ago(i think cataracts), but now her other eye is going so she's almost blind. When she went into the hospital about 5 days ago- it was mainly because she was having very labored, heavy, wheezing-like breathing- and she felt very weak. It happens every time the fluid builds up in her lungs. I think she also has C*ncer in one of her organs, but she is not treating it or talking about it. Her mind is still very clear, her attitude is generally positive; she's always had an excellent sense of humor, and she does not complain about her condition, though she is tired of being in the hospital. Her appetitite has gotten better. A few days ago, she told me she had a craving for an ice cream sunday.

I really feel she is not ready to die quite yet; she still has some good conversations and laughs in her yet.