Post Op Information - Robotic Lung Lobectomy

Hi Hippy Happy,

Thank you for contacting us and welcome back to the online community. I’m Lorna one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the support line.

I’m glad to hear that your operation was a great success and that you don’t need any further treatment, that must have been a huge relief for you.

Many people experience pain after surgery for lung cancer. It’s usually caused by damage to nerves during the operation and often runs along the scar tissue. For most people pain gradually reduces over time as nerves repair, but some pain can continue for some time after your surgery.

Some commonly used painkillers don’t always help nerve pain. It would be helpful to speak to your GP who can assess you and prescribe the right pain medication for you. It would also be a good idea to mention the gastric problems you have been experiencing too.

Follow up after surgery is usually around 6 weeks, this is to check how you are doing and to talk about any problems you may have had post-surgery. You can get in touch with your consultant or clinical nurse specialist (if you have one) before the 27^th of June if you are worried about anything. They have access to all your medical records and can offer advice and support, or at the very least put your mind at rest.

You also mentioned in one of your posts that you have been feeling low and unable to sleep. It’s important to mention this to your GP. You might also find our counselling helpful, or the lung cancer forum can be very supportive too.

I hope this information is helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you have any more questions.

Best wishes,

Lorna

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: LB/KG

Thanks very much Lorna.  Your advice is helpful and I'm beginning to feel a bit better about everything.  Yes, progress is slow but at least it's in the right direction and I think I need to be a bit kinder and patient with myself.