Recovery after operation

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Good morning

My husband finally has a date for his operation, 19th June at Royal Liverpool (the day before my 70th!) of all days.

He is having a lung resection at the same time, as they found a small tumour there. I’m just wondering if there was anything that I needed to get at home to make life easier when he comes home, like one of those V shaped pillows or if anyone has gone through a similar op and can tell me what recovery was like. I’m not sure how long he will be in, seeing the surgeon on Wednesday, so I guess we can ask that then.

Ive found this forum really helpful as my husband won’t really talk much about the op, he is very much a “head in the sand” person and doesn’t want to know anything that’s coming, whereas I prefer to do my research and be prepared.

Thank you 

  • Good luck for 19th June, I’m afraid I can’t offer you any help as we don’t get my husbands results until 4th July but make sure you attend the meeting on Wednesday with paper and pen with all your questions and write down any advice they offer.  My husband is very reluctant to discuss any outcomes etc and he also is a ‘head in the sand person’  makes life very difficult at times.  I am trying to find my way around this site, not too sure what I’m doing at times.  Can I ask apart from having a lung resection what operation is your husband having

  • Yes it’s not easy when you feel alone as the other half doesn’t want to know anything. He is having a Esophagectomy together with the lung resection, which makes it a slightly bigger operation. He was diagnosed in December, underwent 5 weeks of chemo once a week and radio every day which has shrunk the tumour. He could only tolerate liquids before this but since the treatment is now eating everything he can get his hands on! He sailed through the chemo and had very few side effects, which was really good.

    Goodluck with the results and try to keep positive.

  • It is very encouraging that he is eating well. Once my chemo had finished I managed to put back on all the weight I had lost before, just in time for the esophagectomy last September.

    When I got home I was mobile but I had to sleep sitting up in a recliner chair. This was when I would have my overnight feed through the stomach tube. I don't think the feed would have worked if I was lying down It took at least a month before I could lie down on a bed and sleep and initially I would do that for a special treat for a couple of hours. If a V-shaped pillow allows him to sleep sitting up then that would be as good as my recliner.

    Regarding the bed longer term, I bought some bed risers from Amazon that put the head of the bed 5 inches higher to help with any reflux. I think that helps.

  • Thank you. We have two reclining chairs downstairs, so maybe that would work then.

    wishing you well.

  • Hi Zulu, 

    I had two broken ribs about a year ago and couldn't lie down flat. It was so sore. I spent five weeks in my recliner. It was the only way to get some sleep.

    I have OC and have just started chemo so will no doubt be having similar pain and discomfort. I have bought a reclining bed for downstairs this time. I hope it works like the chair did.

    Good luck going forward.

    Regards Geo.