Lobectomy experiences?

Surgery is supposed to happen tomorrow now.  They're supposed to ring me this afternoon telling me what time I need to be at the hospital.

Two of my children's households are currently in isolation due to covid, so I won't be getting many visitors.

My major concern at the moment is my hospital stay being extended for any reason.  The covid numbers are climbing again here so I want to be in and out as quickly as possible.

I hope all goes well tomorrow, well today now. Let us know how it goes. I’m really interested as I have my appointment with the surgeon soon so this discussion is so helpful, letting me know what to expect. Anyway all the best xx

Thank you.

I have to be at the hospital at 10:30.  I can have clear fluids up until 9am, no solids after 6am.  I'm first on the afternoon surgery list so should go to theatre about 1pm.

The time of my surgery probably means I won't be getting up and about later today, but we'll see.

Yin yan

this seems to be routine to try wedge resection before lobectomy . Depends where the nodule is. When I I  no itially met with cardiothoracic surgeon, he didn’t think they could reach the nodule under local & guided by CT. I agreed & signed for procedure to proceed to lobectomy if frozen section under GA was positive for cancer 

I finally had my lobectomy two and a half weeks ago.  I tested positive for covid on day five, so my discharge was delayed and I ended up spending seven days in hospital.

It was pretty brutal, to be honest, but it's difficult to know how much of that was due to covid complicating my recovery.

It will be several more weeks until I get the pathology results, so at the moment I'm just focusing on healing physically.

I don't have any significant pain, and I'm not short of breath, but I am very, very tired and need to nap daily.

My radiation oncologist just rang and the pathology results indicate that no further treatment will be necessary.  For the foreseeable future, It will be surveillance scans every few months.

It's been a very long road for me and I'm relieved to finally reach the end.

Hi and so glad it went well. I’m now waiting for my lobectomy appointment having seen the anaesthetist the week before last. The surgeon said it would be a six week wait approximately. This will take me to the end of May or thereabouts. It’s my 70th birthday in June and my daughter is coming from New Zealand to help me celebrate. Sod’s Law suggests I could very well be in hospital at this time!

I’ve been getting concerned about surviving etc. so I’m glad I’m not alone in having these feelings.

Anyway, I’m so happy for your news and the best of wishes for your future. Love xx

The anaesthetist won't clear you for surgery if you're at high risk of serious complications.  They're pretty thorough about assessing your risk.

The surgery does have a significant complication rate, but they're complications which can be managed.

How lovely that your daughter will be visiting soon.  

My dad was diagnosed with lung and esophagus cancer. He had a right lower lobe lobactomy and esophagactomy on November 10.

He got discharge from hospital on November 20.

After two days of his discharge from hospital,  he had loose motion and urinary tract infection. 

He was again admitted to hospital. 

He is sleepy all the time, he is taking no any pain medication as of now.

Is that a matter of concern?

After 6 days in hospital I came home. I had a chest infection whilst in hospital treated with lots of antibiotics. I was also taking a drug to help me cough. These drugs really upset my digestive system and 5 months after the procedure, I’m finally  settling down again. I also felt tired and slept most afternoons for a couple of hours for at least the first month home. I did walk every day once I was home.

The best thing thing to do if you are concerned is to talk to the ward nurses or doctors. They may be able to tell you how your father is doing. Your dad had a very big operation and it does take a while to recover. If he’s sleeping a lot it’s a good thing, I think, as it’s giving his body plenty of rest to help his recovery.

All the best