Concerned about recovery issues after lobectomy

Hi Hazel,

This doesn't sound right at all. If you have a direct contact number for his surgeon you should call and explain the situation. The surgeon is ultimately in charge and has responsibility for the outcome.

If they didn't volunteer the surgeon's contact information you should at least have the surgeon's name. From that you should be able to get direct contact information: surgeons almost all work in several NHS hospitals and most have a private practice as well. Try www.expertwitness.co.uk/ (my surgeon is listed there with phone nos) or go crazy on Google (one of the few occasions Google is a real help!)

Fingers crossed for you.

kind regards
Steve

Oh Hazel, I'm eally sorry to hear that they have still not resolved the issues with the drain bag and that your husband has had to be admitted into hospital due to the ongoing problems since his operation. I'm no doctor but I'm sure that a dirty drain bag is a major cause for concern to you both. It sounds ridiculous that it can't be changed because of 'demarcation issues' with the original hospital. Surely someone from your local hospital could contact the CT centre to stress the urgency of the situation. Both of the hospitals should be liaising with each other in order to resolve the cause of the symptoms your hubby is experiencing asap. As Steve says the surgeon is ultimately responsible for your husband's welfare post operation and it shouldn't really be up to you to chase him up on this as you must be feeling pretty wrecked yourself with all this worry. I would insist that your hubby is not discharged from the hospital until you have all these issues resolved, including the drain bag which has not been right since the operation. Why on earth would they discharge him in the first place with a leaking  drain bag that no one  can get replacements for?   

I do hope that these issues are sorted out pretty quickly and that that your husband feels a bit better soon. Please keep us updated. 

Take.care Hazel - sending you both my best wishes.

Love Trish xxx

Thanks Trish.  If only he hadn’t had those seizures last Friday, the thing would be out by now.   Once he was rushed into A&E, everything was concentrated on tests and scans for them instead.

Our cancer nurse has been doing her best.  She’s been in contact with the CT centre and the surgeon about the possibility of somehow washing the bag out but instead, Peter now has a new follow-up appt there next Tues.  As he’s now in a ward in our local hospital, wired into various monitors, I can’t see him making that either, unless they discharge him before then.  All the time he’s having these episodes I hope they don’t.   Unlike epilepsy he has no warning about them and it’s lucky that they’ve happened in hospital every time.   In an ideal world, or in the past, they would arrange transport between the two hospitals and back but that’s not going to happen these days.

I really do hope the new date will be all systems go for you at long last and that everything goes smoothly.    Love Hazel xxx 

Hi Steve,  the surgeon does know what’s going on as our cancer nurse emailed him to try and sort out some way of flushing the bag.   She hadn’t had any luck today and now another appointment for next Tuesday has come from the CT centre to see the consultant & have the drain removed.  Unless they find out what’s causing the episodes in the next few days and can treat them, I really don’t think he’s going to make it again.   It’s so frustrating!  He’s now in the respiratory ward at the other hospital and had another today, after getting out of bed and sitting in the chair;  he’s currently on a 24 hour heart monitor.   He’s been told to move around quite a bit, as much as he can while wired up, to try to trigger one.   I suggested some on-the-spot disco dancing!

Well done with your improvement by the way.   You’re really doing well after the initial setback with the stitches!   All the best, Hazel

Hi Hazel

Any update on Peter - have they got him sorted yet?  

Best wishe

Trish xxx

Hi Trish,

Well, we were kept in suspense for a few days but I’m glad to say that Peter was discharged yesterday and today we went back to the CT centre to have that blasted drain removed at long last.  As regards the episodes he had, they eventually put it down to low BP + post op shock.  His BP is now back to his normal level so we’re praying that that was the reason as they couldn’t come up with anything more specific.

It does show up the lack of communication in the hospital departments though.   It really is a case of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing.

By the way, I saw your reply to Steve about the compression socks.   Red sounds great but here in Essex they’re navy blue!   They’re hot, uncomfortable and difficult to put on but I suppose they’re  important when you’re not moving around much.  Unlike Steve, Peter didn’t have a problem with swollen feet but everyone’s experiences vary and it’s best to be prepared.   These forums are great for helpful hints and tips.

Still keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Love, Hazel xxx

That's good news Hazel, so glad to hear that they have sorted Peter's issues out. Thank goodness they have finally got that drain removed, I'm sure he.feels a. lot more comfortable with that gone. As you say there  seemed to be a distinct lack of communication between the hospital departments which didnt help the situation. At least he's home now and he can put that behind him and start with his recovery.. 

Those compression socks did look a bit of a nightmare but if they serve their purpose.then worth putting up with. You're right that everyone's experience is different and hearing about any issues others have encountered helps others  to avoid or deal with them. 

Sending best wishes for a continued recovery for Peter. 

Take care

Trish xxx