Surgery and recovery tips wanted pls

Hi Greendeco13

I had my lower right lobe removed and top segment. Both cancers were removed with clear margins so I’m now on six month scan. So I’m very pleased it’s in the bin 

If you click on my name you can read my bio and see this isn’t my first rodeo and because of that and the op I had last time I thought I’d be jumping around in no time 

Well I was wrong I’m seven weeks post op and improving all of the time. My energy levels are still  low but improving and an annoying dry cough is improving. I’ve learned to listen to my body, rest and eat as healthy as I can  

Ive been out for breakfast today so it’s all going well 

Good luck with it all

Best wishes 

Hi,

Good luck for next week, hope there is no cancellation and things go well.

Make sure you get adequate pain meds immediately after your op. The surgeon will be all for it but some nurses can be a bit mean with the opiates so don't stand for that - it's not about the pain relief it's about allowing you to breathe.

Take laxatives. Opiate pain relief will lock up your digestion otherwise.

Don't go home before they remove the drain tube. Managing it at home is doable but a long way from ideal.

Get a goodie bag of pain meds and an emergency phone number to take home. Stock up on paracetamol in advance.

Move. Walk about as much as you can, it forces you to breathe.

Do your supermarket shopping online.

kind regards,
Steve

Hi

Good luck for next week. I know, like me, you have had 3 cancellations and I was just relieved to get it done in the end. I would reiterate everything Steve and Artsie have said - Steve gave me very good advice before my op which helped me enormously, ie, painkillers (chase the nurses) plus laxatives, breathing exercises and get up and moving as soon as you can. Two months on from the op now and improving each week. My unwelcome visitor was fully removed with clear margins, with no further treatment required, will be monitored with CT scans for the next 5 years. Again, good luck for next week and before you know it you will be home and recovering nicely. Let us know how you get on. 

Best wishes

Trish

i had a middle lobe lobectomy last year ,which went well ,i found that the pain killers i was given in the hospital were helpful ,but when i got home ,i felt as though i was taking too many and told my G.P that i was not happy feeling like a zombie ,so they were reduced and i started to feel better ,i also found that just walking up and down around my garden was helpful while i recovered as i came home with a chest drain ,once the chest drain was removed i started to feel better ,but you must take things slowly and listen to your body ,if you feel tired which you will sleep ! ,do not try to rush things ,build up your strength slowly 

Hi my husband is waiting surgery! He was told within 3 weeks(2 weeks ago).... They are going to make the decision... (ie how they will do op) on the day. For us.... This is wonderful news..... He was diagnosed stage 4 palliative care January 2022.......he has responded so well  but it's defo a roller coaster........ Oncologist having him in tomorrow at 8 am.... Any delays and he will be back on immunotherapy....... Good luck and keep us up to date. 

Thank you, I’ve got some family events this summer and I’m hoping to be able to attend and enjoy them x 

Thanks Steve

I take tramadol daily for my fibro and NICE are trying to get GPs to stop prescribing opiates as they’re addictive but for me and many others they’re the only thing that works. Been told I might need gabapentin after the op but I had to stop taking that for fibro as it put weight on me and made me feel like a zombie. 
I will ensure I get relief believe me! 
already got my laxatives and bought my own octisan and wound cleanser.

had my pre op again and got my covid swab on sunday, hoping this time is a go because I can’t bear the thought of waiting any longer, if they cancel again I might decide not to bother.

had this nodule in my lung at least 6 years we know about, maybe just leaving it there until it grows bigger wouldn’t be an issue. Who knows? 

Go for it. The worst side effect I’ve got is a silly dry cough! The docs not worried it’s the general public thinking my coughs catching but a family event should be relaxing