Cancer has progressed

Hello Julie26,

You  probably won't be able to sleep lying down for a while when you're back home so will need pillows to stack and rest against. Alternatively you can buy a V-shaped pillow to rest against which can be easier as ordinary pillows can easily fall out of place while you're asleep.

You should be given exercises before discharge, it can be a bit uncomfortable at first but is important to do these for a quicker recovery.

With my best wishes for successful surgery.

Derek.

Thanks Derek.

I’ll have a look at v shaped pillows. Did you need a seat for the shower? 

Julie x

Hey Julie,

I’m so sorry to hear your results….such a shock for you.

I bought some back supports which arrived yesterday and are going back today!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09V8H32H3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I have a v shaped pillow already and trying out yesterday I found it was easier to use together with several pillows than the bought ones.

i already have long handled grabber sticks and am anticipating needing to use them when I come home.  

clothes wise I’m taking tops that are button or zip up only

I’ve had to buy some new bras as I ‘ve always used underwired ones and they became ver uncomfortable when I started chest discomfort during RT. And I understand that’s even more so after surgery.  Let me know if you want more info.

I’ve seen advice to take a small cushion with you to hold against you to make coughing more manageable.

that’s all I can think of for now

Hi

Thanks for responding. I’ll buy a v shaped pillow and try it out. I already have a grabber from whenI had my hip replaced. I do have some bralets but I suspect I will be going bra free for a while! If you can think of anything else, Please let me know.  Thanks 

Julie

Hi Julie,

Shopping list? Not much time so hit Amazon for next day delivery but you'll have 3-5 days or so in hospital before going back home. Get a goodie bag of meds and dressings from hospital before you go home.

Get an incentive spirometer. Try for a freebie in hospital or ask for their recommendation. Good for exercising the lung and for tracking improvement.

Food! Get stocked up or make sure you're signed up for supermarket deliveries. You won't want to pop out shopping for a while.

Cheap tee-shirts! Your wound will leak a bit at first, but you'll want to let it breathe so a sacrificial layer of clothing will be handy. Try to steal a couple of gowns from hospital to sleep in when you're home to save your sheets.

Extra wound dressings. Softpore make good ones, breathable and don't some off in the shower.

Don't go home before the drain tube comes out, go home after. If they try to send you home with the tube still in then refuse. You'll have enough to cope with already without a drain tube as well.

kind regards
Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for repsonding. I’ve been given incentive spirometer already as part of thoratic prehabilitation (to get you used to it I think). I will take your recommendations on board.

Julie

Hi Steve,

I’m having lobectomy next Thursday and in the hospital info it says you may be sent home with the drain(s) still in, which had been concerning me….. did they try to send you home with your drain(s) still in?

sorry for using your thread to ask, Julie.

thanks

Hi Rose,

I was not sent home until after the tube had come out. For want of a couple of days extra or so I don't know why I read of people being sent home with the drain still in. It's not a waste of a bed, they also use the time for pain meds, infection control, general post-op recovery checks, etc. If necessary make stuff up, like you'll have to get a bus home or are in the same boat as me and live by yourself on the 3rd floor without a lift (true!) It's not just the tube, it's the bucket that goes with...

kind regards,
Steve

Thanks, Steve,

I do live alone (which they know), but fortunately I’m not on the 3rd floor without a lift!  But as I’ll be leaving in a wheelchair, I suspect it wouldn’t work with the bucket

It’s just so helpful to know what to expect - it helps me feel a bit more in control when I’m not….

Hi Rose,

The pain meds will likely cause constipation Typically they send you home with Senokot, if anything - you'll need something though. I got on better with Lactulose, which is liquid and easier to fine-tune the dose (and the effects.)

kind regards
Steve