Still tired and breathless after right upper lung surgery

Hi Dibby

I am sorry that you have not yet had a reply to your post but sometimes it can just take a little longer. Hopefully by me responding it will bump your post and bring it to the attention of someone who has experienced similar. 

My own cancer was endometrial and I had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy and do still have some lingering effects from treatment. Sometimes it can feel hard to work out what are normal expected side effects and which ones need checking. I can understand that it is worrying to feel really tired and breathless after your surgery. 

The best thing perhaps to do is to contact your CNS/doctor and to make an appointment to discuss this further. They would hopefully be able to give some reassurance and perhaps offer some treatment to help. 

Whilst you are waiting for someone to reply you could give the Macmillan Support Line a call and talk things through with one of the nurses. They may be able to offer further support.

Jane

Hello Dibby,

I don't know how, but I missed your post the other day. I'm sorry about that.

You're bound to get some breathlessness and this never goes away although in my experience it did improve over time compared to immediately after surgery. I had my right lung removed in 2014 and although the left one has expanded (as seen on an x-ray) it doesn't fully compensate.

However, in view of what you say, I agree with Jane and suggest that you have a word with your CNS or doctor just to make sure all is OK.

Derek.

Thank you for your reply. I have my next post cancer appointment later this month, I can hopefully get them to listen then. 

Thank you for the reassurance

Hi Dibby I'm new to this forum well to any forum really I had sabre because they could not operate on me due to bad heart hope all goes well for you

Hi I had a right side lower lobectomy about 10 or so years ago, No the breathless never leaves you just have to find ways to compensate, I've had sabre on my other lung ok fortunately now, esofigal cancer which is now fixed , as I already have apologising sponsors my spine and rings are all fixed so am unable to expand my chest either but my consultant is concentrating on keeping me breathing that's about all be can do, I would have a word about your problems as I've not been let down as yet,xx

Hey im struggling with my dad having lung cancer and looking for help. However seen your post and can see your concerned. Hopefully I can help in some way x 

Hi

I had eight sessions of SABR, the last one on 19 December 2023, for left sided upper lobe cancer. I could have had surgery but chose radiotherapy instead. I chose it because I had known a few people over the years who had been left breathless with surgery and never really recovered....also I didn't fancy having such invasive treatment with the removal of the upper lobe just for a stage1 2.5cm lesion. Apart from fatigue for a few months, I was able to get on with my daily activities.

I was talked through the risks and complications of surgery, especially on the left side because of the proximity of the heart. Also the risks and complications with SABR. As I live alone, I opted for the SABR treatment. These days, according to medical research, the efficacy of SABR versus surgery is not much different on early stage lung cancer.

I'm not trying to press my opinion on anybody or put people off the surgical route, it is a personal choice, I'm just explaining my choice and the reasons for taking it. In the past two years since my last treatment I have been fine and subsequent follow up CT scans have shown a vast reduction in size, no activity seen and remaining stable.

Ann

Thank you, I wish you well also

Thanks Paul at least I know that's normal, I was thinking there was something else going on.

Hi Dibby, my hubby had an upper left lung lobectomy in Feb 2024.  He has some breathlessness so has to take it gently when walking and give up his aerobics class.  He finds hills and stairs difficult now and uses lifts wherever possible.

I hope you get some reassurance from your oncologist.