How did your operation go? I hope you are recovering well? I had my right lung removed in 2014 and have been incredibly fortunate to be OK since despite other non-lung issues.
If you have any questions just ask, there's a few people on this forum with experience of surgery who I'm sure will be able to help and relate to their own experiences.
Hi Mr Excavator, thank you for your response. I am not a very technical minded person, and without some help on using this site I am a bit lost. Hence my reply has been delayed. My experience has been very recent in that my lower left lobe was removed two months ago. Fortunately my tumour was contained and no spread to lymph nodes. I start chemo next week for the duration of three months. Did you have chemotherapy and how did you get on?would love to hear.
I'm sure you'll soon find your way round the site.
Yes, I did have chemotherapy after my surgery and this was also for a period of about 3 months comprising 4 cycles each with two sessions and check up visits in between. I was given Cisplatin and Vinorelbine although treatments vary between patients so you might be having different drugs. I got on reasonably well and it wasn't as bad as I expected. The main problems I encountered were common ones such as change in appetite, weight loss (a slight bonus as I was a bit overweight to start with), aches and pains, mouth ulcers, constipation - all to be expected at times. Fortunately nothing more serious and I was very well looked after and monitored.
I would advise to take all the medications given to you whether you think you need it or not, take your temperature once a day at the same time to give advance warning if you start to develop an infection, get medication from your GP if you suffer from mouth ulcers or constipation etc. (don't waste money at the chemist - if you pay for prescriptions you can get them free as a cancer patient - ask your GP), eat what you want / feel like and try to get calories if appetitite is poor and finally go with the flow - rest when you want to and don't try to be a hero and overdo things. That way I think you will help yourself as much as possible.
When I strarted I was given a card with contacts at the hospital to call in the unlikely event of major problems so they could be dealt with urgently if necessary and advised to carry this with me at all times. I imagine this will also be given to you.
I hope your treatment goes well and is as successful as mine has been so far - over 7 years with no further lung problems to date.
Thankyou again for your detailed and encouraging response, coincidentally I have this morning returned from my one and a half hour introductory talk through with the team. They have been very thorough and yes, plenty of cards with numbers for twenty four hours support. I was very glad my husband could come in as well as a great deal of information was covered all the time with emphasis on using the helpline to report any side effects however trivial! they seem to have all concerns and aspects covered. Not something I’m looking forward to however I feel more confident after this morning’s discussion,and particularly encouraged coming home to read your detailed account. It appears my treatment is similar to yours with the same drugs so once again many thanks for your time and interest, I will update as my treatment progresses.
Yes I saw it thanks, glad to hear you're more confident. Hope all goes well, good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions as you progress.
