Lung cancer

Hi Rose

Im due a lobectomy (upper right) so just waiting for a date now. I’m finding it a bit challenging so could you tell me how the lobectomy went and how long your recovery took. I’ve never had a general anaesthetic and I’m feeling a bit frightened. I may need some chemo afterwards but I won’t know until after the procedure.

Hope you can help. Thanks

Hello, I was in hospital for 4 days. With Covid etc things may have changed. I fasted from the night before and went n early to the hospital. They checked me in, I changed into a gown, they got my written consent for surgery and my belongings were taken to the unit that I would go to after the surgery. Aneasthestist popped his head in to chat. There for about 2 hours.

Nice porter chatted and then wheeled me to theatre and surgeon spoke to me briefly. Spoke to the anaesthetist who I had seen an hour earlier in the surgical prep area. Kind Registered Nurse came over to me as I was a little teary and reassured me that they did this everyday and I could be confident in them, they knew what they were doing. That was it, that's all I remember. 

Woke up in recovery where they gave me an epidural for pain relief. So whenever I felt in pain, I just pressed a button, beside me and it took the pain away. I think about 3 hours later they took me to my unit and then my husband arrived.  I was able to eat a light dinner.

I had a urinary catheter in, so did not have to worry about that initially. I had an IV running with IV fluids and then the pain control machine with it. I had a drain in my left lung and the little box containing drainage was at the end of my bed. Wearing nasal cannula in my nose for oxygen. I had a call bell to call for help if worried.

I felt releiveved to be over it and suprised that it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Nurses lovely and stayed in bed that first day.

Second day, got out of bed for 30 mins with help from Nurses. Third day, walked to Bathroom with Nurse and sat out of bed for lunch and dinner. Day 3, the same. Urinary catheter, drain removed & IV line.

Day 4, up myself, independent to bathroom and walking slowly with a walker device around the floor with oxygen. Discharged later that day. Hope this helps!! The surgeons are very experienced professionals. I am now totally healed, with minimal marks on my skin..

Thank you.

I’ve read that the pain killers can cause constipation. If you had this how did you manage it?

How long was it before you felt nearer normal?

Did you become breathless afterwards and did it gradually get better?

Sorry to ask so many questions but I’ve seen a number of posts suggesting it’s really difficult afterwards. I hope you don’t mind all the questions.

xx

I was aneamic after, so I had to take oral iron pills for 3 months. Honestly with this process you have to drink plenty of water, or tea, or whatever. I eat 5 prunes at breakfast and then 5 during day as a snack. 1 glass of orange juice with bits in am and plenty of veg and fruit. I do buy frozen blueberies and have a handful in my porridge each morning but the more the better, as my system has slowed down allot. Also I have Sennokot, for emergencies and would take 2 at night for next day relief but u can ger a daily stool softener pill from Boots, I think.

Before surgery I would do a walk most days and would do quite afew steps, but with reduced activity it does affect you. But even when I was not well after surgery, I would get up and move around the house and it would help.

 Also smaller, regular meals and snacks are better, as  big, heavy meals make u feel soo tight to the chest and under yr diaphragm!!

I felt slight shortness of breath before surgery and it was about the same after as I had some fluid in my lungs anyway.

Only needed oxygen in hospital, never in any distress. If worried I call helpline or GP and very worried would go to the hospital.

Felt near normal about 8 weeks post surgery.

That’s all really helpful. I’ve already bought some dried figs and apricots and will get my hands on some prunes. I drink quite a lot of tea but will add water to the mix as well. I currently have a diet relatively high in veg as well. I do walk regularly but I know I need to do more. The weather hasn’t been very wonderful so I’ve been doing less than usual. Everything seems on hold at the moment and it’s not helping my state of mind at all. It’s my birthday next month and my 20th wedding anniversary plus my oldest daughter is visiting from New Zealand, all in June. I haven’t seen her since before Covid. I’m currently avoiding people as well as I don’t want Covid right now.

TBH, getting on with anything is a real effort and I’m feeling rather weary and depressed. I know it’s all in my mind as physically I’m not having any problems.

Thank you for all the food information, confirming the thoughts I’d had already.

 I hope all goes well for you and thank you so much for your help.

xx