Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone can help. My mum had a lobectomy 10 days ago and she’s really struggling to sleep with where her stitches are healing.
has anyone got any fool proof ways of making it comfortable enough so she can sleep? She’s exhausted and breaking down in floods of tears and doesn’t know why (obviously it’s a combination of everything) but we all feel so helpless.
thank you
xx
Hi Coco, I hope I can make some suggestions that could help.
I slept on my back, propped up with a triangular pillow and then normal pillows. The pain killers helped as well. I was prescribed paracetamol and had morphine in suspension. I listened to either audio books or sleep hypnosis on UTube which helped me to drop off. I was rather anxious and my GP then prescribed me some antidepressants, which have also helped. It’s taken me a while to sleep at night. I sometimes spent 3-4 hours awake in the night and I too became tearful. I’m finally managing to sleep more normally but still wake. It’s taken me some time to calm down and feel more normal.
It’s now 6.5 weeks since the lobectomy, done by VATS but with some stitches. Bio oil or E45 can help to keep the scabby areas softer. I had my stitches out at about 10 days. Everything I ate initially tasted awful and I didn’t feel much like eating either. I ate little and often with plenty of fruit and veg so avoided constipation. I particularly enjoyed tinned fruit and soft fruits. My husband bought me some Horlicks type drink for bedtime, which was lovely.
My daughters were very supportive which means the world to me and I’m sure you’re doing your best to help and support your Mum. You can always call a MacMillan nurse to talk about everything. They have been very helpful for me.
I hope all that helps a little and I’m wishing you and your Mum all the best.
Hi Coco, I hope I can make some suggestions that could help.
I slept on my back, propped up with a triangular pillow and then normal pillows. The pain killers helped as well. I was prescribed paracetamol and had morphine in suspension. I listened to either audio books or sleep hypnosis on UTube which helped me to drop off. I was rather anxious and my GP then prescribed me some antidepressants, which have also helped. It’s taken me a while to sleep at night. I sometimes spent 3-4 hours awake in the night and I too became tearful. I’m finally managing to sleep more normally but still wake. It’s taken me some time to calm down and feel more normal.
It’s now 6.5 weeks since the lobectomy, done by VATS but with some stitches. Bio oil or E45 can help to keep the scabby areas softer. I had my stitches out at about 10 days. Everything I ate initially tasted awful and I didn’t feel much like eating either. I ate little and often with plenty of fruit and veg so avoided constipation. I particularly enjoyed tinned fruit and soft fruits. My husband bought me some Horlicks type drink for bedtime, which was lovely.
My daughters were very supportive which means the world to me and I’m sure you’re doing your best to help and support your Mum. You can always call a MacMillan nurse to talk about everything. They have been very helpful for me.
I hope all that helps a little and I’m wishing you and your Mum all the best.
