Lung NET - lobectomy next week - advice welcomed

Hi,

Let's go with your biggest worry first: pain management. (I checked out the NHS website on fibromyalgia.) When I came round from a lobectomy I had a morphine drip that I could control with a push-button. After that I had oxycodone pills, oxycodone solution to top that up, and paracetamols as well. They'll get serious about the pain management not out of any sympathy for you but because you need to be pain-free in order to breathe after the surgery. It's a medical necessity, so they'll do it. By all means, discuss with your surgeon to ensure things go well for you.

Washing yourself after surgery will be awkward - it's not for long so I didn't bother. There's a drainage tube coming out of your side and the area has to be kept sterile. There are nurses to take care of that, and meds if they detect any sign of infection, so it's best all left to them.

You can expect to be discharged the same day the drainage tube comes out, and that will be 3 or 4 days after surgery. You won't be in hospital long. Make sure you don't get short-changed on your goodie bag of meds when you go home.

When you're home don't let your daughter do too much for you - you need to stay as active and mobile as possible in order to heal properly.

kind regards
Steve

Thank you - I feel very reassured reading your comments