Just diagnosed with lung cancer

Hi, firstly welcome. It’s all rather unpredictable. I had a needle biopsy and a minor pneumothorax so had to stay in overnight. When I had my lobectomy by VATS, I was up the same day and walking around with my chest drain. I was home after a minor infection and atrial fibrillation in 6 days. In hospital I walked and did my chest exercises every day. As soon as I was home I did 4 short walks daily, gradually increasing the distance. I did have a rest every afternoon as I felt tired.

Be kind to yourself. If you’re tired have a rest and don’t overdo the exercise. Little and often for me was a good plan. I did some relaxation and sleep hypnosis as well.

BTW, I’m 70 and was grieving by 6 weeks and feeling better.

Good luck with your procedure 

Daisy xx

Not grieving, driving.

Thank you. I’m 70 too! My tumour was found at a ct scan looking to check out a hernia & they found my cancer! And the hernia. I have had no health problems to date & don’t smoke. Feel a bit cheated at the moment, but need to realise that’s not how life works. I am still grieving what I feel I may lose/ have lost, but will get through that I’m sure & learn to drive this new vehicle. Lebrunski

Yes, it’s a really weird feeling to find you have cancer that you didn’t suspect. I’m sure you were far more shocked than me as I’d been a smoker for many years with many attempts to give up but no major health problems until last March when I found out.

If you go to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer website there are booklets about the operations and what to expect both before and after. I was super lucky as I took up the lung health check (those at risk are invited) so they found the cancer relatively early. 
I bought myself a triangular pillow as I found out that sleeping with your chest raised was advised. It worked well for a couple of weeks but after that I reverted to lying on my side. It was useful to have. Make sure you take all the pain medication as coughing is important to help with rehabilitation. 

I hope your procedure goes well. 
Daisy x