Pending lung surgery

Hi Lynne, sending you heartfelt best wishes for your surgery in 4 weeks.  When I had my surgery (also top right lobe) 8 years ago I have to say that it was a whole lot easier than I had expected.  I had a thoracotomy (ie not the smaller VAT technique) and lobectomy, and when I woke up I had a pump for the first few hours so that I could self-deliver pain medication to myself.  Everyone kept reminding me to use it because really, it was not too bad and in the end I only used about half of it before they took it away. They get you up quickly and on your feet because moving about is important, and that's not fun.  Also the very day afterwards I was herded off to the gym and started exercises which were compulsory every day.  You will have a drain and paraphernalia which you have wheel about and take with you everywhere, they will take you for Xrays in a wheelchair every day so you have little trips around the hospital.  My buddy in the next bed to me and I used to take little walks to the end of the ward several times a day which also helped.  I had expected to be in the hospital for only 4 days, but actually it turned into 9 because I got Hospital Acquired Pneumonia.  They sent me home with morphine which I didn't need for very long, and then it was paracetamol.  I found that having lots of pillows in bed helped a lot - sleeping sitting up feels nice.  I hope this helps.  Take whatever pain meds anyone offers and don't try and be brave by not taking them, it helps to keep on top of the pain and do try and keep moving which helps healing too. On the other hand, you need lots of rest and will probably sleep a lot.  Remember, those of us who are "operable" are the lucky ones! Best wishes.  

Hi PamelaAnne, thank you so much for your response, it has helped tremendously

and has enabled me to focus. Also you have given me, my motivation back.

Your final paragraph has inspired me. I will take on board everything you have told

me, you are a remarkable woman. Thank you, thank you and thank you.

I send you Love and Light

Thanks for your reply Lynne.  I do hope your surgery goes really well - it's so nice afterwards to know that you're doing the best you can for yourself by having had the tumour removed.  Please let us know how you get on - you have lots of friends here and we'll be wishing you well. <3  

I had my lung one last October Only in three days, took the drain out on the second. I'm fine now more or less back to normal. You'll be ok.

Thank you so much. for your positive reply. warm regards

Lynne

Hello and good luck,

I fully support what has been said by the others. One thing I found good but silly. I’m not a great sweet eater but my mouth needed something fruity because of the weird taste in my mouth for a few days after. My daughter brought me in some Starbursts and they really helped. 

We are definitely the lucky ones.

Good luck, Daisy xx

Daisy, I really appreciate your reply and will also take in some starbursts with me. thank you.

Love and Light

Lynne xxx

Beautiful

Hello Lynne,

I'm probably bringing up the rear with my reply, the others have said most of what I experienced. I had my right lung removed, surgery was on Tuesday and I was sent home on Sunday. Sleeping upright was necessary for a while and I would emphasise that it's important to follow instructions regarding post-operative exercise to ensure a full recovery as quickly as possible.

I too was absolutely petrified but realised afterwards that the whole experience was not at all as bad as I had feared.

As PamelaAnne said, we're amongst the lucky ones being offered surgery, I have just passed the 11 year anniversary of surgery with no further lung problems so far.

I wish you all the best, you'll be just fine.

Derek.

Hi Derek, I can't thank you enough for your reply. You are an inspiration and have helped me to look positively along with all the others. This has been a lonely path until reaching out to those who know what it was like.  I feel comforted and supported by you. I wish I had done it sooner.

I send you

Love and Light

Lynne xx