After Lung cancer

Hello Dibby,

I had my right lung removed and had the inevitable breathlessness as well as pain on the right. It does get better gradually and, if you're able, I found exercise, particularly walking, was useful to speed recovery. In my experience it was a gradual process and I had to be patient, but never really give it much thought now, some 11 years later.

Unfortunately there is always the possibility of it returning no matter how long ago your treatment was but try to be positive and worry about this will subside over time. Instead of thinking about the 30% figure you could look at it the other way round - you have a 70% chance of staying clear for ever.

You most certainly have gone through trauma and it will take time for your feelings to subside, but they will given time and negative thoughts will gradually disappear from your mind.

I wish you all the best,

Derek.

Hi

Thank you for your words of encouragement. 

Stay strong and positive xxx

Thank you x

Hello

I’ve just joined today, and reading your post, it is exactly my story, except my op was last December 

Physically I’m ok, but my head still finds it hard to process what happened, and I find that  the low level pain and breathlessness is a constant reminder, and consequently causes me to worry about the future. 

Part of it all for me was not knowing what I should feel like, and if it was normal. I returned to all my post op activities as and when my body felt ready, which really helped me and a few weeks ago started a new activity of Pickleball. 

It’s difficult not to be anxious about what may happen in the future, so I try to immerse myself in the moment, and I find creative activities help me to do this

We have been through trauma, and are both lucky with the outcome, and it is still very early days, so as time passes I am sure the feelings will become more manageable,and take a back seat

Hi,

Yes it does sound like our journeys have been the same. 

I am seeing a respiratory physio, and she thinks I have a breathing disorder, which sometimes happens after this type of surgery. She tells me it's early days and things will get better physically.She says it's a huge surgery and I'm doing really well, even though it doesn't feel like it.

Apparently the breathlessness, is linked to the monitoring of carbon dioxide by the brain.

Sometimes, it feels like all this happened to someone else, I just can't get my head around it all.

So I hear you, and know exactly what you are saying. I keep trying to keep busy , but thoughts sometimes creep back in. 

Thank you for writing what it has been like for you, it's good to know it isn't just you.

I wish you well for the future, take care.

Hi' Dibby

I had right lung last October. I'm still a little uncomfortable but feeling fine and more or less my normal self. This was following bowel surgery in 03. 

It's natural to have those feelings but like me you'll come to terms with it and get back to being yourself.

But it's not fun is it. 

Thank you for your words of encouragement. 

You're right it's not fun.

I wish you well for the future.