Lung Surgery

Hi everybody:

I am new to the message board but have been reading the inspiring letters that are posted. My reason for writing is: I will be scheduling a time for lung surgery. This will involve removal of the entire left lung. This because the tumor was located in the bronchial tube just at the entrance to the left lung. I have gone through seventeen chemo sessions and the result was the complete obliteration of the tumor. However all three doctors have said that it was not entirely cured and that surgery was the best alternative for a cure. Now at this point in time I would like to hear from someone who has gone through this so that I may get pointers on what to expect and what to do and not do. I am truly lucky to have a supportive family and a great group of friends. I must say this web site is a great source of inspiration and support

Thank You so much Charlie 

Hi Charlie -

My dad had his lung removed four and a half years ago.  It was rough surgery, so prepare yourself, but it was also worth it.  He is in his second recurrence of lung cancer, but the doctors think it is a new cancer - not a metastasis from the cancer in the lung that was removed.  I think everyone is different, so you might do fine.  It took an emotional toll on my dad - at first he was afraid to go to sleep thinking he might not be able to breathe.  He was also anxious for a period of time then had trouble coming off the anti-anxiety drugs.  I would say it took him about a year to totally recover.  You are likely to feel fatigued and not quite yourself for a while.  I am also convinced that his surgery caused some depression, so don't hesitate to ask for help with any mood problems after the surgery.  But - again - it's worth it.  Surgery offers the best chance for a cure.  Good luck!

One more thing - Since this is such major surgery, I would suggest you get a second opinion.

You may also be wondering about the long-term effects of a pneumonectomy.  My dad started exercising as soon as he could and made it a regular part of most days.  After about six months, he was back at work and living pretty normally; after about a year, the only problem was that he would get winded from time to time.  In any event, if you take good care of yourself after the surgery, there is no reason you can't do most, if not all, the things you did before.  I learned that God blessed us with a lot more lung than we actually use.

 

On 1/21/2008 Chaskit wrote:

Hi everybody:

I am new to the message board but have been reading the inspiring letters that are posted. My reason for writing is: I will be scheduling a time for lung surgery. This will involve removal of the entire left lung. This because the tumor was located in the bronchial tube just at the entrance to the left lung. I have gone through seventeen chemo sessions and the result was the complete obliteration of the tumor. However all three doctors have said that it was not entirely cured and that surgery was the best alternative for a cure. Now at this point in time I would like to hear from someone who has gone through this so that I may get pointers on what to expect and what to do and not do. I am truly lucky to have a supportive family and a great group of friends. I must say this web site is a great source of inspiration and support

Thank You so much Charlie 

 

Hi Charlie,

 I had my entire right lung removed almost 8 years ago and you can

function just fine with one lung.  Your remaining lung will expand over

time which keeps your oxygen levels at a normal level.  I have to tell

you that there are many things they don't tell you before the surgery.

In hind sight, I think I would have liked to have known about them so

that I could have avoided being so scared.  I will be happy to give you

some info. if you want it.  The most important thing to do right away

after surgery is to move around.  Do exercises for your arm and shoulder

so they don't get "frozen" and walk, walk, walk.   I did a few things before

the surgery that helped me tremendously.  One was that I consulted with

a hynotherapist and she gave me tools to get through the pain and calm

my nerves.

The other thing I did was to consult with a nutritionist and eat as many

good things to help my system stay strong. 

I have to warn you that the pain afterward is intense so ask to see a

pain management doctor right away!!!!  This did not happen for me and

it took me a whole year to find someone that could help.  Another thing

that is so beneficial that I did was to go to Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

It was a great 6 week program at the hospital and made my life so

much better. 

I think a second opinion is helpful because it puts your mind at rest

that you're making the right choice.

 Good luck, Charlie and write again.  We need to stick together.

Connie A. (Huntington Beach, CA)