Having Lobectomy on Monday : terrified

[Keneki123]

I am having a lobectomy on Monday July 24th and have a vacation panne for Sept 4th ... does anyone whom have gone thru this procedure know if I will be recovered enough to take this trip ?

[JeanE41]

Welcome. Facing surgery of any kind can be scary, but a lobectomy is especially scary. I had mine 2 years ago. It took me nearly a year to feel truly well, but others in this community have recovered much faster. I was 73 when I had the surgery and in relatively good health. A lot depends on your age, general health and how the surgery is done. I don't know if anyone can predict if you will be ready for that vacation or not, but I hope you make a fast recovery.

Some suggestions for your recovery are to use a recliner to sleep when you get home, use pillows to cushion yourself, keep the incision area warm and take those pain pills as prescribed to keep you moving. Your doctor and your body will tell you how active to be.

I hope your surgery goes well and your recovery is fast and uneventful. Take care and let us know how you are progressing when you feel up to it.

Jean

[kgie1949 in reply to JeanE41]

I had my lobectomy on July 11th. Spent a week in the hospital. Before I went into the hospital I kept reading "sleep in a recliner". I do not have one. I borrowed a pillow with arms, but have found out just stacking the pillows so the raised me like a wedge pillow would works good. The pain meds, tramadol, is not working as well as the pain med that I was getting in the hospital. I was told not to plan anything that requires energy for at least 6 weeks. That it may take 6 months to fully recover from the surgery.

Best of Luck, talk to your doctor and anesthesiologist about any concerns you have about pain meds.

[Keneki123 in reply to JeanE41]

Thank you Jean for your words of support ! I had the surgery and all is going as good as it gets . At least Im on the road to recovery . Next week I go for my post - op

[FtB_Peggy in reply to Keneki123]

Who-hoo! That is so great to hear, so incredibly happy for you !

[Spainy]

Hi Kene, focus on faith and healing. Mine went well, rarely took a pain pill. Best wishes for a quick recovery and vacation.

[Faith17]

Hi Kene and blessings to ease your upcoming surgery. I had my lung lobectomy one year ago and as was mentioned everyone's is different. I was in the hospital six days and doctors and hosp staff will help you tremendously. I would encourage you to dicuss your travel plans upon your follow up visit to your surgeon especially if you plan to fly. Although the healing process might take a year that does not mean that you will be bed ridden. Your body will let you know your limitations and you will be given medication besides pain meds throughout ur healing process. I will keep you in my prayers and if you need anti anxiety meds don't hesitate to call your treating doctor and get an rx....they will help but nothing will be more helpful than relying on the greatest physician.....our Lord Jesus Christ. Best of luck 🌷🙏

[Memaw0100]

I had a wedge resection done. My biggest issue was being out of breath. I couldn't walk very far at all for a few months. I had chest tubes for a week. My pain itself was not unbearable at all. I didn't even fill my pain prescriptions after leaving the hospital. I personally feel this will be too soon for a vacation. Of course no one can make those decisions for you but you!

[lindarahtes]

I hope your surgery goes well . I had my surgery on 3/15/15 and it was a long healing process. Take it easy and as far as taking a trip, I guess it all depends on what kind of trip and how you will be traveling. I'm not going to sugar coat it, this is a hard surgery and the recovery time, although different for everyone is still going to take a long time to recover from. Do exactly as your doctor tells you and don't overdue. Your body is going to dictate to you and you'll realize your limits quick enough. Good luck and sending prayers to you.

[Hardees]

Yes I had my surgery on August 1 2016 and took me almost a year to heal and I took my first road trip last week and it well but ask your doctor first keeping you in prayer

[Steph60]

You should talk to your doctor, since I had my surgery, then 1 month later had heart valve surgery, then the next month started chemo. If you need to have chemo or radiation you may not be up to doing anything besides laying around. If it was up to me I would postpone my vacation. Good luck with your surgery.

[Leigh222]

I just had a lung wedge resection 4 weeks ago. I started walking in the hospital, aiming for one minute, then adding one more minute every day. I'm now walking 45 minutes per day. I didn't take any pain medication after the first 10 ten days. Went on a mini driving vacation this week and was just fine. Just get through the first few days, think positively, mobilize and pace yourself. You'll be very surprised how well you'll do! God bless.

[Ruthie1950]

I had my left lung removed February 27, 2017. I am just now getting to feel like doing things. My surgeon told me to plan to recuperate for at least 6 months but that I would most likely not feel "normal" for at least a year. I have a lot of nerve damage so I still have pain from the surgery. I was told that this will subside in time.

My suggestion would be to talk your doctor and let him advise you as far as what to expect and whether you should continue to plan your trip in September.

[Keneki123 in reply to Ruthie1950]

Thank you Ruthie for your response . I postponed the trip for December to give me alittle more time to heal and recuperate .

[JRuthI1946 in reply to Keneki123]

Really a good idea. I had a left upper lobectomy. Left the hospital in three days and got around fairly well. I don't think I would have been ready for a plane trip so soon. Wearing a bra was tough.. !

Pain, in general was not a big thing for me

I think nerve pain when wearing a bra was the most discomfort I had had. I was able to sleep in bed. I just layer on my right side.

We aRE all so different with our fears and attitudes. It"s hard to predict how someone else will feel.

Think positive.

[barb43]

I had my surgery almost 4 years ago and am doing fine. I had a lot of pain when I went home and oxy and percoset did nothing for me...my regular doctor gave me naproxyn which is Aleve and that worked. The others did nothing for me other than clog me up to the max and I had no appetite. I was lucky that I caught mine when it was the size of a pea and did not need chemo or radiation afterward. They just removed the lobe.

Best of luck. It does take a while to feel better. I was driving after 6 weeks and doing well.

[Rhubarb43]

I had this procedure done. I believe you should be ok to go on vacation with the help of pain medication . I had mine in February 2016 and I still have to take pain meds some, but I am able to do most anything I want to.

[Keneki123]

Thank you all so very much for the responses . This truly lets me knkow I am not alone

[Faith17 in reply to Keneki123]

Thinking of you Kene and sending God's blessing for a successful outcome tomorrow.....you'll be ok🙏👍🌷 please keep in touch when your able

[Keneki123 in reply to Faith17]

Thank you so verry much

[katherineNED]

I had VAT surgery to remove my upper left lung in 2014. I was in the hospital for 3 days up and walking the day after surgery. I was 66 at the time. Truthfully it was a lot easier to recover from that than the 16 weeks of chemo I went through after the surgery. My surgeon told me that I should be back to relatively normal after 8 weeks. I have had no problem breathing (no shortness of breath) from the surgery. I went on a 3 mile hike 8 weeks after the surgery. The lasting effects from the surgery that I still have and probably for the rest of my life is numbness in my upper left arm and chest. I also have periodic sharp pain in that area. I recently found out the pain is a result of the surgery because they cut a lot of nerves removing the lobe. You may be OK taking your vacation depending on what you will be doing. Talk to your doctor about your vacation. Best wishes!

[Debby1125 in reply to katherineNED]

I also experience numbness in the area from surgery as well as pain up through the breast some. Bras drive me crazy and at 63 I find myself wearing sports bras.

[Keneki123]

Thank you for your reply . Your message has given me much support and encouragement . Thank you !

[FtB_Peggy]

Holding you close in my thoughts today! Be strong!

[Debby1125]

Debby1125

How did the surgery go and how are you feeling? Hope all is well. Let us hear.

Debby

[Keneki123 in reply to Debby1125]

Hi Debby , The surgery went as good as expected . The doctors and hospital was so very helpful . These past two weeks at home have been very challenging .... especially the pain management.I just taking one day at a time

[Debby1125 in reply to Keneki123]

I found that laying in a recliner with pillows seemed to help ease the pain and holding a smallish throw pillow up to my lung area when I just had to cough helped a good bit. Keep US up-to-date as you recover.

Debby1125

[Debby1125 in reply to Keneki123]

How are you doing now? Is the pain easing some? Thinking of you.

Debby

[Feddeb]

I found soft bras from Avon. They were cheap...soft and really comfy.

Glad uou are on the road to recovery. Well done

Deb h

[Debby1125 in reply to Feddeb]

FedDeb. Were the Avon bras all one piece or did they have clasps,, etc to close them? Thanks.

Debby1125

[Feddeb in reply to Debby1125]

All 1 piece with removable padded bra inserts.

[FtB_Peggy]

I am so sorry about the pain you are having, if you haven't - make sure your docs know how you are feeling. Mending after surgery is tough stuff, I wish everyone could skip that. Be patient with yourself, allow yourself to give in and let your body do what it needs to do. Really wish I could ease your discomfort. Please know I am thinking about you.

[Keneki123]

thank you for your kind words of encouragement