Post LUL lobectomy

[Lucieee]

Hi, I finally had the biopsy surgery 2 weeks ago. I guess all is going well. I have not had a follow up with my surgeon yet. I do know that it was cancer which is why they took the lobe, but I don’t really know anything else. I was in the hospital for 8 days. I was ready to go home and then experienced a Rapid Response team because I went into AFib.....x2. That was quite an experience. My poor husband had gone downstairs for a soda and came back to find about 20 people in my room. It happened again later that night but all has been good since then. The actual pain from the surgery has not been too bad but boy I am so short of breath. Anything I do causes me to gasp for breath. I took a shower and did a load of wash and was pretty much done for the day. Anybody have any idea how long it takes to get your breath back?

[JeanE41]

Hi Lucieee. Glad your surgery went well, but those complications must have been really scary. I had a left upper lobectomy June 1 2015. We now have only one third of that lung left, so we have less lung tissue to absorb oxygen into our bodies. Right after my surgery I was very short of breath. On my first post op visit with my oncologist he asked if I felt like I was run over by a truck. I responded that there were at least two trucks and each ran over me at least twice. What you are experiencing is normal after this surgery. It will improve with time. I'm amazed you were able to shower and do laundry in the same day. Just showering can be exhausting.

I still get short of breath with stairs or when the air quality is not good. Your lungs may react to allergens and pollutants after your surgery. This, too improves with time.

Be patient with yourself. It is important to keep moving even if you have to rest frequently. It sounds as though you are doing well.

Take care and keep us informed of your progress.

Jean

[Lucieee in reply to JeanE41]

Thank you Jean. I appreciate your response. I really wish my husband understood how difficult everything is for me right now. They always expect so much lol. I will take it a day at a time.

[Kickedass in reply to Lucieee]

Glad to hear your surgery went well. I too had a lobectomy on 4/5 and am recovering well. Not too short of breath and have been walking daily. I do tire easily, so do a lot of resting. I take it day by day with laughter and positivity daily. Take care, and speak to your husband he will understand.

[bellaella]

I had a lobectomy 12 years ago.. if I walk up a flight of stairs I still get winded and my legs hurt from being deprived of oxygen.. you will learn to live with it. good luck

[Feelingblessed2013]

I lost the upper left lobe to cancer almost 5 years ago. I honestly can't say how long it took me to feel better (I had other things going on as well), but I did go back to work about 3 months after surgery. How fast or how well you will heal is different for everybody. But the fact that you can take a shower and do laundry in the same day is pretty good.

[Lucieee in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Sounds like a lot more than it was, shower and wash. I am an impatient person and I have to learn to step back and give myself a break. Thanks Katherine.

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to Lucieee]

I do the same thing, I tend to push myself (sometimes a little more than I should).

You will learn to give yourself a break when you need one.

I don't know if it works the same for lung surgery, but after my shoulder surgery in December the surgeon told me that when the scars on my shoulder are white instead of pink, I am fully healed.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

This was major surgery. It’s only been 2 weeks, if you had a VATS lobectomy expect that it will be at least six weeks before you can start to resume normal activities and then you have to start off easy. If you had an open thorachotomy they had to break ribs and make a large incision. Plan on it taking a couple months before you start to feel healed. A lobectomy is trauma to your lung. The remaining four lobes have to do the work of 5.

Your surgeon should have given you a list of instructions that include the max you should lift. If you can’t find it call and ask his nurse to read them to you then mail you a list. Lifting heavy wet clothes out of a washer is likely something they want you to avoid for a bit.

You should have been given physical or occupational therapy to help ease you back into normal routine. I would expect that the lobectomy combined with the A-Fib would quality further you. Gentle exercise to build up your endurance and an easy cardio activity may help. Talk to your doctor about qualifying for pulmonary rehab.

If your local YMCA has a Livestrong program ask your dr for a release to participate.

[Lucieee]

I’m sure I will find out more when I have my follow up visit. I don’t even know what the biopsies will say other that it is cancer. Your advice makes sense Denzie. Thank you for always taking the time to respond to all of us on this site.

[judg69]

Lucieee, it does take some time, with some moves backward as you progress forward. Best advice, keep moving every day, maintain a positive attitude as you ARE getting better, and in any case, get a ‘flutter’ type device , And Use It ! I got an Aerobika device and used it faithfully as I watched tv or surfed on the internet. Very easy to use, and for me very effective in terms of getting junk up out of lungs, and in slowly but surely increasing my breathing capacity and ease. Trust me, you will get there. All the best Wishes, judg69,

[Lucieee]

Thanks judge🤗