Here we go

[onedart1]

Surgery Wednesday, upper right lobe , what to expect afterwards please , nappy time lol xxxx

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear onedart1

Welcome to the forum and hope all goes well for you on Wednesday. I have placed a link below which explains what to expect post surgery and going home also, it is very thorough explains what to expect each day and up to 12 weeks afterwards.

roycastle.org/system/file_u...

Our website roycastle.org has lots of useful information on living with lung cancer and the treatments for this. Booklets can be posted out to you and this can be requested on our website.

Everyone is different, but generally recovery takes 4-6 weeks and after 12 weeks normal activities can be resumed. You will have a follow up appointment at the clinic.

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our free nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Granscotland]

I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday, I can't tell you what to expect only to put your trust in the surgeons they have done this op so many times. Good luck on Wednesday (not that you'll need it) and keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Happy days are just round the corner. Iris. Xx

[onedart1 in reply to Granscotland]

I know it’s just reading on this forum how things go from bad to worse and I feel so good and well lately just pre op nerves xxxx

[jillygirl]

Hello Onedart, Everyone is different on how they cope after surgery. I had my whole lung removed 5 years ago, aged 62. I was in hospital 4 days 2 were in High dependency ward I was let home on the 5th day. I took it easy for the first month , and gradually exercised by small walks , until I got back to normal. Breathing exercises do help aswell.

I am sure you will be fine. xx

[onedart1 in reply to jillygirl]

Thanks so much , so pleased you are fine , pre op nerves man up mick lol xxxxxx

[yorklass in reply to onedart1]

Good luck for Wednesday - not that you'll need it 😉😉x

[Granscotland]

Just concentrate on yourself, put your trust in your team. Look how far you have come since your original diagnoses. Pre op nerves are a bummer. Iris xx

[onedart1]

Thanks Iris xxxxx

[Jan_m]

I had the top lobe of my left lung removed two years ago, recovery was slow for me but I do have COPD which I’ve had for 10 years. I’m sure you will be fine. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Jan x

[Anniecat]

Your nerves will be really kicking in now. Don't worry they will take great care of you. Its just getting used to the nerve pain after. But they will sort it. I am in France & I had an epidural for the pain. Don't know if this is the norm for UK. Did not have it for my Thyroid op last month which was only because I had nodules on it which They needed to know if dreaded Casey Cancer was back. It wasn't & I am fine.

To all that are struggling I send big hugs

[onedart1]

To all they abandoned VATS and went for open surgery ???! Amy ideas don’t see consultant till tomorrow ??

[Hopeforthebest]

Hi - they choose not to go for VATS with me too. It's about choosing which method is likely to give them best, safest, and optimum access to the site of cancer for you as an individual - no twho people are the same. Told they sometimes start VATS and then convert midway to open too. Have confidence in their decision. They're going forbooen because they know it's best for you and would of course go for VATS as it's easier on you,?if they felt they should. I've had both . The vats operation for a section proved to be benign which was a relief. The open was for a lobe lobectomy to remove the malignancy. Just Walk when your ready and rest in between. They are the ONLY two things I did for a few weeks. Make sure you have all the pain relief you need and aim at 100% no pain which is easy enough to achieve with the right mess. Also... most important..._Argos do a great bed accessory which allow you to sleep propped up which you will probably need to do for a few days. It costs about £30 andvid called something like a "sleep slope". Can be used afterwards to just sit up and read in bed. Wish I'd had it after my lobectomy but had it in place when I came home after vats and it was great . Don't worry - it will soon be behind you - it's really great that they can operate on you - I held onto that as there are many situations where the can't which in its own way might be harder x

[onedart1]

Op a successful part VATS fpr some reason open surgery , couldn’t deflate lung or something xxx

[yorklass in reply to onedart1]

Glad things went well, same here I was scheduled for VATS procedure ended up with Open Surgery - just have a bigger scar to show off! 👍x

[JanetteR57]

By now, you'll have lots of questions but you need to rest and also not be a hero when it comes to pain relief. I had left upper lobectomy almost 7 years ago and came off pain meds too soon, did too much as had no previous experience of surgery. As others have said, we're all different. Mine was always going to be open (VATS in its infancy 7 years ago) and size of tumour meant they wanted to get it all out. Important to move about within a few days of surgery but not overdo it. You should be given a spirometry toy in the next few days to improve your breathing as coughing/laughing will be painful for a few days but important to cough up anything. Good luck. Feel free to ask questions - there are loads of us who've gone through it. Agree with all comments about sleeping sitting up (from memory, pain relief pump meant I had to anyway) as well as drain tubes. Good luck.

[onedart1]

Thanks for all your support and advice it’s been invaluable and I appreciate it greatly

[Granscotland]

Hi Mick, glad everything went well, you can look forward now to getting back on your feet and having your life back. Don't try and get on your feet too quick as you will only set yourself back. Patience is now the watchword. Hope you're not too uncomfortable and there has been some great advice for you on this site. Look forward to hearing of your recovery and being one of the positive outcomes. Iris. Xx

[onedart1]

Yes seemed to all go well Wednesday had VATS abandoned complete with incisions , now proud owner of shark bite open surgery , feeling sore but hey ho xxxxx