Jogging after lobectomy

[jckjanetrosalin]

I have been doing couch to 5k and tomorrow go onto week3 which entails me jogging for periods of 3 mins and walk 3 mins. I have jogged 1 min30 secs and walked 1 min 30 sec meaning ive jogged 9 mins in total with walking also. Some uphill jogging too. What i want to know is it safe as i had lobectomy last aug 2018 I am also 73.

[Rutheg]

Well done I would think as long as you don’t try to do too much too soon and listen to your body exercise is fine.

[SAH1]

I'd go with what Rutheg said. I'd like to add that reading your post was a great way to start the day. Good luck with the jogging.

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to SAH1]

Thanks for reply. I did sets of 3 minute runs today with 3 min walks x2 also 2 sets of 1 min 30 sec runs with 1 min 30 sec walks x2.I felt great completing that.. My aim is running for 30 mins. It is a app you get on phone called couch to 5k. The woman tells you when to walk and when to run. It is brill.

[Janey_H]

Well done! That is great that you are keeping so active.

I am a runner and was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer aged 43. I had a lobectomy after some other treatments and was back to running long distances four months later. I had my lobectomy via keyhole so maybe different recovery for thoracotomy and also age difference will play a small factor. Best to check with your doc / surgeon if you are worried - otherwise listen to your body and keep it up. Great going xxx

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to Janey_H]

That is good to know and well done to you. I had half left lung removed by Vats. I am a pretty fit 73 year old.After i had my op nurses couldnt believe i was up straight away un aided. The physios were also shocked when they asked me to do stepups on the step they gave me. They asked me if i exercised and i said " yes sinse i was 19 " I do them every day except sunday. .!!

[Janey_H in reply to jckjanetrosalin]

Brilliant! I love it! I had VATS too and was discharged a few days later. I remember the physio saying she would bring a stationary bike up to the ward as walking wasn’t exercising my lung enough.... I was discharged the following morning so don’t know if she ever did!! I managed a marathon four months after surgery up in Snowdonia. Am sure exercise helps your sanity too!

You sound like you are doing so well and the Couch to 5K programmes are excellent. Also recommend parkrun if you have one of those near you? You can walk / walk and run them - 3 miles total - every Sat morning for free. Just register and print off barcode. They are lovely friendly events and have a great social side as well as the benefit of fresh air and exercise.

Good luck to you xxx

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to Janey_H]

Yes its brill, coach to 5 k. My husband and I go do it 3 times a week. I look forward to it. It makes you feel good. We packed up smoking when i first started with my lung problem and that was over a year ago but although we havent eaten anymore and weve walked quite alot we did gain weight. So this is what we are now doing to get healthy and shift that extra pounds. Ive gained about 5lbs.

[JanetteR57]

Well done. Sometimes it is fear that stops us progressing or that of others protecting us ! My surgeon told me that the remaining lung would redevelop and grow to fill most of the space but with a thinner surface like blowing a balloon up. However he told it relied on me regaining my activities which in my case was swimming. I had open surgery to remove upper left lobe dec 2010 and was swimming 3 months later , slowly at first but increasing distance from 20 lengths to my 130 pre surgery dstance by time i saw surgeon in june 2011 7 months after surgery. Have gone onto swim 360 lengths in a single session and 989 miles one year by regular visits to pool. Listen to your body, rest when needed but keep on being active. Good luck.

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to JanetteR57]

Well done Janette youve done really good. My surgeon told me when i asked him" will i be able to still walk a distance" he said " yes you will be able to walk but you probably wont be able to run for a bus " I dont know if he thought that cause of my age or if it what was supposed to be the case with lung removal!! But hes proved wrong not only in my case but also alot of people on here.

[JeanE41]

Great job. You are an inspiration for us. I agree with the others, your body will tell you when to back off. Keep it up. Jean

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to JeanE41]

Thank you JeanE41

[Vapcq]

Thank you for your inspiration. I had a lobectomy and then a year later, brain mets. After treatment everything is actually looking very positive but I am struggling with mobility. I’ve never been fit or active and struggle to walk short distances. You’ve inspired me to make more effort. Thank you.

[jckjanetrosalin]

Vapcq just little steps at first then gradually buid up. Try to do some small exercises at home xx Hope you can do it.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear jckjanetrosalin

Well done to be so active and as everyone as said to listen to your own body and pace yourself, keep hydrated and stop if you feel unwell or light headed.

It is very encouraging to hear what you have been doing and living life to the full, inspiring for a lot of people.

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[rottenrunner]

Good luck with it jckjanetrosalin, I'm going to get the app now, I've just started swimming, and hope to get jogging again, thanks for the inspiration. And good luck.

[jckjanetrosalin]

Havent been able to go walking jogging this week due to appointments and child minding duties. Just hope it dont put me back when i start again

[Matt_W]

So glad to have found this post. I have a lower left lobectomy in November. I used to run 40+ races a year (not fast, but not slow - mid-pack finisher). And I've been concerned about returning. Doctor says there is no reason why I can't, once I feel up to it, and to just listen to my body. The lobectomy and loss of a portion of my lung does not prevent it. Still a little sore from surgery, but wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to get back to what I love so much. It's great to see some of the replies. As soon as the rib soreness (full thoracotomy, no VATS unfortunately), I'm going to slowly get back into it. I have a 12-hour Endurance race in early March, whether I'm ready to run or not doesn't matter. I'm going to at least walk it - and if I feel like running, thanks to these replies, I'm going to try!!!

[JanetteR57 in reply to Matt_W]

I remember reading inspiring articles in Roy Castle magazine Inspire of patients who'd climbed snowdon or higher, ran marathons etc so never give up... I've certainly noticed how much fitness I've lost since lockdown for covid 19. I usually swim 4 times a week for a couple of hours each time but unable to walk for that amount of time and averaging 5 walks a week of around an hour so losing lung function and arm strength but one bonus is the much improved air quality. hope you're continuing to recover well.

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks Janette. I do running and walking in my entry at back of my house so still trying to keep it up but do miss long walks. I used to walk to town and everywhere. Cant go out at all, the government say i am very vunerable and cant go out until june 30th. I miss all my family especially the kids. Ive been in 9 weeks tomorrow and no one has been in my house. I see some family from my front gate at the end of my path .Over 2 metre distancing.lol. I hope you are ok.

[JanetteR57 in reply to jckjanetrosalin]

Well done on doing something in the current situation. I've been working from home for 9 weeks tomorrow too on work's (NHS) instructions as 'vulnerable' . Not had a shielding letter, checked it all out (still seeing 2 hospital consultants), ULL some years ago, not deemed any more at risk than general population (?) so walk locally within social distancing rules. Like you, missing family - mum has dementia and dad cares for her at home so no respite ... phone regularly, drop off meds, neighbours/sister/volunteer drop off shopping. At least they can garden when weather's warm. It will be wonderful when we can finally give them a hug. Part of our family lives 5 hours away anyway so we're used to seeing them on Skype. They're struggling with no regular routine (one granddaughter is disabled). Their mum struggling to work from home, single parent, homeschool two with special needs, and have shopping delivered. I guess we all do what we have to until allowed otherwise but keep up the activity as long as you can. stay safe.

[jckjanetrosalin in reply to JanetteR57]

Did you register on the government site. You have to put your details to questions on the form they ask for your nhs number printed at top on your hospital letters. From that i then got regular weekly slot at either asda sainsburys or iceland . Then after a bit i got people phoning me from government to see how i am, then gp phoned me and told me i must shield. Now government send email almost every week . The last one saying i must stay in til 30th june. I also get a food parcel delivered last week out of the blue, the delivery man said it was from government !!! Im ok with staying in mostly but i really need a dentist as my front fillings have come out. I bought some stuff online but it just falls straight back out again.

You keep well and safe xx

[JanetteR57 in reply to jckjanetrosalin]

Thanks for the advice. You'll be on the list as a recent surgical candidate and your age. I was 52 when I had my lobectomy and 61 now so not in the 'shielded' category. My respiratory difficulties don't fall into the chronic asthma or COPD categories (I've had it confirmed twice now several years apart that I do not have asthma) but do have dysfunctional breathing (ILO/VCD) for which I would be receiving respiratory physiotherapy. I'm self employed so having waited for the scheme to start, it now appears - not having had a letter- that as some of my self employment for the last few years has involved public sector clients such as the NHS and Public Health England who have paid me through payroll (PAYE) that I may not get anything as that's deemed to be 'employment' even though it has no perks (pension, holiday, paid sick leave) etc. so I think there are many who are 'falling through the cracks'.

[jckjanetrosalin]

You will get back to running but wait until you feel recovered after your op, dont rush it. Then gradually build up to running . The app couch to 5 k is good as it tells you when to run and when to walk It starts of with little jogging and walking . In the end it gets you to run for half hr without stopping. I never ran before in my life but when I stopped smoking I was gaining weight so I thought I will introduce walking and running into my exercise routine. Take it easy for your recovery and then its gradual jogging alternating with walking. You will get there