Lung surgery

[Eglingham]

Hi, I am just joining the group today, I was diagnosed with lung cancer in February and it is T200 adenocarcinoma, I had 60% of my right lung removed on March 19th and have been told now that the lung left behind may still have tuma cells. I have opted to go back into surgery next week for the rest of my lung taken away, would like to chat with people who have or is having the same experience.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Eglingham

Welcome to the forum where you will find support and encouragement.

Sorry to hear that you are to have further surgery and hope that you will hear from others in the forum that have had a similar experience.

You may already know of our lung surgery information booklet, but have placed the link for it here:

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

There is some additional information for those with cancer during Covid-19, from a group of charities called 'One cancer voice' which you may find useful:

roycastle.org/covid-19/info...

If there is anything you would like to discuss you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 (Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600)

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[clarkejacks]

Hi, I had my full lung removed in on go and then chemo. That was 9 yrs ago. It took about 2 yrs to feel fully recovered but now I'm working full time and can easily walk 4-5 miles with no problems. I feel extremely fit and well. Positive thinking helps. Hope this gives you some assurance.

[Eglingham in reply to clarkejacks]

Thank you for your message, did you have right or left, what stage and had it gone into your lymphnodes at all. I'm so pleased you have made a full recovery and to be fit again, that gives me some positivity x

[JanetteR57]

I had my left lung removed in Dec 2010 and was back at work in March 2011 and swimming. A few years ago I was in the chest clinic at a follow up appointment and chatted to a lady next to me who had been offered surgery but was going to decline it as she felt as she was in her 70s that she'd had her life and that was that. Talking to me and a man sat opposite with his wife who'd had a pneumonectomy (whole lung removed) just a few months earlier changed her opinion. She commented that I wasn't breathless and I told her immediately post surgery I had been but it had improved and I now swam and worked normally and swam further than before. She then commented that it was probably because I was younger and a never smoker that had contributed to my recovery but the man told her he was in his late 60s and had been a long term heavy smoker but was now walking the dog and playing golf and not breathless, just a bit slower. His wife agreed with that. The lady, having chatted to us both for about 20 minutes then asked us 'how soon after surgery do you think I might be able to drive?' she had turned around her thinking just by speaking to people who'd had surgery which for me was very humbling to witness. hope this helps. good luck.

[Eglingham in reply to JanetteR57]

Hi, thank you so much for your positive message, it is so lovely that you managed to change that lady's decision and probably her life. I'm starting to get my positivity back, it was just a bit of a blow when everything went so well during first op then you get the news that the cut was not far enough, it's nerve racking going back in again especially during this time. Thank you again and I'm so pleased you are fit and well x

[JanetteR57]

Thanks. I was unaware until my lung surgery that removing the whole lung was a common treatment for TB when that was prevalent and many people lived with 1 lung for many years. I learnt a few years ago that my uncle had this treatment for TB as a young man. I guess we have no idea how many people live with one kidney, one lung or other internal organs. It also shows how surgery was able to improve by removing single or multiple lobes in more recent times to retain some lung capacity but most people don't use their full lung capacity anyway. I can only imagine the anxiety - I had a couple of suspected recurrences within a few years of my surgery but despite needing another surgery (to reposition a trapped ulna nerve), thankfully they didn't turn out to be so. good luck.