Flying with one lung

[acedog]

I have had my whole lung removed which has left me with the smallest one. I want to fly from Uk to the Caribbean next year but my surgeon advised me to get tested it drive up a mountain to make sure my lung will cope. Not many mountains here has anyone flown with one lung and how did you get on many thanks graham

[Eglingham]

Hi, I too have had my right lung removed but not yet done any flying. How long ago did you have your surgery? I have been wanting to connect with someone who has had a pneumonectomy, it would be nice to compare notes just to see if things you sometimes experience is normal.

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

Hi I only had my surgery 8 weeks ago but I am doing fine. I am walking 20 minutes at a time although short of breath I feel ok. I am starting radiotherapy next week followed by chemo so hopefully all my treatment will be done by Christmas. I have a holiday voucher that I need to use next year so keen to find out if I will be ok

[Eglingham in reply to acedog]

Wow so you are in early recovery. Walking 20 mins is a good start ☺ I don't see why you could not use it next year, it's now 15 mths since mine and I had open surgery twice within 6 wks, Bi-lobectomy to begin with but the lab thought cells could be left on cut line so I went for the completion pneumonectomy. I'm doing good walking more than 5 miles a day and back to work full time. Can I ask the type and stage you have?

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

Mine was adenocarcinoma stage 3

[Eglingham in reply to acedog]

The same but stage 2, did you have open or keyhole surgey

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

I had open surgery at Norwich

[Eglingham in reply to acedog]

Are managing with bringing mucus up? I started having problems with that, it was difficult to get up so was pulling on my diaphragm. Ended asking for carbocisteine tablets and was given an acapella to help, it worked wonders.

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

I have been on carbocistine for 3 weeks and also I have nubulizer and I take a saline solution in it and it has worked so far. How long it it go on with you

[Eglingham in reply to acedog]

I still bring mucus up when I first get out of bed but not much now, as long as I stay active and hydrated I don't get any problems. I guess it's all learning how to live with one lung, there definitely is hurdles and I'm still learning. How's your sleeping?

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

I am sleeping a lot better now and I am doing 3 hours of office work a day which helps my mental health. It’s good to talk to you I need to go out for a while so will speak later thanks graham

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

Hi I am interested in what exercise did you do to improve the capacity of your lung or did you just walk. Also how long did it take for you to walk a reasonable distance without getting very short of breath. Did you have any radiotherapy or chemotherapy I’m having both because they found cancer cells in my lymph nodes many thanks Graham

[Eglingham in reply to acedog]

Hi, I bought myself a cross trainer and started slow then built up to 30 mins a day as well as walking. Everyone is different, I was walking 5+ miles a day 3mths after surgery but can still now get out of breath on stairs/inclines. Hot weather can take its toll on breathing so I do 8-9 mile hikes on cool days. I did not have any other treatment. Life is a little different with one lung, you have to listen to your body and rest when needed. Don't be hard on yourself you will get there in time. I would love to mountain hike again so that is my goal. Mechelle

[acedog in reply to Eglingham]

Thank you that’s great advice graham

[Eglingham in reply to acedog]

Your welcome any time. Good luck with your treatment.

[stewart58]

Hi I had a right pneumonectomy in 2013 and have flown without any problems.I hope this helps enjoy your holiday.

[acedog in reply to stewart58]

Thank you that’s what I wanted to hear