Diagnosed 5 months post Operation with Fluid on the lung. Is this normal & will it clear up? Should I be concerned?

[Eaglewings1]

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help me understand my recent diagnosis.

I'd a lower left lung lobectomy last November and recently had my follow up appointment which will be annually from now on. I was told by the registrar not the consultant that I'd fluid on my lung. I wasn't told anything more than that & what this entails. Whether it's normal, if it will clear up on it's own accord or if I should/can have treatment to remove it.

Also my Xray was difficult to see & relate to what the registrar was talking about because the MRI image's were so small on screen & didn't look like a pair of lungs. It was a very disappointing meeting to be honest & any questions I asked he seemed to ignore or didn't know the answer. One question was, is it possible for my lung to expand in time? There was just so much repeated waffle for 15 mins & the registrar seemed nervous from the off so it didn't instil confidence in me or my husband, when we left I felt worst & less hopeful afterwards than I did going for the results.

Sorry I really don't mean to sound wingy or ungrateful for my surgery etc I truly am grateful, I've been so upbeat since surgery but this appointment experience's has set me back & left both me & my husband thinking what was the point in attending as it felt more like ticking boxes for the registrar's notes rather than about a patients welfare.

Has anyone or can anyone tell me if I should be worried about fluid on my lung or not & what does it mean? Is this normal 5 months post op? Is it likely to clear away naturally over in time?

Does/can your lung expand over time after a lobectomy? My Xray 1 week post surgery showed it hadn't expanded 10-15% as the surgeon had expected as I was deemed as fit & healthy pre op. These are the only questions I asked during my appointment.

Many thanks for reading my post xx

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Eaglewings1

Sometimes at appointments it can be difficult to follow what is being explained, each Dr has their own way of communicating and sometimes it can be difficult to follow or understand what they are actually meaning. After surgery a letter will be sent to your Gp with detailed information of your treatment and what follow up they are planning, if you make an appointment the Gp will be able to go over and explain the findings in greater detail which may give you a better understanding.

If you had a CNS (clinical nurse specialist) they also have access to your notes and all results and they may be able to go over things with you to help you understand.

If you would like to discuss anything further you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call the nurse on our free phone helpline on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Eaglewings1 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thanks so much for your advice & I'm sorry I've taken so long to reply back to you.