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recovering from pneumonectomy



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euphoria_84

				          
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        			    June 12, 2009 - 4:31am			  			

			
			
Hello all, I'm just new here. I don't have cancer but I do find this site very useful.


I am 25 years old and I just had my entire left lung removed last April 30, 2009. I thought everything was ok but after 2 weeks i started getting fevers and chest pain. Even though I was taking antibiotics the fever doesn't go away. So I was given strong antibiotics via dextrose. Then 3 days later my wound from the surgery swelled, we started putting hot compress in it then a portion of the stitch opened and ALOT of pus came out of it. From then on I didnt get fevers anymore.


Now I'm at home.. still taking antibiotics.. the wound is no longer swelled but pus still comes out from it. I always have colds and my eyes are always itchy. 


Doctor said pus will go away soon, but its been 3 weeks now. Sometimes I get scared when i read about bronchial fistulas and empyema..


I would greatly appreciate if anyone here will share their pneumonectomy recovery experiences..


I want to get in touch with people who had the same experiences of lung surgery/removal.


Thank you so much.


‹ Anyone know about this? PET not too bad ›

						
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Glenda N.

				      
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June 13, 2009 - 11:29am

			
Pneumonectomy
			
I also had my entire left lung removed on 7/31/2007.  I did have cancer, but had not spread to any other areas.  I consider myself very lucky.  Sorry that you are having such a difficult time.  I did not have any type of infection when my surgery was done.  Stayed in the hospital for 8 days. My pain was controlled very well.  I did have a lot of pain when I got home.  My incision was glued instead of stitches or staples.  It healed really well.  I found a lot of my pain was coming from nerves being clipped. It took a good year before all the nerves regenerated.  Of course my pain didn't last that long. You are very young to have had that type of surgery.  I am 68, and doing very well. I do use some inhalers to help me, but have never had to use oxygen.  Good luck to you & hope you recover very soon. 



			
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euphoria_84

				      
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July 18, 2009 - 9:43pm

			
Hello Glenda N,
			
Thank you so much for the response. Greatly appreciated. Its been 3 months now since I had pneumonectomy. I feel normal now. I don't have any breathing problems and my oxygen saturation is from 98% to 100. My CT scan shows that my remaining lung has now adapted and grew more bigger. However, there is still a minimal amount of fluid on the space where the removed lung used to be (left lung). The wound where pus used to come out closed now. I am still taking antibiotics and steroids hoping that the fluid get absorbed, if not, they will drain it using syringe guided by CT scan to know the exact location of the fluid. I am hoping that the antibiotic works. I hope that after this infection I can live normally and be back with the activities I used to to before.


Also, my heart shifted to the left.. My stomach, spleen and liver shifted upwards.. But I feel normal.


Regarding pain... I never really felt so much pain on my wound after surgery and I feel lucky because I actually expected the worst pain and prior to surgery, I had therapy where they taught me about pain management. But after surgery, the affected area was numb. I only took pain relievers (tramadol) for one week. Doctor said because the nerves were cut thats why the area feels numb. 


Right now, the affected area (including left chest and lower side of my arm) feels weird.. The slight touch feels so painful and hard touch doesn't feel painful at all. Doctor said my nerves are regenerating and right now, they dont know how to respond yet.. but he assured me that someday it will all be back to normal...


Again, thank you so much for your response. I hope that you are in good condition right now and cheers! :)



			
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Glenda N.

				      
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July 19, 2009 - 3:17pm

			
pneumonectomy
			
I am a little confused when you say there is still a little fluid where your left lung was.  It is expected that it should fill with fluid & remain with fluid.  That is normal.  Everything has shifted to the left on me also, which they told me it would.  I now seem to have heartburn & acid reflux that I have to deal with.  Never was bothered before.

The nerves being cut can be pretty painful in itself.  It took approximately one year before the nerves regenerated & all the numbness went away. It has been 2 years now,  & am cancer free at this time.

Glad you are doing so well & I'm sure you will continue to do so.  Take care.



			
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euphoria_84

				      
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July 21, 2009 - 7:23pm

			
Hello Glenda N,
			
Again, thanks a lot for the reply...


My doctor said that yes the pneumonectomy space will be filled with water but it will harden (i forgot how they call that in medical terms). However, doctor cannot determine whether the fluid that is found through CT scan is water or pus. I had abscess before and geeeze it was scary (lots of pus). My antibiotics will be due on the 27th. The wound has closed now, no more pus coming out. I hope its all gone now.

I am looking forward to living a normal life :)

About the numbness and nerves.. yes its pretty weird cuz it seems like the affected area doesnt feel like its a part of my body.. but im very patient.. I know it will take time, but it will do get back to normal..

I am glad to hear that you are cancer free now.. and I pray that you always stay healthy.



			
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PBJ Austin

				      
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July 21, 2009 - 8:40pm

			
Hi euphoria_84
			
Would you be good enough to look again at the BACK AFTER SURGERY thread?  I posted a question to you about what caused your lung infection.  Or if you prefer to answer it here that's OK.  Thanks.



			
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onelung_solo

				      
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October 31, 2011 - 11:59pm

			
I realize that this thread
			
I realize that this thread is a couple of years old now, but I just wanted to see how you were doing now?

I had my left lung removed in 1997 when I was 17years old, Ive experienced a lot of similar things discussed, but was

Shocked to have heard about your horrible recovery! I was fortunate enough to have a scar that healed well. I

Hope you are doing a lot better now! Take care and God bless!



			
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