Scared of lung surgery🥺

Hello. I'm sorry you are going through lung surgery. There are several ways to do this surgery, which includes a wedge resection to a total removal of the lobe containing the cancerous growth. Long story short, I had a lobectomy of the upper right lobe of my lung in December. (Total lobectomy is recommended for primary lung tumor, can't say if this is relevant to your specifics.) This type of surgery is definitely scary but there are procedures in place to control pain and typically you will have a team to monitor you pre- and post surgery.

Yes, it hurts but pain control is in place with this type of surgery (hospital ICU) so generally this is addressed promptly. I was sent home within 36 hours of this major surgery. (likely due to increased COVID, flu and RSV taking up hospital space making it riskier to be there) However, I had a nerve block, which at this date, 3 weeks later, is still working. It initially sorta felt like my right lung is a block of ice. Yes, intermnittent stabbing pain at incisions which can be controlled by the pain meds. I had VATs (Video assisted thoracic surgery) which is where they make 4-5 incisions versus one big 6-8 inch J incision.

I think this really helps on recovery because the cuts are what is taking longest to heal. But I am no expert, I'm not feeling pain in the lung that was removed. Breathing, other than immediately after surgery, is fine. Could not cough immediately and then when I did, had to hold pillow on chest to prevent pressure on stitches. The main effect is a reduction in lung volume as I have less to work with. This in itself, is not really an issue. People can live for years without a lung and these surgeries typically only remove a wedge or a lobe and not a total lung.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Sharon

Arabella,

I'm sorry you are going thru this. I had lung cancer at 38 and had the entire top lobe removed on my left side. It was the best way to get rid of my cancer and it worked! it was several months before I was 100% back to normal. But I would do it again. I was able to do pretty much anything I wanted to do. I could still workout and jog. I chased after my kids and worked in the garden. I went back to work in 6 weeks and just keep going. You are young and as long as you believe you will be ok... it will happen. Stay calm and don't stress out. You will heal faster.

best of luck...sending good vibes!

I had left lung removed in May and am back to walking about 2 miles a day.

I'm a bit slower and laugh at the fact I can't walk as fast and have trouble walking and talking (I'm a big talker), but I really can do most things. Once in a while I forget I need to slow down and have to wait a few minutes to catch my breath. I may even be able to go back to my old goal of hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway at 70...I may just have to take smaller bites.

You will do great, just remember one step at a time, be patient with yourself and keep reminding yourself that you are discovering your new normal.

Also, If you have nerve pain, Arnica is a natural product, made from a flower. that comes in gel to apply topically--just be sure to avoid contact with open wounds and in sugar pills that you dissolve under your tongue. Do your research but they helped me get off the pain meds the first week after surgery.

I was formally diagnosed at 37 and they found the tumor by mistake at 36! I am now 38 and trying to navigate life after surgery. In October 2022, I had my upper right lobe removed via a RATS procedure. Glad to hear you are doing so well and nice to know I'm not alone.

You are facing a challenge,no doubt. Dont be scared,be glad you are able to have surgery! I was hoping to,but cannot now.There are many survivors.You don't realise how lucky you are .I'm 68,not found until stage 4, and it may have spread already. I should probably be scared,but I'm not at all. A positive mindset is a common thing with most survivors. Do things you enjoy, let love and ĵoy flood your mind,know you can win this battle, you've got every advantage there is, you're young, healthy immune system You got this love!!! Let go of the fear, nothing good can come from it, choose joy instead!! Live your life to the best of your ability, connect with family and friends, spend time in nature, do things you enjoy. Try to make everything as positive as possible and your body will follow by using its power to fight the cancer,to help you recover quickly.keep us posted on your progress. GOD bless you!!

Can you tell us when you were diagnosed and what treatments you are taking? Are the treatments working?