Newly diagnosed

rogermoore
rogermoore Member Posts: 264 Member
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
The Father of a close friend has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The Surgeon recommends the removal of one lung. Is there a survivor out there that has had this procedure? If so, what restrictions are there following the surgery.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    I had a lobectomy June 23/04 and to date am cancer free. I was stage 1a, was able to forgo chemo or rads and have quarterly CATs to check soft tissue. I an 63, was told they got all the cancer and was given an 80% chance at recovery, I'm oing great. Recommend you log onto (into) the ACS csn chat room where you'll find many cancer survivors and caregivers who will be more than happy to advise you, anyone can sign in. There are also individual web pages that most of us put up withinn the acscsn community (mine included - gordonjewell) and you'll find they are full of useful info and success stories and remedies. Also, call the American Cancer Society on their 800 number, they have and will send you a wealth of info.. God bless, best wishes....Gordon.
  • Plymouthean
    Plymouthean Member Posts: 262
    #3
    I had 40% of my right lung removed in 2001, at age 67, after "aggressive" chemo and radiation. I was nsclc, stage 3a. I was told that I was inoperable and incurable. I'm just over 4 years out from surgery, cancer free and livin' large. Granted, I didn't have a full lung removed, but based on my experience, there probably won't be many restrictions on your friend's father after removal of his lung. Rather, the doctors will probably tell him to get out and walk, as soon as possible, to develop the good lung to it's fullest potential. Immediately after surgery, he'll have to take it easy and listen to his body. As he recovers, he'll be able to pick up the pace gradually, until he can walk at a good pace for a good distance (calculated in miles). Barring complications such as emphysema, etc., he should be able to resume an active life. Please give the patient my best wishes. He'll be in my prayers. I "second the motion" on Gordon's advice.
  • kesnh
    kesnh Member Posts: 9
    #4
    hi I am 1 month post op from having the majority of my left lung removed. marathon running is probably out and I am thinking the fire department is going to be looking my way but besides that I should be fine. The worse part of everything is how long it takes for your ribs to heal. The body compensates for he lung pretty well. Doc said i will notice it for a little while in the pool or while hiking but one lung can keep you full oxygenated. Had to cancle a ski trip in high altitiude for his winter but I am rebooking for mext year. Tell him to just keep moving. The quicker you get back on your feet the quicker you re coop.
  • BILL914
    BILL914 Member Posts: 21 Member
    #5
    On 12/2/4 (almost a year ago), I had my entire left lung removed at age 59. KENSH is right, it takes a while for your ribs to heal. It took me a while to become active again but I have been kayaking, hiking and biking. I will admit that I am not at the level I was at before but feel well enough to look forward to X-COUNTRY skiing and snowshoeing this winter. It will take some time to heal and he should be patient. Wish him luck for me.
  • CHG
    CHG Member Posts: 34
    #6
    Plymouthean said:

    I had 40% of my right lung removed in 2001, at age 67, after "aggressive" chemo and radiation. I was nsclc, stage 3a. I was told that I was inoperable and incurable. I'm just over 4 years out from surgery, cancer free and livin' large. Granted, I didn't have a full lung removed, but based on my experience, there probably won't be many restrictions on your friend's father after removal of his lung. Rather, the doctors will probably tell him to get out and walk, as soon as possible, to develop the good lung to it's fullest potential. Immediately after surgery, he'll have to take it easy and listen to his body. As he recovers, he'll be able to pick up the pace gradually, until he can walk at a good pace for a good distance (calculated in miles). Barring complications such as emphysema, etc., he should be able to resume an active life. Please give the patient my best wishes. He'll be in my prayers. I "second the motion" on Gordon's advice.

    Exactly what does 'agressive' chemo and radiation mean? Is it the same thing as 'curative'?
  • Plymouthean
    Plymouthean Member Posts: 262
    #7
    CHG said:

    Exactly what does 'agressive' chemo and radiation mean? Is it the same thing as 'curative'?

    "Aggressive" treatment, in my case, turned out to be very large, strong doses of radiation and chemotherapy (as much as my body could tolerate), administered concurrently. Pre-op, I had three rounds of chemo 1- 6 hour day, followed by 2- 1 1/2 hour days, once a month. Along with that, I had 11 weeks of radiation treatments, 5 days a week with weekends off. Radiation reduced the tumor by 75%, and made it operable. Post-op, I had ten radiation treatments (5 days/week X 2 weeks) and three months of weekly chemo (1 day/week)treatments. The pre-op treatments flattened me, and I was hospitalized twice, for a total of three weeks, with complications (couldn't swallow/eat/drink) Also, I had all the "standard" side effects, - hair loss, nausea, weight loss, fatigue, etc. Post-op treatments affected me hardly at all. It wasn't a good time for me, but, bottom line, here I am, four years later, - cancer free and glad I did the treatments. As to treatment being "curative" - I believe that most cancer treatment is meant to be curative, but it depends on so many circumstances that it cerainly can not be guaranteed.
  • jalexander
    jalexander Member Posts: 31
    #8
    Ditto to BILL914. I am almost 3 years out and cancer free. I am now 44 years old. A male. I am Stage IIIB but had my entire right lung removed. Pre op chemo and radiation and post op chemo. They think they got it all. I'm doing great. Boy Scout camping, 50 mile canoe trip in 5 days, etc. I played touch football with a bunch of teenage Boy Scouts last weekend and after several receptions and 2 TDs they said I was their MVP! It gets better all the time, but it does take time to heal. The process is slow. I strongly encourage a pulmonary rehabilitation program. It's usually a 6 or 9 week program, but then you have the option of going on a maintainance plan. I go twice weekly. It's really just managed excercise, but they take my vital signs and listen to my lung. There is a lot of comoradery. The more exercise I do the better my surgical incision feels. They had to cut me pretty bad when they operated. Best of luck to you.

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