Lobectomy Tomorrow - Need Info

skipper85
skipper85 Member Posts: 229
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hello Everyone:

Tomorrow my husband will have a lobectomy right lower lobe right lung for nsclc. He has emphysema and still smokes. So we are unsure if there will be complications. He has put this surgery off for 5 months and today he will get a new CAT scan. Hopefully he is still a surgery candidate. Can anyone tell me what to expect or how long it took them to recover? Has anyone experienced complications because of emphysema?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Skipper85

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    Skipper85
    Hi,

    I had a lower right lobectomy via the vats procedure on 9-23-10, and I have healed very well. Will your husband have the vats procedure or traditional lung surgery where they have to do a wide incision and seperate the ribs to access the lung? The later has a longer recovery time. I had to have a pulmonary test to see if I had enough lungs to compensate for the lobe that I would be losing. I had quit smoking after 35 years on 5-4-09 after an anal cancer diagnosis. I would imagine the drs have told your husband he needs to quit smoking. He will heal better if he does. I know its hard and no matter who tells him to quit, its up to him. I used to hate it when people told me to quit. I used the nicorette gum which I loved and would still be chewing today if not for the PA at the hospital after the lobectomy told me I shouldn't because its a drug. I actually was a little irritated with her, because I loved my gum. I will have you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers. Lori
  • hdbilly1
    hdbilly1 Member Posts: 24
    #3
    surgery
    When it comes to the surgery, alot depends on how healthy you are to start with. Everyone is a little different. I had my upper right lobe removed on feb. 15th of 2010 through a large incision under my right arm. I still have some pain but it is very tolerable. I saw another post of yours that says he may not be able to have the surgery. In either case, quit smoking!!! I quit about 2 weeks before the surgery and stayed off them after the surgery while going through chemo but my wife would not quit. I eventually started smoking again because of smelling the smoke on her. Every time I do smoke, it causes more pain at the surgical sight. It really needs to be a team effort to stay off the cigs!!!!! But getting back to the recovery time it took me about 5 months or so before i really started feeling good. good luck and I'll be praying for you, Bill Zepp

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