Lobectomy surgery for NSCLC stage 2 - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Redchez200 · 11-01-2005, 07:42 AM

My Dad has finally been given information on the type of lung cancer that he has.

He has been told he has stage 2 non small cell lung cancer on his left lung near the bronchi.

He is due to undergo surgery next Tuesday to remove 1 lobe of his left lung. His consultant and surgeon have been very positive, saying that he is in the top 10% of people in this situation for a complete cure and that he has the best lung capacity out of everyone they have seen this year.

Once he has had the surgery they have said that our hospital offer chemotherapy as a standard procedure, though he may or may not require it. But to be honest we would like to get over the surgery first before any other decisions are made.

However he is very concerned about how he is going to feel afterwards, will he be able to breathe o.k?

He had a triple heart bypass operation 5 months ago and has been told the recovery is quite similar, though he is still very worried.

I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this kind of surgery and would like to share their experiences. He doesn't acutally come on the forums himself (not very good with computers) but I tell him about the forums and sites that I find, and he likes hearing other peoples experiences.

kinggrossi · 11-02-2005, 03:42 PM

Hi,

Let your dad know that I was operated on June 2, 2004 and had my first lobe on my right lung removed, a small section of my chest cavity and some nerves. I was dagnosed with small cell lung cancer stage 11B. I also decided to do the chemo in August after the surgery. It lasted for three months. I wanted to be sure that no cells escaped into another part of my body during surgery. I do believe that chemo increases your survival rate. Let your dad know the surgery was not fun, recovery for me was a good 6 weeks before I really started to have energy. The bottom line is he will be fine he just needs to do what must be done for him to live. went back to work full time November 15, 2004 and I've been absolutely fine since. I feel very good. I went for cat scans every three months the first year following the surgery and this year I will be going every 4months.

The best of luck to your dad,

Janet

Redchez200 · 11-06-2005, 09:49 AM

Hi Kinggrossi

I am glad to hear you are doing so well.

It helps to hear other peoples experiences. His surgery is on Tuesday and he goes into hospital tomorrow so he is becoming very anxious.

I can't imagine how he is feeling, and the best we can do is comfort him with all the positives that the surgeon has outlined.

I will keep you updated.

Thanks

TeachMeMore · 11-06-2005, 04:59 PM

Patience and love. Make sure he eats. My boyfriend (43) is three months post his surgery for stage 4 small noncell. Best advice I could think of after the surgery is to not be afraid to politely ask for pain medication when in the hospital as your doctor prescribed during his stay. We learned that due to shift changes sometimes it was forgotten. Also, he had two tubes removed which had been inserted to allow for drainage. When those are removed, it is especially important to have the pain medication. He had opted not too, against our will, and admitted after the fact it would have been better to have had it. When you get home, have cooling pads (frozen peas work) and heating hot pads ready to go ($12 at Targ-et). And, vitamin E, or whatever he responds to in order to heal. Best wishes to you and your family.

kinggrossi · 11-08-2005, 04:57 PM

Please be sure to let me know how your dad is. I hope the surgery went smoothly.

Janet