Lung surgery....What to expect???? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Clerklady · 09-19-2007, 12:21 PM

Hi all,

My Mom has a spot on her lung that appears to be non small cell lung cancer.
The Doctor wants to operate and remove the upper lobe of her left lung.
They are going to cut into her back instead of the front. Can anyone tell me what to expect. She is 75 and pretty fragile from Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Dr feel that after the surgery there will be no need for radiation or Chemo, I just do not know how to prepare her for this in telling her what to expect as far as her recovery time. Can any one help??? God Bless, Denise

julie99 · 09-20-2007, 10:01 AM

Denise,
I don't know if I can help much, I wasn't with my brother when he had his surgery. He had the right lobectomy. They had to go through his back because the spot was under his rib. They couldn't even do a biopsy.
His was also non-small cell lung cancer. They don't usually do chemo or radiation on those. They aren't supposed to spread or grow fast.

I don't know much of what happened at the hospital, his wife was with him (out of town). I know they put an epidural in your spine to give you morphine for pain.

He was in there about 7-10 days. His back was very sore and he had trouble wearing shirts. He had to buy slick shirts (nylon knit). He was in pain for quite some time, couldn't sleep in bed, laid on recliner.

I think he went back to work about 2 1/2 months after his surgery. Of course , if you read my post he broke a couple of ribs when trying to lift something heavy. I know they spread your ribs apart to get to the tumor. Your mother's may not be where his was and they might not have to spread her ribs to get to it. Sounds like they did a biopsy on her and knew what kind of cancer it was.

Others on this board can probably help you more than I but maybe this will help a little.

God bless you both. I know how hard it is to see your mother sick. Mine is 82 yrs old and has had stroke, broken hip, heart attack etc.

Clerklady · 09-20-2007, 11:01 AM

Julie,

Thanks so much, her spot is on the back side of the lung, they did a biopsy and had to use the CT scan to guide the camera and then he could not look at it, he had to just use the tool to get the tissue, so going in through the back is what is going ot happen. The PET scan showed a small dull light in one of her lymph nodes also close the lung and they are going to biopsy that spot and remove if nessary. They see no need for chemo or radiation unless the lymph node shows more then what they think. I know it will be hard on her and I am worried about her recovery time.
God Bless you and your Mother, I have a MIL in the nursing home who has mounds of medical problems and has carcenoma in her mouth, we have chosen to not open the spots up because of her other medical problems, so far they do not bother her when eating, but she has a really bad heart and is wheel chair bound, but at 85 she has had a wonderful life, but her dementia is getting worse everyday, but she is comfortable and that is a blessing.

Thank you for your response, we will be glad when it is over and she can revocer, hopfully quickly. God Bless, Denise

suzesnobbs · 09-20-2007, 07:40 PM

see previous reply

suzesnobbs · 09-20-2007, 07:43 PM

Hi Julie,

I had my right lower lobe removed almost two months ago. I am starting to feel like myself and will be going back to work shortly.

The incision was made on my right side. I woke up with a drainage tube with suction and lots of morphine. I was pretty nauseated for the first three days because of the meds. I had to take anti nausea meds and they finally found some that worked. I took myself off the morphine and asked for pain pills instead. I was in the hospital for five days then released.

Once I was home I slept propped up on pillows and that worked fine. Now I sleep on a regular pillow but find my lungs rattle if I sleep on my back or right side and there is some pain (I am calling my surgeon to make sure this is normal).

My stamina was very low for the first month and if I over did I would sweat profusely. The incision hurt for a month and now there is mostly tightness. Wearing a bra was uncomfortable and still if I wear it all day.

My cancer is stage IIIb but I will not need chemo or radiation because my cancer was slow growing.

FYI; after a couple of days I started taking something for constipation because meds can cause you to have problems. Your mother will not want stomach cramps on top of the pain after surgery.

I hope this isn’t too much information but I wanted to be helpful.
I pray your mother will be healed and have very little pain.