Anyone have a Lobectomy for lung cancer while living with Long COVID?

Posted by samiam1949 @samiam1949, Jun 27 7:10am

I am having a lower left lobectomy July 26th. I had covid Jan 2022 and after multiple infections over 12 months, was left with long covid with extreme fatique, ongoing immunity problems, and severe asthma. My thoracic surgeon at Mayo said so much is unknown about the healing process relating to lung cancer,surgery and long covid.
Has anyone had a similar experience that can provide insight?
Thanks!
Holly

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jun 28 11:39am

@samiam1949, I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with the effects of long-covid. From your other posts, I read that you are staying hopeful while facing this surgery. With any surgery the unknown is one of the biggest fears. The unknowns that you are facing are compounded with everything else you've faced in the past two years. I'm sure you are looking forward to having the cancerous lobe removed, and hopefully moving forward and feeling better.
I'm glad you are being cared for at Mayo. They will do what they can to help. Be sure to speak up with any difficulties that you experience post-surgery. Do you have good support at home, you'll likely need some help for a few days at least?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 28 11:48am

Hi @samiam1949, let me see if I'm understanding correctly. You have been diagnosed with lung cancer and will soon have a lobectomy as part of your treatment. Because you've also had multiple lung infections and are now living with long COVID, you're concerned about how your recovery may be affected. Do I have that right?

samiam1949 | @samiam1949 | Jun 29 8:17am

In reply to @lls8000 "@samiam1949, I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with the effects of long-covid. From your..." + (show)

Thank you for your kind words and support! I am grateful! My husband is my support system!

samiam1949 | @samiam1949 | Jun 29 8:22am

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @samiam1949, let me see if I'm understanding correctly. You have been diagnosed with lung cancer..." + (show)

Hi Colleen!
Yes,you have that right! I am worried about my healing due to my long covid and its impact. My thoracic surgeon said he thought my healing would be "tough and challenging ".

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 4 11:17am

In reply to @samiam1949 "Hi Colleen! Yes,you have that right! I am worried about my healing due to my long..." + (show)

Thanks for clarifying, @samiam1949. I updated the title on the discussion and added it to the Post-COVID Recovery support group as well to see if others have undergone surgery while living with long COVID.

Did your surgeon mention any tips for how you can prepare and possibly make recovery easier? When is your surgery?

samiam1949 | @samiam1949 | Jul 5 8:01am

In reply to @colleenyoung "Thanks for clarifying, @samiam1949. I updated the title on the discussion and added it to the..." + (show)

@colleenyoung ,my surgery is in 3 weeks, on July 26th. My surgeon didn't have any tips other than getting rest but I didn't really ask. That is an excellent idea! I think I will call and leave a message asking the question.
I am trying to get as much rest as possible. My pulmonologist has given me something to help me sleep. Fine during the day.Not so much at night. I know exercise would help but am unable to do that right now. I am doing self hypnosis to relax my body and focusing on deep breathing. Trying to eat a healthy diet.
I am grateful for your concern. You make such a difference! Thank you!

aprilradek | @aprilradek | Jul 5 12:52pm

Hi Holly,

Ugh, long covid sounds terrible.
I had a lobectomy last September 2023. Before I was diagnosed with cancer Jan 2023-May 2023 I kept getting infections (pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus, etc). Then I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Perhaps long COVID and the symptoms of lung cancer got intertwined? Who knows what is what?
I tried to go back to work part-time this year May 2024 and after 4 days at work, I got covid. Wiped me out I was already weak from cancer treatments.
My advice is to keep doing what you are doing- eating healthy, getting sleep, baby nature walks if possible, meditation of some kind.
Your surgery will go well- keep us posted.

april

samiam1949 | @samiam1949 | Jul 5 1:20pm

In reply to @aprilradek "Hi Holly, Ugh, long covid sounds terrible. I had a lobectomy last September 2023. Before I..." + (show)

Thank you for your encouragement,April! I am grateful. I am working on a daily gratitude list! Today,I am thankful for you! I will keep you posted.
Holly

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 10 4:07pm

In reply to @samiam1949 "@colleenyoung ,my surgery is in 3 weeks, on July 26th. My surgeon didn't have any tips..." + (show)

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Myak | @janet23 | Jul 24 9:57am

I have been seeing a physical therapy over the past four years after I was diagnosed with multiple long covid health issues.

I had a LLL wedge resection for lung cancer in April. My physical therapist modified my exercises during my recovery period to gentle range of motion exercises sitting in a chair or lying on my back in bed. It really helped me recover quickly. I was able to return to my normal exercise program six weeks after surgery. Wishing you the best with your recovery.

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