Bending over post lobectomy causes significant shortness of breath?

Posted by pb50 @pb50, Dec 27, 2023

I’m 7 months from lobectomy of left lower lobe. By and large I do pretty well from a pulmonary function perspective. Not as great as the docs led me to expect, since I absolutely do not have 99% of my capacity back, nor do I see evidence the other lines are taking up the slack.
So that’s an “is”. But what I don’t understand is why bending over causes a severe loss of capacity.
I notice it just wiping up a spill or sponging off baseboards. Stuff like that.
Does anyone else experience that?

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pb50 | @pb50 | Dec 10, 2024

Good to know it's not just me !

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Dec 10, 2024

In reply to @pigeonhead "Stairs and bending over definitely get me panting and out of breath, much worse than other..." + (show)

Welcome to Mayo Connect @pigeonhead. Did you have lung surgery? How long ago?

pb50 | @pb50 | Dec 10, 2024

I did. In May of 23. Left lower lobectomy. Stage 1, N0. Fortunate but we had been watching it slooooowly grow for five years.

pigeonhead | @pigeonhead | Dec 11, 2024

In reply to @lls8000 "Welcome to Mayo Connect @pigeonhead. Did you have lung surgery? How long ago?" + (show)

11/20 of this year...bilateral breast cancer 2005... both caught early; I am so lucky for that...but feel a little like there's a target on my back! LoL

whahoo | @whahoo | Dec 11, 2024

I had my right upper lobe removed a year and a half ago and still have minor pain issues.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Dec 11, 2024

In reply to @pigeonhead "11/20 of this year...bilateral breast cancer 2005... both caught early; I am so lucky for that...but..." + (show)

@pigeonhead , Sorry to hear that you've picked up another cancer. I'm not sure that the weight of that target ever really goes away, but hopefully it gets a little lighter over time. You are three weeks out from a major surgery. Make sure you give yourself time to recover. Hopefully your breath gets better as you heal.
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and recently had surgery for breast cancer. I mentioned to a friend that I was enjoying being lazy, and she reminded me that healing is 'work', so I shouldn't think of it as being lazy. Now I tell others that I'm working as I'm laying around.
I'm glad that you found us, take care.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 12, 2024

In reply to @whahoo "I had my right upper lobe removed a year and a half ago and still have..." + (show)

Hi, whahoo- My lung cancer goes back years, and for a lot of those years, I had muscle spasms right where my scar was. It takes a long time for the body to heal after chest surgery. And no matter what type of surgery it was, the topography of your chest wall was changed, and that's a biggy! I always found stretching exercises helpful and still do.

pigeonhead | @pigeonhead | Dec 12, 2024

In reply to @lls8000 "@pigeonhead , Sorry to hear that you've picked up another cancer. I'm not sure that the..." + (show)

That is a comforting thought! You do feel lazy napping and lying around , but now I will think of it as hard work healing! I am so sorry that you too are going "through" the cancers A-Z.... This is a lovely forum and I appreciate all the perspectives! Be well and thank you!