How was your pain after a lobectomy?
I'll be having a lobectomy (lower left) in early May and am very anxious about the post-surgery pain. Many years ago (about 35) I had a hysterectomy and remember being in tremendous pain when I woke up -- like nothing I had experienced before. That eased up while I was in the hospital but at home I had a lot of pain again. I think things have changed, the surgery itself as well as the approach to pain, but I am scared. How has it been for others?
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@muffyy I think it's so cool that you are typing about your experiences within a week of your surgery. Though I also see that there are many people who have had bad experiences with pain (and continue to have them), it is very helpful to hear of someone who did not. If I fall somewhere in between, I'll be happy.
Thanks for writing
@yts5361 Oh dear. Your experience has really been the stuff of nightmares! Two months out and still problems like this! Are you now in the same hospital where you had the surgery?
@elyser, I had an upper right lobectomy in 2018. I was 58 at the time and in good shape. The surgeon used the da Vinci 2 robot. I think they are up to da Vinci 5 or 6 by now.
The surgery and recovery were OK. As others have said, the chest tube was uncomfortable -- until I coughed! My nurse told me to clutch my pillow to my chest, and she was right that it's quickly over. I though sneezing was even worse, but fotunately, I only sneezed once. I slept in a recliner for the first few nights to stay more upright. After that, pillows in the bed were good enough.
I hurried into recovery exercises too fast. According to my physical therapist friend, that's common for people around 60! We know to rest at first, but then we think we'll bounce back faster than our bodies do at that age. So give yourself some time to recover and then ease into any stretching exercises your surgeon or oncologist provide.
All in all, it wasn't bad. I hope you feel the same after your procedure!
@flusshund Thanks for your response! It's been helpful hearing from people about their experiences though of course I'm happier when it's relatively positive, like yours. I am 70 so probably not in danger of hurrying into recovery exercises!
I had a lobecctomy in February, dint even need the narcotics Usedd Tylenol the first three days, nothing after that
Much lower than I expected.The chest tube is uncomfortable but not painful Good Luck
Just wanting to send prayers for you today! I pray, in Jesus’s name, you have a successful outcome, and a fantastic recovery! Just remember, your recovery time is your own. Don’t compare it to anyone else's, and don't push yourself too hard. Take your meds and rest. 🙏❤️🙏
Thanks to everyone who wrote here. It was all helpful, both the good and the bad. I had my surgery last Friday and came home today, Wednesday. Coming out of anesthesia, I remember being asked for my number 1 to 10 and I remember I said "8" but I don't actually remember the pain itself. They had given me a nerve block and gave me oxycodone and fentanyl and I stayed in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit overnight. The next day I moved to a regular room and my pain was definitely down from 8 but my nausea was on the way up. The nausea got pretty nasaty but was helped by an anti-nausea med -- I don't remember its name. It was likely the oxy or fentanyl because once they weaned me off those, the nausea started going down. Tuesday they took my drainage tube out. I had felt anxious about that but it took two seconds and was nothing and such a relief not to have that gross box to carry around. I stayed one more night to make sure I was okay. Now I am happy to be home. They think I will do fine alternating between advil and tylenol for pain but gave me some oxy just in case. I am hopeful. Best, Elyse
Elyser! So GOOD to hear from You! Praying you have a speedy and full recovery!🙏 Just take it slow and easy❤️. God Bless you! Cindy
Dont be upset if you continue have manageable pain for 6 - 8 months. Pain is part of the healing process. I found that stretching and relaxation helped along with walking outside when the weather permitted.
So glad all went well for you, now that you are home don't overdo things, you need to heal. Thank you for letting us know that you are OK. Best wishes on your recovery .