How was your mental state after surgery?

Thanks @mamalinda61
My surgery was May 9th too. Were your other surgeries for cancer?
And yes, though crying is my most popular emotion, anger and impatience seep out now and again and I hate that, especially when it is directed toward my partner/caregiver who has been wonderful. (And oh... typing that has inspired a short round of sobs...) I think resting is something I need to work on. I used to only need about six hours of sleep and I tend to wake up after that amount of time and not be able to fall back to sleep. More naps!

@elyser, I must be the exception, because I did not have a strong emotional response to my upper right lobectomy in 2018. The diagnosis was a shock. There is no history of lung cancer in my family and I have a LOT of relatives. But, despite the surgeon's warning to my wife and I that I WOULD be depressed after the surgery. Meh, not so much. Just one more thing to deal with. Our bodies are pretty amazing in what they can bounce back from.

It may have helped that I'd been meditating for 43 years prior, including a few months at the top of a mountain studying under a Zen master, but that's another story. For whatever reason, I've always been a positive person. Some people have scanxiety and others of us look at each scan as another opportunity to learn that we're still cancer-free.

7 years after the initial surgery, after metastasis to my brain requiring brain surgery, followed, years later, by a recurrence requiring radiation to my brain which again has made me somewhat physically handicapped, I recently did realize that I have some of the classic symptoms of depression, and I'm seeking a local therapist. But that's because I can't walk without at least some degree of pain, much less hike, garden, etc..

Good Morning Elyser! It’s good to “hear” from you again! My opinion; You’re fine! I say that because you have been through an emotional as well as physical roller coaster since your diagnosis to now. It, honestly, will probably continue for a while. Yes, the meds contribute to that. Those are some serious meds you are taking. But, also, your body and mind need the release crying gives. It’s one of the ways we release tension, sadness, fear, etc. You’ve had to be so brave going through this. You’ve had to be strong and a fighter! Now you’re probably thinking a lot of what you need to do next to get better and back to the life you want to live. but scared still. Normal!! Happy, sad, scared all at the same time. Appreciative of being alive but already worrying about the future. It’s ALL normal. Crying is your release. I wouldn’t worry about it. Just accept it when it happens and know that you will feel better, in some way, afterward. Maybe even let yourself smile or laugh about it afterward. Your mind and body need to relax for a bit now. As far as the meds, maybe ask your Doctor if there is something else you can take for any pain now. I wanted off those kinds of meds as soon as I got home because I knew they are addictive and I just didn’t want them. They gave me Lyrica, Gabapentin, Hydro Morphone, Robaxin, 800mg Ibuprofen and 500mg Tylenol. After 2 weeks, because you have to slowly get off the heavy ones, I was only taking the Ibuprofen and Tylenol and once in a while the Robaxin.(muscle relaxer). I feel I am a more emotional person now than I used to be, but thats fine, because I also appreciate EVERYTHING, a lot more than I used to. God is Good! We are still here! Hugs and Love to you!❤️🙏

My other 2 surgeries were knee replacements 3 months apart. During the 2nd replacement I had Covid and several sinus infections. That recovery time really taught me that I have to really listen to my body and mind. For example I woke up at 5 am because I just could not get comfortable, at 8 am I was so tired I laid back down.. if I am tired I sleep. I would love to connect with you via test or facebook if you are interested.. It would be nice to have someone to talk to that is going thru recovery the same time.. to find me on facebook Linda Armstrong Feldmeier . This way we can talk privately. Hang in there wipe off those tears and conquer the next hour..

Welcome @mamalinda61, Your body has been through a lot in the past year. You are one tough person to do both knees so close together, and then to get hit with a lung cancer diagnosis. Next year has to be better!

I so much agree with cmcguire's response to elyser. I wholeheartedly agree as ,not just the body needs to heal, the mind does too and if crying is a way to release the " heavy" mind then I say just let the tears flow because the mind has had a rough time too before and after surgery. 2 days after my 2nd lobe removal 6 months ago I was rushed back into surgery with a blood clot in the lung which was blocking an artery and i was haemorrageing. I was knocking on heavens door I was told. Since then I have wanted to cry but can't. I am so happy to still be alive but still want the release of a good cry. Amazing how we all are so different and cope differently.

Your my inspiration

The new version of Xanex is clonazepam which is slower and longer acting. So just half a pill is enough usually for me to fight off the tears. But scan time I have to take 2 because I have had so many scans the anxiety is ptsd levels. LOL.
They took out 2/3 of my right lung in 2000 at age 46 and then I had 7 weeks of concurrent chemo and radiation right after that. Everything was going along okay until 2021 they found a new spot in lower left lobe. We watched it grow to 2 cm, then used SBRT radiation which totally resolved it (it took about a year to slowly go away). Then I had a new spot SBRT'd on my right side in 2024. Now we are seeing another spot in lower left lobe again and trying to decide next step. Guess what? I have PET tomorrow so I will be taking the clonazepam tonight and tomorrow for sure.
You make me laugh about using it for public speaking. < 3 < 3 < 3