PNEUMONIA - A post Lobectomy complication

I’m very impressed to hear that you’re 81 years young, I had a lobectomy at age 69 and I couldn’t do half of the work that you did and so soon after your surgery. I commend you on your dedication to recovery but I think you might be pushing yourself a bit too much, I understand what you’re trying to do however it seems that you’re aware of that, getting pneumonia has nothing to do with your surgery but rather exposure to the environment, a mask might have helped you, also, your body needs to adjust and get stronger in time, perhaps a slower pace for now and then you can gradually increase the activities. It’s a lot to deal with after a lobectomy and a lot has been done, your immune system needs to get stronger too. I’m glad that you’re doing better and you can catch up with your doctor soon and hear what they think, best wishes for your recovery.

Thank you for your comment. That seems to be the general consensus. I am used to bouncing back quickly from the various bumps in the road and the pneumonia on top of surgery has me
in a place that is new to me. I will have PT here next week and go over a modified schedule that will reflect a slower pace.

Do your CT scan reports mention anything about pulmonary fibrosis/interstitial lung disease? Also, pneumonia will scar your lungs (fibrosis) reducing your lung function. Have they updated your pulmonary function tests since your pneumonia? Did your Catheterization include a right heart cath for pulmonary hypertension (you have to peddle when lying down)?
At the age of 81 I started to have some SOB. Abnormal CT and PET scans indicated possible lung cancer. At same time I had a strange numbness in feet and went to ER and blood work indicated elevated Troponin. They did angiogram which found 70% blockage. I did not do stent then because I needed lung surgery. After 4 months I did stent but that did not help the SOB. I later had another wedge resection and SBRT. I then had radiation-induced pneumonitis which decreased my lung function and was put on 2L O2 for exertion/sleep. My permanent O2 need is multifactorial - mostly due to pulmonary fibrosis (fortunately stable for now), and some pulmonary hypertension caused by fibrosis, and I have bilateral multifocal lung cancer.
I suspect the elevated Troponin (now normal) was due to the extra work my heart had to do to make up for insufficient O2 when I was exerting myself to go to appointment.

Hello Vic83, Thank you for your comments and questions.
It sounds like you have been through the wringer.
Basically no one- PCP, Surgeon, Pulmonologist or Oncologist has offered any guidance yet. I am hopeful that the Pulmonologist
will have some ideas. I did see a case Management Nurse from Center Well. She was here to evaluate my condition in regards to
PT and in general.
Her Take was that my exercise in general activity after leaving
The Rehab Hospital are so much greater than when I was in the Hospital that I over taxed my capabilities. It makes sense but I want to hear what the Pulmonologist has to say. Another note about my lung cancer. Initially I was scheduled to have 4 sessions of chemotherapy as a precaution against a recurrence. My hospital stay took that window of treatment off the board and there are no other plans except following up with regular CT's. There has been no updated pulmonary function testing,No mention of fibrosis , and I would guess that the CT did the whole chest/both lungs.
It should be an interesting talk with the Pulmonologist.

Hi falcon3729. By law (The Affordable Care Act-Obamacare) all your tests, hospital stay, doctor's notes must be posted online. This was done originally to facilitate the patient's ability to change doctors, but it has also proved to be invaluable in understanding your health situation. One will find mistakes and one can request corrections. Also, doctors don't tell you everything that is noted on a CT scan or other test report. They tend to stay in "their lane". It is up to the patient to read reports and look up terms to understand. Little by little one learns. That is what they mean when they say the patient must ADVOCATE for him/herself! Have you read your reports? You need to sign on to doctor's patient portal for each institution where you go.
And be aware that Specialists have subspecialties. So, if you are seeing a Pulmonologist for your breathing issues, you want to see one that deals with causes of SOB, not your cancer Pulmonologist. I have two Pulmonologists - one for cancer and one for fibrosis. The Pulmonologist should order the pulmonary function tests, oxygen titration test, 6 minute walk and overnight oximetry to determine your oxygen needs. Do you have an oximeter to check how your O2 is doing at different times?