Going through lobectomy alone

@snorfish if you want to private message me I can give you a list of items you may want to have on hand and a few ideas that I did to help recovery go easier. Don’t want to have a long post on here. A key will be to walk as much as you can, before your procedure to build your lungs and heart. Walking after is Super important as well but you need to have someone with you the first couple of times out. Just in case you get too tired..

@snorfish I will say a prayer for you.
I was off work for 10 weeks and then went back part time and it was rough when I went back full time. I was 52 when I had the surgery this past spring.

hi @snorfish I live in Seattle. Fred Hutch has a subsidized lodging option for their patients with shuttle service to the clinics. And the Inn at Virginia Mason is attached to the Hospital in First Hill. Just in case you'd consider a different hospital... or you might feel more comfortable at the Inn at VM, knowing a hospital is right there.

Oh thank you!! Fred Hutch is marvelous. I opted for Swedish for a couple reasons: They have a hospital in Edmonds and they seem to specialize more in lung cancer whereas FH does it all. I know people that have gone to both and both have gotten glowing reports! I don't think Swedish has subsidized lodging. That's a huge thing for me. It would be hard to change care teams at this point though :'(

I did go to the Fred Hutch website and was able to download several places that had "medical rates" but were not solely affiliated with Fred Hutch. Now I just have to check on a shuttle.

Thank you so much! This information has been very valuable to me < 3

@hollyann72 Honestly 10 weeks sounds pretty good after such a major surgery! You must be a real fighter 🙂

Everyone has their own beliefs. I strongly believe in the power of prayer and I truly appreciate your prayer.

@snorfish let me know when you set your surgery date. happy to give some moral support and I'm local! I used to have a fantastic pulmonologist at Swedish - but he moved to Bend. I almost had surgery there, too. Long story, but I really liked the surgeon, Dr Vallieres. Their thoracic surgery team seemed very strong.

Thank you!!! I will absolutely let you know. How very kind of you. I could absolutely use the support. Wow, you made me cry. ...happy tears. 🙂

Hi there! So sorry you have to go through this alone. I had a lobectomy two years ago at age 74 and also was very nervous having not had any major surgery before that. I would say the first week or two is the hardest, and even so I was still able to get up and dressed and walk around. The level of pain and discomfort was not fun for the first week, especially, and going into the second week as well. By the second week, I was walking around the block in my neighborhood. Most people are told not to lift anything heavy, the first few weeks, and a friend of mine who also had the surgery and went home alone said she had difficulty bending down to get her pots and pans, but she was still able to get her meals. My kids stayed with me for two weeks, taking turns, but really I could have done it alone with preparing things ahead of time to make it easier. I hope you are able to go into a rehab facility and I’m glad that you’ll be talking to the hospital social worker. Just bring loose fitting comfy clothes for afterwards. So sorry you’re alone, as a widow I know that can be tough sometimes but especially with something like this. But I would think even a week in rehab would be very helpful. Best wishes, and I hope you’ll let us know how you’re doing.

@snorfish I’m glad you have Medicare plus a Supplement and NOT Medicare Advantage. You will have a much better chance of getting into rehab with traditional Medicare. Blessings!

@snorfish I hope I hear from you! I am just fine these days. I had advanced cancer about 14 years ago, 5 surgeries and 6 months of chemo. But I know what it’s like when you think friends, family, or co-workers would at least call, check on you, drive you to chemo, anything...and they don’t. I rather do things to help strangers in need than ever associate with those I thought would be there for me when I got so sick. So...again, I am here when you need me! Sending hugs your way.