Left lower lobectomy gone wrong or what's going on?

hi @minnie528 - I haven't had a lobectomy, but I'm so very sorry this is happening to your friend. It sounds to me (a layperson) that she has nerve damage from the surgery. Maybe the vagus nerve? My only suggestion is to have her see another more qualified doctor - preferably at a well established cancer center.

I had part of my lower right lobe removed. That was about 6 months ago and I am still having extreme pain. My surgery was also done robotically. I have not been released by the doctor to return to work due to the pain. I started going to an acupuncturist because it appears I have nerve damage. I've had 3 sessions and have had some relief. I totally agree with the second opinion suggestion. I was put in touch with another doctor with that in mind. I wish I had gone with the second opinion BEFORE the operation. I'm so sorry your friend is having such troubles. You are a very good friend to have. Hope she gets answers soon. 💕

@nannybb I hope the acupuncture and new doctor have more help/relief to offer you. thanks for sharing your experience.

Thank you. And you are welcome.

In reply to Minnie, what a caring friend you are. I had a similar situation as your friend in Oct last year. I'd had an upper right lobectomy and 2 days later I was back in theatre having emergency surgery. I too was never given a full explanation except that I had a clot in the lung and massive bleeding ( pleural effusion) . I later asked for a copy of the report of xray that was done just prior to that 2nd surgery too much to detail here but I also had numbness of my left thigh and 12 months later it is still numb also still numbness under my breast. I didn't know when I had finished peeing unless I looked, I had a stubborn UTI that took months to clear, struggled to walk due to weakness, couldn't sit up in bed without help and has taken over a year to recover.. I also had (have) a broken rib. Did your friend have blood transfusions? I had 9 units. I do hope your friend is ok but after having 2 major surgeries it will take months to heal and recover, she needs to rest and time to allow her body to do its job and heal. I have a dear friend like you too.
For people out there who are facing surgery you are anxious enough so don't let our experiences cause further fear as what has happened to us is so rare considering the amount of these surgeries done throughout the world. Glor

@minnie528 — Your friend’s been through a lot, and it’s completely fair to want clearer answers and better relief. I can tell you that I have a team of specialists addressing all of my different issues.

Get a fresh set of eyes. A quick second opinion can bring new ideas and peace of mind. Ask for it to be fast-tracked so momentum isn’t lost.

Leg pain and tingling. This can happen after big surgeries. Ask her team to loop in a nerve/pain specialist and physical therapy. There are meds and exercises that can calm nerve pain and help legs feel steadier. If one leg suddenly swells, warms, or turns red, call right away.

Burning when peeing / not feeling the urge. Catheters can irritate things. A simple check with a bladder specialist can sort out what’s going on and maybe fix it, but at least she'll know. I had issues after my brain surgery and still do as the Urologist said the only "solution" is painful and has a low chance of success, so I opted out.

Skin torn by the chest-tube bandage. That’s awful—and sadly not unheard of. A wound-care nurse can switch to gentler dressings, ease the pain, and help the skin heal with less scarring.

Ongoing chest/side soreness. Nerve pain after lung surgery is common. A pain clinic and PT can make a big difference with the right mix of creams, meds, and targeted exercises.

Ask her oncologist to quarterback the referrals and give a short written summary of what happened and what’s next. Most of these issues are solvable with the right helpers—and getting them on board can turn the corner from “stuck” to “getting better.”

Please tell your friend we’re pulling for her. One step at a time, with the right support from people like you, can make things can feel lighter.

@flusshund Ty for your kind words. I totally agree with you. I guess I was lucky & didn't get what she's going through, but I know enough to tell her she needs these docs together as a team to sort it all out & if they can't/don't, go somewhere else. Healing time is long either way, but with the right doctors & therapy it'll get better & mentally she'll feel better. Right now she's a real emotionally tired mess.

@minnie528 You’re such a good friend. The point of exhaustion is tough, especially when she’s dealing with so many issues. Getting other doctors involved should help. My skin is sensitive to many adhesives. I think I have it figured out now, but the blisters can be very painful. Ask her to get a ‘adhesive allergy’ noted in her chart for any future procedures. Even with a simple vaccine, I’m taking the bandage off as soon as I leave the office. Hopefully the numbness can get addressed and she gets even a little glimmer of hope and better days ahead.

There ARE bandages that do not rip your skin off. Now even when I get a blood draw, I have the tech wrap the area with a stretch bandage. It makes all the difference. As for the urinary catheter, I cannot have iodine in that sensitive area. They usually use it to swab the area before insertion. I would take the suggestion to go to a urologist. That can be very painful. It was another allergy/sensitivity that I had to have put on my chart as a no thank you.