What Can I Expect Before and After Lobectomy

Posted by andycapp @andycapp, Jan 21 3:34pm

Stage3A NSCLC
I had to stop combination of chemo and imuno therapies becaise it was causing damage to my liver. So, now that I have recovered, I will be undergoing a left lung lower lobectomy. I could use any advice about preparing for the surgery as well as any advice about recovering from the procedure.
TIA

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Profile picture for donsasen @donsasen

So im sort of expert with "All Things Lung"
I had lobectomy of upper right lobe to remove cancerous nodules. Since confined to just that lobe Doc decided a minimal invasive surgery, was in order. I was petrified scared was going from under armpit to belly button. He decided on VATS to do surgery. ( if u have say ,ask for it) I don't know how extensive your cancer is, but 4 or 5 little holes, way better than opening up your whole side. But surgery was total success,, cancer gone these past 6 years. Ya couple small problems that my Doc ( who was Chief Thoracic Surgeon of Mercy Medical Center in Springfield MA) handled with only years of experience in his calling can provide. Make it short,,i ended up in an extended stay situation, because drainage was disconcerting, lol,, 7 Xtra days, and container was still being filled by drainage tube coming out rather large hole ( size of Quarter) under armpit. And to my surprise i was given a portable drainage container box with same rather large tube coming out that hole under armpit. So now im home getting better by the day, going restaurants and grocery shopping,,and visiting family,,all with Nasty box of drainage fluids slung over shoulder. Well 2 WEEKS of thinking i guess im stuck with this Death Till We Part Apparatus when I get call from Doctors nurse. Hey!! Im still seeing fluids coming out,,rather alot Pleural Effusion im done. LOL. Come find out,,NORMAL NOW COMES THE MAGIC TRICK. So u thinking, this tube no big deal,, you've heard of drainage tubes before so u think nothing of it going Doc office, talking chitchat and when he walks up gets good firm grip on tube and while STILL CHITCHAT ING,,PULLS WITH A STEADY, EVEN FORCE AND OUT COMES 8 FOOT TUBE!!! That's it. U not coming back there again!! But u have NOTHING TO FEAR IN HANDS OF EXPERIENCED Thoracic Surgeon. They have come long way in lung cancer technology. If you make 5 years Post. U kicked it's ASS I WISH YOU LUCK. RELAX EXCEPT WEN U IN OFFICE AND SOMEONE GOES FOR END OF DRAINAGE TUBE IT HAS TO BE DONE SO RELAX LOL

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@donsasen - Your post was Awesome because you still have a great sense of humor! Your version of the tube removal is great! My adult son asked to watch when they removed mine ( at Mayo) and they let him! At first he told me “it was only about 6 inches’ then when I told him I saw the X-rays and I felt it, he said “ Oh, I know. It was SOOOO long! That was inside you!” He was so funny! You are very good at telling the details but what is good is the way in which you did it. Love it!

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Profile picture for daddylonglegs @daddylonglegs

Hi. I am now a 70 yo male who had a left lower lobectomy and 4 ribs removed. Then it spread to my right upper lobe and a resection there aswell. Then moved onto my liver. No treatment!! Is what i was told and then one of my lung specialists using an immunotherapy drug known as.. Pembrozulimab here in the UK and Keytruda in USA. I had 2 years of injections every 6 weeks. And i worked great for me. As far as after my lobectomy it becomes hard to sleep on that side because of the surgery but because i am limited to amount of air i can take in now on that side. Breathing when walking is harder but with time and practice and breathing techniques i am still alive. Each day i open my eyes in the morning is one more day i thank the doctors and scientists and my cancer care team goes along way to a much better recovery. I found. All the best to you and your family

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@daddylonglegs keytruda is a miracle drug. I have it every 3 weeks for melanoma in my lung. I am going on 5 years on treatment and will be on keytruda for life due to melanoma likes to hide.
I have no breathing problems as long as I sit but can't walk 10 feet without getting totally breathless. No energy and as much as I appreciate this treatment it has left me without any quality of life.
I wish you the very best

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