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Pain after robotic assisted lobectomy: How long does it last?
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Aug 29 10:37pm | Replies (97)Comment receiving replies
I wish I would have started a journal 5 years ago when this whole thing started. I know the pain after my left upper lobe was removed I had pain for quite sometime, but it's been fine for a long time now. I feel a catch in there every now and again, but nothing like it first was. I wish you the best in your healing and in your journey. Just an FYI -( I was not at the Mayo at that time) My oncologist suggested there was no need for any further treatment, but a year later I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Be vigilant.
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@cindyjk- Welcome Cindy to our wonderful group of Lung Cancer survivors! I can't imagine an oncologist or thoracic surgeon ever telling a lung cancer patient that they didn't need to have a follow-up CT scan at least once a year for life! That's right for life. Just because a tumor is small and chemo is done or you docn't need chemo doesn't mean that there isn't a chance that you won't have another. As the saying goes, "if you have lungs you can get lung cancer" even a second one, etc.
I have multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. This means that my lesions are all primary cancers and I can have more than one at a time. Sometimes they come and go. Right now I have a lesion that will need to be zapped by SBRT and it will be my 6th cancerous tumor. I have had 2 lobectomies and 2 SBRTs. My second lobectomy in my left upper lobe held 3 primary tumors, all of them were different sizes and different stages of growth.
If a doctor tells you not to worry about follow-up CT scans go to another doctor.
I am sorry that you had to go through this unnecessarily.
Let's talk about pain for a minute. For the most part, a lobectomy will usually cause pain when you are healing. However, it will depend of course on your surgeon and which one is being removed. A lobe is attached to your chest wall and when the connection is severed it alters your chest cavity, nerves, muscles, etc. After my first cancer that removed my lower right lobe, I had a painful muscle cramp that came and went whenever it wanted to!
Major chest surgery is lessened with the less disturbance possible. BUT it also depends on the person and many other factors. Recovering from lung cancer takes a while. You will be very tired and need to rest and will, at least, be uncomfortable. It will also depend on how well you heal and what steps you take to help your recovery. As a patient, it is up to all of us to be hands-on patients! It is my opinion that since it is our bodies we are responsible for their well-being and must take full responsibility for helping them heal when its injured or ill.
Now I can get off of my soapbox and ask, Cindy how you are doing? What stage of treatment are you in? I wish that I could give you a hug!
Merry