Hello @corgimenow and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. By some coincidence another member recently posted about a similar diagnosis and shock given she wasn't a smoker either. Because of the similarities in your husband's experience and hers, I have moved your post so that you may join her discussion and connect with her.

@aksinspringfield please meet @corgimenow who's husband has just had a similar experience with a non-smoking diagnosis.

What about the care do you feel is moving too quickly?

Mara
I was discharged yesterday from hospital following lobectomy to remove a fairly large tumor

I was in hospital two nights- they actually said they would discharge me after one night, but i opted to stay another

Decent amount of pain first day while chest tube was in- important to stay on top of meds!

Came home with a ton of meds but seriously doubt ill need them all
Hoping to wean myself down to just an nsaid in couple of days

Your husband being in shape will DEFINITELY help him recover faster!!

I was happy to get that tumor out of me! Normally i guess they say stage 4 is inoperable, but surgeon told me bc i am in shape they will be agressive. they said chemo first but just last friday they ( oncologist and surgeon) reversed course snd put me in surgery asap

Im guessing they will be agressive with your husband too

Best wishes- these first steps are fast and furious- and definitely a bit scary

My friends and i developed a slogan to keep positive during this unexpected chapter of life-
The Best is Yet to Come!!

You and your husband will get thru this too
🙂 amy

Welcome @corgimenow to Mayo Clinic Connect. Most people who have never smoked make up about 15-20% of cancer patients. There is a saying, that if you have lungs you can get lung cancer. But I think that this is true for all organs. It's just more of a shock for non-smokers.

There are also other reasons other than smoking that people can get lung cancer. Exposure to radon, secondhand smoke, air pollution, or other factors can cause lung cancer. Workplace exposures to asbestos, diesel exhaust, or certain other chemicals can also cause lung cancers in some people who don't smoke.

I have had 2 lobectomies, both done the traditional way- open chest surgery. Post-surgery recovery was very tough and it took a long time for me to recover from the first one. (lower right lobe). My second lobectomy was the upper left lobe. It started out with a VATS (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/surgery.html) but they wound up having to open up my chest due to a complication.

Cancer does alter the topography of the chest. So it will depend on how much is changed, the amount of lung tissue removed and other factors will depend on how quickly recovery happens. Recover with care, treat recovery as a special time to rest, and eat as cleanly as possible with lots of good protein. Drinking lots of water should help immensely. Also slowly let pain be your guide when exercising. Lungs need special care in recovery so don't push it. Slowly introduce each new exercise.

I was amazed at how much I could do!

Make sure that there is help with heavy lifting and home care. Follow what your doctors tell you. Do youhave any specific concerns?